How do you like where you live?

[kdubber]

(Saw a similar thread but it looked like it was a few year back...)

I'm stuck in L.A. Tired of snarled traffic, road rage/mean streets, smog, billboards, potholes, litter & dumping, graffiti, gang-bangers, and the general third world chaos. Yes it's close to beaches, mountains, deserts, Hollywood, etc., but you have to plan your travels around traffic, which scarcely lets up! Sales tax will soon be 9-3/4 percent and the state is verifiably broke!! Sheesh!

Dreaming of making the great escape someday. Santa Barbara's nice but I seem to be coming up a tad $hort for its million dollar-plus homes, plus CA's woes remain.

Granted, I DO have much to be thankful for, INDEED, but need to vent/dream a little...

How 'bout where you're at? (Gripes and accolades welcome!)

[Luv325Ci-MiniCoopS]

I was born and raised in L.A. (Hollywood) Ca., when I was in the Army I was stationed in many different states and countries for the 12 years that I was in, but I always missed and wanted to go back to Los Angeles.

I love the diversity, the beach, the mountains, the coast, actually I pretty much love everything about L.A. The things I hate about L.A. is the traffic, the high taxes, the gun laws, the mean people, etc. but if you think about it, traffic, mean people and bad gun laws are pretty much in every major metropolitan area in every state. Since that's the case I think I'll just stay here in Los Angeles and enjoy the near perfect weather, palm trees, beach and the some of the most awesome twisties anywhere.

P.S. I do miss the good ole days when you could fly through the Sunset Blvd twisties all the way down to PCH at breakneck speeds with no traffic and no stop signs.

[zmiko]

I absolutely love it here in Colorado. I've lived in Denver, the mountains, and now near boulder an I've loved all of them. Don't see myself ever moving away.

[rrcaniglia]

I live in the Huntsville, AL area. It's a nice mix of rural attitudes and cosmopolitanism. I liken it to an oasis of Northern Virginia (i.e., Washington, D.C.) plopped in the middle of cotton country. Downtown Huntsville and several other nearby areas boast fine little bistros, the arts, sports, shopping--just not the quantity you'd find in other major centers, such as L.A. I told my daughter, who lives in D.C., that she'd feel right at home for about 3 months, at which time she'd have to begin re-visiting the same bistros instead of having a seemingly unending supply.

What you get, in addition, is the fascinating conflict of highly educated white collar rocket industry workforce and the blue collar rural professionals for whom sense of urgency means driving in the left lane instead of the right -- but not any faster.

Alright, that's an unfair generalization, but there is the expectation of the big city folks that things are supposed to be efficient and the contrarian habit of the rural crowd that pays attention to people, not just the clock or the rules. An example is that up North upon meeting someone, the first question is, "What do you do?" or "Where do you work?". The Southerners that remain uncorrupted invariably ask about your family history--where you're from, who you know.

[gokartride]

I have travelled a good bit all over the world and you know what they say...there's no place like home. Truthfully, I loathe DFW in principle, but because it is so big and sprawling one is almost forced to carve out a personal niche, find a little sub-community that is scaled to suit. I ride a train to work, and that helps make things tolerable, too. I never bought into the Texas-thing, I loathe country western music, pick-up trucks, and most every manner of bubba-ism. Still....my community is pretty down-to-earth and the people are nice. Sad thing is, it appears the only thing there is to do for recreation around here is to go to the mall....or Colorado. I have, however, lived here long enough to have figured out all the ropes and make this place home.

[X5JR]

I really like CA. Laguna Beach would be my choice or Moon Bay. Alas, I don't think I could afford it. So, I live in the next best place for me, Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. We have 4 seasons, very mild summers -- hard for anyone to believe for most people who know about most of NC in the Summer. We don't have A/C and don't need it. We are close to a college town, Appalachian State University. Traffic, never a problem, unless all the snow birds from FL that land here in the Summer and never drive the speed limit (always 10-15 mph under) would bother you. We have only two factories in three area counties. So, if you want a job, you better be self-employed or like working in the tourist industry (misnomer). We have to drive over 100 miles to the nearest MINI dealership. Like any place you live, there are the good and the bad. LA is no exception, although, from what we read, see on TV and hear -- the bad is overtaking the good, fast. We are 5 years from retirement, so where we are suits us very well. I have always liked living in small college towns, that would be my first recommendation.

[MiniEnvy]

I currently live in Denver also. I have been here for 6 years or so, off and on. I'm a Chicago native and after the first 2 years I lived out here I moved back to Chicago. What a mistake. Don't get me wrong IMO Chicago is the best city in the world.................in the warmer months. It absolutely sucked for me there in the winter after I got used to what Denver has to offer during the winter months.
I love Colorado cause we get all 4 seasons here. Winter and spring seem short and summer and fall seem long. I do enjoy that Colorado is the sunniest state in the country but on the other hand wish it would rain a little bit more in the spring. Between the mild winters, hot summers and the mountains I really don't see myself living anywhere else but here. Not only does this state have a butt load of recreation to take part in, but its also got some of the best twisties for the MINI in the country, except maybe North Carolina/Tennesee.

