MilesBuzz! - If you could live anywhere in the USA where would you live?

If you got an offer to live anywhere in the USA, work at home sometimes, and travel a lot, where would you go?

Mackinac Island, Michigan.

Air travel is out of PLN (Pellston, MI) on NW only, but well worth it if you ask me! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

How amazing, I used to live on Mackinac! But what do you do in the Winter? Or in the Summer for that matter? Was kind of looking for an easy commute near a hub, though. I've been on the PLN-DTW route a few times; found the island to be serene, but easy access to a hub airport would work a lot better. That 30 minute trip to PLN, and limited access only to DTW would be a problem, particularly if you have to go to a place like Memphis or the like. Thanks for your post!

Unless the travel was to the East Coast, my choice would be Wailea Point, on Maui.

So Cal, the best place in the states to live(IMHO) Great weather, surfing & snow skiing within 1 hour drive. Vegas is a short flight. Every band eventually plays in the area.

PerrySSoCal

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joyfully subversive

My pick would be San Diego - perfect weather all the time.

You have to decide on a few factors:

1. Cost of living... can you afford where you want to live

2. Life beyond work... are there theatres, arts, restaurants, things to do after the 9 to 5?

3. Friends... Personally I would be terrified to go somewhere and no know anyone. I am generally shy by nature and would have a hard time adjusting.

So in retrospect to answer your question RR:

1. New York City, but OUTSIDE Manhattan like Brooklyn or Queens or even New Jersey (downtown Jersey City, Hoboken, Weekhawken or further in like Essex County or Morristown)

2. San Francisco or the suburbs.

3. Some Texas towns like San Antonio, Austin, outside Houston.

4. San Diego.

5. Seattle

6. Portland, though I have never been there.

YACFT


(yet another content-free topic)

GUAM. US dollar, mostly 100º all year round. Great chance to learn Japanese quickly,(!) scuba diving and adventure everywhere, US mainland prices for gas, postage, etc. Beaming photo of Clinton gretting you at airport. A few hours flight from OZ. Shame it is not part of the USA, yet, but you'd never know it!

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~ Glen ~

Vail, CO

Manhattan! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Chicago!

Places in the US I've been that I could picture myself living in (without regard for cost and other factors than enjoyment):

Portland, Oregon. A civilized city, with good coffee and good beer.

Minneapolis. Friendly, innovative, good cultural opportunities.

Austin, Texas. A greast university city, good concerts, beautiful parks.

San Francisco. Of course.

But I think I'd probably list first where I am now, in eastern Pennsylvania, among the rolling hills,farms and forests, near the mountains, less than two hours from Manhattan.

Originally posted by ozstamps:
GUAM. US dollar, mostly 100º all year round. Great chance to learn Japanese quickly,(!) scuba diving and adventure everywhere, US mainland prices for gas, postage, etc. Beaming photo of Clinton gretting you at airport. A few hours flight from OZ. Shame it is not part of the USA, yet, but you'd never know it!


Ozstamps, Glad you put in a vote for my birthplace. Us Guamanians are an endangered species, wild guess less than 50,000. Actually, Guam is considered a "territory" of the USA and thus, we are US citizens.

As for my favorite place to live, Silicon Valley gets my vote.

I can never figure out why some who want to live somewhere else don't.. especially since I think most people here are relatively mobile and have the cash.. Personally I was given the option to live anywhere and stayed here. Home is where the heart is.

Hence I like my home town, Pittsburgh. The only other town I'm considering for my next move so far is Minneapolis. Raleigh and Austin were high on my list at a certain time but they're way too 'hip' and crowded now. Maybe when the infrastructure catches up with the growth....

I've been to nearly every other major city in the country. Most great places to visit but I wouldn't want to live there http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I used to live in LA. Now I live in Northern Virginia. I like it kinda. I got tired of LA. Perhaps my next place will be Cheyenne Wyoming. It is close to Denver, a cultural center, and it is in the great outdoors.

Either the Bay Area (read that East Bay), Manhattan, or Chicago. More to than one lifetime can hold in any of the three places.

Manhattan!

The SF Bay Area definitely rules. Their is something soothing about the place. Maybe
it is the moderate weather or the truly
diverse population; everything seems to
blend in and nothing seems out of place. Skiing and surfing are a couple of hour away, sailing can be way of commuting, hiking
can be done everywhere (including climbing down the hill to get groceries) and natural
beauty abounds.

