Time for Another Round of "Where Should I Live?"
February 4, 2018 12:58 PM Subscribe
I’m hoping for ideas and input on potential places for me to live! I’m looking for somewhere affordable that has nature, either in or near a medium sized or larger city/urban area, with moderate climate. Lots more specific details inside.
Me:
-single woman in her early 30’s
-sign language interpreter (thus the need to be near an urban area where there’s more deaf people)
-hobbies include indoor rock climbing, making art (painting/drawing), baking/cooking, hiking, paddleboarding/kayaking, group exercise classes, reading.
-not into drinking/drugs, not into the nightlife bar/club/party scene.
-generally i’m content to hang out with myself most of the time but would like the possibility of making friends and/or dating, of course.
things i’m looking for in a location:
-affordable: living simply but comfortably (able to rent a 1 bedroom apt alone, pay bills, save for retirement, and maybe have a little left over each month to spend) on around $40,000/yr.
-nature: near-ish an ocean would be ideal but would also consider being away from an ocean if i’m surrounded by other appealing nature.
-climate: mild-ish weather for most of the year, DEFINITELY no super cold/snowy winters (and would prefer to avoid super hot/humid summers, if possible, but that's more tolerable to me than winter). it just makes me so depressed to be cold and stuck inside for half of the year. i love the rain so that’s not a concern.
-politics: i’m liberal and do not want to live in a very conservative area/state. i'd rather not give my tax money to a state/county whose politicians try to limit my freedoms or insert religious beliefs into legislation.
I’m originally from New England (connecticut/massachusetts), and have spent the last several years in Chicago. I love New England and would consider returning but it has cold snowy winters. I love Chicago because the city really does have so much to offer for a good cost of living, but it’s worn me down with its crime/violence, long tough winters, lack of nature, and corrupt politics.
Places I’m considering:
Washington State (suburbs of seattle, olympia, vancouver?). pros: has nature/ocean, has mild winters/summers. cons: expensive cost of living, the “seattle freeze.”
Portland: pros/cons same as Washington
Sarasota: pros: nature/ocean, sunny with mild winters, close enough to tampa/st pete’s. cons: surviving the hot and humid summers, not sure about dating scene/making friends in my age bracket?
Colorado? I know nothing about this state but would be interested to hear if it fits my criteria or not.
I know I’m probably asking for a lot, and that most places that are desirable are also going to be expensive. I also know that no place is perfect and without its disadvantages. But I’m wondering if maybe there are places I’m not coming up with by myself that I should be considering, what people’s actual experiences are of these areas on my list, or if there are peripheral areas I should be looking into. Thanks in advance for any input - anything helps in considering this decision!
Me:
-single woman in her early 30’s
-sign language interpreter (thus the need to be near an urban area where there’s more deaf people)
-hobbies include indoor rock climbing, making art (painting/drawing), baking/cooking, hiking, paddleboarding/kayaking, group exercise classes, reading.
-not into drinking/drugs, not into the nightlife bar/club/party scene.
-generally i’m content to hang out with myself most of the time but would like the possibility of making friends and/or dating, of course.
things i’m looking for in a location:
-affordable: living simply but comfortably (able to rent a 1 bedroom apt alone, pay bills, save for retirement, and maybe have a little left over each month to spend) on around $40,000/yr.
-nature: near-ish an ocean would be ideal but would also consider being away from an ocean if i’m surrounded by other appealing nature.
-climate: mild-ish weather for most of the year, DEFINITELY no super cold/snowy winters (and would prefer to avoid super hot/humid summers, if possible, but that's more tolerable to me than winter). it just makes me so depressed to be cold and stuck inside for half of the year. i love the rain so that’s not a concern.
-politics: i’m liberal and do not want to live in a very conservative area/state. i'd rather not give my tax money to a state/county whose politicians try to limit my freedoms or insert religious beliefs into legislation.
I’m originally from New England (connecticut/massachusetts), and have spent the last several years in Chicago. I love New England and would consider returning but it has cold snowy winters. I love Chicago because the city really does have so much to offer for a good cost of living, but it’s worn me down with its crime/violence, long tough winters, lack of nature, and corrupt politics.
Places I’m considering:
Washington State (suburbs of seattle, olympia, vancouver?). pros: has nature/ocean, has mild winters/summers. cons: expensive cost of living, the “seattle freeze.”
Portland: pros/cons same as Washington
Sarasota: pros: nature/ocean, sunny with mild winters, close enough to tampa/st pete’s. cons: surviving the hot and humid summers, not sure about dating scene/making friends in my age bracket?
Colorado? I know nothing about this state but would be interested to hear if it fits my criteria or not.
I know I’m probably asking for a lot, and that most places that are desirable are also going to be expensive. I also know that no place is perfect and without its disadvantages. But I’m wondering if maybe there are places I’m not coming up with by myself that I should be considering, what people’s actual experiences are of these areas on my list, or if there are peripheral areas I should be looking into. Thanks in advance for any input - anything helps in considering this decision!
