Do you like where you live?

[Artdime]

OK, I need some POTN wisdom. I am originally from Germany but currently live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth (Texas) area with my family. Franky, we hate it here. In summer it gets so hot that it really limits outdoor activities. The same goes for photo ops, as everything looks kind of brown-ish and boring for most of the year.

So, we want to move. A big city or near one would be good. Close to an ocean would be nice, but not necessarily required. Moderate climate, not too hot in summer, snow in winter would be good for the kiddo. We love San Francisco, but the cost of living lets us hesitate. Also the prospect of "the big one" in terms of earthquakes is a little freaky.

While we have looked into various places I was wondering if people on here have any suggestions. If you like where you live, could you please tell me where it is and why you like it?

Thanks!

[deletedpenguin]

I lived in San Francisco for around six years, and about two years ago moved to Sydney, where I'm at now. I love it here, it's unlike anywhere else I've lived before (I've lived in San Diego, San Francisco, Flagstaff AZ, Barcelona Spain). It opens me up to an area of the world that I've yet to explore.

That said, if you are contemplating moving to the SF Bay Area, have a good look at it. While I love where I live, I do miss parts. It is expensive, but often your salary will be higher in areas like SF where the cost of living is higher. That was my experience at least. I loved SF because there's just so much to do, both around the bay and within short drives. You can get to Tahoe in 4 hours, Monterey in 2, Napa in an hour, the redwoods in just a few. There's a never ending list of things to do and see.

I feel the same way about Australia now. So much to see and do, but not enough time. I suppose that's an important part about where you live. If you feel stagnent and have little drive to appreciate what's around you, then are you just living where you live because of a sense of familiarity? Is it family or a job that is keeping you somewhere you don't want to be?

I wasn't sure about moving so far away from friends and family, but to be honest I talk more to them now than I did when I lived within driving distance. VOIP phones, Skype, and IM programs make the world a smaller place. And if you're worried about cost of living (or earthquakes), then just remember that life is an experience, and it's just money.

By the way, growing up in California makes you indifferent to quakes. After awhile, they just get to be kinda fun.

Hope that helps, and answers your question.

[Artdime]

Thank you for your thoughts. I agree that SF is definitely a nice place, and it is definitely a consideration. One of the reasons we like it there is that there is so much to do, resp. within short driving distance. I cannot say this about Texas. We moved here because of a job, I then decided to go back to school for an MBA, but I think we are now ready to make a move to an area that fits us better. Wherever that may be. :D

[deletedpenguin]

I have a mate that's moving from SF to Austin. He's really excited about it, but I'm not so sure if it's because of the landscape, so much as the cost of living. He's a single dad, trying to make ends meet and his company is moving out there as well.

I can say this with 100% honesty though, SF (the Bay area in general) is a fantastic place to live. I've lived there once, and I'd likely live there again if it came about. There's just that much to do. I've done alot of it, but not everything, and I was there for six years.

[GPR1]

I live outside Portland, OR. An hour to the ocean, an hour to the mountain, a couple hours to the high desert. Lots to do in the area, very mild weather. Summers are beautiful, winters a little gray. However, if you don't mind a little rain it doesn't keep you from getting out (or you can drive to central Oregon for some sunshine). Thumbs up.

[ibdb]

I lived in Houston for four years, and visited the DFW area a few times. Like you, I found Texas life was not for me. I was born and raised around the Seattle area, but I've lived in San Diego, Los Angeles, Philadephia, and Houston. The northwest is by far my favorite.

If you don't mind some rain and gray skies, think about the Pacific Northwest. Lots of green, mountains, oceans. . . Not quite as spendy as SF. Moderate climate, no hurricanes, still some earthquake risk, no tornadoes, but we have a pesky volcano if you'd like to find something to worry about. ;)

[sidg]

Don't live there now, but my family still does and that is Boise, ID. Climate is great and mild and easy access to mountains and the high desert. It is a growing area and because of the downturn much more affordable than it was a couple of years ago. It has a growing cultural base and great things to do in both summer and winter.
Now if I was going to just pick up and move for photography and weather reasons it would be to St. George or Cedar City Utah. Not far from Las Vegas so you can fly to anywhere in the US at very reasonable rates and some of the best opportunities for getting out for great pics in a 4-6 hour range. But then I'm not a big city kind of guy so the wide open spaces have a certain appeal to me.