The only problem is that you have to either been born rich or working in a company which had a block-buser IPO to afford anything decent. But as long as our family is small, I would gladly trade a mansion anywhere for a condo here.

San Diego, CA comes a close second.
Mainly because it is more affordable than the city up north, while still retaining some charm which attracts me to SFO first.

dg1, could not agree with you more. Life is too short not to live where you want.

For me, you can't beat Phoenix, Arizona. Great weather. Relatively low cost of living. Booming economy. All four major sports (if you count the Cardinals!), plus a PGA event. a major college bowl game and a NASCAR race. Just enough arts/culture. A surprising number of very good restaurants. Numerous world class golf courses and resorts. Easy access to hiking, mountain biking and many other outdoor activities. Short drive to skiing or Mexico. Short hop to California coast, Vegas, Denver or Santa Fe. Smack dab in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, one of the world's most uniquely beautiful environments. All of this in a very casual and relaxed atmosphere.

Show me the miles.

vancouver http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Born in Cleveland, lived in Houston, Baton Rouge, Scottsdale (really nice place) and South Florida...I choose Jupiter, Florida by the sea and Scottsdale, AZ.

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MRKEY

Monterey Bay area....

delete

San Francisco, period.

(With a summer home in PDX, of course ... ) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I had to reconsider this recently. I had originally moved out to The Bay Area a few years ago because of a girl and a job. Well, as of May of this year, I no longer had either. The job disappeared when the company tanked, but it lasted longer than the girl did. So, seeing as how I had mroe or less fulfilled or completed these objectives, I had to think if there was anything still keeping me here.
Answer:Yes, I just really really like it here in San Francisco and can't think of another place in the US I'd rather live.
Yes, getting in and around SFO sucks, but I always get a bit of a thrill when I'm standing at check-in somwhere and the agent slaps that sticker that says SFO on my bag 'cause I know that it means I'm going home instead of just going to visit like I used to.

So, I'm already where I'd like to be most and consider myself to be really lucky to be able to say that and to especially be able to say it here.

JD

The SF Bay Area gets my vote. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

In the US embassy in London. Then still technically in the US, but still in my favourite city !

I would live where I am right now near my
family and friends in the suburban Philadelphia area.
Now, If I could pick them all up and move them with me it would be to La Jolla in a condo overlooking the Cove. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Jay

We live in Naples, Florida. Very nice town, 60+ golf courses, 20 miles of nice beaches, beautiful weather and nice people.

The only other areas I would consider are Santa Barbara, Monterey or SFO/Berkeley all in California.

La Jolla

Colorado Springs!

This is a very difficult question...

There are so many variables. Is money an issue? Do you have kids? (Actually those are the main two issues.)

Right now, at the point in my life where money is an issue, and I will soon have kids, I think Minneapolis is great.
Tons of opportunties to do more or less whatever you want recreationally or culturally, with very strong public schools.

If money were not an issue and I didn't have kids, I might consider living in Manhattan.

Hickory, NC! I've already done Boston, San Diego, Santa Ana, Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas, and for the wonderful features of each of those cities, Hickory offers a peaceful, beautiful, surprisingly rich lifestyle.

San Francisco - I don't have kids and never will. Love the culture and diversity. Weather is great - I don't like too hot or too cold. Too bad housing is really out of sight. Wish I had moved there 5-6 years ago.

1-Castle Rock, Colorado.
2-Austin, Texas.
3-Happily 20 miles out of Phoenix by Lake Pleasant.

My place is Newport Beach, CA. That's where I used to live, but work made me move to Manhattan.

I loved to visit Manhattan a couple of times a year, but why would someone with a sane mind, whose hometown happens not to be New York, want to live here???

It's expensive - $2000 per month for a tiny studio. It's dirty - I mean: dirty! It's overcrowded - more tourists than locals. It's behind the times - not only had I have to wait this morning again 15 minutes for the subway (and then for the next, because there was no way to get in there), the clock in my station is still on summertime!!! It's a prison - if I want to leave the city to check out if the world beyond NY is still there I need to rent a midsize car at $75 per day (that's alerady a nicely discounted rate). Not to mention the hassle and cost to get to an airport, and the days (not hours) spent on the tarmacs of LGA, JFK and EWR.

Manhattan is simply very inconvenient to live in, even more so when you happen to make more miles than dollars.

