Best State to live in if you can't afford California??????

R1200 wrote:

John Utah wrote:Good theaters are a factor in your decision making process?

What kind of man says something like this?

Do you really think that real men cannot apreciate the theater? That is truly bizarre thinking.

I just love Broadway show tunes.

Oregon. We have some good hilly routes to run, some mountains but you might have to drive a bit from major cities to run them. And it is pretty "progressive" especially in Corvallis and Portland. I'm a conservative, avid Trump fan, but if you're a Democrat/liberal and like big urban cities with everything else you listed, then Portland is probably perfect for you.

When you get out of high school go see a show. It's great entertainment.

Yomo... wrote:

John Utah wrote:

Good theaters are a factor in your decision making process?

What kind of man says something like this?

A very happy man, almost to the point that he is considered Gay.

We've been having this same conversation. From North Bay in CA. Now in Boston area. Don't want to retire here in the snow. Marin and Sonoma a bit pricey.

On our list as well: Progressive, more suburban than city, ability to get outside (beaches, mountains, trails etc...). Weather (limited snow/humidity) We'll be downsizing but cost of living a concern.

On our radar to check out/consider: Ukiah CA, Santa Fe, Ashland OR, Nashville,

Secondary spots: Flagstaff, Fort Collins, Greenville.

Good luck in your search.

Can't go wrong with the Portland Maine area. I know you said you don't want East Coast but true Mainers are not the sort of uppity NE types. The winters are a bit milder being on the water but it's still NE winters which might disqualify. However the access to some of the best beaches and mountains can't be rivaled.

The older I get, the more unimpressed I am by people who spend energy worrying about the weather. Winter? Put on a jacket and hat and go for a run.

It's weak sauce to make decisions about residential location based on one out of dozens of important factors relative to a place. The change of seasons is a spectacular aspect of our natural world, and those who hate winter seem shallow and insipid.

The people I know who moved south for the warm weather are weak, shallow, lacking.

I'd say the pacific northwest including Washington, Oregon and Northern California beyond the bay area (other than the winters are pretty depressing unless you are in the eastern half of the states). If you aren't in love with the beaches thing, then throw in Idaho and Utah (at least those areas close to mountains, the potato growing plains are pretty desolate). I'd say avoid San Antonio unless you like heat 8 months out of the year (Fredericksburg is better unless you need a job). Austin is a little better, but still hot. The western slope of Colorado is pretty ideal, but then again, no beaches. Tulsa is not a bad little spot (actually has some hills for trail running, a good network of biking trails and with all of the rivers, reservoirs and lakes has more coastline than most ocean bordering states) although the summers are a little sticky. Nashville is a decent town, and the Carolinas are nice as well.

dfsdfdsfsdf wrote:

New Mexico

four seasons in the central and northern parts. Mountains, great culture and food, very liberal and progressive. Cheap living and well educated in Abq and Santa Fe.

I'm in California, long retired, and open to moving to somewhere like New Mexico for the rest of my life.

Personally I like a place that is quiet and peaceful, with plenty of space.

joedirt wrote:

The western slope of Colorado is pretty ideal

Are you referring to Grand Junction?

robert678 wrote:

Oregon...I'm a conservative, avid Trump fan,

Lol. I'll be sure to stay away from you, then.

Grand Junction is nice in spots. Palisade is nice and down by the monument is beautiful. The Montrose area and up on the Grand Mesa are really ideal.

New Mexico is either really nice or really sketchy (the crime rate in NM is pretty terrible). Make sure you know which part you are getting into before you settle down.

2.5seasons wrote:

What is with all the Texas answers? No way they come close to having 4 seasons. Especially Austin and San Antonio.

if you can handle three months of hot weather Austin may be the best weather in the country.

OlderWiser wrote:

The older I get, the more unimpressed I am by people who spend energy worrying about the weather. Winter? Put on a jacket and hat and go for a run.

It's weak sauce to make decisions about residential location based on one out of dozens of important factors relative to a place. The change of seasons is a spectacular aspect of our natural world, and those who hate winter seem shallow and insipid.

The people I know who moved south for the warm weather are weak, shallow, lacking.

The older I got the more I realized that living where it's 'cold' most of the year was why I ached nearly all the time! Moving somewhere that doesn't require a jacket and hat was the best thing I ever did.

Clearly you live in a part of the country where 40s are the dead of winter.

Las Cruces, NM is a pretty cool place if you like space combined with a fairly cosmopolitan community for the desert. I travel there for work and am always amazed at how many beautiful women I see. I've never researched it but I'm sure housing is dirt cheap.

Mr.Texas wrote:

No! Don't come to Texas. It is not nice. The people are nice, but our summers are so sweltering hot and last close to eight months. The beaches are trash too. There is nice running in the hill country, but thats a dime a dozen for certain parts of the PNW or Colorado.

Every TX local has this attitude. It's cool to not want anybody else to move to TX. Guess what Texans, the mass migration to Texas has benefitted every single resident of Texas. Embrace us and prosper. Come to Austin and join the revolution. You'll love it.

Austin guy.. wrote:

2.5seasons wrote:

What is with all the Texas answers? No way they come close to having 4 seasons. Especially Austin and San Antonio.

if you can handle three months of hot weather Austin may be the best weather in the country.

I mostly liked the play.

I also live in California (northern) and have been seeking refuge for almost 5 years.

Our criteria is really close to yours. (except the progressive thing and also we are fine with some kind of large water not just ocean)

I think its hilarious that people are saying your asking for to much, you described CA except the cost of living.

Northern California would be the perfect place if we didn't have so many ridiculous taxes/laws/regualtions that make every one(including liberals-lives harder)

Anyway =)

We have looked into the following places and visited most of them;

Boise Idaho

CDA Idaho

Spokane Wa(outskirts)

Seattle, WA (Outskirts)

Cle Elum, WA

Salt Lake City, UT (no ocean but lakes)

Pigeon Forge, TN (surrounding areas-lakes)

Knoxville, TN (surrounding, (lakes)

Wilmington, NC (surrounding areas)

Good Luck!

I'm hoping this is the year, fingers crossed.

It’s these threads that I enjoy on LR. Good stuff.

My 2 cents - Charlottesville VA, Portland, ME, Pittsburgh, Eau Claire, WI, NorCal, Frederick, MD