best places to live

[artist]

I have also thought about NH as the place I might live. I like all the state - well I LOVE all of New England - but like the Portsmouth area the best. I knew that taxes were lower there then in Ma or Me but didn't realize they were that much lower. Burlington, VT was another place I thought of living permanently too. I like that town and area aloty but. again, high heating costs.

One thing I love about living in NH is that I'm close to everything. It doesn't take long to drive to the ME coast, mountains of VT or the Cape and Islands. We can day trip most places and long weekend getaways are ideal.

[gail_d]

Twelve years ago I bought a house, now paid off, in a rural area, about 100 miles from the DC suburban area I work in and maintain an apartment in. I originally thought I'd retire in the house, but I really like the walkability, diversity, and progressive outlook of my suburban city. Not to mention the excellent libraries, universities, ethnic restaurants, opportunities for arts classes, access to first-rate medical care, and extremely easy access to the subway, Amtrak, and two airports. So I'm on the fence now about which would be better for me in retirement.

[JaneV2.0]

Your current living situation sounds idyllic to me--the only thing missing on your list is a solid network of thrift shops! First ring suburbs are the best, in my book.

[catherine]

Your current living situation sounds idyllic to me--the only thing missing on your list is a solid network of thrift shops! First ring suburbs are the best, in my book.

I agree! As much as I love Vermont, the only thing I'd be nervous about is not being close to a lot of amenities. If I moved there, I think Manchester or Burlington would have to be my destinations, because they are both not only walkable, but have things to walk TO. I'm just not the rustic-cabin-in-the-middle-of-nowhere type. In fact, if I need a car for basic necessities, I feel very claustrophic.

I've raised my kids in a NJ suburb that happens to not be an ideal walking community (there's no center of town, and everyone drives even a half a mile to get what they need), but I CAN walk to everything. I can walk to the church, post office, pharmacy, convenience stores, gym, and a huge Asian supermarket. The school my kids attended is literally in my backyard, as is a big park where I can walk the dog off-leash if no one is around.

OTOH, as I've mentioned, if it works out, I'd LOVE to retire in Ocean Grove. Now, THAT's a walkable community, on the beach, great people, so convenient, homey, cozy, sweetly nostalgic.

I have NO desire to go to warm climates, like Florida. I"m with Mrs-M on that one. I don't like winter, but it makes the spring so much the sweeter!

[Stella]

I imagine us living here in the Minneapolis/St Paul area and traveling a lot. Maybe get an RV and head out when winter gets to be too much. I love it here.

[rose]

I've enjoyed this thread.

Acorn, your description of small house/big life rang true to me. I had a too-big house and too-big yard (American Dream) and my home took up too much of my life. When I compared the satisfaction I got from it to the time and money put into it, it just didn't add up. I think it is easier in two-adult households maybe.

Artist, your comment hit home too. "there's so much more to life than stuff and having the idyllic home setting. I miss my yard at times and am torn about buying again. (I rent a very nice little condo within walking distance to almost everything I need, plus it is on a walking trail along the river). But my analysis comes to the same conclusion you have....most of the time I'm in my easy chair on my computer or reading. How much time do I spend on that grass that I fertilize, water and mow? Not much. I'm looking out on trees and grass now and it is not my responsibility, but it is shared lawn (that hardly anyone walks on).

I'm a renter and with my options open I ponder this topic often. I also do not feel like I'm in my final spot (city) so that keeps me from buying. Of course, once one buys, one gets used to being in a spot and probably quits thinking of all the options like I do now. I've been surprisingly satisfied being a renter after owning three different homes over 25 years. I think I want to paint walls but I hate to paint....so I'd hire it done. Is it that important to me to own and hire it out? Pondering.

[puglogic]

My top 2 are Wild Sage & Harmony Village in Golden), or Santa Fe. Retirement into a multi-generational cohousing neighborhood is my ideal.

I have friends in Harmony Village and they are absolutely in love with it. And of course David Wann is there (also a terrific person to have as a neighbor! )

[gail_d]

I've got the network of thrift stores, in both places! The ones in the rural area generally have lower prices and better sales. Quality is approximately the same in both locations.

The rural house has been one long ongoing fixup project. Mostly for things like blown in insulation, siding, replacing windows with energy efficient ones, and upgrading the former 60-amp electrical service. Both bathrooms need work. I have a water reservoir under the kitchen that I have cleaned periodically (and I plan to get a pitcher pump to be able to draw water from it when the power is out). I pay a local person to mow the acre around the house every two weeks in the summer. I wanted to replace the 35+ year old propane furnace this year but that's not going to happen for a number of reasons, and the cost of propane is very high.

Catherine, if I can ever get some time to do it, I plan to visit Ocean Grove based on your recommendation. I would love to walk on the beach and hear the sound of the ocean; season doesn't matter except for the very coldest time of year.

Three stores I really like about my suburban area: Trader Joe's, Wegmans, and Costco! (Wegmans is less than 2 miles away so technically I could walk it.) On the other hand, parking is sometimes an problem in my apartment complex.

[Zoebird]

omg, i love thrift shops. when we get our car, i'm planning on some thrifting (when i have money to buy the things I need, which are on my list).

[Spartana]

I'm a renter and with my options open I ponder this topic often. I also do not feel like I'm in my final spot (city) so that keeps me from buying. Of course, once one buys, one gets used to being in a spot and probably quits thinking of all the options like I do now. I've been surprisingly satisfied being a renter after owning three different homes over 25 years. I think I want to paint walls but I hate to paint....so I'd hire it done. Is it that important to me to own and hire it out? Pondering.

I had to buy a house because I had 3 dogs and found it difficult to rent. But, now with only one small dog left, I am selling and have decided not to buy again until I have sown whatever wild oats I want to sow (too many!) and when I know I am somewhere I want to stay put in forever. And then it will have to be some place that is easy to care for and doesn't break the bank everytime I need something taken care of I can't do myself. A place I can grow old in and remain as independant as possible, as long as possible (i.e. no stairs or big yard to maintain, close to everything to walk to or take public trans in case I am no longer able to drive, close to a VA hospital, etc...) - things I won't need for(hopefully) 2 or 3 decades but things I'll want in my "last" place. So for me that will rule out owning a home with a yard again. WAY to much work and expense for me alone - and will be even more work as I age and need to hire out someone to take care of the place. All that yard work, trimming and pruning and mowing and edging and planting - never ends! So this is something you may want to think about before deciding to buy a house again. Look at the long term situation as well as the short term.

As for myself, I have decided tthat when it's time to buy again (if I even decide to buy again - may just rent forever) I'll just enjoy what other's have planted and whatever shared green space (which I won't have to maintain) there is around me so living in a small apt, condo or co-op would be best for me. Right now I've decided to just rent as I like the flexibility of not owning, not having to maintain or repair a place, not having to pay insurance and property taxes, being able to just lock the door and go without having to worry about things, and most importantly, being able to just up and move when ever I want without the hassle and expense of buying and selling. I plan to be travelling 6 months or more a year and this way I won't have to pay for a place I'm not using while I'm gone - just get a 6 month lease (or do the vacation house rental thing during the low season) - and by leaving myself free, I can go where ever I want until I find the "dream" spot that I want to live in forever.