[scot079]

Funny I'm originally from DFW but just spent 3 years in Germany.

I would move back to Germany if I were you.

[Artdime]

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't know much about Oregon resp. the Pacific Northwest, but it sounds like it would be a good place for us. I'll do some research.

Not sure about Boise, I don't think it is a big enough city for us.

@scot079 - Funny that you say that. Moving back to Germany is a possibility as well. The job market is a problem though. I take it that you enjoyed your stay? Were you stationed in Germany?

[Artdime]

I have a mate that's moving from SF to Austin. He's really excited about it, but I'm not so sure if it's because of the landscape, so much as the cost of living. He's a single dad, trying to make ends meet and his company is moving out there as well.


Yeah, this is about the only advantage I can think of. Cost of living is really cheap here. Houses in the DFW area are even less expensive than in Austin. Coming from SF I bet it is very exciting to move here, at first. After a while he is probably going to get bored though.

[scot079]

@scot079 - Funny that you say that. Moving back to Germany is a possibility as well. The job market is a problem though. I take it that you enjoyed your stay? Were you stationed in Germany?


Yes we absolutely loved it there! I'd love to get back there before too long. I was stationed @ Ramstein air base near Kaiserslautern.

Tchuss!

Edit: Just dug up this snapshot. From outside our house in Hohenecken
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u264/scot079/pinkhouse.jpg

[Artdime]

Just dug up this snapshot. From outside our house in Hohenecken

Noice! Makes me homesick. Thanks, Tim! :D

[scot079]

bitte schoen!

If you can't move back to Germany, maybe try the western US?

[PeaceFire]

I like the SF Bay area but it is soooo pricey! My husband's family is from there (Marin county, which is BEAUTIFUL!) and I love visiting, but can't believe what they paid for their houses. I live in San Diego which is expensive, but no where near as expensive! A $250,000 house here will sell for $1,000,000 in Marin! But it's beautiful.

As for San Diego- I used to love it but not so much anymore. The weather is still perfect, but I'm not a big fan of the people anymore. It's good if you like the beach atmosphere, but it's got a big city feel to it. And I'm such a small town girl! The SF Bay area feels more like a series of small towns rather then a metropolitan area.

I really like Santa Barbara. I think if I could live anywhere that's where I'd go. I've only been a few times, but I love it! The city is beautiful, the people are nice, and it just has a great atmosphere to it.

[gary88]

I've lived in Chicago all my life. The summers are ridiculously hot and humid, fall is usually the nicest time of the year, the winters are brutal (so far this year -40 wind chills, ice storms, and then massive flash flooding in late December after a surprise 63 degree day that melted all the snow and ice), and spring is alright. Spring is a relief once it starts getting warmer and everyone thaws out from the winter freeze.

I've been considering moving somewhere warmer after college provided I land a solid job wherever I go. Florida is a possibility, the only thing that worries me are the drivers!

I also really want to buy some property in Poland later in my life. I have family there and absolutely love it there, especially in the mountains.

[Here and There]

I've lived in South San Diego my entire life. I love living close to the beach, I love the weather (except for warm/hot weather in fall/winter), and I love being able to enjoy outdoors activities year round. I would like to move out of South San Diego though, it's not a knock on the area...I'd just like to experience a different part of the county.

PeaceFire - as a native San Diegan I might have a different perspective on the big city feel. If you ask me, the farther you get from downtown, the less of a big city feel you get. The beach communities definantly don't have that feel and the eastern parts of the county have more a cowboy/western feel to them (or at least that's the impression I have). But if you come from a small town, I can definantly see how the area has an overall big city feel to it.

[Artdime]

I've lived in Chicago all my life. The summers are ridiculously hot and humid, fall is usually the nicest time of the year, the winters are brutal (so far this year -40 wind chills, ice storms, and then massive flash flooding in late December after a surprise 63 degree day that melted all the snow and ice), and spring is alright. Spring is a relief once it starts getting warmer and everyone thaws out from the winter freeze.