I think of Manhattan as a Disneyland - high admission, always some new stuff, some thrill rides, a lot of tourists, every day a parade, Donald Ducks and Minnie Mice all over the place - but you do not want to live in Disneyland, or do you?

I am ready for your attack.

This is a very interesting thread! But it would be nice to get to know the reasons why people would love to live in these towns. For example a number of participants have voted for San Francisco and for San Diego but these cities are very different (at least to an outsider). What is it that is so appealing? Is it an ease of getting a decent job? Low cost of living? Relatively cheap housing? Lots of greenery? A good cultural variety? It would be nice to hear more detailed input.

Taos, New Mexico

(for itself, and as an added benefit, Santa Fe and a wonderfull Taos-skiing region both in easy reach: but only if this ski resort will allow snow-surfers by the time I will have grand-children ...).

Manhattan - Wait a minute, I already live here -- Whew!

San Francisco. Yes, the housing costs are just breathtaking, but you can get lucky. With regard to everything else: SF rules.

Big Pine Key, Florida

Either San Francisco or San Diego...

If chill and windy is a problem then prob SD... but, I also love all the different things and activities SF has to offer...

Hard to choose, but for now SD is where I am.

Helen =)

Thank you all for your replies. However, please let me clarify the question. I am looking for a convenient, mild climate, low cost of living (I have no kids and am single), active, and CONVENIENT location (Preferably near a hub so that when I do travel I don't have to connect). That obviously this rules out New York, SF, etc, but I'm looking for feedback on places like Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, and the like. Thanks!

Atlanta - a little short on culture but a thriving economy, golf and tennis year round, major sports, and easy connections as you don't have to make connections in ATL you just stay.

I had a discussion along these lines with a seatmate a couple weeks ago: He is in a job where he visits company sites all across the country and world, so he is not based in any single place. Thus, when he acepted the job, he chose a city he most wanted to live in. He was orignally from SF and sick of the big city bit. So he is now in Austin TX. According to him, great dot com city, very laid back, beautiful, home of a great university, and easy access to the world via DFW and IAH.

Bainbridge Island, WA. Great water sports and view of Seattle and Mt. Rainer, when it's not raining.

I am a HUGE Bainbrdge Island fan. I love it. I have pictured myself there at some point in the future....

You might want to consider Nashville....

Another thought.


Here's what I'd have in the good old USA if I was Bill Gates...

An apartment in NYC.
A house on St. John.
A townhouse on Beacon Hill.
A palace in Tahoe.
A Gulfstream V.


And Guam....????

There are no birds there. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif The brown tree snake ate them all. That disqualifies it for me....



[This message has been edited by BoSoxFan45 (edited 11-01-2000).]

Austin????

I've heard it's nice, but man alive, that's the place that gave the rest of the country Dubya. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Here's where I have lived and why they would be great if only...

- Toledo, Oh: Hometown. It's OK, and it has improved. Nice people, low cost of living. But the winters rival Chicago with the lousy weather. The airport has probably 20 flights per day, and usually on a turboprop.

- Orlando: If only it had a beach and more to do for the locals. HOT HOT HOT summers.

- Manhattan: WOW, so expensive and crazy weather. But a lot to do! Love to visit, but living there is a hassle.

- Suburban DC: Beautiful area, affordable, but cold, and thankfully short icy winters. Too far from DC to enjoy on a regular basis, though.

- Mackinac Island, MI: Yikes. Nice to look at for a day or two, but to live there is incredibly bizarre. The locals HATE outsiders.

- San Diego: WONDERFUL. Outstanding weather, nice people, and lots to do. Housing costs reasonable for rentals, but out of control for purchase. Plus, 6 hour flights to the east. Airport's not a hub, and those trips out east are LONG.

- San Francisco: Odd, but lots to do. Did I mention the $1500 studio that took 6 months to even find? That 55 degree median was chilling. The earthquake thing is always in the back of the mind, too.

- Newark (Bloomfield NJ): Way better than you'd think; good access to NYC, a lot less expensive than Manhattan. However, it's still Newark, but improving. Lousy weather, though.

- Ft. Lauderdale: Great area, super beaches, close to Miami, Palm Beach, etc. Overall my favorite so far, but fairly high rent, although OK real estate prices. Downside: airport is not a hub, so connecting flights are a given. Hurricane season is a downer, though. South Florida is a cool mix of Northeasterners and everybody else.

I guess it goes to show that there's no perfect place, but hey, still looking, but happy in S. Florida for the time being.

