So where should I live?

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: dainthomas
If you want to expand your horizons beyond the NW, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska don't really seem like stretches. You're kind of limited by the wet weather criteria. If you flex on that, northern Arizona up around Flagstaff stays surprisingly cool in the summer. I'd imagine northern New Mexico (Taos area) would have a similar climate. Otherwise the mountains of Colorado or Utah (perhaps within an hour of Boulder or SLC) could be options. Jackson, WY is really nice (but expensive). I think some of the small Idaho towns over on the back side of the Tetons might be cheaper and you'd be pretty close to Idaho Falls.

If having a wet climate is high on your list, you'd pretty much have to go with coastal Alaska.

I really hate most everything about the SW. I've been all over it, and it's the ugliest landscape, and crappiest weather I can imagine. I really love the cool (under 70), the rain/snow (frequently), and love EVERYTHING being green and lush. Not some scrub pine with a barren underside, but EVERYTHING. That's like the antithesis of what I've seen in the SW. Maybe there are areas in the SW I just never saw, ones that look like this:

This is the sort of thing I like to see.
Notice what most NW lawns/neighborhoods look like?

In Southern Cali it's green year round but you hate towns and there aren't very many small towns here without living in the middle of no where but it seems like that's what you want.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I don't want to seem like I want an EXACT clone of here, but the weather thing is more or less necessary. I have Inverse SAD (pretty certain), and need cool, wet climates to survive happily. I've seen pics of New Zealand and thought some of it looked very pretty. On my trip to Ireland I liked it quite a bit, though it was lacking forests/mountains and was far too nannyish government-wise. When I was in the navy I tried to get sent to Iceland to see what it was like, but never managed it.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: dainthomas
If you want to expand your horizons beyond the NW, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska don't really seem like stretches. You're kind of limited by the wet weather criteria. If you flex on that, northern Arizona up around Flagstaff stays surprisingly cool in the summer. I'd imagine northern New Mexico (Taos area) would have a similar climate. Otherwise the mountains of Colorado or Utah (perhaps within an hour of Boulder or SLC) could be options. Jackson, WY is really nice (but expensive). I think some of the small Idaho towns over on the back side of the Tetons might be cheaper and you'd be pretty close to Idaho Falls.

If having a wet climate is high on your list, you'd pretty much have to go with coastal Alaska.

I really hate most everything about the SW. I've been all over it, and it's the ugliest landscape, and crappiest weather I can imagine. I really love the cool (under 70), the rain/snow (frequently), and love EVERYTHING being green and lush. Not some scrub pine with a barren underside, but EVERYTHING. That's like the antithesis of what I've seen in the SW. Maybe there are areas in the SW I just never saw, ones that look like this:

This is the sort of thing I like to see.
Notice what most NW lawns/neighborhoods look like?

In Southern Cali it's green year round but you hate towns and there aren't very many small towns here without living in the middle of no where but it seems like that's what you want.

Yeah, I lived in Sherman Oaks for six months. That pretty much solidified my hatred of big cities. Also was NOT a fan of the weather (too hot, too dry). I've since heard that some areas in Cali actually aren't all that bad, I've just never experienced them for extended periods.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I don't want to seem like I want an EXACT clone of here, but the weather thing is more or less necessary. I have Inverse SAD (pretty certain), and need cool, wet climates to survive happily. I've seen pics of New Zealand and thought some of it looked very pretty. On my trip to Ireland I liked it quite a bit, though it was lacking forests/mountains and was far too nannyish government-wise. When I was in the navy I tried to get sent to Iceland to see what it was like, but never managed it.

Maybe try Oregon or Washington. Lots of green around there and Washington rains a hell of a lot. Or maybe even very Northern Cali.

 

[keird]

Northampton, Massachusetts population ~29,000 circa 2000 census.

It's local to me, but it meets your criteria. Boston is less than 2 hours away and there are 5 colleges/universities in close proximity.

The cost of living is pretty reasonable in Western Mass.

 

[AreaCode707]

Eureka/Humboldt/Arcata/McKinleyville, CA maybe, although it's pushing your intellectual requirement a little far. Are you set on staying in the US?