Thanks for the info, very interesting. I knew about the winters, but didn't realize that summers were bad. Guess I'll scratch Chicago off my list. :D

[Artdime]

I've lived in South San Diego my entire life. I love living close to the beach, I love the weather (except for warm/hot weather in fall/winter), and I love being able to enjoy outdoors activities year round.

Yeah, I have been to San Diego a few times and do like it. But just like you say, I am just not sure if I would miss the seasons after a while.

[deletedpenguin]

^ Exactly why I moved away. Before Sydney, and before San Francisco, I lived in San Diego. I grew up here, graduated high school etc. I loved the city, but after awhile, it became, well blah. It's a great city, don't get me wrong, but there's a certain monotony about it after awhile. I know there's many of you out there that would roll your eyes at that comment, but I'm with Florian. I like weather, seasons, and change.

[PeaceFire]

I've lived in South San Diego my entire life. I love living close to the beach, I love the weather (except for warm/hot weather in fall/winter), and I love being able to enjoy outdoors activities year round. I would like to move out of South San Diego though, it's not a knock on the area...I'd just like to experience a different part of the county.

PeaceFire - as a native San Diegan I might have a different perspective on the big city feel. If you ask me, the farther you get from downtown, the less of a big city feel you get. The beach communities definantly don't have that feel and the eastern parts of the county have more a cowboy/western feel to them (or at least that's the impression I have). But if you come from a small town, I can definantly see how the area has an overall big city feel to it.

Well I live in Chula Vista now. The only places in San Diego I really like are Crest (in El Cajon- not El Cajon itself). Julian, too, but that's too far away from work (in Rancho Santa Fe). Even Ramona where we're looking to buy a house feels like a big city to me. But I come from a shipping town of 1500 souls settled 60 miles from the nearest city on the shores of Lake Superior. Pretty much everything feels like a big city to me! Haha, if it has a street light- it's a city.

And Chula Vista I can't stand. We have car alarms that go off ALL night and I live on Palomar and people are always passing by the house late at night blaring their rap music with the windows down. We're right by a stop light so it's even more annoying. I can't wait to get somewhere quieter and actually sleep through the night again! But I'm also not built to live in a city. But if cities are your thing, San Diego does have a lot to offer!

[Here and There]

Well I live in Chula Vista now. The only places in San Diego I really like are Crest (in El Cajon- not El Cajon itself). Julian, too, but that's too far away from work (in Rancho Santa Fe). Even Ramona where we're looking to buy a house feels like a big city to me. But I come from a shipping town of 1500 souls settled 60 miles from the nearest city on the shores of Lake Superior. Pretty much everything feels like a big city to me! Haha, if it has a street light- it's a city.

And Chula Vista I can't stand. We have car alarms that go off ALL night and I live on Palomar and people are always passing by the house late at night blaring their rap music with the windows down. We're right by a stop light so it's even more annoying. I can't wait to get somewhere quieter and actually sleep through the night again! But I'm also not built to live in a city. But if cities are your thing, San Diego does have a lot to offer!

I love the Julian/Alpine/mountain communities as well. If it wasn't so far from work I would consider moving there. At least there's more variety in the weather there.

Chula Vista is kinda like my second home. Technically I live in the city of San Diego, but I do the majority of my shopping and whatnot in Chula Vista and my job is located in eastern Chula Vista. There are some areas that are really nice and quiet, but living anywhere near busy streets would drive me insane.

[SuzyView]

I live here in Virginia and we got 6 inches of snow today before the sun came up, but it's beautiful. In the summer it is hot, but nothing like Dallas, as I've been there in August and it is really hot. We get 2 or 3 good snows and that's about it. About 6-7 months of the year we have nice weather, so our sunroom gets plenty of use. It's also near DC and the prices are really low right now for houses.

[deletedpenguin]

I grew up in, and lived in Poway. I say San Diego, just because it's easier. Most people just go,"Poway?"

[TheHoff]

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't know much about Oregon resp. the Pacific Northwest, but it sounds like it would be a good place for us. I'll do some research.

