Living in America: The BEST place to live and work?

[nobodyspecial]

In addition to climate, New England and the Pacific Northwest have forests and mountains and lakes and rivers. Since I like to canoe and backpack these areas are an attraction for me. If I lived in the Pacific Northwest I'd be able to mountain climb again.

 

[Joie DeVive]

I want to hear from the Loungers who have lived in very different climates for many years (not just a college career, for example). For example, from Texas to the northeast, or from Arizona to the Pacific Northwest. How have you adapted, or haven't you? Did you enjoy the change? Did your attitude toward either climate change over the years?

I'm a relative newcomer to Colorado. I spent the majority of my life in the Bay Area of California. I've only been here for 2 years. Now I wouldn't say that Colorado is a drastic change, but adapting to having snow, thunderstorms, the possibility of tornadoes, and most of all, the altitude, has taken a bit.
There are things about the change I've enjoyed. I actually love summer rain showers, and am fascinated by thunderstorms. I do enjoy playing in the snow to a certain degree, but don't care for shoveling or slogging through it. Luckily, our snow usually doesn't stick around for a long time. It keeps coming, but usually it doesn't pile up horribly. I don't really like the cold though, and tend to complain if it dips below 10.

What really brought my husband and me here was the lower cost of housing. I must admit that the climate in that area of California is beautiful. The only real complaint I had was the long winter months of clouds and rain. Here we have sun about 300 days a year, even when it's freezing outside! I've found that the increased sunshine has improved my moods considerably. I've come to really like that extra sunshine.

 

[nobodyspecial]

I do say that lack of sun light during long, northern winters can get me down. I really need to make time to be out during the day and on weekends just to get some sunshine.

 

[KittyT]

Other areas of the country I'd consider if I were to move:
Pacific Northwest
New England

As someone who is originally from the Inland Northwest, I will say that there are some HUGE differences here:

1. Winters in New England generally last 5-6 months! It is cold and crappy here from November well through the end of April. In the Northwest, winter usually lasts 4 months at most and the weather starts warming up around March. It is mid-May right now and there are some nights when I'm STILL turning on my heat.

2. Cost of living. Even if you live in Seattle, the cost of living is still lower than it is in most parts of New England, unless you live in the boonies.

3. Attitude. I'm not going to reflect on this except to say that I think most New Englanders are snobby, rude and have an inflated sense of entitlement. I've lived in New England for 12 years, and Boston for 8 and while it has certain charms, I sure can't wait to get the hell out of here. Also, most of the year is unbearable here because of the college students. Summer in Boston is glorious after the precious, bratty rich kids leave.

There is, however, no match for the wonderfully cutting and dry Massachusetts sense of humor. It's the one way to really tell if someone grew up here

P.S. The skiing is WAAAAY better in the Northwest!

 

[Decodence]

I want to hear from the Loungers who have lived in very different climates for many years (not just a college career, for example). For example, from Texas to the northeast, or from Arizona to the Pacific Northwest. How have you adapted, or haven't you? Did you enjoy the change? Did your attitude toward either climate change over the years?

First 22 years of my life, lived in MI. The next 8 in AZ. I've wanted to live in AZ ever since I first visited at age 10. The heat is VERY bearable for me. My blood is like water. If I want cold, I want to drive to it via altitutude, not have it come to me. That being said, I've been thinking about NC lately. Been probably 10 times in my lifetime, and it seems to be growing on me more and more. I don't know about the humidity though. I'd rather have 110* @ 3% humidity than 80* @ 75% humidity.

 

[Nathan Flowers]

If I ever move, it will probably be to New Hampshire, Maine, or somewhere in the upper midwest/rockies.

 

[MaryDeluxe]

I don't think I would really care where I lived as long as I was surrounded by people that I loved and had a little house with a little garden.

 

[Paisley]

There are things about the change I've enjoyed. I actually love summer rain showers, and am fascinated by thunderstorms. I do enjoy playing in the snow to a certain degree, but don't care for shoveling or slogging through it. Luckily, our snow usually doesn't stick around for a long time. It keeps coming, but usually it doesn't pile up horribly. I don't really like the cold though, and tend to complain if it dips below 10.

And then there's the hail. I think it's been a few years since we had a good pounding. Lauren Springer's book The Undaunted Garden devotes a whole chapter to hail, and what to plant to prevent your garden from being turned into cole slaw.

