Or, if you love your current city/country/state, do share. This Queen is ready for change. I'm in the Bay Area and as much as I love the culture and landscape, the cost of living is stifling.
The bay area is hard to beat. I live frugally in a town near Sacramento, and I love most of the weather, but we do get aggressive heat in the summer. If you're going to look for a less expensive place to live, you will sacrifice the mild climate. You will be hotter or colder or both. You'll make cultural sacrifices as well. So air conditioning and Netflix replace the Museum and the beach, if you get my drift.
I wish I lived in the US. I admit it was part of the reason why I felt like converting to Mormonism even without "feeling" anything about the BoM. Everything seemed so North-American about the church and the missionaries, and I nourished a dream of moving to the US and having a traditional, religious family somehow. I'm from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
I love where I live. The summers are mild with few very hot days. The winters have little snow. We have plenty of rain and everything is green. Not too many people are LDS.
mtns, lots of hiking/biking/water all around (sailing, kayaks, etc), funky politicians (Seattle mayor is gay). Two nearby nudist parks, a couple of nude bike-rides every summer!
'excellent (?) symphony, lots of performing arts, venues that attract top names/groups.
no extremes in temp (again, compared to IMW)
'minimal' morg influence, at least compared to IMW.
mtns, lots of hiking/biking/water all around (sailing, kayaks, etc), funky politicians (Seattle mayor is gay). Two nearby nudist parks, a couple of nude bike-rides every summer!
'excellent (?) symphony, lots of performing arts, venues that attract top names/groups.
Very Good public transport, cheap for seniors, disabled.
no extremes in temp (again, compared to IMW)
'minimal' morg influence, at least compared to IMW.
Where alice? We are moving to Albany, Oregon next month. We currently live in Mesa, AZ. So excited to move away from the heat and the highly LDS populated Mesa.
Was just thinking 'bout this. Denmark is supposedly the happiest country on earth. But I think Switzerland might be nice as well.
Vancouver island would be nice - but I'd want access to cities as well and not be dependent on having to ferry back and forth. Perhaps a farm close to a metropolitan city to have best of both worlds.
Currently live in central Virginia. Yes, Virginia is beautiful.
But, I like it colder and rainier and I like to not have my life shut down during the months of July/August because of the stifling heat and humidity.
Have never been to there but I think I would love Ithaca, NY: bleeding heart liberals--high college graduate rate when compared with remainder of state--also beautiful finger lakes and lots of snow in winter but also beautiful summers. Pacific NW--probably Oregon as opposed to Washington because it's cheaper--would love the outdoor activities already mentioned--also liberal
I think there are many places in Eastern or Western Canada I'd love although I wouldn't want to live in Ontario--I have only been there once and it just reminds me of the upper, upper Midwest.
Used to want to live in England countryside--would probably still like to do that--but not at the top of my list any longer--although it is so beautiful there.
Never been to Scandinavia but I think I'd like it there bc it's so liberal.
Italy is beautiful (especially Tuscany) but I don't think I'd fit in with the people.
I live on the outskirts of Los Angeles and like it...except for housing prices. I think you might like Ashland, Oregon. Lots of events, music, museums and an artistic population. If I wanted to move northwards, THAT'S where I'd go!
That's my problem too. I really love the Bay Area, but I want to get my boys into a house. They want a dog and a basketball hoop and I want a clothesline. I can't even get into a crappy condo here for half a million. Sigh.
I love the Niagara Region. It's so pretty. It's wine-growing country and there are fields of grapes. Along the Niagara River, around the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, is very pretty, just across from Lewiston, NY.
During the winter I always dream of living in California, where it's not so freakin' cold.
Consider what type of climate you wish to live in along with the preferred size of your town or city. Also think about how far you want to be from the coast or a large body of water. Various places on the western end of Oregon or Washington state might be a good fit for you. If you don't mind being landlocked (with a lot of snow) the Denver/Boulder area is very pleasant. If you are seeking warmer weather then moving down the coast in California might work, depending on housing prices.
Salt Lake City. I love the perks that go with my life too. Can't complain about life here, Jazz games, Mormon tabernacle choir, catered meals. It is also nice in the Summer to get away to the Teton valley in Idaho.
Just about anywhere except Utah might sound more inviting and exotic a place to live than where I do live, although it's grown on me and I find I have a real connection to this city.
However, so I move to Hawaii or the mountains, or Vermont where there are more rational people, but I'm alone and thousands of miles away from my family (the chosen one not the blood one). How would that make life better?
I was thinking of moving to Scotland or Ireland, but found out that the taxes would be on the high side for an expatriate. I've looked at places like Erie, PA and Poughkeepsie, NY, but now, I'm not sure.
I love living in Bellingham, Washington (upper NW corner, just south of British Columbia). The climate is temperate and it is green year round. Personally, I love the grey, rainy winters but I do wish we got more snow (generally only once or twice a year). There is also a fun hippy vibe here - it's like San Francisco light.
Central coast of California is nice. It is still expensive but not as much. You could try more out in the country for more space less cost. Weather is great, lots of outdoor activities.