What do you like/love about where you live?

[rodi]

We visited San Diego several times and I really liked it. Thought about retiring there. One of my peers joined Megacorp about midway through my tenure. She had lived most of her life in San Diego, got married there, started raising a family, etc.

I asked her what in the world had induced her to leave San Diego and move to the frozen tundra of the Midwest. She stated emphatically that it was the crime in San Diego that had gotten to her (she had been a victim of street crime twice IIRC.)

I hope you are safe!

I guess it's about perception. I dislike Atlanta because of three crimes against me in 3 months. I've lived here for over 50 years total (growing up, college, first job, then when we moved back). Only had one crime against me. We were broken into when we had the house tented for termite treatment.

 

[Pointby2]

Anaheim Hills. Part of Anaheim, but not.
Likes:

1. California weather, of course.
2. We have virtually zero neighbors and no traffic noise.
3. We overlook a canyon/park.
4. Only 20 minutes from Disney.
5. 40 minutes from the beach.
6. 30 minutes to John Wayne airport.
7. 5 Minutes from our primary care doctor, dentist and favorite grocery and restaurant.
8. Tons of parks nearby including 25 wilderness parks to explore and hike.
9. Low crime, we can safely walk anywhere around us, even at night.

Dislikes:

1. Cost of living including state taxes.
2. Potential wildfires and associated insurance costs.
3. Traffic when we actually have to leave the neighborhood.
4. Not enough restaurant choices within ten miles.

 

[Koolau]

Pointby2 reminds me that I never mentioned what I don't like about Island living.

Traffic can be a bummer - especially in Honolulu. Absolutely crazy way we "separate" (or not) pedestrians from traffic. Our death rate of pedestrians is outrageous. Imagine a 6 lane road with pedestrian crossings with NO signals - just a cross walk - and you get the idea.

Infrastructure - our roads, buildings, utilities, etc. are simply crumbling. There's a main street in Honolulu that I don't recall traveling without at least one section being torn up. I just saw a news article that says they're going to do a major repair for the next 6 months.

Isolation - We are 2400 miles from anywhere else. 'Nuff said.

Costs - probably the worst or nearly worst state in the nation for COL.

Crime - drugs and homelessness have driven property and even violent crime much higher than it was even since moving here less than 20 years ago. Little effort is done at prevention and actually catching and punishing crime is an after thought. To be caught, a decent burglar probably has to commit upwards of 200 crimes. Few laws on the books are adequate and most laws are rarely enforced - though if it makes the city money (like red light cameras) we're all in!

I won't even comment on the one party politics. Honestly don't care much about which party - but two would be nice, just because...

 

[CO-guy]

I just thought of another thing I love about where we live in the mountains. There was a big ski race in town this weekend, and we spent the day out on the course. It's a qualifier race and so there were world class skiers pushing it to the limit in skin suits. However, there were also a fair share of local moms wearing race numbers, tutus and a baby Bjorn with their toddler strapped to their chest. Several moms and dads were pulling multiple kids in sleds and there were whole families out racing together. All that is to say that I really love how fun and family friendly our town is when it comes to sports. And it shows. Our local children's sports teams are less often champions on the field and more often commended for their outstanding sportsmanship.

 

[jabbahop]

We spend our winters in Southern Utah on the outskirts of St. George. We look out over the beautiful red sandstone mountains. Hiking/backpacking, pickleball, and tons of other outdoor activities are available all year - can be a bit chilly during Dec-Feb but the sun is out most days so warms up. Today is 70 but that is quite unusual.

We spend our summer in Vermont in our tiny cottage on Lake Champlain islands. Our three kids are all on the east coast so this allows us to reconnect. Lots of nice outdoor activities in Vermont summers - escaping the scorching 110-115 St George summer weather.

Really quite an idea combination for us.

 

[warbial]

I live in the suburbs of Geneva, Switzerland.

I spent six months in Lausanne a long time ago. My father was on sabbatical and took the family along. I was in high school at the time. We could hop on a bus, to the train, to the ski slopes and back at the end of the day. Wonderful country, and I still hope to visit again some day.

 

[Scuba]

After living in Southern CA for decades, we moved to the Sarasota suburbs in 2023. Love the beaches, the laid back FL lifestyle, access to boating on warm waters, and much happier with the state and local government here. Plus zero state income taxes and proximity to family in GA and SC are great. We don’t mind the hot and humid summers - great weather for the pool, beach, and boating!