Presently I live in San Francisco (actually, Burlingame/Hillsborough, it's just a 15-20 minutes drive to downtown) and I would not have it any other way.

Yes, it's VERY EXPENSIVE. I pay $1,200/month for a 1 bedroom...but the wide range of diversions one can find in this city is limitless. And the dining scene is one of the best in the world.

Lake Tahoe

I'd like to hear more about PHX and SAN!!

THANKS!!

I'd like to hear more about San Diego. How much are rents there? House prices?

I think I am living there! PERFECT WEATHER with 65-75 degrees mean average year around. 10 miles east of Del Mar, CA. Peaceful, a lot of open space with the Miramar Base south and east of here and raw land all the way to Phoenix. People are peaceful and low crime rate is low.

More variety of flora, then I could ever imagine. Lived in LA/Valley-Beverly Glen and Mulholland Drive for 17 years as well as Santa Monica Shores for 6+ years. Does not compare to this climate.
Even my lungs feel better after a year in this location.

Main problem is the fast food mentality. There is no where near the variety of restaurants, that 3 million people should support. A desert compared to Miami or LA.

Los Angeles... yeah, traffic and the cops sucks but I dig the weather and the cultural diversity.

Ah Phoenix.

I'm originally from the East Coast and I love it out here.

1) It's affordable
2) Weather is beautiful (really the summers aren't THAT bad).
3) City is not too big yet.

Only draw back I see is that there's not enough culture. Yup you can find it but it's not NYC!

I'd have a look at the Twin cities with your criteria. Nice city, NWA hub nearby (MSP), good culture and lots of nature upstate Minnesota if you need a break... And Jesse "the Mind" as your personal bodyguard! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

On a Sailing boat in a Marina on the North side of San Francisco bay along the highway near the intersection that heads up to Napa. Easy and very pleasant commute to the city by motor boat, no worries from earthquakes, interesting down to earth neighbours, and, above all, excellent sailing up and down the coast with the occassional trip to French Polynesia.

Sky high housing costs are avoided, only problem would be finding a slip available to rent/buy. Not surprisingly there is a waiting list that strectches several years in to the future http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif



[This message has been edited by Mvic (edited 11-02-2000).]

My home is in the country....3 miles from a small town of 5000(LaCresecnt MN)....10 miles from a collection of a few small towns totalling approx. 100,000....2.5 hours by car from Minneapolis/St Paul......traveled to a lot of US and Canada areas....and this is the best of all worlds....for me....grin....lizard

SF or Toronto,Canada.

I am so connected with Food, especially "Dim Sum", so anyplace without a ChinaTown that have restaurant of Good Dim SUm is out of question.

SF win because of it great climte, citylife and just Fun, while Toronto win because majority of HK's top chef emmigranted there!

After 4 years in Manhattan, my first response is: Anywhere But Manhattan! I love to visit, but living there is a serious chore.

My vote goes to Burlington, VT. Good access to Montréal for fun, good winter sports, decent sailing, nice folk, and a healthy dose of socialism.

(All of which assumes, of course, that I can't live in Canada for some reason...)

I'm considering Palm Beach County, FL. Rumor is they are planning to change Federal laws to allow you to vote twice in that county for presidential elections. That would make it a "cool" place to live. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Vermont, within an hour of Burlington (but not in Burlington).

Out in the 'towns', life is lived on a more human scale. It's nice to know your neighbors and be able to meet and greet the people wherever you go in town (grocery store, post office...).

Never mind. You don't want to live here. Go somewhere else. <g>

[This message has been edited by BillMorrow (edited 11-10-2000).]

Las Vegas!

The weather, entertainment and location are all great!

NO WHERE!!!!!!!!

You couldn't pay me enough to live any where in the U.S. The country boasts a violent society of gun toting citizens, supported by laws which are 3 centuries behind the rest of the world. It's difficult for me to differentiate the benefits of US living versus that of countries like Colombia. I simply can't feel safe when I am in the U.S.A.

I realize that most americans probably think there country is the be all and end all, but for many people in the rest of the world, we have a much more broad view of things.

Where would I consider living??? Cuba was an affordable, beutiful and warm destination to visit. I've heard great things about Argentina, and that Buenos Aires is a great city to live in...the same with Hong Kong. Another person I work with told me great things about Brussels.

Spider, re: house prices?

