Need your suggestions

[SeeNoEvil]

Do you guys have suggestions on where would be the best place to live? DD who is no longer TBM is looking to settle down permanently somewhere besides UT. (sorry Utah lovers). I'd love for her to live by me but I am in CA and it is to expensive here. She looking for a place to buy (home/condo/town home that isn't to expensive, in a large populated area, clean air, low crime. Anyone have a favorite city they could recommend?

[tryingtogetitright]

There are a million wonderful places in the US and around the world. We'd have to know more about what they are looking for to be helpful. There are websites which ask for info and then suggests what fits them.

[Hermey]

Nashville. I LOVED my time there and wouldn't think twice about moving back.

[EternityIsNow]

Boise has cleaner air than N.UT or CA, due to winds. So does Cheyenne. Denver is great but reportedly the air quality is starting to suffer. I like the central East Coast also, particularly VA (DC area, always plenty of jobs), but that is pretty far from CA. Personally I can't take the heat of the SW anymore (and I was raised there), but if your daughter can handle a little warm, there are some nice areas in northern AZ and NM. And NM has great air quality and a moderate climate.

[Give It Time]

Sometimes, when living in Mormonistan gets the better of me, I click through this list and imagine the possibilities.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/2 ... 33973.html

[Emower]

Does work factor in to this at all? That can limit someone a whole lot. But my vote would be S.E. Idaho. Lots of mormons there but the fishing is outstanding. Otherwise New Mexico is a good place. Crime is a little high in Alb and Santa Fe, but there are lots of small towns with low cost of living.

[Just This Guy]

Snow? No Snow?

[SeeNoEvil]

There are a million wonderful places in the US and around the world. We'd have to know more about what they are looking for to be helpful. There are websites which ask for info and then suggests what fits them.

She really can live anywhere because she doesn't have to leave the house to go to work. She needs to be near a major city that has a top notch medical community and hospitals. She has multiple medical issues and where we are right now we are traveling an hour one way to her doctors which she sees several times a week. She also needs to be where the air is clean. We have spent hours and hours in the search for the "perfect" place but there really isn't one so we are going to have to compromise. We had a long list of must have's when we started the search but have narrowed it down to 1). Clean air 2). Near major medical facilities and specialists, and 3). Home purchase price under $250k.

Nashville. I LOVED my time there and wouldn't think twice about moving back.

I remembered just how much you loved Nashville. What a beautiful city! Lots to do there. There are still some affordable low crime areas BUT.... it is high on polluted air list, Dang! Did you find the air dirty?

Boise has cleaner air than N.UT or CA, due to winds. So does Cheyenne. Denver is great but reportedly the air quality is starting to suffer. I like the central East Coast also, particularly VA (DC area, always plenty of jobs), but that is pretty far from CA. Personally I can't take the heat of the SW anymore (and I was raised there), but if your daughter can handle a little warm, there are some nice areas in northern AZ and NM. And NM has great air quality and a moderate climate.

Boise! We just might have a winner here! We looked into Boise last night and it is a strong contender now. It does check off the top 3 boxes so it is a strong contender. I don't know anything about Cheyenne so will check that out. The East Coast is beautiful! Great suggestion, but she has lived there before though and doesn't want to go that far. We have ruled out the dry states.... you are right, just to dang hot!

Sometimes, when living in Mormonistan gets the better of me, I click through this list and imagine the possibilities.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/2 ... 33973.html

lol! I had forgot about this list. It was interesting to go through it. Having a place that did not have a mormon church on every corner or a temple view was high on her list. I totally understand! But... It is really harder to find a place to live than we thought. So we are looking at Boise and well.... that is Idaho and Idaho mean's Mormons. I hear it's not to bad there and was told to steer clear of Meridan of I want to stay away from Mormons

[SeeNoEvil]

Does work factor in to this at all? That can limit someone a whole lot. But my vote would be S.E. Idaho. Lots of mormons there but the fishing is outstanding. Otherwise New Mexico is a good place. Crime is a little high in Alb and Santa Fe, but there are lots of small towns with low cost of living.

Work is not a factor which makes this pretty exciting. She can pick up and go where ever she wants to. She really wants to set some roots down and plans to buy a home. I have heard S.E. Idaho is beautiful. She loves to take her dog for long walks on trails so sounds like that would be perfect. Can you recommend a city that would be within 20-30 minutes to a major city that would have the medical facilities she needs? I agree, Alb and Santa Fe and AZ is just to dang hot!

Snow? No Snow?

Yeah... I know ..... it was high on the list but now it is duable as long as it is not like IL. We lived there for a long time and will never go back to those subzero blizzard and ice storm winters! Snow ok as long as it isn't so cold that it stays on the ground from first snow to sometime mid April like it can in IL!