 

[Koolau]

After living in Southern CA for decades, we moved to the Sarasota suburbs in 2023. Love the beaches, the laid back FL lifestyle, access to boating on warm waters, and much happier with the state and local government here. Plus zero state income taxes and proximity to family in GA and SC are great. We don’t mind the hot and humid summers - great weather for the pool, beach, and boating!

How have you fared with insurance? I understand that because of recent hurricanes the insurance rates have (pardon the expression) gone through the roof.

Our insurance has gone up dramatically due to the Maui Wildfires and high-rise fire threat.

 

[jpeter1093]

Denver:
1. Warm sun 300 days/year so even when in the 20's; not a raw cold like back in the Northeast
2. Music scene - Red Rocks and tons of other venues to choose from
3. Sports town - all the major leagues are represented
4. Skiing - we're retired so mid-week, no crowd skiing is our jam
5. Beautiful scenery that never gets old
6. Friendly folks, turn on your turn signal to change lanes and get let in
7. Bike trails galore

 

[aja8888]

Denver:
1. Warm sun 300 days/year so even when in the 20's; not a raw cold like back in the Northeast
2. Music scene - Red Rocks and tons of other venues to choose from
3. Sports town - all the major leagues are represented
4. Skiing - we're retired so mid-week, no crowd skiing is our jam
5. Beautiful scenery that never gets old
6. Friendly folks, turn on your turn signal to change lanes and get let in
7. Bike trails galore

You must not be in NY!

 

[MarieIG]

Usually I say the four seasons - but right now, I'm thinking I could do with a bit shorter winter.

 

[aja8888]

Usually I say the four seasons - but right now, I'm thinking I could do with a bit shorter winter.

We had our 5 year incidence of snow a month ago here in south Texas . Today was 84 F. My sister in Connecticut is moaning about the storm that is supposed to hit tomorrow. I suspect you are about to get the same?

 

[MarieIG]

We had our 5 year incidence of snow a month ago here in south Texas . Today was 84 F. My sister in Connecticut is moaning about the storm that is supposed to hit tomorrow. I suspect you are about to get the same?

Lol, we heard about that storm from our relatives by marriage down in south LA. They deal with hurricanes, floods, humidity that would make a steam room appear balmy without batting an eye, but a few inches of snow . . .

Yes, tomorrow evening, but Connecticut almost always gets more snow.

 

[aja8888]

Lol, we heard about that storm from our relatives by marriage down in south LA. They deal with hurricanes, floods, humidity that would make a steam room appear balmy without batting an eye, but a few inches of snow . . .

Yes, tomorrow evening, but Connecticut almost always gets more snow.

Yes, south Louisiana is definitely a swamp. Some of that is over this way too.

 

[swakyaby]

Anaheim Hills. Part of Anaheim, but not.
Likes:

1. California weather, of course.
2. We have virtually zero neighbors and no traffic noise.
3. We overlook a canyon/park.
4. Only 20 minutes from Disney.
5. 40 minutes from the beach.
6. 30 minutes to John Wayne airport.
7. 5 Minutes from our primary care doctor, dentist and favorite grocery and restaurant.
8. Tons of parks nearby including 25 wilderness parks to explore and hike.
9. Low crime, we can safely walk anywhere around us, even at night.

Dislikes:

1. Cost of living including state taxes.
2. Potential wildfires and associated insurance costs.
3. Traffic when we actually have to leave the neighborhood.
4. Not enough restaurant choices within ten miles.

I lived there for 4 years, in Anaheim Hills, not Anaheim. It was a nice small neighborhood where crime seemed very low during those years.

 

[meleana]

We moved from the Hudson Valley area in NY when we retired to the Lakes Region in New Hampshire in 2020.

We love that our only child lives 1/2 hour away. We love that we live within walking distance to Lake Winnipesauke and can drive to several other gorgeous lakes. It’s a vacation area so so much do do year round. Live the 4 seasons.

We love that we are only 4 miles in either direction to medical care, restaurants, live theater and a movie theater, supermarkets, banks, and other shops. Can walk to a Cumbies and a great country store/chocolate/ ice cream shop.

Only 12 miles to the main highway and we are central to the state. Easy drive to Maine or Vermont.