[Ladidah]

Wisconsin is a nice place. The prices aren't too crazy, the traffic (where I am) isn't too bad, there isn't a lot of crime in my town, it is fairly scenic (not mountain/ocean scenic, but rolling hills, open fields, river bluffs, forests...etc.), I am close enough to the Twin Cities that big-city activities are easy to get to, but one major problem makes me hate it more every year. The winters s.u.c.k. big time. Horrible, nasty cold that lasts for weeks. I don't mind snow, but the bone-chilling cold is not for me. Now, as I get older, I realize why people retire to more southern climates.

[R35P3CT DA M1N1]

Nebraska needs more twisties!!!!!

[OmToast]

Every day I wake up in GA (Augusta) means I'm one day closer to never having to wake up in GA again.

I'm Pittsburgh born and bred (many generations), and I believe you only get one home. I've lived a lot of places attempting to sidestep that suspicion, and all have failed. The Burgh has everything I want/need: amazing arts/culture, a strong economy, stable and affordable housing market, restaurants for days, 3 fantastic pro sports teams (I am a life-long Buccos fan: their present suck pains me, but means little.) Lakes and mountains are within an hour's drive for the recreationally-inclined, the city is CLEAN and gorgeous, the people are friendly, and there's nothing I could get in a larger city (New York/Philly/Baltimore) that I can't get in Pittsburgh. Sprawl is comparatively minimal and there are numerous, imminently livable city neighborhoods in which to settle, and a multitude of (highly-rated) colleges mean that, so long as you know where to go, there's usually something shakin' somewhere.

Traffic and nigh ongoing construction mean that, living there, you need to know at least 2-3 ways to get from point A to point B ("You can't get there from here."), and politics have been ragingly stupid in terms of city development. But thus ends my ***** list.

And when I wake tomorrow, hating life and GA, I will be still one day closer to going home.

[clarkdr81]

I've lived in several places including Utah, San Diego, and the Philadelphia area but I have found the perfect place for me... Arlington, VA.

It is the perfect mix of city and suburb. There are neighborhoods here that feel like you're in a small town, yet I am only a couple miles from National Airport, good shopping, and an endless supply amazing restaurants of every type of food imaginable. It is only a five minute drive from downtown D.C. It has excellent public transportation but unlike D.C., Arlington has a lower cost of living with slightly cheaper housing, cheaper cost of car ownership and lower taxes (except for the personal property taxes on cars in VA).

Arlington is also the most educated county in the country (highest percentage of people with graduate-level degrees), is in the top 10 counties in income, has a very low unemployment rate, and very little crime. So the people are very high quality - in many ways the best and the brightest.

It does get pretty hot and humid in the summer and can get quite cold in the winter. But while the weather isn't perfect, I do like having four seasons. And while the DC area has some of the nation's worst traffic, I am somewhat immune because I take the Metro into D.C. for work and only really drive on nights and weekends so I rarely get stuck in traffic.

While the D.C. area doesn't lack in diversity, it does lack somewhat in personality. People here can be somewhat uptight and even boring. But its better to live with on an everyday basis and if I'm in the mood for something a little more exciting, a short weekend trip to Philly or New York tends to do the trick.

Finally, there are a ton of MINIs here so that's just icing on the cake

[bigsoup52]

I like Madison, Wisconsin.

[cloud10]

Prescott, Arizona, is my home away from home (Connecticut). I moved here 28 years ago for my asthma and it was a great town. Still is in many ways, but I like a smaller town, so if my property on South Montezuma someday sells, I may head north. Prescott has mild 4 seasons and as the older I get the less snow I want to deal with it is a good compromise.
There are enough major stores and Costco to get along nicely. The county courthouse has been named as one of the country's best places and there is a lot of activity down there. Craft and art shows, Bluegrass, music, square dancing, car shows, all kinds of events. We have an outstanding group of pet rescue groups here and I work as much as possible with Greyhounds of America who have a lot of activity. The drawback is the 100-mile trip to MINI N. Scottsdale, but it is a great drive down and back if you make your appt for non-rush hour times.
Personally the air in LA would kill me. Prescott is a mile high and feels like home. I'll probably end up staying here anyway. When you find a place where you can breathe, walk in the pines, and feel pretty safe, it may be best to stay planted.

[misslindsey]

I grew up near Grand Rapids, MI and it was nice - people were nice, Lake Michigan is lovely and clean and there isn't too much traffic. Then I moved overe here near Detroit and I just don't like it. Traffic, pollution, mean people.... ick. I wanted to work in the auto industry though, and I got what I wanted - although if I had known what I was getting into I would have taken one of those jobs in oil in Texas...
My brother lives in Arlington, Texas and we all thought he'd hate and it would be terrible. I would so move into his spare bedroom. I'm done with winter and shoveling snow and people who hate me for not belonging to a union. He has traffic though, and DFW is big - I'm not so all about that. So I haven't found the perfect place yet.

