relocating to....
Jun 22nd, 2006, 02:06 AM
#23
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Thanks everyone for being so helpful. Findyourspot.com is a free quiz you can take that helps to locate cities in the country that match your preferences. It's a great site. When I took the quiz, Greenville, SC, Raleigh and Charlotte, NC and Tulsa, OK and Plano, TX were in my top ten recommendations. I wanted to see if what they said would be validated by real people who actually live there. Also, it was interesting to me that I didn't get anything closer to D.C. like in Delaware or Pennsylvania where I wouldn't think the weather was too extreme and would be closer to family. Maybe the cost of living is not that much different than D.C. in those states. As for time table, if we could find jobs, we would try and go by the end of this summer which obviously isn't much time. The kids have mixed feelings. On the one hand they are excited and on the other hand they would miss family and friends. Our daughter would actually be happy to change highschools. Our parents are retired and in good health and travel, so if the area is appealing weather wise, I think we will have frequent visitors. 
Jun 22nd, 2006, 06:07 AM
#24
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hen Plano relatives came to DC for an August wedding, all they wanted to do was sit outside and enjoy the more pleasant Virginia weather and look at the flowers.
Tennessee is similar in climate to Virginia but much cheaper housing. Florida is nice, too but much more humid for longer periods than the DC area.
Tennessee is similar in climate to Virginia but much cheaper housing. Florida is nice, too but much more humid for longer periods than the DC area.
Jun 22nd, 2006, 09:23 AM
#28
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Selah,
Have you considered the Shenandoah Valley? There are hospitals in Winchester, Woodstock, and Harrisonburg. Most homes in the area seem to be three bedrooms, but I'm sure there are those with four also that are in your price range. We moved here from Fairfax seven years ago, and it is a much more relaxed way of life.
Sure, we have some humidity, but we also have breezes blowing through the valley that make it tolerable.
Have you considered the Shenandoah Valley? There are hospitals in Winchester, Woodstock, and Harrisonburg. Most homes in the area seem to be three bedrooms, but I'm sure there are those with four also that are in your price range. We moved here from Fairfax seven years ago, and it is a much more relaxed way of life.
Sure, we have some humidity, but we also have breezes blowing through the valley that make it tolerable.
Jun 22nd, 2006, 03:03 PM
#29
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I hadn't thought of the Shenendoah valley. I'd be concerned about jobs for my husband as he is the main provider. I don't know if they would have the kind of high tech jobs that would need a mechanical engineer and the commute to D.C. from that area in Virginia traffic would be just too long. Any other ideas? Anyone with info on the Wilmington, DE area. Also, someone suggested Greenville, SC. Is the job prospect good there?
Jun 22nd, 2006, 03:27 PM
#31
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Lived in DC 1967 - 1975 like a similar highly educated pauper.
Not much better in San Diego '75 - '80.
Still think Ft. Worth, TX is a great move for younger families. Austin is wonderful as well. I lived in Dallas for 25 years, but too much traffic and too many uneducated folks there.
Oh, SAnParis, I live in a 4500 sq ft, 4 BR, 5 1/2 BA house with 2000 sq ft of decks, multi level gardens and killer views 'cuz it's paid for and now I can.
Check it out www.miradorhomes.com
the feature and the virtual tour just after we moved in.
M (SMdA, Gto.)
Not much better in San Diego '75 - '80.
Still think Ft. Worth, TX is a great move for younger families. Austin is wonderful as well. I lived in Dallas for 25 years, but too much traffic and too many uneducated folks there.
Oh, SAnParis, I live in a 4500 sq ft, 4 BR, 5 1/2 BA house with 2000 sq ft of decks, multi level gardens and killer views 'cuz it's paid for and now I can.
Check it out www.miradorhomes.com
the feature and the virtual tour just after we moved in.
M (SMdA, Gto.)
