RunningBum
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2007
- Messages
- 13,245
Roanoke VA is one of my favorite towns that might fit your criteria.
Roanoke VA is one of my favorite towns that might fit your criteria.
1) Because we are tired of hurricanes, we are looking for a place no closer to the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic than Huntsville, Alabama (what is that, 200 miles? I don't have my Streets and Trips on Frank's computer where I am typing). We realize there are other natural disasters in the universe, but would appreciate a little variety.
It turns out that Huntsville is 300 miles from the coast, and Roanoke is about 225 miles from the coast. So, it doesn't actually fit this criterion.
2) We want to live in a peaceful town of maybe 100K-150K, but with adequate medical facilities, gyms, and plenty of "big box" stores and other shopping so that I don't feel too isolated. I like a "small city" like Honolulu used to be in the 1960's, or like New Orleans was pre-Katrina. But a smaller town is fine, too.
Roanoke has a Census 2000 population of about 94K; close enough. Since you like it, I'll assume the medical facilities, gyms, and "big box" stores and other shopping, for now.
3)It should also have plenty of remote areas nearby, so that Frank's desire to be a near-hermit living off the land (yeah right, kind of a guy thing? ) out in the country or at least to occasionally drive out to very remote areas can be realized, as well. Springfield seems to fit the bill. It is big enough for me, and small enough for him.
No idea about the remoteness of nearby areas. If it fit the other criteria, I would find out.
4) Low crime is a huge priority for us.
A quick online search yielded this: "Roanoke's property crime levels tend to be much higher than Virginia's average level. The same data shows violent crime levels in Roanoke tend to be much higher than Virginia's average level." So, it doesn't really fit this criterion at all.
5) It should be someplace politically conservative or at least neutral enough that we wouldn't have to constantly justify our careers in service to our country and national defense/aerospace/oil. We are proud of these careers and what we have contributed to America (so shoot us). Frank eliminated the entire state of Colorado for this reason, though I have never been there so I am just trusting him on that one! He lived there for a year or two.
No idea but haven't heard of Roanoke as a bastion of liberalism, so it probably would be fine with this criterion.
6) Cost of living should be low, with extremely, unusually low cost housing. This is the factor that bears scrutiny in light of my inheritance, but really I do not have enough to live comfortably in California, Hawaii, NYC, or such areas. Also, should money mean that I would just dump Frank and live somewhere expensive that he can't afford? I surely think not!! But where would I live if it was just up to me? I am at a total loss on that, and still thinking. I need to know and come to terms with that.
Median value of owner-occupied homes in 2006 was $117,700 for Roanoke, $97,200 for Springfield. Hmm.
7) As warm a climate as is consistent with the above criteria.
About the same as Springfield - - average January high in Roanoke is 42, in Springfield 45, for example.
I suspected Roanoke might not fit the distance criteria, but it's pretty well ringed by mountains so the hurricane threat would be quite small. Distance isn't the only factor in hurricane avoidance.
Anyway, crime may indeed be a deal breaker for Roanoke. That's the one drawback I see too. I've never looked at the specifics but I have heard some people mention some crime problems.
It really is a pretty town though, and seems very livable. Yes to the big box stores, and a definite yes to being able to get away to remote areas. The Appalachian Trail goes near it, and the Blue Ridge Parkway skirts the city. I-81 south of Roanoke down to Blacksburg has a very rugged beauty.
It should also have plenty of remote areas nearby, so that Frank's desire to be a near-hermit living off the land (yeah right, kind of a guy thing?) out in the country or at least to occasionally drive out to very remote areas can be realized, as well. Springfield seems to fit the bill. It is big enough for me, and small enough for him.
When you choose a house, evaluate the distance of the drive to town. We are 30 minutes from the closest town over 30,000, and that can be pretty inconvenient sometimes. If you need to be in town in the morning and in the evening, for example, you're spending two hours on the road.
and i've just a quick comment on living in a politically conservative area. you're worried about neighbors commenting on your careers but not on your premarital sex? just goes to show there's no accounting for priorities.
I think Missouri is a really nice state. JPatrick also moved there and he must be having so much fun that he hardly posts here anymore.
My only problem with Missouri would be the summer heat, but that should be nothing for a person from New Orleans. The winter issue I see is the ice storms they seem to get in that part of the country. But they are not likely to kill you. Especially as you can stay in your nice, cozy, inexpensive home.
A fair number of northerners from around here seem to be moving to Missouri or Arkansas when they retire.
I'll come to the virtual house warming.
A fair number of northerners from around here seem to be moving to Missouri or Arkansas when they retire.
I have lived in NE Missouri for over 25 years. My son lived in Springfield,MO for two years and then the first town south (Ozark) for two years before having to move to St. Louis for work.
Springfield,MO is a very nice area and I would have probably moved there when grand kids came if he was still there.
Look at some of the small towns just minutes south of the City when you get ready to go.
Also, if you are going for two houses, there are lots of Duplexes in the area that would let you be next door to each other but have your own space.
and i've just a quick comment on living in a politically conservative area. you're worried about neighbors commenting on your careers but not on your premarital sex? just goes to show there's no accounting for priorities.
Thank you, Rambler.W2R, good luck to you. Sounds like a real adventure...something DW and I would like to do. Once we are back in the states, we plan to keep our home in CA, with the well, septic, and cows/horses next door. We will be doing some RVing and exploring other places that we might like for either a second home or possibly a move sometime down the road. We won't be able to move for at least 4 years after we get back as we try to get the benefits from living in each of our two homes there for a couple years each, in order to qualify for the tax benefits on the sale. But that's OK. Once we are free to roam, we'll just set up household in one for a couple years while roaming around in the RV (and prepping for sale), then set up HH in the other, while continuing to roam.
Gotta stop dreaming of FIRE now and get to w*rk...
R
W2R,
Have you checked for a coffee house that serves beignets and cafe au lait? These are a few of the things that I miss about NO.
2soon