Where should I move?

[michelem]

Folsom, CA. We moved here from the Phoenix area of AZ about a year-and-a-half ago and we love it. The American River Bike Trail boasts a 64 mile round-trip paved trail: http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail...lid=BGS057-026
We have Folsom Lake right here, and we are about 90 minutes from Lake Tahoe. Lots of bike clubs, such as Sacramento Bike Hikers and Folsom Peleton, even the Bodacious Biking Babes whom you may have read about in Bicycling Magazine (I've yet to meet any, but I may join if I do!). We moved here for my job, but my husband found work as a supervisor for a grant-funded after school program for at-risk youth (through a neighboring school district) - small world, huh? He was a licensed professional counselor in AZ, but the CA licensing requirements are completely different and a real bear. You did say that you want a dry climate though . . . it is rainy in the winter. Last winter I thought it would never stop raining and there was lots of flooding. This winter it was relatively dry and we are hearing the good ol' conserve water warnings because we aren't going to get the benefit of good snow run-off. Another drawback to this area is that it is BOOMING. Folsom is still a relatively small town, but developers are snatching up every bit of available land. We don't yet have a mall, but they've begun groundbreaking. I hate shopping and crowds, so this is not my idea of fun. But, if you live and work in Folsom as I do, you can bike to work on the many paved trails within the city limits. Oh, and the cost of living is outrageous. California property taxes are ridiculous! It was very hard for us to go from a $700 per month house payment (which included property tax, homeowner's insurance, etc.) to on 3x that amount for a smaller house with a much, much smaller lot (in AZ our house was 1350 sq. feet with a .20 lot). This is with a 50% down payment.

You can read more about Folsom here:

http://ci.folsom.ca.us/

[GLC1968]

There is only one thing GLC forgot to mention......humidity.

But....the BRP is gorgeous, the speed limit is only 45 mph & it's a fun ride. Read about it in the Bicycling Mag. ("Best Road in America")

I guess some would say that there is some humidity here... I moved here from Tampa, so this place seems pretty arid to me!

[IFjane]

I guess some would say that there is some humidity here... I moved here from Tampa, so this place seems pretty arid to me!

'Nuff said, GLC! I can see why you think NC is comfortable.

Virginia is about the same - travel to the northern end of the BRP & I am located just east of the Skyline Drive. Wonderful roads, great traffic (for the most part).....great cycling, lousy humidity

[Kano]

Boise, Idaho.

Hills/mountains nearby if we want them, winter nearby if we want to play in it, 250+ days of sun a year, very little rain, a humid day is like 30%,

It just doesn't get better!

Karen in Boise

[Starfish]

Boise, Idaho.

Hills/mountains nearby if we want them, winter nearby if we want to play in it, 250+ days of sun a year, very little rain, a humid day is like 30%,

I do like Boise...is the wind just sometimes, or more or less always?

[Kano]

Wind in the Boise area? Well, yeah, sometimes -- we had some today, and lots earlier this week. Not enough to keep us from riding usually. Seems like the whole country's in a windy pattern lately -- and we're joining right in!

Karen in Boise

[Starfish]

I am so grateful for all your wonderful replies! I did FindMySpot.com, or whatever that site was, and when I can remember to find my list, I will put it on here in case any of you live there and can fill me in on the towns!