 

[Panamabob]

a State i couldn't advise anyone move to. Abysmal.

No love for the Hoosiers. Oh, yeah, you were in W. Lafayette. I'm a day's drive from almost anywhere and the people here are nice, inexpensive housing, low cost of living, and decent wages.

 

[Diamondback]

No love for the Hoosiers. Oh, yeah, you were in W. Lafayette. I'm a day's drive from almost anywhere and the people here are nice, inexpensive housing, low cost of living, and decent wages.

A day's drive?! Shoot, sir, when my folks and I go back there to visit we usually fly into Indy, then cover the distance in about 3 hours...

Save me some Coneys!

 

[Diamondback]

I want to hear from the Loungers who have lived in very different climates for many years (not just a college career, for example). For example, from Texas to the northeast, or from Arizona to the Pacific Northwest. How have you adapted, or haven't you? Did you enjoy the change? Did your attitude toward either climate change over the years?

There's also the fact that as we age, our metabolisms and climate preferences might change over time. Here's the funny part: I was hatched up here in Seattle, back when we only had one season: monsoon. Minimal snow or sun, just "warmer rain", "colder rain" or "overcast". Now we get this weird stuff where it can be in the 50's one day and the 90's the next... and as my metabolism's settled down from some weird changes to a "constant ectothermic", I've found that hot/dry environments work best for me even in spite of my NorthWet place of birth--Indiana humidity's gonna be a killer this summer, guess I better start refitting a flak-jacket to take Blue Ice packs instead of armor plates!

 

[Panamabob]

then cover the distance in about 3 hours...Coneys?

Choka's place on Main?

I mean I can get to most major Eastern Cities in a day's drive.

 

[Diamondback]

Think that's the one, sir--I'm gonna be stuck at the library downtown chewing on genealogy stuff for a few days while I'm back there, so I'm already trying to figure out if they're within walking distance. (Dress oxfords ain't exactly cross-trainers or hiking boots, y'know!)

Mmm... coney. Only thing to make it better would be add some extra-sharp Cheddar, and replace the regular dog with a Johnsonville cheddar-brot... :WeNeedA"Drool"EmoticonHere:

So, guess the tangent just says you also need to take local cuisine into account, too.

 

[Joie DeVive]

And then there's the hail. I think it's been a few years since we had a good pounding. Lauren Springer's book The Undaunted Garden devotes a whole chapter to hail, and what to plant to prevent your garden from being turned into cole slaw.

I haven't had to deal with that too much yet. We did get pounded pretty good the first spring I was here. Quarter size. I'd never seen the like!
Once I get a garden in I may have to check the library for that book. I would be pretty cross if my prized garden were pummeled to death. And I know I'm in a hail zone, we only had the option of the higher deductible on our insurance due to where our house is.

 

[Tomasso]

I do say that lack of sunlight during long, northern winters can get me down. .

I've found that the increased sunshine has improved my moods considerably. I've come to really like that extra sunshine.

Hear, Hear! I'm all about sunlight; I find that it nourishes my psyche.

 

[mrswheats]

My apologies to your friends (and mine, as well) who live in Charlotte, but THERE AIN'T ENOUGH MONEY IN THE WORLD TO MAKE ME WANT TO LIVE IN CHARLOTTE. Of course, you must remember I am a "country boy" and definitely not a "city boy". In my opinion, in NC there is nothing good east of I-77. ... I like the mountains and the small towns of western NC.

No apologies necessary, Big Man My husband grew up in Ashtabula County, Ohio, which is extremely rural (and he LOVES the country), so I'm sure he'd agree with you. I'm just a city girl through and through, although my definition of "city" is fairly flexible, which is good.
I've seen pictures of the less populated sections of NC, and WOW, are they gorgeous! We were hoping to get down there this year to ride the motorcycle, but it didn't work out. Oh, well, there's always next year

 

[JohnnyGringo]

I'd have to agree whole-heartedly with both Scotrace and MrsWheats regarding Ohio, other than spending about a year in Omaha, Nebraska, I've been here in the Buckeye state all my life. I've stayed primarily because of family. I have to say, though, that Virginia and suburban Denver were two of my favorite places I had the pleasure of performing in when I traveled as a musician, and I have always thought I may like to relocate to either at some point, given the opportunity. Ohio isn't the center of hip by any means...