Maybe the Roseville, OR area?

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I don't want to seem like I want an EXACT clone of here, but the weather thing is more or less necessary. I have Inverse SAD (pretty certain), and need cool, wet climates to survive happily. I've seen pics of New Zealand and thought some of it looked very pretty. On my trip to Ireland I liked it quite a bit, though it was lacking forests/mountains and was far too nannyish government-wise. When I was in the navy I tried to get sent to Iceland to see what it was like, but never managed it.

Maybe try Oregon or Washington. Lots of green around there and Washington rains a hell of a lot. Or maybe even very Northern Cali.

Er, you did get the part where he was saying OTHER than the NW? That means he's already in Washington and looking for other suggestions.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: keird
Northampton, Massachusetts population ~29,000 circa 2000 census.

It's local to me, but it meets your criteria. Boston is less than 2 hours away and there are 5 colleges/universities in close proximity.

The cost of living is pretty reasonable in Western Mass.

Looking at pics and climate info, seems pretty promising.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Eureka/Humboldt/Arcata/McKinleyville, CA maybe, although it's pushing your intellectual requirement a little far. Are you set on staying in the US?

Maybe the Roseville, OR area?

Nope, no reason it has to be in the US.

 

[SagaLore]

Switzerland.

 

[keird]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: keird
Northampton, Massachusetts population ~29,000 circa 2000 census.

It's local to me, but it meets your criteria. Boston is less than 2 hours away and there are 5 colleges/universities in close proximity.

The cost of living is pretty reasonable in Western Mass.

Looking at pics and climate info, seems pretty promising.

When I say that the cost of living is reasonable, it's because the quality of life is pretty high too (including compensation).

N.Y. City is a 4 hour train ride away.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: NightDarker
Move to Omaha.

You really must be smoking something today. First your gatoraid thread and now this.

Omaha is one of the biggest US cities. #40 of 273 cities with over 100,000 people. True, it is dwarfed by New York, but it is in the largest 15% of that list of the biggest cities. Plus it violates almost all of his rules: it goes well into the 100s, it can be very dry, it is very drab in summer and winter, it doesn't have mountains or even much for big hills.

If you were really serious, at least say the best Omaha subburb: Papillion #3 best US city.

 

[DingDingDao]

Norway. It satisfies every requirement you have.

 

[Q]

NC/SC would be great for you. I live in SC and love it here.

 

[Patt]

Get out of the States, and move a bit further north to British Columbia and join us here More or less the same weather, with more mountains, less people, and universal health care

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Patt
Get out of the States, and move a bit further north to British Columbia and join us here More or less the same weather, with more mountains, less people, and universal health care

But then you have to drink Labatt and say Eh all the time.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: Patt
Get out of the States, and move a bit further north to British Columbia and join us here More or less the same weather, with more mountains, less people, and universal health care

I really have enjoyed Vancouver every time I've been up there (even though it's a city). It's always been a thought for me.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: DingDingDao
Norway. It satisfies every requirement you have.

I've wondered about it, just don't know anything much about it (which is stupid, since I'm about 75% Norwegian by ancestry).

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: scott
that'd be Coeur d'Alene

or

someplace outside of, but within driving range of, Missoula


Text

Way too hot in Cd'A.

 

[GeekDrew]

The "majestic" Hocking Hills

Logan OH is the nearest legal city, Columbus OH is the nearest big city (metropolis). I'm sure it's not quite as green as where you are now, but it stays fairly cool, it's rural, it's within a couple of hours of the world...

 

[Circlenaut]

Maine, Northern New Hampshire/Vermont?

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Patt
Get out of the States, and move a bit further north to British Columbia and join us here More or less the same weather, with more mountains, less people, and universal health care

But then you have to drink Kokanee and say Eh all the time.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Uhhh... you just described the state you live in. Personally, I think Washington state is the best place for outdoors in the entire US, but that's just my opinion.

 

[xanis]

Canada

 

[IronWing]

Rural or Intellectual, pick one.