I've lived in the Bay Area (San Mateo, just south) and Portland (among other places). Portland is very nice and comparable in SF to the 'feel' but not the size or activity. There are a ton of outdoor possibilities nearby. I would certainly recommend looking into Portland and to a lesser extent Seattle.

[Oteck]

I like where i Live (Vancouver B.C). I'm close to the Ocean, mountains, US border, City. My only gripe is it tends to rain alot here

[TheHoff]

Oh sure, if you don't mind living in the murder/gang-capital of Canada. We're on track to match Detroit for a monthly total.

[deletedpenguin]

^ Wow, really!? I've never got that feel while in Vancouver.

[5Dmaniac]

We moved from Philly to Scottsdale, AZ three years ago and we love it here - yes, it is hot in the summer, but the rest of the year is just great for all kinds of outdoor activities and photo ops are plenty, incl. the National Parks in CA, AZ, NM, CO, etc. etc. Everything is just a day's drive and can easily be done. We typically escape the summer heat by either traveling to Europe (I'm German as well) or hook up our travel trailer and tour the US. As you might have guessed I retired a couple of years ago:-)

[TheHoff]

^ Wow, really!? I've never got that feel while in Vancouver.

The gunfights are a bit of a new facet in the past month or two. I think we've had 19 murders in the past 3 weeks or something like that. Many of them in broad daylight, in populated areas... one of them was a mother gunned down in a car while her 4 year old watched... she happened to be driving the 'wrong' car. It is all gang related w/ drug sales and then retribution.

not a good time to pitch Vancouver as a place to live... or for the Olympics, for that matter.

[deletedpenguin]

Oh wow. No, not great press. What a shame, I really like Vancouver.

[reddyroc007]

The gunfights are a bit of a new facet in the past month or two. I think we've had 19 murders in the past 3 weeks or something like that. Many of them in broad daylight, in populated areas... one of them was a mother gunned down in a car while her 4 year old watched... she happened to be driving the 'wrong' car. It is all gang related w/ drug sales and then retribution.

not a good time to pitch Vancouver as a place to live... or for the Olympics, for that matter.

it is still however a beautiful city with many places to shoot (cameras not guns). great sunsets and blue skies, heck we had pretty cool fog this winter too.

[nightcat]

Many years back I lived for a year in Houston. I can't say I liked that area either. horrible heat, cockroaches, no one ever used a turn signal, everyone kept yelling "hook em horns" and everyone called me a "yankee". Other than that year, I've always lived in Chicago. Chicago is a great town. Gary88 earlier incorrectly said Chicago has rediculously hot summers. That isn't true. (obviously Gary has never spent a summer in Houston!!). But the winters are cold and long. Otherwise Chicago is a great town... friendly, laid back. Great restaurants, bars & nightlife. But, it DOES get cold!

[deletedpenguin]

Oh, it won't keep me away. I've got relatives in Victoria, so I'm up in the area relatively often. Absolutely gorgeous part of the world.

[deletedpenguin]

Many years back I lived for a year in Houston. I can't say I liked that area either. horrible heat, cockroaches, no one ever used a turn signal, everyone kept yelling "hook em horns" and everyone called me a "yankee". Other than that year, I've always lived in Chicago. Chicago is a great town. Gary88 earlier incorrectly said Chicago has rediculously hot summers. That isn't true. (obviously Gary has never spent a summer in Houston!!). But the winters are cold and long. Otherwise Chicago is a great town... friendly, laid back. Great restaurants, bars & nightlife. But, it DOES get cold!

I spent a week in Chicago a few years back. I absolutely loved it. You're right, the people there were surprisingly friendly. I was amazed. I figured it'd be a lot like New York. I went a week before Thanksgiving and while it was already pretty cold, it was in the 30F-40F range, so not unbearable. I'd return in a heartbeat, at least to visit.

[scot079]

I still say move back to Germany:-)

[number six]

"Philadelphia. Yass, yass - I spent a week there one night." - W. C. Fields

[tonylong]

I've spent my whole life on the West Coast, half in various places in California including the LA area, the SF Bay area, Santa Barbara, and the Northern California Coastal area. The other half has been split between the Seattle area and the Portland area (where I now live, although across the river in Washington State.