I saw a fantastic new 1 story Model home as the last sale for a developement off Palomar Rd up in Carlsbad area perfectly landscaped and priced at $349,000.00, which was a steal. That was for 2500 Sq.feet. Rolling hills with an ocean only a few miles away without the marine moisture. A nice drive to the desert.

I second the vote for Palm Beach County, Florida. Not only do you get to vote twice (or three times if you voted twice in the first round) but it must be a very easy place to make a fabulous living. Despite being one of the wealthiest places in the country the residents are reportedly almost illiterate and easily confused.

This is a very iteresting topic. My job fits right into this topic because I travel alot, work at homes (when there is nothing to do), I can live anywhere here even the Canada I think, because the job qualification is a major international airport.
I chose to stay home here in Sugar Land,Texas. for many reasons.
1)It is my home of course
2)Convienentaly outside of Houston
3)Cleaner than Houston
4)All my friends are here.

But when I get tired of traveling my future will be in the DFW area.
I have been to many places this year and of course SF is one of best places, but it is just too expensive, if I had to move to these places that I visited, I probably will choose Las Vegas for it's glamour and maybe Tampa Bay,FL for it's great 80 degree Winter weather!

Al

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[This message has been edited by dg1 (edited 11-11-2000).]

Originally posted by rrz518:
If you got an offer to live anywhere in the USA, work at home sometimes, and travel a lot, where would you go?

Uhm ..... lemme see ... oh yeah ...

N. Shore, Kauai?

-David

Hi and welcome mjschill. The question of what country one would wish to live was explored at flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000563.html. Enjoy.

I moved to San Diego from Topeka, KS when I couldn't stand winter anymore. I have been in heaven ever since.

The climate is perfect, the beaches are great, Tijuana is right across the border (plus and minus as their sewer is a open lagoon to the sea).

The flight to LAX is on a Saab 340, but lasts about 25 minutes and gets me 500 miles on AA for 129 actual miles. I often schedule flights out to go through LAX and back through DFW figuring I'm fresh for a turboprop on the way out, but first class comfort on the way back in.

People are so laid back here, it is truly nice to take the time to talk to them.

Rent is okay, but house prices in San Diego are insane. Go outside of San Diego proper to the east and prices drop fast (but the temperature swings do too as you lose the ocean effect.)

Writing this as it is not perfect weather here - it's almost down to 50 degrees this evening....brrrr......

drewman

[This message has been edited by drewman (edited 11-13-2000).]

Someone asked about PHX. It is a great place to live, but there are some things that you need to know.


[list=1]
Housing is very affordable.
Cooling your house can be astronomical.
Due to lack of good mass-transit, traffic is getting worse. (All highways heading west converge into I-10 to get into Phoenix proper... can be quite a mess.)
Do you enjoy exercising at 10:00 p.m. because it is finally cool enough?
Winters can be great.
Until this year, PHX rarely had delays due to weather.
America West http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
[/list=a]

As soon as I got a job that I could live anywhere I wanted, I moved to the mountains in eastern Arizona. Temps rarely top 90 in the summer, and only go to single digits or below for a couple of weeks in the winter. Also, there is enough snow to enjoy, but not shovel!

However, I will concede that I prefer the mountains over the beach as a place to live. http://www.wmonline.com/cities/ptslide/slide1.htm




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Bob
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.

Everything people have said about San Francisco explains why I live here. Actually, I could live pretty much anywhere I wanted (as long as they have good health care http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif) since I'm not working and have no family ties...and I'd rather stay in San Francisco (in town, not the 'burbs). But I'll admit I'm lucky: I bought a great house 15 years ago, when it was merely expensive. Now it would be out of sight, but that's not a concern!

In the spirit of original post by dg1, northern Nevada.

Inveterate gambler, hopeless alcoholic with a fondness for wild women. Yes, seventeen years ago I moved to a state of (almost) total bliss.

Strange topic, if you ask me. Ruling out my hometown (Kansas City), I guess I'd go for either Catalina Island or Key West. Myrtle Beach wouldn't be bad for something a little more mainstream, but only if they ban all of the bad golfers from the good courses.

I'd have to say Sarasota, FL. It's where I live now, and I love it here. Beautiful winters (70-75 degree highs and always sunny in January), bearably hot summers (low 90's or so in June-August), and low hurricane risk. We have all the culture of a bigger city (opera, symphony, theater, etc.) without the headaches (ie traffic, crime, pollution). And we are part of the Tampa Bay metro area, so when you just gotta be in a big city for a bit, you can drive 40 minutes north to Tampa.