Love our 85 home HOA community with activities and a pool and clubhouse. Great neighbors. We were lucky to buy a very small brand new build one level downsized house for well under $300,000 in this area.

Also, NH aligns with us politically and we’ve joined a group of like minded folks and became a bit active, as in this small state it’s easy to get involved and have an impact at the state house.

Another plus: no income or sales tax. Property taxes cut in half from what we had in NY. Auto and home insurance much less also.

 

[indiajust]

I have lived in 20 states and paid taxes in 10... I can find something to like everywhere I go. For now I am fascinated with participatory governance in NH and I love cold weather. But I liked AL, TX, FL, GA, NC, ......

 

[Rusa]

Front Range Colorado for 34 years. Pros: family all live here; climate has low humidity, (almost) four seasons and generally mild; easy access to beautiful mountains. Cons: used to be pretty much a backwater/cowtown, now is incredibly crowded and expensive. Used to be a red state, now is way too blue. Way too isolated in the middle of the country when I get bored with the local attractions. I miss having large bodies of water available for recreation.

 

[Rusa]

Suburb of Portland Oregon, have lived here all but about 3 years of my life. DH and I bought the modest ranch home I was raised in. Siblings and all immediate family live within 30-45 minute drive of each other.
Within a 1.5-3 hour drive to beaches, mountains, desert areas.
Same day drive I can:
drive along Columbia River to Multnomah Falls, Hood River and the "Fruit Loop" drive around the farms
drive to Crater Lake to spend a day or two
head to the Ocean and walk along the sand collecting rocks, shells, sand dollars
head to the mountains--Mt Hood, Mt Batchelor
head a bit more east and spend time at Kaneeta Indian Reservation and museum

I have never feared downtown Portland, there are places I wouldn't go at night now and in the past. But that may be true in any city. The area is getting a bit more cleaned up, and I do appreciate the more compassionate attitude towards the homeless and those struggling with addiction and other mental illness or causes of homelessness.
There are some wonderful restaurants and food courts downtown, it is a Foodie Mecca!
A place where individualism and weirdness is OK, and folks generally are accepting.
The bagpipe playing unicycle rider is a fun person to see!

Close to major airports (PDX and SEA) and two well known trauma centers, a burn center and two children's hospitals.
A days drive to Seattle and ferries to Canada, a one day drive to Sacramento where our best friends live.

A pretty cool place to be!

Portland was my favorite place to live out of all the places I’ve lived in my life. I wish I could go back but DH refused.

 

[WWDog]

San Antonio sucks. Don't come here. I like my space.
Just kidding. Although we have been growing in population steadily for a long time, if you don't want to venture into town at the wrong time of day the traffic is doable, Even in the wrong time of day it is not real bad.

I live on the second hill of the "hill country" on the far northwest side of town overlooking Fiesta Texas. Everything I need is not far and a short drive. The weather can get hot in august but I face the south and have a good breeze almost all the time. Many very large oak trees shade the entire house and lot. We have one way in and out of the our hilltop neighborhood with only trees and wildlife surrounding the hill which provides a great view of the city. Texas hill country is kind of a hidden treasure. Although many homes are starting to pop up along I-10, each are separated by enough green and treed spaces. I consider myself very fortunate to have found this location several years ago. I have accessibility to city amenities yet retain the feel of the hill country. Besides, I get a fireworks display every night from Fiesta Texas.

 

[Ctarborist]

It's gratying to see how everyone likes their own place!

 

[Lee94joyce]

Western SC. Rural setting. Four seasons, mild winter....small town mindset. Good people. I ain't going anywhere!

 

[tenant13]

Rent control. The place (right outside of Manhattan) is so cheap that I can travel most of the year and keep it basically unoccupied.

 

[kgtest]

Proximity to mom, dad, in-laws. The lower cost of living, but central location between both coasts. Our parks and trails systems. Our beach community. The school system. The winding back country roads, lakes and rivers near us.

Country living near the city. Not in an exurb, but close. Just outside the inner loop of the Twin Cities.

I don't love the cold and snow. But we are so busy that it flies by these days. Today we took the kids to my old sledding hill. They loved it.

The arts are big here. Good concerts, pro sports teams, a decent night life. But also within hours of remote cabin country.

Lots of decent food as well.

 

[ncbill]

Close to family.

My parents are gone but the in-laws & their close relatives are all here & still kickin'.