Except for the politics, Huntsville AL seems to meet the bulk of your requirements. It's not close to the ocean, but many rivers suitable for canoeing/kayaking are close; it is in the south end of the Appalachians for hiking/rock climbing; housing is affordable; winters are mild (we get one snow of more than an inch or so every other year, it seems); summers do get hot and muggy, though. It is definitely a red state, but the urban areas of Madison county are much bluer than the surrounding areas. The local economy is driven by the Federal government (Army base, NASA, and contractors), which tends to temper booms and busts in the national economy.
posted by billm at 1:41 PM on February 4, 2018
posted by billm at 1:41 PM on February 4, 2018
If Virginia is purple enough for you, you might consider Richmond, VA. It's affordable and you'd be on the James River - lots of pretty hiking and such that's accessible from downtown.
Frederick, MD is a small walkable city in the beautiful Catoctin Mountains, but I'm not sure if it's a big enough metro area for your purposes, and I wouldn't wish a daily commute into DC on anyone.
posted by toastedcheese at 2:50 PM on February 4, 2018
Frederick, MD is a small walkable city in the beautiful Catoctin Mountains, but I'm not sure if it's a big enough metro area for your purposes, and I wouldn't wish a daily commute into DC on anyone.
posted by toastedcheese at 2:50 PM on February 4, 2018
On preview, I was just about to extoll the virtues of Richmond! It's politically liberal and refreshingly affordable.
-Good access to kayaking with the James River and lots of hikes within a few hours. Close enough for weekend trips to Shenandoah National Park. It's also pretty artsy, with great street art, two major universities putting on events, and the (free!) Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Lots of great food, from southern BBQ to Ethiopian and Vietnamese. Easy access to DC and Charlottesville for day trips.
-Within ~2 hours of Virginia Beach for oceanfront. If riverfront is okay, there's nature, rock climbing, and sunbathing on Belle Isle.
-Climate-wise, mild winters averaging 40s/50s highs and 20s/30s lows. The downside is that late spring and summers are definitely hot and humid.
I'd say that the downsides to Richmond are that it will feel much smaller than Chicago and the culture can be very drinking-heavy. There are tons of breweries and cideries, and the social scene can reflect that.
For more reading, here's the New York Times' 36 Hours in Richmond.
posted by bonifate at 2:56 PM on February 4, 2018
-Good access to kayaking with the James River and lots of hikes within a few hours. Close enough for weekend trips to Shenandoah National Park. It's also pretty artsy, with great street art, two major universities putting on events, and the (free!) Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Lots of great food, from southern BBQ to Ethiopian and Vietnamese. Easy access to DC and Charlottesville for day trips.
-Within ~2 hours of Virginia Beach for oceanfront. If riverfront is okay, there's nature, rock climbing, and sunbathing on Belle Isle.
-Climate-wise, mild winters averaging 40s/50s highs and 20s/30s lows. The downside is that late spring and summers are definitely hot and humid.
I'd say that the downsides to Richmond are that it will feel much smaller than Chicago and the culture can be very drinking-heavy. There are tons of breweries and cideries, and the social scene can reflect that.
For more reading, here's the New York Times' 36 Hours in Richmond.
posted by bonifate at 2:56 PM on February 4, 2018
What about Tacoma WA? About 200k population, right on the water, not far to Seattle but separate, PNW weather, saw some 1br apts for $900-1100.
posted by MovableBookLady at 8:53 PM on February 4, 2018
posted by MovableBookLady at 8:53 PM on February 4, 2018
The Washington School for the Deaf is in a suburb of Portland, Oregon, if that's helpful for job searching. It's a day and boarding school for kids from the entire state.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:07 PM on February 5, 2018
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:07 PM on February 5, 2018
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Like you, I've lived in New England and I loved it, and I get a lot of what I loved in New England without the harsh, snowy, incredibly cold winters. That said, the darkness, which lasts all winter, really gets to me, it's not as presently unpleasant as a below zero temp or an iceberg where my bustop was, but it can wear on you in a different, more insidious way. I have to use a SAD lamp here -- but the spring and summers are worth it!
As far as what you're looking for? The PNW has almost everything you want. And I do have a lot of friends whose income is near yours, who live in the outskirts of Seattle (Bremerton, Burien). These areas are a long drive from Seattle, though -- but they are very happy. I also think the Seattle Freeze is a bit of a myth. I have made more friends here quickly than I have any place else that I've ever lived. I might be a fluke, but that's been my experience.
For cost of living comparison, while Seattle is skyrocketing, it isn't nearly so bad as Boston was when I lived there, and I'm from Los Angeles, which I think is even more expensive.
posted by pazazygeek at 1:13 PM on February 4, 2018