Basically, I've never wanted to go far from the coast:)! Having grown up an hour's drive (or a couple hours hitchiking) it must be in my blood. Ironically, when I used to travel for business, I found myself in Atlanta thinking "hey, I could live here" -- but that was likely influenced by the fact that Savannah was nearby, the ocean beckoning.

My sister lived for a number of years in Denver, but I couldn't get over the fact that it was on the edge of the Great Plains, stretching endlessly, flatly out, despite the "Gateway to the Rockies" with places like Aspen nearby. We have ski areas closer to us than Aspen is to Denver, and we have the ocean!

So, the West Coast is my frame of reference, and there are things of real interest all up and down the Coast. Pick your place and there will be plenty of cool stuff (and did I mention the ocean:)?). When I was growing up, I was bored with the LA area (except for the ocean...) but that was because my transportation and sense of adventure were a bit limited. I couldn't wait to get out, but whenever I've come back for a visit I have a blast, from revisiting "Surf City USA" (Huntington Beach) to Hollywood, finding a little out of the way restaurant/lounge where people in "the business" like to come for some private time and socializing, Laguna Beach and Venice Beach, on and on...the main problem, of course, being housing and, maybe now days increasingly jobs.

Seattle is a real gem, but massively crowded. I remember when I was living there it got tagged as "the best place to live", and from then on it got very bloated. But, it's a great place to be if you don't mind the congestion, it competes with SF for being the most picturesque city on the coast, IMO.

SF Bay Area, as has been said, is pricey. But it's special. So scenic, so diverse, so many things ripe for a photog's eye, so many ways to enjoy a day or a night.

So, you don't mention how you will support yourself, as in, will you make an income that will be adequate for the spendy places like San Fransisco, or are you looking for a place more moderate? The Portland area is a place that slowly grows, and is moderate price-wise. It has also grown as a "fun place to live" -- I remember visiting here from Seattle 20 years ago or so and thinking "Portland is boring", but it has come a long ways in that time. It's become a culturally interesting place with an active music scene, a fledgling film community, all that stuff.

Well, have fun choosing!

[Artdime]

Wow, thank you guys, that is some great information. It seems like the west coast is liked by many who live there and don't see it through the eyes of a tourist. We'll definitely look into that area.

I still say move back to Germany:-)

Maybe. :lol:

[Spiritinthesky]

Yes, out in the countryside, very lucky, I love it.

[Stefan A]

I don't think anybody has mentioned the east coast - particularly the New England area. Great photo ops. Plenty of snow. Ocean near to many New England States. Summers not too bad. I am from Maryland and now I live in PA. Summers are just too hot and humid. But I wouldn't mind living in Vermont, NH, Maine, Mass. But yeah, if I really had my way, Germany or Austria for me.

Stefan

[Specs]

How about Minnesota? Living in the Minneapolis metro area, you're within easy access of a variety of geographical features and four distinct seasons. Then again, we do have the Vikings....

[deletedpenguin]

How about Minnesota? Living in the Minneapolis metro area, you're within easy access of a variety of geographical features and four distinct seasons. Then again, we do have the Vikings....

Boo...go Pack go.

[slapstix55]

Born and raised in San Diego. Weather is always great and plenty of great days to take that camera out and have fun.

[number six]

How about Minnesota? Living in the Minneapolis metro area, you're within easy access of a variety of geographical features and four distinct seasons. Then again, we do have the Vikings....

Hey, Specs: tell him about the Minnesota State Bird.

:lol:

[jaydub]

I live in Las Vegas, and honestly I hate it here. There's no culture, nothing intellectually exciting, and the lack of seasons gets old after a while.

[Artdime]

I live in Las Vegas, and honestly I hate it here. There's no culture, nothing intellectually exciting, and the lack of seasons gets old after a while.

I hear you, I soooo understand....

Hey, Specs: tell him about the Minnesota State Bird.

:lol:

OK, I don't get it. Just googled it, MN State Bird is the common loon. Were you thinking about duck photos? :D

[Artdime]

I live outside Portland, OR. An hour to the ocean, an hour to the mountain, a couple hours to the high desert. Lots to do in the area, very mild weather. Summers are beautiful, winters a little gray. However, if you don't mind a little rain it doesn't keep you from getting out (or you can drive to central Oregon for some sunshine). Thumbs up.

