Considering moving within US, What city/area would you suggest?

The internet makes it SO much easier to research these kind of things now. I remember when we were preparing to leave the Bay Area, we were contacting various chamber of commerces for information packets; looking at a lot of regional maps, weather information etc. Things we looked at included
-outdoor recreation: whitewater, mountains skiing
-overall climate
-proximity to National Forest
-school system
-overall cost of living/housing

The job was pretty much done, we just had several cities to consider. It came down to Boise v. Spokane.

You could look into Grand Rapids, MI. It was featured as one of the top 5 places in the US to raise a family. There's lots to do in West Michigan. Of course there are the great lakes and the beaches, but there's lots of hiking, a growing cycling community, skiing and show shoeing in the winter . . . plus its affordable. There's good theater, a diverse culture, and Chicago is just a 3.5 hour drive if you get the urge for a really big city.

Another good link regarding nationwide housing prices: http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/29/real...kets/index.htm
Note Greenville NC is -4% in terms of prices vs. value (underpriced homes). Another reason for you to look into moving there.

Also note Merced is 77% overpriced, plus probably more than half of the top twenty are in the same area.....smog, overpriced homes...I repeat! Do NOT move to the Central Valley, CA! We bought our 4bdrm/2ba new-construction home just before prices in our neighborhood skyrocketed. We could sell ours for about a $150,000 profit over what we bought it for only just 2.5 years ago.

I have a very good bikin' buddy in Easley, SC 'bout 10 miles out of Greenville. I've been there several times and it *is* sweet. Lots of rolling hills, lots of friendly cyclists slow medium and fast, lots of parks and fresh air. SOme of the roads are a little skinny but there are plenty of good routes.

We do *not* have hills here, which I thought would be a problem for me... but Champaign-Urbana has good air (unless you're allergic to corn pollen... and that *is* something to consider), enough population to have Stuff Going ON, but not so many as to have major congestions of air or highways, and lots of IT type stuff (welp, Netscape came from here, and my theory is the Illini are such good shots with the basketball because the engineers have figured out a nano-technology micro-magnetic material to draw the ball in or repulse it). I paid $83,000 for my cozy 3-bedroom rancher w/ 1100 sq. feet and a full basement and it isn't a fixer-upper.

CHarlottesville, Virginia is also a really, really sweet part of the world, though I am not *sure* it has good air quality (I lived 50 miles north in Culpeper, where we did, and have some cabins way the heck up near Skyline Drive) because it might have some specific valley geography issues. It's also a University town.

But hey, Baltimore is supposedly the "fittest" town (which makes the locals laugh...)

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Originally Posted by Geonz

But hey, Baltimore is supposedly the "fittest" town (which makes the locals laugh...)

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This is a really funny quote. Also, I cannot imagine that Phoenix, AZ is on top of the same list while Mesa, AZ is on top of the list of the "fattest" towns. It is one big metropolitan area, for God's sake. How could they divide them? Anyway, Phoenix metro is fat, sorry, I had to say it.

As I said, I love the idea about Greenville, it really sounds great. We just need to find a job there. And I seriously do not undertstand why some people still continue to sell me on CA. We can afford a house there, but why would I want to spend so much on less than I have now. No way. We still have to budget for the kids!

My husband is looking at Green Bat, WI. I think he is starting to feel his WI roots. But I am glad that he is still considering other places.

We found a funny site that will compare your current place to the others.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/movecalc...0.292302675415

Lenusik-

Tell him NC's warmer, and when it snows in WI, HE'S shoveling!

Thanks for posting that link. It seems I could move from here to Portland OR with no problem -- I says I could even take a 5.84% pay cut!

Your thread has got me seriously thinking -- gotta convince the dh -- but from what I've seen (I knew it, just didn't want to face it), the area in which I'm living now is not really all that good. We probably should seriously consider a move too, for at least the kids' health sake.

Good luck in your decision!
-BikeMomma

You know, BikeMomma, people are weird, they get used to anything. Then they settle down and forget that they actually can take life in their own hands and make a change. And I am glad that we are trying to make this change, finally. I think that California is beautiful but I cannot imagine us being able to gain anything there. It is expensive, the schools are not that great and some place are just unsafe.

I told my husband this morning that I am not AFRAID of the midwest winters but it is certainly a concern. I would have to get a LOT of ASSOS gear to keep me warm out there. On the other hand, if we get a nice house in a smaller community, this would be a great place to raise the kids.
Good luck to you too and really thanks for the suggestions.

- Lenusik

You will want to visit and get a sense for the community. Greenville culture is going to be like being in a different country, probably.