[gokartride]

Originally Posted by misslindsey

DFW is big - I'm not so all about that.

You can pretty much ignore the entire eastern half, imo.

Originally Posted by bigsoup52

I like Madison, Wisconsin.

So do I!!!

[misslindsey]

Yeah, Wisconsin is nice. We spent a day in Iowa a few weeks ago, too, and decided it was pretty nice up there, (by Cedar Rapids), too. Kinda boring getting there from here (ohmigodcorn) but nice and laid back and pretty once we made it.
We decided that our next place had to be within 30 minutes of a racetrack (doesn't have to be Watkins Glen or Indy, although those are high on the list) so we can watch lots of racing and not just the expensive big weekend kind. And not in a HUGE city, but close to a big-ish city so there's stuff to do and see. We are both engineers, so we'll need something to do.

[itsminibtch]

i live in san diego, ca. ive lived here all my life and i love it here, i dont think i'll ever leave. the traffic isnt bad, great malls, beaches, and city. it also has beautiful rural areas. i'd say most of san diego county is rural. we have great mountain twisties, hiking trails, and lakes. prices a few years ago got VERY high to live, but with the economy how it is prices have come down a lot.

[ltphoto]

We've been in the Salt Lake area for 10 years now, and love most aspects of it. We are 20 minutes from Snowbird for skiing (best skiing of anywhere we have ever been), and have great outdoor opportunities right out our front door. For getting away we are just hours from the red rock country of southern Utah, and just hours in the other direction for the Tetons and Yellowstone. Hard to beat for quick weekend getaways.

The other side of the coin is that this is the most culturally devoid place we have lived (several states and overseas also). Good thing we love the outdoors, otherwise this would be the most boring place on earth!

With that said, our favorite place we ever lived was Corvallis, Oregon. We plan to retire in the Pacific Northwest eventually.

[MinnieMama]

San Diego County is a great place to live. I've lived here since I graduated from high school in 1976 (couldn't wait to get out of Dallas). I actually live about 10 miles east of downtown. On a little windy road (Minnie and I love it everyday) in an unincorporated area of the county. Feels like you're in the country but everything you need is within a few miles.

The weather is great most of the time, traffic is normally not too bad, a lot of great places to eat and lots of things to do. Aside from the obvious ocean/beach activities, if you like music/concerts there are several really good venues here as well as Petco Park (what happened to the Padres, again, we were doing so well at the start), Balboa Park, the zoo, Del Mar Horse Races, some pretty decent casinos, I could go on and on. Mountains (particularly the sequoia forests - my favorite place for camping) and desert are just a short drive away. And if you need that big city action, LA is a just a couple of hours away (I think I've been there three times since I've lived here). Disneyland is just up the road ...

And, it's just plain pretty here, rolling hills and canyons and trees and flowers ... so different from Dallas. Fact is, most of my relatives come here for vacation (and they get free lodging, what more could they ask for).

[Porthos]

I live in Kailua, Hi which is on the island of Oahu opposite of Honolulu. And its time to move on. Going to Jacksonville, Florida

[cutemini]

i live in Philippines..its nice here. just dont come during rainny days.. hehehe.. its sucks! summer time is the best time to come and have fun

[Oxybluecoop]

Born and raised in N.Hollywood CA. Relocated to Washington DC in 1994 and currently reside in the town of Weddington, NC a few miles from Charlotte. After living here for one year the jury's still out. Definitely a change from the life of downtown but you can't beat the price of property here compared to the Metro DC area. Still own my DC property and frequently return.

[geekswrath]

I think I have to echo the sentiments in previous posts, you really only get one home. I love where I live and find it hard to think about living anywhere else. No matter where you go there will be things you miss. I'm 20 mins away from the mountains, About two hours away from Atlanta or Charlotte, and around 3 hours from the beach (depending on how many twisties I hit on the way. Yep, I'm pretty happy with "home".

Originally Posted by rrcaniglia

What you get, in addition, is the fascinating conflict of highly educated white collar rocket industry workforce and the blue collar rural professionals for whom sense of urgency means driving in the left lane instead of the right -- but not any faster.

I've heard them referred to as "redneck rocket scientists".

[Gromit801]

I don't think I can adequately describe how I feel about where we live, without violating site guidelines every which way possible.

It's redneck hell.

Every other car is a pick up or SUV with a fish, jezuz sticker, or yes on 8 sticker. It's an hour to any kind of culture or civilization.

We cannot wait to get the hell out of here when finances allow.

[ricbow]

born and raised in san francisco. live in marin barely able to afford it but worth every penny!! i live on twisties