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Where should I live?
I'm ready to move, but where? Here's my list of must-haves.
Thu, Oct 18 2012 at 12:12 PM
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Photo: Sigma.DP2.Kiss.X3/flickr
I ended up living in Connecticut by accident. And while I've enjoyed my time in the Nutmeg State on some levels (I love the Victorian house I bought, and I've created a lovely haven for myself there), I never would have chosen to live where I do. And frankly, I still wouldn't have made that choice; I haven't grown into it as I thought I would. Connecticut has good schools (which I'm happy to pay for, but I don't have and don't want kids), and lovely shoreline area (which I love!), but it's also boring (songs have even been written about it) and I don't have many friends. (Everyone has children and seems to bond over — and socialize via — the kiddos, which isn't for me.) Living here also requires that I drive more than I'd like to, which I only really enjoy doing on long trips; plus, there's just not a lot of culture happening here.
I've also spent time in New York City, which is just an hour away from where I live in Connecticut — and where my boyfriend currently lives — and I've really gotten a feel for city-living life; but as much as I want to love it, and as much as I've tried, the mad crush of all those people is just too much for my nerves. I love the art, music and amazing projects that are always going on, but most of the time I'm so exhausted from running around the city for work-related jobs and meetings that I need to relax all evening just to make it through the next day. It's also insanely expensive, and while when I was younger I made a lot more money (at jobs I uniformly detested), these days I've realized that I'm much happier (mentally, though not economically) as a freelance writer and professional blogger. So NYC is out for the reasons that most other big cities are out; been there, done that, too noisy/too many people, and I can't afford it.
So I've given myself 12 months to divest myself of this great house, sell even more of my stuff (I've been downsizing for some time), and I'd like to do some traveling and live nowhere for awhile with my boyfriend. Mexico, Australia and Hawaii all seem like great options for long sojourns. But there's the question that still nags at the back of my mind; when I do stop somewhere, where will it be? Where is the ideal place for me to live? Taking a city- or town-based job and worrying about kids/schools are both off the table, which gives me a lot of freedom (which I'm so grateful for). I'm also not dedicated to living in the United States (my family is in Australia, I speak French and Spanish passably well, and I've always enjoyed the time I have spent outside America). But it also opens the field up completely! Which is daunting in its own way.
So I'm starting with a list. Here are the non-negotiables for the next place where I put down roots:
No car needed: I don't mind driving, I just don't want to have to do it more than occasionally, and my boyfriend hates to drive. Gas and insurance are expensive, and as an environmentalist, I don't like contributing to global warming any more than I already do, so I'd like to live somewhere we can be car-free. I don't mind having a good walk or bike-ride into town.
Sunshine: I never realized how much I love being outside and getting lots of sun until I spent four months living on the Big Island of Hawaii. As much as I enjoy snow and winter sports, the reverse is also true: I don't enjoy being shut inside all winter (and spring) long. I can deal with the cold, but not the dark.
Access to the outdoors: I feel like I have spent half my life indoors (it's probably been more than half!), even though I'm an avid hiker, bike rider, trail runner, and gardener. I want to live in a place where it's easy to get to the great outdoors (unlike the Connecticut suburbs, or NYC) — like walk-out-the-back-door easy. I think if I live in an area that has lots of access to outdoor activities, there will necessarily be other people there who like to do these things too.
Quiet: I grew up in the country, sleeping to the sounds of cicadas, doing my homework to wind in the trees, and lazing in my hammock to the tune of frogs and birds chirping (and sometimes, my dogs barking). I never noticed how noisy living around other people is, but as I get older, I tolerate it less and less. I really want to live in a place where I can hear the sounds of the natural world as much as possible.
Great food: I love to eat but I don't love to cook. Living somewhere that is proud of its local food heritage and produces plenty of its own local produce and other products seems like a must.
Do you live in a place with all these attributes? (Do tell!) Am I missing something from this list? What would be on your list?
Related on MNN: 15 cities for people who love the outdoors [Photo gallery]
MNN tease illustration of houses: Shutterstock
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the place that you are looking for, is Praia de Pipa, Nord Est of Brazil. Summer all the year, wonderful beaches, surf, bike, no-car, all the services that you need, beautiful animals,festivals, live-music, beach-sports, samba, and you can eat all that you want (international kitchen, italian, brasilian, argentina, etc), and Praia de Pipa has one of the better climate and pure air of the world!!! See on internet.
watch the state taxes - NC taxes income Tenn does not, nor does FL - or TX but the whole state of TX is humid and hot - and the same could really be said of FL - you might want to consider a planned neighborhood development - like Celebration in FL
Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. If you live in Hull (one of the amalgamated cities) you are a few km from Ottawa (Canada's capital), and a few minutes biking from Gatineau Park, an amazing provincial park. And everything else.
Welcome Lashana! Sounds like a great place. How is the sunshine factor and weather?
Find the one thing you absolutely have to have and live there. For me, home is where my cats are and we choose to live in the same state as my daughter and grandkids. You don't have that problem . . . so follow the sun!
I live in Merida Mexico. Cheap and has all of those things. Not to mention abundance of fresh produce!
I live in Loomis (near Sacramento), CA and we have all of those things here. We are close to the ocean and tahoe, have a lot sun that grows prolific gardens, its very quite and there is Amtrak and a rail system to the city. Many friends do not have cars in Sacramento.
Wow, these are great suggestions! I have visited Asheville and Austin, and liked them both, but I'm a little scared by the heat! I've never heard of Kanab, Utah, I'll have to check it out.
Ummmmm what you are looking for is Austin, Texas. Very bike friendly, car share programs like car2go and zipcar. Lots lots of great local eats. Just as much as there are great food places, there are places to enjoy the outdoors. Lots of sunshine. the culture here is AMAZING.
Asheville NC!
Oh! Asheville is lovely.
You have the same requirements I have! I live in a small town in Germany but now have to move (owner is moving back in). I work from home and can live anywhere of course it took so long to get "in the system", i.e. taxes, cheap insurance, credit that I prefer to stay here. There are many coastal towns here and border towns on the rivers that fit the bill for me. I like water too. Just running out of time.