Question - a bit out there

[Groundhog]

So, kids are leaving the nest and mama bird wants to fly away too.

I'm looking for a town/city in the West where I can ride to work, shopping etc. Or where I could ride to the train station (I'm done with busses) to go to the job.

Good weather (that is ...not rainy like Seattle) lots of sunny days.

Not hilly like Seattle.

And then, of course, the kicker - someplace where RE prices and cost of living aren't too high.

I work for a community bank (e.g. I'm not a high-roller) and I'm also an online finance professor, blogger and writer and plan to work for a few more years (I'm 52) and then become self-employed writing, teaching, consulting and
executive coaching.

Any and all suggestions welcome. TIA!

[Tri Girl]

I want to go live in Bicycle City in SC. Maybe some day when it's more developed we can retire there. Maybe you should just go there and try it out for me and tell me what it's like.

http://http://www.bicyclecitysc.com/

[Sardine]

I want to go live in Bicycle City in SC. Maybe some day when it's more developed we can retire there. Maybe you should just go there and try it out for me and tell me what it's like.

http://http://www.bicyclecitysc.com/

Wow! It's a great vision. Hope they build it soon and that it's replicated elsewhere. Thanks for posting this.

[VeganBikeChick]

Bicycle City looks awesome. I would totally move there.

[emily_in_nc]

Bicycle City looks awesome. Unfortunately (for me), it's smack dab in the middle of uber-red state South Carolina. That's a dealbreaker for me.

[Groundhog]

Yeah, I'd like to build something like that out west.

South Carolina (or anywhere east of the Rockies) is too far for me, due to elderly parents and other relatives on the West Coast.

So, any other ideas?

[BikeDutchess]

I love where I live now, but the hills (while they make for a good work-out) are not always bicycle-friendly for regular commuting/shopping type of cycling. I think if I were to relocate I'd be looking at Fort Collins, CO. When we were there during my daughter's college visits, it seemed like a really bike-friendly town. 300 days of sunshine. And perhaps you could teach some finance classes at Colorado State University.

Ft. Colllins Facts

Ft. Collins Average Housing Prices

[Tri Girl]

Bicycle City looks awesome. Unfortunately (for me), it's smack dab in the middle of uber-red state South Carolina. That's a dealbreaker for me.

yeah, the next state I move to is going to be very blue. So I guess I'm moving to the west coast some day.

[KnottedYet]

Hah! I was about to suggest Seattle...

How about the south end of the East Bay area? Fremont, Hayward, Dublin, Niles?
(San Francisco-ish, easy bike and BART access to the universe, not so expensive, flatter)

ETA: I know where you can get a recently remodeled 2-bed townhouse with fenced private patio a couple miles from two BART stations (one north, one south) with bike routes to each. For rent or for sale. Easy bike distance to Coyote Hills park on the Bay, along a MUT.

[Groundhog]

Hah! I was about to suggest Seattle...

How about the south end of the East Bay area? Fremont, Hayward, Dublin, Niles?
(San Francisco-ish, easy bike and BART access to the universe, not so expensive, flatter)

ETA: I know where you can get a recently remodeled 2-bed townhouse with fenced private patio a couple miles from two BART stations (one north, one south) with bike routes to each. For rent or for sale. Easy bike distance to Coyote Hills park on the Bay, along a MUT.

Thanks Knotted. I love a lot about Seattle but get gloomy from the weather. I grew up in Alabama so Seattle is too cold and wet.

I am a planner so it's not an immediate move. I also have to sell my house here first...not an easy task. I do have family in SF so near there would be good. I also have family in SLC, Boise and Nevada.

[laura*]

Sacramento: Flat, yes. (Light) rail, yes. Affordability, maybe. Climate, out of the washing machine into the pressure cooker.

Las Vegas: Flat, yes. Rail (non tourist), no. Affordability, yes. Climate, hot and dry.

Los Angeles suburbs: Flat, available. Rail, in places. Affordability, maybe. Climate, nice.

South SF Bay area (as mentioned above by Knot): Flat, available. Rail, in places. Affordability, maybe not so. Climate, nice.


The desires for affordability and rail based transit are probably mutually exclusive.

[Sardine]

Bicycle City looks awesome. Unfortunately (for me), it's smack dab in the middle of uber-red state South Carolina. That's a dealbreaker for me.

Pardon my ignorance but what does this mean? South Carolina is a left-leaning state politically? Red is generally used to refer to the left over here.

Thanks.

[indysteel]

Pardon my ignorance but what does this mean? South Carolina is a left-leaning state politically? Red is generally used to refer to the left over here.

Thanks.

It's just the opposite here in the U.S. Blue states = liberal/left/Democrat. Red states = conservative/right/Republican.

[Sardine]

Thanks indysteel. Now I get it.

[westtexas]

I also have family in SLC, Boise and Nevada.

Why not SLC? I have really enjoyed my visits there. Other than the giant hill up State St. to the capitol, it seems relatively flat. There were tons of cool bike shops that I visited as well. Plus there's mass transit and things to do and the weather is quite nice (although I've never been in Winter). I have considered moving there myself, but I have a feeling I will end up in Madison, WI or back in Houston by summer next year if I decide to move. Too hard for me to be away from family out here in west Texas, I think.