We are a couple in our mid-50's and are looking for some specific things in our next move; more temperate weather than the North East where we are now; progressive thinking people, good food and a thriving food scene, ability to buy a house for less than $350K, low property taxes ( less than $5K) within driving distance (45 minutes is the max) to a major airport and open-minded people.
We are both entrepreneurial and active, love the outdoors and nature and want a small yard for a garden and to be near some kind of water be it a large lake, river or coast.
We are considering Portland Ore. or Durham NC. We are still working and work for ourselves.
Anyone have an opinion on either or both?
posted by privatechef
on Apr 29, 2013 -
19 answers
We're house hunting and have had no luck with our offers. What can we do to maximize our chances of a seller accepting our offer?
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posted by ramix
on Apr 1, 2013 -
31 answers
So I've read multiple times about folks moving historic houses from their original locations to new locations. Is this a good idea financially?
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posted by Grandysaur
on Feb 4, 2013 -
21 answers
I'm searching for a house to rent with some friends, and I have a few questions.
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posted by mcav
on Dec 9, 2012 -
4 answers
The McTootsalot family has outgrown our home, and we’re looking to move this summer. We love our area (Durham, NC) so if we could we’d love to just move into a larger house down the street that could accommodate our growing clan. However, there is a caveat: schools. How much importance we should place on schools?
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posted by Tooty McTootsalot
on May 29, 2012 -
20 answers
If building a house is cheaper than buying a house (if you exclude land costs) and buying a houseboat is cheaper than buying a house, could it be cost effective to have a "boat" designed and built outside London and then moor it in London to get a relatively cheap London house?
I'm aware moorings are rare and can be expensive, but do you think the costs would work out?
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posted by Just this guy, y'know
on May 28, 2012 -
11 answers
People trying to sell their houses are still facing bloated inventory and falling home values. And I know businesses like YouSellIt are an alternative to realtors to help sellers get their homes on the market.
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posted by CollectiveMind
on Apr 4, 2012 -
5 answers
Where should we buy in London?
Short version: We're currently renting in Clapham (which we both really like). I work by Shepherd's Bush, he works by Tower Bridge. Minimum 2 bedroom with a budget of let's say £350k.
Long version inside.
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posted by like_neon
on Jan 30, 2012 -
1 answer
I've recently become fascinated by (a) long-forgotten "hidden" rooms in houses and other buildings and (b) "dead space" in houses, e.g., large unfinished areas behind walls that are only perhaps discovered years later. Help me find more examples of this sort of thing -- preferably examples with pictures!
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posted by aecorwin
on Jan 13, 2012 -
71 answers
Within the next month, I'm planning to move out of my studio apartment to a house with roommates. I have two housing options available and I'm not sure which one I should choose....
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posted by calcetina
on Jun 11, 2011 -
17 answers
Icelandlodgingfilter: My wife an I will be in Iceland for a week in late May and are looking for lodging. We're out of the demographic for loud noises and partying but like to get a feel of places that we visit.
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posted by Man with Lantern
on Apr 17, 2011 -
7 answers
Australian home owners: please explain to me about body corporates. How much power do they have? And why do the fees vary so hugely?
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posted by lollusc
on Jan 4, 2011 -
8 answers
I'm after a documentary I once saw about a self-building housing co-operative in the UK—or more information about the programmes.
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posted by Fiasco da Gama
on Dec 22, 2010 -
4 answers
What's the quickest possible way to buy a house/flat in the UK? What obstacles are there that stop things from going this quickly?
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posted by handee
on Oct 6, 2010 -
10 answers
I've been idly dreaming about building a small house someday, something along the lines of the
small houses (not the tiny ones) designed by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. I'd like to know more about what this would entail in the area where I currently live.
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posted by ocherdraco
on Aug 11, 2010 -
8 answers
Birthday beach house rental in Hawaii over Labor Day. Where should we stay, and where's the best place to find a beach house rental online?
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posted by timoni
on Jul 6, 2010 -
5 answers
Trying to locate housing for a group of 12-15 students working on a project in Evanston, Illinois between Aug 1st-Sept 15th. Need to think of some creative alternatives and I'm coming up short on creativity.
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posted by jeanmari
on May 5, 2010 -
9 answers
How bad an idea would it be to try to buy a condo before the new homeowner credit deadline (April 30th)?
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posted by smackfu
on Mar 22, 2010 -
10 answers
Can anyone identify these cartoons? One about two poor kids who dream of a world made of food, then wake up to a feast in their kitchen. Another about a young couple at a future world/technology expo where they see instant houses, get groomed by robots, and ballroom dance?
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posted by thebellafonte
on Apr 28, 2009 -
6 answers
Thinking about contemplating considering looking into buying a house in the next year, and when I research properties, asking prices vs. assessed values are all screwy. Why?
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posted by dilettante
on Mar 14, 2009 -
15 answers
Uber-cheap-houses filter: how did we get to the point where houses are selling for less than a thousand bucks and they're STILL NOT SELLING?
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posted by chrisinseoul
on Jan 23, 2009 -
26 answers
Despite the dismal outlook of the U.S. economy, I will be buying my first home within the next 6 months. I'm unsure where to start and would greatly appreciate any advice from the MeFi community.
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posted by CElijah
on Jan 13, 2009 -
18 answers
We rent a shared house in London. There are damp issues in a downstairs room which are known about by the landlord. We have just noticed a severe case of black mould infesting an upstairs wall. What are our legal rights as tenants?
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posted by bollockovnikov
on Jan 11, 2009 -
4 answers
What are the legalities involved in buying a house and then dismantling and removing it?
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posted by crazylegs
on Sep 28, 2008 -
17 answers
Why are houses built of wood in certain regions (U.S., U.K., Northern Europe, etc.) and of concrete and bricks in others (South America, Iberian Peninsula, Asia)?
Climate would be a good explanation, except that South America and Iberian Peninsula also have very cold regions where temperatures fall below zero (Celsius) quite frequently. Examples are: the Andes, southern Brazil, Argentina, Spain. etc.
posted by dcrocha
on Aug 30, 2008 -
17 answers
We're looking to purchase a house with a not so great exterior shape. Where do we start to help visualize exterior renovation possibilities and building costs? Some pics inside for those who want to give their thoughts...
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posted by remlapm
on Aug 18, 2008 -
5 answers