FWIW, Money magazine has given my claim, that Sarasota is the best place in the US to live, by namins Sarasota the most livable small city in the US. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif I know it doesn't really mean much, but Sarasota took top honors for cities with a population of less than 250,000 people. The entire Sarasota/Bradenton metropolitan area has a population of about half a million.

Southern California
Newport Beach, Newport Coast or Laguna Niguel
Perfect weather almost all the time and everything you need no more than 1 hour away.

GK that was a most witty and clever response! I think that I would like to live in St Petersburg, Florida. Sarasota is delightful but the airport does not handle that many non-stops, Tampa has plenty and an international service to London. The climate is delightful, but I would live in an appartment rather than a house becuase of the hurricanes!

Montreal or Vancouver http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Originally posted by PAUL PALMER:
GK that was a most witty and clever response! I think that I would like to live in St Petersburg, Florida. Sarasota is delightful but the airport does not handle that many non-stops, Tampa has plenty and an international service to London. The climate is delightful, but I would live in an appartment rather than a house becuase of the hurricanes!

Hey, if you fly coach, avoid that BA nonstop to london! It is actually operated by BA's charter division with BA pilots, and coach is 3x4x3 (that's one more seat per row!). No First Class, tiny Club World, and I question whether or not Club World is the same in service and comfort as on other BA flights!

As jamiel says, Orlando is but an hour away!

Interesting enough, I had this choice this summer. With a new job that was travel intensive, the only requirement was that the city/area needed an airport. I chose Seattle. The people are the friendliest, countless things to do outdoors, culture, ...

Although I only spend 3 or so days a week at "home" I enjoy the Emerald City trmemendously.

Buffalo, NY .....ok so I like cold weather and snow. The nicest people on earth, great restaurants and night life. A great sports town (Bills, Sabres). Get bored there then you hop over one of the 4 bridges to Canada. Toronto is less than 90 minutes away. Hourly flights to Florida if you get cabin fever in the winter. Oh yeah, pretty good chicken wings too!

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www.KegWorks.com (http://www.KegWorks.com)

Draft Beer Dispensing Equipment and Compact Refrigeration.

What the heck, let's dream:

Spring: Boston
Summer: Portland, Oregon
Autumn: London
Winter: San Francisco

All served by UA, so I keep Premier status. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Following LawLord's lead:

Summer: PDX (an incomparable paradise)

Fall: San Francisco (my first love for a city)

Winter: North Shore of Ohau (warm enough to wear shorts day and night, but just chilly enough to light logs in the fireplace at dinnertime)

Spring: Joshua Tree, Calif. (as close to a lunar landscape as you can get without an oxygen pack.)

Of course, ask me again in ten years. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

This is all subject to revision of course! I know my list is a little US-centric, but the beauty of Flyertalk is that my boundaries of experience will be stretched far faster than most others. Talk about having something to be Thankful for!!!

I am very thankful to live in both of the places that I love, 60 percent of the time in San Francisco and 40 percent of the time in Wailea, Maui.

I also grew up in Minneapolis and agree with many of the posts praising it, but now I will only visit in the summer or early fall....it's just to **** cold!

Some great places to visit on this list.

Still trying to decide which would be my pick for favorite.

If the company pay for all move including house, Bay area will be a great place. There are three major airports (SFO, San Jose and Oakland). House price is only up so in case things do not work out, you can always make a fortune on the house and move again!

good luck and hopefully you find your "heaven on earth"

If not Denver, where I live now, it would be Vancouver or Memphis. Daze

Vancouver, BC is really, realy nice. There is a lot of cultural diversity with major league sports teams. It is clean, easy access to the rest of the world. Seattle is less than a 3hr drive.

In winter, you can travel 90 minutes to a world class winter resort (Whistler), or stay in town and scuba, kayak or golf. In summer, you can travel 90 minutes to a world class summer resort (Whistler), or stay in town and scuba, kayak or golf (did I just say that?) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Second best place? hhmmmmmmm...... Sarasota - nice weather, close to Tampa, yet far enough away to get the smaller town feel, cultural diversity

I think this is an interesting topic because we have been contemplating a move when we retire in about 5 years. We love where we live now in the summer, a small town about 180 miles south of Portland, but major problems are- 180 miles away from a major airport and the rest of the year is wet and foggy. I think St. Petersburg-Tampa the rest of the year would be ideal. I have heard that they don't have nearly the hurricane risk that the rest of Florida does. I have a question though- is there a site where you can find what airlines fly out of a certain airport and what non-stop flights they have?

this is a perpetual conversation with my friends http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I chose San Francisco proper, and love it dearly -- my brain is alive here, but it doesn't stress me out like Manhattan does. I can walk everywhere I need to within 15 minutes, and if I ever get bored, I can just move to another neighbourhood or another region in the Bay Area.