Jun 22nd, 2006, 06:22 PM
#33
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Selah,
There is a lot of industry in the valley from Wichester down to New Market. Especially in Winchester along route 11 and the northern side in the routes 7 and 11. I was a sales rep before I retired and I was amazed at all the industry around Winchester.
There is a lot of industry in the valley from Wichester down to New Market. Especially in Winchester along route 11 and the northern side in the routes 7 and 11. I was a sales rep before I retired and I was amazed at all the industry around Winchester.
Jun 22nd, 2006, 07:21 PM
#34
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Mikemo,
What an incredible house!! and that's the view of Austin??? Looks beautiful. I have never been to Texas and had no idea it had such lovely scenery. I don't know why but I pictured Texas more brown. Is there alot of industry for engineering employment? I know you can find 4BR 2bath homes for under 250K in Plano/Frisco area, but what about Fort Worth and Austin? Thanks for sharing the video tour with us!!
What an incredible house!! and that's the view of Austin??? Looks beautiful. I have never been to Texas and had no idea it had such lovely scenery. I don't know why but I pictured Texas more brown. Is there alot of industry for engineering employment? I know you can find 4BR 2bath homes for under 250K in Plano/Frisco area, but what about Fort Worth and Austin? Thanks for sharing the video tour with us!!
Jun 22nd, 2006, 07:34 PM
#35
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Selah, Mikemo lives in Mexico so I don't think you saw Austin on the website. But, I will tell you that Austin is beautiful. We have lakes, rivers, plenty of hills and trees, and it's very liberal and environmentally friendly. It's also very family and pet friendly. It is nothing like most people imagine Texas to be. But, housing prices are climbing like crazy so if you want to move here you better be quick! $250K won't get you near the city but will get you a place out in the burbs. The city is really booming right now with job growth. The climate is pretty hot though so I don't know if you'll like that, but believe me, DC is way more humid than Austin, at least most of the time!
Good luck with your relocation.
Good luck with your relocation.
Jun 22nd, 2006, 07:37 PM
#36
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I believe Mikemo sent you a pic of his home in Mexico. Definitely not AUstin. If you consider Austin, it is definitely not Brown and actually quite green - hills and trees. However, it is the most liberal city in Texas. I'd count it out since the weather is extreme in that it is hot about 6 months of the year and quite humid. (today was about 95 with about as much humidity. Unbearable...) However, you can find a very nice home for $250K or below, and there are many family friendly subdivisions. You couldn't come close to the city for $250K - you would have to live in the burbs.
Jun 23rd, 2006, 04:21 AM
#37
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So, mikemo, you've got room for me to come & visit ? Just put me in the West Wing. I took the test just for fun & I ended up in Charleston, SC. Not a bad place, but also probably not somewhere where I would live due to the cost (for where I would want to live in Charleston). Jacksonville was #2, which I have actually considered if you count Amelia Island as part of JAX.
Jun 23rd, 2006, 03:00 PM
#38
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SAnParis,
Sure, we have rooms most times except when the Texas families escape the awful summers there.
M ([email protected])
Sure, we have rooms most times except when the Texas families escape the awful summers there.
M ([email protected])
Jun 23rd, 2006, 03:19 PM
#39
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For the record, the findyourspot quiz is pretty prescient, at least in my case. Although it did pick Las Vegas for me (!) as #1 choice, my actual home town was near the top. San Diego was #2, however.... If only I could-- I have a dream firm to work with in La Jolla...!
Jun 25th, 2006, 02:51 PM
#40
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Brookside,
I've been looking further at Tulsa and saw that it is smack in the middle of tornado alley! How bad is it really to live through those severe weather patterns? After watching tornado chaser on TV it looks quite frightening. Obviously it wasn't a deal breaker for you.
I've been looking further at Tulsa and saw that it is smack in the middle of tornado alley! How bad is it really to live through those severe weather patterns? After watching tornado chaser on TV it looks quite frightening. Obviously it wasn't a deal breaker for you.
