BEST CITIES TO LIVE: Hypothetical, if you could move anywhere, where would you move?

[Psychedelic_MackDaddy]

San Francisco was always high on my list. I love the Italian history there. I love the mixture of the arts and sciences. I love that Spielberg, Coppola, Lucas and others specifically moved there to make movies. It's an intriguing city. It had it all, IMO.

But the costs have skyrocketed. I don't believe it's feasible anymore and it appears too crowded, now.

Second on my list was Austin Texas. But, downtown is simply too expensive, now. I've read and heard that Austin grew too fast; traffic has become horrendous; population has become too high.

So, I think I missed the opportunity to move to either of those two cities. That ship seemed to sail in the 90's.

So, where are the hidden gems? San Diego still feasible? Miami? My guess, their issues, too, keep people away.

 

[Lions8286]

For me, Lake Worth, FL, on the beach side.

 

[sluggo72]

water is too cold in San Fran for me, as is the hole West Coast, so I am not inclined to go there. St Mary's Ga intrigues me, kinda remote, close enough to Jax to get flights, good weather most of the year.

 

[PSU2UNC]

San Francisco was always high on my list. I love the Italian history there. I love the mixture of the arts and sciences. I love that Spielberg, Coppola, Lucas and others specifically moved there to make movies. It's an intriguing city. It had it all, IMO.

But the costs have skyrocketed. I don't believe it's feasible anymore and it appears too crowded, now.

Second on my list was Austin Texas. But, downtown is simply too expensive, now. I've read and heard that Austin grew too fast; traffic has become horrendous; population has become too high.

So, I think I missed the opportunity to move to either of those two cities. That ship seemed to sail in the 90's.

So, where are the hidden gems? San Diego still feasible? Miami? My guess, their issues, too, keep people away.

"If you could move anywhere"...doesn't that imply that price is no object?

I guess for me it depends if it is a permanent move, or a move for 2-3 years.

I would like to live in Portland, OR for 2-3 years.

I would like to live in Christchurch, NZ for 2-3 years (although I was there previous pre-LOTR movies and pre-earthquake damage, so perhaps I'd like it less now)

I would like to live in San Juan (PR) for a year or two

I plan on retiring to New Orleans (but that's two decades off)

 

[artsandletters]

San Francisco was always high on my list. I love the Italian history there. I love the mixture of the arts and sciences. I love that Spielberg, Coppola, Lucas and others specifically moved there to make movies. It's an intriguing city. It had it all, IMO.

But the costs have skyrocketed. I don't believe it's feasible anymore and it appears too crowded, now.

Second on my list was Austin Texas. But, downtown is simply too expensive, now. I've read and heard that Austin grew too fast; traffic has become horrendous; population has become too high.

So, I think I missed the opportunity to move to either of those two cities. That ship seemed to sail in the 90's.

So, where are the hidden gems? San Diego still feasible? Miami? My guess, their issues, too, keep people away.

I thought the premise was 'if you could move anywhere.'

What's with the money worries?

 

[PSU2UNC]

For me, Lake Worth, FL, on the beach side.

I like Lake Worth, but I don't think that counts as a city, which is what the OP asked.

 

[Brad908]

If I had to leave SF, Seattle is about the only other city I would choose to move to.

 

[LafayetteBear]

How about State College?

 

[jerseylion109]

Florence, Italy

 

[MtNittany]

Elimsport

 

[Langmuir]

Orinda California.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Paris, France.

 

[Nitwit]

Sydney, Australia
Great weather, beaches, people, and good food.

In the USA? Sedona, Az, Annapolis, Md, are both nice places.

 

[Nitwit]

Paris, France.

Midnighter / reminds me I owe you a restaurant report on Paris. I took notes, but hate to bore the whole board with it.

 

[Nitt1300]

Halifax, NS

 

[kgilbert78]

I'd not mind living in Cologne again....

 

[mjh218]

I live in San Diego and can't imagine a better place to live!! I grew up in State College and would love to live there in the summer and fall.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Midnighter / reminds me I owe you a restaurant report on Paris. I took notes, but hate to bore the whole board with it.

I'm sure the board doesn't mind. I'm going back in January and would appreciate any tips you have to share!

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Boulder, CO with a getaway in Aspen.

 

[Psychedelic_MackDaddy]

I thought the premise was 'if you could move anywhere.'

What's with the money worries?

Yeah, it's implied. But, I didn't mean it that way.

Guess what I'm asking, regardless of your job, if it were available to move anywhere with your job, where would you move?

Overseas, Vienna has the most expats living there than any other city. Rome would be high for me. I hear wonderful things about living in Munich. And, Prague, too.

Domestically, I don't know. Boston, Chicago and New York seem like it's not possible unless you make BIG money.