[Emower]

Work is not a factor which makes this pretty exciting. She can pick up and go where ever she wants to. She really wants to set some roots down and plans to buy a home. I have heard S.E. Idaho is beautiful. She loves to take her dog for long walks on trails so sounds like that would be perfect. Can you recommend a city that would be within 20-30 minutes to a major city that would have the medical facilities she needs? I agree, Alb and Santa Fe and AZ is just to dang hot!

Idaho Falls is a nice place. Close to mountains, fishing, etc. Decent sized city. Anywhere in the Snake River valley is nice. There is a place called Preston ID. Its where Napoleon Dynamite was filmed. Not far from Logan UT, small city. I really liked it there. I worked for the Forest Service for a few years doing fish surveys all along the S.E. corner of the state. It was beautiful. It is cold and snowy though.

Northern New Mexico is not hot at all. Santa Fe has a very nice climate and parts north are beautiful as well.

[Just This Guy]

I would suggest northern West Virginia, Western Maryland, South West Pennsylvania. Reasonable housing costs. "Mountains."* You are in the middle between Washington DC, Baltimore and Pittsburgh with New York and Philly a few more hours out. We can get snow and a lot of it,but it melts fast. You can get up to 3 feet in a single storm, but that much will melt within 3-4 weeks.


* Small compared to the Rockies. What they call a ski slope here, In Salt Lake we would call it a sledding hill.

[moksha]

The Grand Junction area of Colorado seems nice. Freedom from ice and snow is great for older people.

[Fifi de la Vergne]

She really can live anywhere because she doesn't have to leave the house to go to work. She needs to be near a major city that has a top notch medical community and hospitals. She has multiple medical issues and where we are right now we are traveling an hour one way to her doctors which she sees several times a week. She also needs to be where the air is clean. We have spent hours and hours in the search for the "perfect" place but there really isn't one so we are going to have to compromise. We had a long list of must have's when we started the search but have narrowed it down to 1). Clean air 2). Near major medical facilities and specialists, and 3). Home purchase price under $250k.

You all may laugh, but Omaha is a wonderful little city. The people here are the friendliest I have ever encountered anywhere -- the stereotype of friendly Midwesterners turns out to be true, at least here. And, we were surprised to find out when we moved here, the medical care available is top tier. There are two medical schools in town both with great research programs, as well as several other health profession programs. Clean air -- check. Low housing costs -- check.

I started life as a westerner -- and I still miss it. We moved here for DH's school and stayed for a variety of reasons. We love it.

[SeeNoEvil]

Work is not a factor which makes this pretty exciting. She can pick up and go where ever she wants to. She really wants to set some roots down and plans to buy a home. I have heard S.E. Idaho is beautiful. She loves to take her dog for long walks on trails so sounds like that would be perfect. Can you recommend a city that would be within 20-30 minutes to a major city that would have the medical facilities she needs? I agree, Alb and Santa Fe and AZ is just to dang hot!

Idaho Falls is a nice place. Close to mountains, fishing, etc. Decent sized city. Anywhere in the Snake River valley is nice. There is a place called Preston ID. Its where Napoleon Dynamite was filmed. Not far from Logan UT, small city. I really liked it there. I worked for the Forest Service for a few years doing fish surveys all along the S.E. corner of the state. It was beautiful. It is cold and snowy though.

Northern New Mexico is not hot at all. Santa Fe has a very nice climate and parts north are beautiful as well.

We've been looking at Idaho Falls. I have been there many times when I was at BYUI. Also been through Preston many times. When at BYUI we used to go camping and such (coed... shhhh... don't tell!) and there are some gorgeous places there. Housing low, air clean, ... I'll pass this suggestion on to her. Thanks!

I would suggest northern West Virginia, Western Maryland, South West Pennsylvania. Reasonable housing costs. "Mountains."* You are in the middle between Washington DC, Baltimore and Pittsburgh with New York and Philly a few more hours out. We can get snow and a lot of it,but it melts fast. You can get up to 3 feet in a single storm, but that much will melt within 3-4 weeks.


* Small compared to the Rockies. What they call a ski slope here, In Salt Lake we would call it a sledding hill.

These are gorgeous areas. One summer we took a long trip up through this area. I can see why you suggested it. But..but the snow! 3 feet in one day and melt's in 3-4 weeks?? This is more than a little snow! Do you get ice storms there?

The Grand Junction area of Colorado seems nice. Freedom from ice and snow is great for older people.

I've never been to Grand Junction before so this is one we'll have to check out. "freedom from ice and snow, ..." Just might be a winner!

[SeeNoEvil]

You all may laugh, but Omaha is a wonderful little city. The people here are the friendliest I have ever encountered anywhere -- the stereotype of friendly Midwesterners turns out to be true, at least here. And, we were surprised to find out when we moved here, the medical care available is top tier. There are two medical schools in town both with great research programs, as well as several other health profession programs. Clean air -- check. Low housing costs -- check.