San Diego has some of the best weather in the nation, but check out the places close to downtown for a more interesting life (I lived in Del Mar "east" and hated being in the suburban wastelands). Overall, though, I found it a bit stifling -- for a big city the facilities, culture, etc were rather small. Also, life in SD revolves around the car and certain freeways..

What about Ann Arbor for a summer/fall home?
I only spent a year there but I quite enjoyed the landscape, foliage, and college-town feel. Just not winter in a flat with broken heat http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

disclaimer: I am young, and when I have kids I will have to figure this out again.

As often as I pass through CVG (twice a week), I've been reminded of the advertisements around housing developments that say "If you lived here, you'd be home already!".

Seriously, though, I do have a job where I could live almost anywhere, and chose the mountains west of Golden, CO, near Golden Gate Canyon. My office in downtown Denver is only 25 miles/45 minutes away. The airport is 50 miles away, but I only go there twice a week! 12 miles of my drive is through beautiful canyon roads. Our house is above 9,000 feet, in a small neighborhood of about 30 houses with 2.5 - 5 acres of land, most with horses. We have a large variety of wildlife in our neighborhood - Mule deer, Red-tailed fox, Coyote, Black bear (hibernating now, but I've seen them *very* close), even the occaisional Elk passing through. The only one I don't like having around is a mountain lion that lives a bit up the canyon and that has been known to attack, kill and eat dogs in the spring.

Well, I guess if you're a mileage junkie of limited financial means trying to support your habit, you want to live:

Near a major airport with healthy competition and a good helping of fare specials. Also helps if you have a good way to get there and back and not pay for parking.

In a place with low living costs (or even with your parents!) and where you can securely lock up your stuff.

And you can just as well live on either end of the country as in the middle, since it's more mileage opportunity for runs to the other side and the fares aren't that much different from coast-to-coast than from the middle to either coast.

Florida might be a good choice, as many airports have competition, there's no income tax, costs can be low and it's warm.

If money's no object, put me down for Hawaii.

Sunny Sydney!

San Francisco - A very large Chinatown there!

Vancouver. Ooops!

Sorry - didn't read the "US" requirement. Well, we are NEARLY US in YVR!

As long as DL flies there, I do not mind. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

San Diego, The lovely sunny weather.

I just went through this exercise and picked Santa Fe, after living in New York and Hong Kong for several years.

Terrific climate, accessible uncrowded ski slopes (just walked in from the ski basin a couple of minutes ago), unpretentious yet cosmopolitan people, interesting Native American and Mexican culture, lots of art and great restaurants.

SAF is only served by UA Express and America West commuters, but ABQ is just 45 - 50 minutes away. Although ABQ is not a hub, no single airline seems to dominate, and as a result, there are lots of competitive advance purchase fares-- but forget about cheap international specials.

Bangkok, not for the obvious reasons either. The city has a certain captivating charm, as I'm sure anyone who has been there will agree. I'm sorry- I did not catch the part about the USA paramter, please forgive!

[This message has been edited by jimmyjames (edited 12-03-2000).]

Here's my plan:

Spring: Manhattan
June: Seattle
July: San Francisco
August: Saratoga Springs
Autumn: Back to Manhattan
Winter (actually, December through March): Las Vegas

Spring: Charlestown, South Carolina
Summer: San Francisco
Fall: Lake Tahoe
Winter: Santa Fe or Taos

If I had to choose a place for year round, it would be Seattle or Vancouver.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

I can't believe I haven't seen any votes for Nashville, TN. Here's the short list:

1. Great people - friendly across the board
2. Great cost of living - housing is great
3. Great quality of living - variety
4. Great schools all the way up
5. Metropolitan - LA music scene moved here!
6. Close to 60% of U.S. population w/in a few hours flight.
7. Int'l carriers
8. Four distinct yet mild seasons
9. Golf year 'round
10. Natural beauty
11. Did I mention golf year 'round?

It isn't a vacation paradise, but who want's to be surrounded by tourists all day? I hope you get to visit!

Mike