Unutterably Silly Paradise Acres

[DixieGal]

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

You know, DG, the little town (not so little now) where I grew up has a nice little art scene and music happenings. Like I said, less than 50 miles from NOLA, so you can experience Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras and other city happenings. It has a lot of suburban sprawl now but still some lovely countryside and woods (see the pic links above). Anyway, maybe I found you a house? There is the "Fall for Art" and "Spring for Art" festivals, free concerts at the landing, music at the Saturday Farmer's market that can be very good due to NOLA proximity, a monthly "block party" on the final friday, etc. etc. Anyway, I think I found you a house!

http://realestate.nola.com/RealEstat...d_id=489896206

That house looks so comfortable to me. It looks like a home.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by montsnmags

I don't know the US well, but I would be somewhere with hard-wracked cliffs and headlands interspersed with surfable, sunnable beaches as much of the year as reasonable, but with winter big seas and wind-chill to stroll along them. I'm guessing that means somewhere "California", with the added bonus of big mountains behind. Somewhere quiet, propertied (land), simple, but within the occasional couple-of-hour-drive outing distance to a good, big city (San Francisco?). Overlooking the sea and the beaches and the headlands from on-high on land where the nearest neighbour is out of sight would be ideal.

Well, except for the wind-chill, that would be here!

[DixieGal]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

I've been very happy here in Pittsburgh for quite a while. If your image of the city is still steel mills and smoke, it's way out of date!

We have relatively inexpensive real estate, all the cultural amenities of a *really* big city, big league sports (for those who care), great universities and medicine, a thriving high-tech community, etc. But it comes with the advantages of a smaller city in terms of cost of living, commuting time, etc.

For a few examples:

• Libby and I regularly attend the best early-music concert series in the country -- it's 10 minutes from our front door.
• The nation's top venue for recording live Jazz performances (the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild) also runs a Jazz concert series... fifteen minutes from home.
• Symphony, ballet, opera, etc. -- 15 minutes from home, although these aren't really my thing.
• Something like a dozen professional theater companies around the city. There's almost always a performance to go to if that's what floats your boat.
• Major museum complex (thanks to Andrew Carnegie).
• Top-notch library system -- ditto.
• Tons of outdoor activities within a few hours drive -- whitewater, rock climbing, hiking, etc. (I admit that the skiing is relatively lousy, however.)

As always, your mileage may vary, and your particular list of desirable attributes is probably different from mine. If you want to know more, drop me a line.

I had not thought of that. We do like our museums and concerts.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Lot's of roadtrip length things to do from that area. Goldwaithe and all the commercial Pecan orchards (which sell to the public) are 150-200 miles away. Palmetto park is only 60 miles east of S.A., and south and east of S.A. is the oak belt, with some of the prettiest wildflowers in Texas during the season. Fossil wood is common 70 miles south of S.A. There's even been Gold and silver (very small quantities) found in the igneous areas of the Hill Country.

Oh, and pearls in San Angelo!

[DixieGal]

This is fun imagining "what if?" We will probably end up in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. Or Pompano. I could go with a condo on a beach.

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Oh, and pearls in San Angelo!

Been there! The first commercial yellow waterlily was bred there....

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Imagine with me that you were suddenly unencumbered by property or responsibility. You have a chance to start over again anywhere you wish to. Would you choose a beach? A mountain?

Where would you find your little slice of heaven? Please be specific.

EDIT: Contiguous US only, please

With the weather the way it is, I would pick no place that's on the beach as the house will someday be washed away. No place that could have a tornado. No place too close to mountain. Basically, no place that could have a weather disaster.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

With the weather the way it is, I would pick no place that's on the beach as the house will someday be washed away. No place that could have a tornado. No place too close to mountain. Basically, no place that could have a weather disaster.

So, she's looking at Mars? I'm kidding, Jon. That's part of why I suggested Missouri (away from the river).

[wodin]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

So, she's looking at Mars? I'm kidding, Jon. That's part of why I suggested Missouri (away from the river).

Yes, Missouri; right there near New Madrid!

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by wodin

Yes, Missouri; right there near New Madrid!

LOL! Smart Alec. What part of "away from the river" did y'all miss??

[DixieGal]

No Idaho, because it is too near the Yellowstone caldera, per Tim.

[desertblues]

Bambi, you make me proud of you; talking about new beginnings.
Kisses for you from Iran.

[dreams]

Originally Posted by desertblues

Bambi, you make me proud of you; talking about new beginnings.
<snip>

Have you figured out what are the most important things to you and Tim?
Hot and humid, of course. No super cold winters.
Not too far from some family. How far is too far?
Low state/local taxes. Low property taxes?
The top amount you are willing to spend.
Square footage of home. No smaller than?
Local churches? Community culture?
Small town close to large city?
Large property lot or small lot? Close to neighbors?
Types of daily/weekend activities that are important to you and Tim?

Have fun searching and the best of luck if you do decide to move somewhere different.

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Imagine with me that you were suddenly unencumbered by property or responsibility. You have a chance to start over again anywhere you wish to. Would you choose a beach? A mountain?

Where would you find your little slice of heaven? Please be specific.

EDIT: Contiguous US only, please

I'd just point out that Noosa Heads is relatively warm and humid most of the year, with lovely beaches (including an unofficial nudie nearby in the National Park) and a very relaxed atmosphere. It is where I moved to forever as a go at a slice of heaven.

And it's certainly contiguous with us (I don't know why you capitalise that word ).

Cheers,
Marc

[nohmi2]

Originally Posted by dreams

Have you figured out what are the most important things to you and Tim?
Hot and humid, of course. No super cold winters.
Not too far from some family. How far is too far?
Low state/local taxes. Low property taxes?
The top amount you are willing to spend.
Square footage of home. No smaller than?
Local churches? Community culture?
Small town close to large city?
Large property lot or small lot? Close to neighbors?
Types of daily/weekend activities that are important to you and Tim?

Have fun searching and the best of luck if you do decide to move somewhere different.

Now we are really getting down to the *Nitty Gritty*, with a check list.
When we moved, we both said 'not near water' as we were due for a high-tide
flood. Contrarily, we said that if it was near water, it had to be high up further back on a cliff.

I have developed a "What if" mentality. With precession the weather is changing. Nobody can outsmart it, but it's fun if you are going to change where on your wish-list.

Cheers