Just read an article in Business Week (link (http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/feb2009/bw20090226_526384.htm?chan=rss_topStories_ssi_5)). They compiled a list of "unhappy cities" based on their rates of suicide, depression, divorce, unemployment, job loss, population loss, crime, amount of green space, and cloudy days.

Not really sure how credible this is, but Portland was number one.......:(

[number six]

I hear you, I soooo understand....



OK, I don't get it. Just googled it, MN State Bird is the common loon. Were you thinking about duck photos? :D

Nah, that's just what the Chamber of Commerce wants you to think.

The real Minnesota State Bird is the mosquito. Wingspan of a bat, they have...

:lol:

(I was born in Minneapolis, BTW.)

[snyderman]

I came across a website awhile back. Think it's called 'where to live' dot com, or something like that.

Asks a fairly detailed list of questions about everything from climate to religion and chooses 4-5 locations in the US that suit your preferences.

For me, it hit the nail on the head--I need to move SOUTH and live in the Carolinas or even the Gulf Coast of the US.

Don't come to Ohio. We have 7 months of WINTER each year!

dave

[mikekelley]

I live in Vermont and I hate it.

the summers and falls are nice, but the winters are just unbearable. There are only three colors here in winter...grey, brown and army green. The roads are in a terrible state, the city I live in is just kind of a piece. There's one nice part of it, and the rest is just blech.

I'm moving to Lake Tahoe, CA, in the middle of the summer, and I am so excited to get out of here. Go west, young man!

[number six]

I live in Vermont and I hate it.

the summers and falls are nice, but the winters are just unbearable. There are only three colors here in winter...grey, brown and army green. The roads are in a terrible state, the city I live in is just kind of a piece. There's one nice part of it, and the rest is just blech.

I'm moving to Lake Tahoe, CA, in the middle of the summer, and I am so excited to get out of here. Go west, young man!

Moving to Tahoe from Varmint, eh? You'll get your winter, but with lots of blue skies. Summer is great. And if you want to see the ocean, come on down to SF or Monterey or Fort Bragg or .......

-js

[number six]

Y'know, our forefathers appear to have had problems with critters. Not surprising in an agricultural world, but still - they named states like "Varmint" and "New Hamster". Funny, I didn't think hamsters were that much of a problem. Cute, slow, cheeks full of sunflower seeds. What's the problem, anyway?

-js

[number six]

I came across a website awhile back. Think it's called 'where to live' dot com, or something like that.

Asks a fairly detailed list of questions about everything from climate to religion and chooses 4-5 locations in the US that suit your preferences.

For me, it hit the nail on the head--I need to move SOUTH and live in the Carolinas or even the Gulf Coast of the US.

Don't come to Ohio. We have 7 months of WINTER each year!

dave

Hmmm. Wheretolive.com appears to be just a place to find real estate agents. Your site sounds more interesting. I've been in SF and the area for 45 years, but maybe I've been wrong all along. :cool:

[dawiyo]

I live in Vermont and I hate it.

the summers and falls are nice, but the winters are just unbearable. There are only three colors here in winter...grey, brown and army green. The roads are in a terrible state, the city I live in is just kind of a piece. There's one nice part of it, and the rest is just blech.

I'm moving to Lake Tahoe, CA, in the middle of the summer, and I am so excited to get out of here. Go west, young man!

Lake Tahoe is nice. I hope you enjoy it.

Bel Air, Maryland for me. About 30 mins north of Baltimore.

[Artdime]

Nah, that's just what the Chamber of Commerce wants you to think.

The real Minnesota State Bird is the mosquito. Wingspan of a bat, they have...


Oh! Well, didn't expect that answer! :D


I'm moving to Lake Tahoe, CA, in the middle of the summer, and I am so excited to get out of here. Go west, young man!

Lake Tahoe is really nice. Visited there a while back and had a great time. I am not sure if I could live there permanently since it is a little remote, but it is a beautiful place if you like nature. I bet you'll have a great time, make sure you post some photos!