Eric

Are you still checking in on this board, Droppingout? One of my sisters went to school in Wilmington, NC and when I visited I thought it was a beautiful place. Wrightsville Beach (a city) is nearby, which puts you a few miles from the college kids. Not sure how old your kids are, so I don't have anything to contribute as far as schools for this or any of the below locations I fly to Ft. Lauderdale and travel up to West Palm Beach for work, and those places along the coast are beautiful, too. The drawbacks are Spring Break, a high tourism region (= high prices), and high humidity in the summer. Another place I have visited that unfortunately doesn't fit your beach requirement is Vermont/New Hampshire (specifically near Dartmouth). Friendly, intelligent, healthy people, but cold winters! Finally, Santa Barbara, Huntington Beach, and Oceanside (all CA) are amazing. You would be right on the beach, and you can live away from the tourism/travel if you wanted to. Have you ever tried the findyourspot.com website? You click through about 10 pages of choices and it helps you determine places to live. Very cool. Good luck!

E Bro

My parents retired to Palm Coast Florida. Nice, inexpensive but gaining daily, off the intercoastal water way, NE Florida between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. They are 60 and young to average for that neighborhood I believe. Orig. from NY and I know they run into many Northeasterners down there@!

Brad

But Bro, like many areas in Florida, just how BAD does the area become once you start driving WEST away from the area?!?

C

First, I have to say I'm shocked by most of the responses you've gotten. I guess I always underestimate how many ignorant people live in this country. I think I am correct in saying your negative responses came from people who have some serious issues & should consider therapy. ANYWAY, I have a few suggestions for you about your relocation quesitons. I recently moved to North Carolina in July of this year. My husband is from the Northeast & I am from southern Illinois. We relocated here(Winston-Salem)from Chicago. Of all the places we've been, NC has the friendliest people and most beautiful landscape of any place we've been. My first suggestion would be Asheville. Coming from the Northeast, you would probably enjoy this city due to it's atmosphere(it's referred to as "the Sedona of the East") Lots of culture, beautiful setting in the mountains, inexpensive compared to what you're used to, and just an all-around hip city. Downside would be distance from the ocean(about 6-7 hours) If you don't want to be that far from the ocean, consider New Bern. What about Virginia?? Many beautiful places on the coast! Haven't been to Charleston yet, but always gets a rave review from anyone I talk to. Have heard from people that Fripp Island and Bald Head Island are great if you're into island living. Good luck!

lori

Hello Dropping out, I actually live in a small town in Washington State. I have grown up here, I am 22. I like it here, but the rain really gets to me. Seattle area is a little expensive, but if you go a little north of that it is a lot cheaper, they also have really amazing schools here, with amazing sports programs. One great thing is that it is cheap to fly to Hawaii, so you can go there when you feel like getting some sun. Let me know what you think.

Nick

How about Albequrque NM? I have really heard good things about it and also been fascinated by it. A very progressive, ethnically diverse and liberal population - or so I hear - which being from the NE you may be comfortable with than settling down in Dixieland - unless that is what you are looking for.

xxx

You would really have to think long and hard about that, I agree with the person that lives in Washington. What a great State.