When I was in Columbia, SC... it was a school year to remember. I moved into an apartment, having burned out my brakes towing my car down there... an angel named George appeared, helped us load everything into the house, and knew a g;uy who would fix my brakes.
Previous apartment owner had dogs... with fleas... you should have seen my feet. THey looked like those pictures in the back of the biology book with the strange parasites from other countries.
Couple of days later, I hear this bang in the back of the house. I wasn't unpacked yet - something must have crashed down. Can't figure it out... get depressed at the idea that I'll find whatever broken thing it is, eventually... and the upstairs neighbor is bangning on my door, am I okay? His gun went off... we found the hole in the ceiling over my bed (my toes).
Next week my car got stolen. Good thing I had my bike, tho' riding in Columbia ain't fun!
Right before Christmas, I wake up and have to convince this guy in my bedroom to put down my sock and leave, and since he hadn't done anything, I didn't have a reason to call the cops.
I should have taken my first visit as a warning - I stayed in a motel and had them move me two times before I was actually in a non-smoking room... but I *was* where I could hear all the action ("Put the gun DOWN!") in the middle of the night. I figure the clerk knew something was up and was trying to protect me...

Columbia's 120 miles from Greenville btw.

And my next bicycling accessory is on it's way........ I've got the UPS tracking number....

You just might enjoy Austin a whole heck of a lot. Lots of IT companies, a very active cycling community and many, many miles to ride in all directions. Your options are even greater and more bucolic if you drive just an hour or two out of the city and enjoy some of the little-travelled county roads in the area. You're already accustomed to heat (ah, but it's a dry heat ;) ), so you may just find the weather to your liking. The high temp last summer was 108, and I know Phoenix gets hotter than that. And now, in the middle of January, it's 70 degrees and sunny :). I wore long sleeves on my mtb ride today and was overdressed :rolleyes: !

I am raising an almost 6 year old here, and find it to be a great place for kids. There are events nearly every weekend that are kid-friendly, many of them free, and in my little pocket of Austin there is a very low crime rate. Most of the crime that makes the news is personal vendetta, not random stranger-on-stranger crime. Lots of swimming holes, creeks, etc. and entertainment, hey, it's the Live Music Capital! It also sees its share of touring companies (we're going to see Cathy Rigby in Peter Pan next month) in addition to wacky Austintatious groups like the Cycle Circus.

You likely won't need a covered court in the winter here, but I bet you could find one if you looked. I live in a (relatively) popular older neighborhood, and homes are priced from $200K up. Go farther afield (I can see downtown from my porch) and the prices are better. Oh yeah, and an international airport not far from downtown.

I'm not a city girl, and don't know how long I'm going to last here, but there is a live and let live vibe in this town that I really love. Freaks, geeks and guys in $2000 suits all mingling together. People here really like to be outside, from hard-core athletes to Ma & Pa sitting on the porch shelling pecans, folks really value their outdoor time. Makes for a pretty livable city, I think.

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Originally Posted by Lenusik

You know, BikeMomma, people are weird, they get used to anything. Then they settle down and forget that they actually can take life in their own hands and make a change.

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Yep! That's me....one of those weird people! Seriously though, you couldn't be more right.

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Originally Posted by Lenusik

I think that California is beautiful but I cannot imagine us being able to gain anything there.

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I'll definitely would miss California, but mainly for the land itself. I LOVE Yosemite (only about a 1.5 hr drive) and the California coast, especially Monterey, but there's natural beauty up north too. I have to remember that. When I was a kid, 10yrs I think, we visited Crater Lake, OR and it was absolutely gorgeous. Loved it!

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Originally Posted by Lenusik

I would have to get a LOT of ASSOS gear to keep me warm out there.

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Oh, how terrible!!!:p :p

I agree, there are many things about California that are easy to miss. The land is truly beautiful. I went with my family over winter break to Disney World (not the ideal vacation destination for the week after Christmas, unless you love crowds and waiting in lines) and our favorite ride was "Soaring over California" It was wonderful to revisit those sites, even if it was only for two minutes!

How about Eugene, OR? Alas not as good of job opportunities as Portland, but better weather, fantastic for cycling right from your garage!! Flats if you head north, and as much climbing as you want any other direction w/in 5-10 minutes. And easy to cycle around the city, too. I lived there for 5 years, and loved it, though meth addicts abound, and so some property crime issues, but fabulous food, lots of energy and creativity, and a gorgeous area. Great for golf, too.

cindysue "I've heard great things about Vancouver also. Never been there myself but it is on my list."

I love Vancouver, but if cost and job was no object I'd choose Victoria. Just a ferry boat ride from the big city, Vancouver and much better weather. Canadians feel free to chime in on which is best. Both seem bike/ped friendly.

[QUOTE=veloputt]How about Eugene, OR? Alas not as good of job opportunities as Portland ...

I would prefer a smaller town but the job situation will be a factor for us right now. But we are definitely looking for a nice small community if only possible.
Btw, we left to work this morning at 6:10 am and traffic was already horrible. Stop and go all way. Another good reason to leave Phoenix and find a nice small town.

http://money.cnn.com/best/bplive/