We live in northern NJ, and chose it for the relatively easy commute to our jobs in NYC.

Good to see so many folks share the same feelings for Uncle Ted that I do.

Funny thing is, Rick Santorum has been beat up by the media lately. I ask this, if my(or your) daughter came home and said she were going to marry one of the two Senators, who would you prefer?

Fort Myers - The hubby was here and I used to be in NE Florida....So I moved.

ahhnold: I hope my daughters don't bring home any politicians!!!! Please no lawyers in this house!!!
A liberal democrat would most likely send my husband over the edge....

girlonthego, I'm with you (reoliticians). If our daughter brought home a conservative Republican it would send my wife and me both over the edge.

Neither, ahhnold- prefer no politicians at all and especially those from my state, Illinois. After Abe and with the possible exception of Paul Simon, they have all been crooks.

My heart goes out to you actually. That's another thing that I like about where I live, there is not one political view that totally dominates, except in corrupt Chicago government- and that is even changing as they are now turning "wicked" on each other.

Having had to school in areas that were totally conservative or totally liberal (both- lucky me)I LOVE that I live in the midwest where both perceptions are considered with some common sense.

And my family is large and has material potential for a sitcom, because we were active liberal Democrats in our youth and worked for McGovern, and our kids are all way, way more religious and conservative that we are. We like to see things from a realistic and economic viewpoint, instead of just a rote stance.

Santorum would be much worse. Plus, he won't be a Senator much longer considering he will probably be defeated in PA. At least Ted Kennedy would be more fun and drink, while Santorum would probably just tell you the religious implications of drinking a beer and lecture you about the right to life the whole time.

This has been a really fun thread to read. Can we get away from the politics before it gets ugly?

To answer the question, I live in Austin and moved here because it seemed like a fun place to live. It is a good place but too hot in the summer. We're thinking about the Pacific NW now.

Born and raised in Toronto, never lived anywhere else or even contemplated it. But about 20 years ago I came to BC for the first time, and had the oddest feeling - "This is home." I can't describe or explain it. I thought of various scenarios over the years in terms of moving out west, but nothing seemed to make any sense; my kids, my job, my friends - everything was in Toronto. But I came out here every summer, and each year the urge to make a permanent move grew stronger. About 7 years ago I met my sweetie, and the first conversation we ever had was about the fact that he was from Vancouver and planned to move back west, although his parents are in Victoria and that's where he wanted to be rather than his original home town.
Last week we bought our dream house in Victoria and we will be settled in it before the end of September. I have a job teaching at the university, all arranged to start in January. One of my daughters is living in California, so she'll be closer now than she was when we were in Toronto. It's all gone so smoothly! We have a network of friends and colleagues out here that has built up over the years. It's a transition that couldn't have been smoother and we feel incredibly lucky.

ahhnold, I would want her to marry the man responsible for the Kennedy-Kasimbumb legislation which restricts health insurance complanies from denying health policies to people who have a "pre-existing condition". He saved a lot of lives over the past eight years. If that's liberal I love liberal.

But I really wouldn't want my daughter to marry a married man. Hummm.

But Jorr, Does that make up for the date he left at the bottom of the bridge? We're talking honesty and integrity now, not political legislative accomplishments.

I live half the year on the beach of Central America and half the year in Salt Lake City, Utah. I find that there is a unique balance of ocean and mountains. SLC is amazing because your neighbors keep to themselves, everything is super clean, the mountains are outstanding, and the houses are reasonably inexpensive (for what you get). I have a nice community of 20-something friends and I look forward to my new job at Solitude Ski Resort (only a few miles from my home) this season. Great food, nice climate, and oh yeah, my man is here.

lol, but how many can say they live in two bay areas ... dividing the year by the seasons. Not sure how long we can tolerate coast to coast air travel .... probably a few more years, then we may have to choose. But for now, it's fun, fun, fun. And that's why we live where we do. Lets pray the fares remain reasonable, lol, and if they don't, ah well, we'll just have to ante up.

California.
DH is in the building business, but we hope to move to Oregon within the year.
Looking for better quality of life and more room to build our dream home.
Thank you.

To start with We live in a country that goes 14 times into your state of California. So were never very far from any place in the country.We live in Hoboken Belgium, part of greater Antwerp(the second largest port in Europe). I'm retired and worked for 32 years at Bell Telephone Mfg. C.in Antwerp. Since 1998 weve been travelling the USA every two years for each time approx. one month and we love it.Were in the planning stage of our 2006 tour(the South eastern part starting in Washington DC) and will have several questions for you in the near future.Paul

One word: family

no amt of attractions and weather can substitute for that.

I live on the North Shore of Mass in a lovely small town. Grew up on the South Shore, college in Providence and then 2 years of hell in Toronto. Back to the Boston area and have been here ever since. My town is very small, scenic, well managed (except for the regional school system which is a constant source of aggrevation). Decent commute to work, family nearby, amazing friends, beautiful view out my window, the river, the ocean, the mountains and a wonderful city all within an easy drive. It all adds up to home.

Stephanie,
I agree with you, I'd love to be near family...but that would mean moving to Houston, west coast of Florida, or Youngstown Ohio. Heat, humidity, hurricanes, or inability to find a job..how do I choose between these? The family members that live in those areas all want to leave...we are trying to coax them towards the northeast! Sadly, it is unaffordable for most of them.

You are lucky to be living near family in an area that you all like.

I live in Calif because of happy cows and the good cheese.

We moved to San Antonio 3 years ago. NJ was getting too expensive for us. Right now I miss the North. I am too active for the Southern lifestyle. I miss having the shore, skiing close by, parks, snow, summer,going to football games and I have to say I love Mexican food but I can't eat it everyday. I miss Pizza and Bagels.