 

[Jerademan74]

San Francisco was always high on my list. I love the Italian history there. I love the mixture of the arts and sciences. I love that Spielberg, Coppola, Lucas and others specifically moved there to make movies. It's an intriguing city. It had it all, IMO.

But the costs have skyrocketed. I don't believe it's feasible anymore and it appears too crowded, now.

Second on my list was Austin Texas. But, downtown is simply too expensive, now. I've read and heard that Austin grew too fast; traffic has become horrendous; population has become too high.

So, I think I missed the opportunity to move to either of those two cities. That ship seemed to sail in the 90's.

So, where are the hidden gems? San Diego still feasible? Miami? My guess, their issues, too, keep people away.

I've lived in 8 different cities in my life and found that if you look to find the best of any given city, that you will enjoy living there. After 8 moves though, I think I'll retire here in Atlanta (unless I have to move). If I have to move, I probably won't have a choice as to where though! BTW, if it weren't for the winters, State College would be a great place to retire to.

 

[bdgan]

"If you could move anywhere"...doesn't that imply that price is no object?

I guess for me it depends if it is a permanent move, or a move for 2-3 years.

I would like to live in Portland, OR for 2-3 years.

I would like to live in Christchurch, NZ for 2-3 years (although I was there previous pre-LOTR movies and pre-earthquake damage, so perhaps I'd like it less now)

I would like to live in San Juan (PR) for a year or two

I plan on retiring to New Orleans (but that's two decades off)

New Orleans is a great city to visit but I don't hear of many people wanting to retire there.

 

[MontereyLion]

Monterey ain't half bad. Not too hot and not too cold. Never snows here. The beauty of the Big Sur coastline in the morning and dinner in Carmel in the evening. In January you can drive to skiing one day and play golf the next. I think I found my best place to retire to.

 

[bdgan]

Monterey ain't half bad. Not too hot and not too cold. Never snows here. The beauty of the Big Sur coastline in the morning and dinner in Carmel in the evening. In January you can drive to skiing one day and play golf the next. I think I found my best place to retire to.

Sounds fantastic except for housing costs and California taxes.

 

[Nitwit]

I'm sure the board doesn't mind. I'm going back in January and would appreciate any tips you have to share!

La cuisine de Philippe - Paris
Lunch was Mushroom soufflé, whitefish terrine followed by
Almond soufflé desert or a custard tart with plums. Owner comes around to meet you.
It's a small place near Odean which specializes in soufflés.

At Bastide Odean - Paris in same area of Latin quarter. Had the
Pickled mackerel entre
Then Veal liver with honey brown sauce for the main. Best liver I've ever had - they don't slice it and serve it about 2 inches thick.

At Le Petit Prince Paris near the Sorbonne. Started with
smoked salmon with beet sorbet, followed by the
Roast duck with cherries and finished with
vanilla and chocolate profiteroles. If I went back I'd start with the snails in puff pastry which looked great. They also offer an assortment of 3 mousses for desert. Very few tourists here if any, and it's a bit hard to find on a small street near St Michel. Spent about 3 hours eating and drinking wine there.

I also went to one or two places you told me about a few months back, thanks.


Was also in Cannes and the best meal of the entire trip was at L'antidote. Slightly off the beaten path and non- touristy.
Started with ratatouille with creme fresh, then fois gras with mango chutney (Wife had snails in cream), champagne sorbet, roast lamb for me, veal for My wife, and deserts - mine was a meringue filled with vanilla ice cream, Hers was some molten chocolate cake with a raspberry sorbet, plus a few little extra sweets to make sure we didn't leave hungry.

A la Potiniere - also in Cannes
Starters: Stuffed mussels or gazpacho
Main dishes: Grilled whole sea bass
Or Grilled octopus. Everything was great.
Went to another place for ice cream desert

Bon appetit

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

La cuisine de Philippe - Paris
Lunch was Mushroom soufflé, whitefish terrine followed by
Almond soufflé desert or a custard tart with plums. Owner comes around to meet you.
It's a small place near Odean which specializes in soufflés.

At Bastide Odean - Paris in same area of Latin quarter. Had the
Pickled mackerel entre
Then Veal liver with honey brown sauce for the main. Best liver I've ever had - they don't slice it and serve it about 2 inches thick.

At Le Petit Prince Paris near the Sorbonne. Started with
smoked salmon with beet sorbet, followed by the
Roast duck with cherries and finished with
vanilla and chocolate profiteroles. If I went back I'd start with the snails in puff pastry which looked great. They also offer an assortment of 3 mousses for desert. Very few tourists here if any, and it's a bit hard to find on a small street near St Michel. Spent about 3 hours eating and drinking wine there.

I also went to one or two places you told me about a few months back, thanks.


Was also in Cannes and the best meal of the entire trip was at L'antidote. Slightly off the beaten path and non- touristy.
Started with ratatouille with creme fresh, then fois gras with mango chutney (Wife had snails in cream), champagne sorbet, roast lamb for me, veal for My wife, and deserts - mine was a meringue filled with vanilla ice cream, Hers was some molten chocolate cake with a raspberry sorbet, plus a few little extra sweets to make sure we didn't leave hungry.

A la Potiniere - also in Cannes
Starters: Stuffed mussels or gazpacho
Main dishes: Grilled whole sea bass
Or Grilled octopus. Everything was great.
Went to another place for ice cream desert

Bon appetit

Awesome! Thanks!

 

[thecoolestfish]

Boulder, CO with a getaway in Aspen.

Ahhhh ... We're on the same page. I live in Boulder and have my eyes set on Aspen as my next and mybe final stop.

 

[OldTiredLion]

I'm already living there. State College, PA.

 

[tallahasseelion]

Yeah, it's implied. But, I didn't mean it that way.

Guess what I'm asking, regardless of your job, if it were available to move anywhere with your job, where would you move?

Overseas, Vienna has the most expats living there than any other city. Rome would be high for me. I hear wonderful things about living in Munich. And, Prague, too.

Domestically, I don't know. Boston, Chicago and New York seem like it's not possible unless you make BIG money.

Each summer I meet friends in Munich for a week then we head to Vienna for two weeks. Think this last summer was the 18th in a row. Lots of friends in Vienna (one of our friends owns an Irish pub just off the Ring, the Bogside Inn). Wonderful cities. I used to think about retiring to Vienna but, given all the hassles of moving, have now decided I am content just to visit. Instead going to retire in downtown Nashville, love that place too.

 

[Brad908]

Domestically, I don't know. Boston, Chicago and New York seem like it's not possible unless you make BIG money.

? Chicago and Boston are extremely inexpensive. NY is less expensive than SF too. Come look at SF, new 1/1 condo's going for sale in my town starting at $850k. Seems like most property in the city and peninsula that are under $1M go for cash.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Orinda California.

Have you been there? Lafayette is right next door to Orinda, but my guess is that relatively few people who live outside the Bay Area have ever heard of either..

 

[Langmuir]

Have you been there? Lafayette is right next door to Orinda, but my guess is that relatively few people who live outside the Bay Area have ever heard of either..

Yes I have. I lived in Walnut Creek for a number of years. Lafayette is very nice too. I love all the towns/cities on the other side of the Oakland hills and surrounding Mount Diablo. Maybe Black Hawk should be on my list as well but I am not really into golf. John Madden used to live there or maybe he still does.

 

[EPC FAN]

San Francisco was always high on my list. I love the Italian history there. I love the mixture of the arts and sciences. I love that Spielberg, Coppola, Lucas and others specifically moved there to make movies. It's an intriguing city. It had it all, IMO.

But the costs have skyrocketed. I don't believe it's feasible anymore and it appears too crowded, now.

Second on my list was Austin Texas. But, downtown is simply too expensive, now. I've read and heard that Austin grew too fast; traffic has become horrendous; population has become too high.

So, I think I missed the opportunity to move to either of those two cities. That ship seemed to sail in the 90's.

So, where are the hidden gems? San Diego still feasible? Miami? My guess, their issues, too, keep people away.

Firenze, Italia. Since I'm retired, I could use the trains to travel all over Europe.
Alas, my 3 grandsons prevent me from moving away. I would go nuts not seeing them.

 

[paulrandythomas]

Born and raised in State College, still live there and will do so until death. SCAHS 94, PSU 99 and 12.

 

[LionJim]

Probably Denver.

 

[Frabjous]

Heads it's Vancouver, tails it's Copenhagen, if it lands on the edge it's Wilmerding.

 

[artsandletters]

? Chicago and Boston are extremely inexpensive. NY is less expensive than SF too. Come look at SF, new 1/1 condo's going for sale in my town starting at $850k. Seems like most property in the city and peninsula that are under $1M go for cash.

Ha! I've been looking at 1+1 condos in Pinehurst, NC. for $100k including Pinehurst membership at courses 1-6. Nothing fancy, mind you, but neither am I.

 

[crm114psu]

Torremolinos. Or perhaps Sydney.

 

[Realoldnavy]

If I were to move international it would be to Dingle, IE. Domestic Newport, RI, Alamogordo NM, or Wilmington NC.

 

[MontereyLion]

Sounds fantastic except for housing costs and California taxes.

You are correct about the taxes. No arguement there. Lucky for me, I bought a house here back in 78. Long before the housing prices got outrageous. Traded up to this house in 96. My daughter wanted to buy a house. Had to quit her good job and move 4 hours away to afford one. That is sad.