I started life as a westerner -- and I still miss it. We moved here for DH's school and stayed for a variety of reasons. We love it.

I must confess.... I did laugh! Sorry! My only experience with Omaha is stopping there for gas and a bite to eat while on the zillions of road trips that took us through your neck of the woods. That's awesome you love it there. It does check off many of the boxes. But aren't the winters pretty cold there? Lots of blowing snow? That is just what I've heard.

[Korihor]

I like Phoenix

Yes, its a tad warm in the summer. The remaining 9 months are splendid. A lot of nice areas that are priced within reason. Major airport to get anywhere in the country. Up and coming art/culinary/cultural scene.

Any trump came here for a rally speech recently.

[Red Ryder]

I like Phoenix

Yes, its a tad warm in the summer. The remaining 9 months are splendid. A lot of nice areas that are priced within reason. Major airport to get anywhere in the country. Up and coming art/culinary/cultural scene.

Any trump came here for a rally speech recently.

She needs clean air, not tear gas!

[Mad Jax]

The economy in Minnesota has always been strong. Less snow than Utah but the winter tends to be longer I think.

[Just This Guy]

I would suggest northern West Virginia, Western Maryland, South West Pennsylvania. Reasonable housing costs. "Mountains."* You are in the middle between Washington DC, Baltimore and Pittsburgh with New York and Philly a few more hours out. We can get snow and a lot of it,but it melts fast. You can get up to 3 feet in a single storm, but that much will melt within 3-4 weeks.


* Small compared to the Rockies. What they call a ski slope here, In Salt Lake we would call it a sledding hill.

These are gorgeous areas. One summer we took a long trip up through this area. I can see why you suggested it. But..but the snow! 3 feet in one day and melt's in 3-4 weeks?? This is more than a little snow! Do you get ice storms there?

It depends on the winter. Let me put it this way. After I bought my house, the fist winter I only had snow shovels. By the time winter hit, stores were sold out of snow blowers and I really couldn't afford one any way. We had one storm where we had 12 inches that I had to dig out by hand. That was a LOT of work. So the next year, I made a point to get a snow blower. Got a real good deal on one as well. Turned out we didn't get any more than 3 inches at a shot that 2nd winter. Third winter, it paid for itself. Several 24"+ storms an a dozen or so with 8 to 12 inches.

It really depends on the year. Some are warmer than others.

We do get some ice storms and freezing rain is fairly common. They typically are not bad and are cleaned up within a day.

One thing I would say is at a minimum get good snow tired for your cars here. 4- and all-wheel-drive is over rated. The right tires will make any car good in all but the worst snow.

[SeeNoEvil]

I like Phoenix

Yes, its a tad warm in the summer. ...... Any trump came here for a rally speech recently.

"It's a tad warm in the summer!! More like Dante's Inferno! I lived in Tempe and Mesa for a couple years a long time ago and I still remember those scorching "warm" summers when I thought for sure I was going to burst into flames any minute! There is a lot to do there and great restaurants and shopping. There are a lot of pluses to that area and I see why you suggested it. I have had several family and friends live there as well so have visited there many times. I love the Flagstaff area but it is out in the middle of no where and far from where she needs to be. I was just there (Phoenix) but the air quality got my asthma so I'm sure DD will be having problems too. Eh.... I will pass on the Trump visit.

I like Phoenix

She needs clean air, not tear gas!

lol!! I didn't think finding a place to live with clean air would be a problem but we are finding that it is. I've found all sorts of lists of this and that on the internet. Depending on the year and who is doing the study the cities or states listed change but for the most part here is a good list that I found eye opening. The list is a few years old still there is a lot of useful information here. Where your state or city is on the list just might surprise you!
http://www.usa.com/rank/us--air-quality ... e-rank.htm
http://www.sfgate.com/magazine/article/ ... 462500.php

The economy in Minnesota has always been strong. Less snow than Utah but the winter tends to be longer I think.

I have friends in Minnesota. Every year at the end of the winter they look into moving to Phoenix! They do love it there and have been there for many years. I'll have to see what they think about it. Great suggestion! I'll definitely look into that one.

I would suggest northern West Virginia, Western Maryland, South West Pennsylvania. Reasonable housing costs. "Mountains."* You are in the middle between Washington DC, Baltimore and Pittsburgh with New York and Philly a few more hours out. We can get snow and a lot of it,but it melts fast. You can get up to 3 feet in a single storm, but that much will melt within 3-4 weeks.


* Small compared to the Rockies. What they call a ski slope here, In Salt Lake we would call it a sledding hill.

These are gorgeous areas. One summer we took a long trip up through this area. I can see why you suggested it. But..but the snow! 3 feet in one day and melt's in 3-4 weeks?? This is more than a little snow! Do you get ice storms there?

It depends on the winter. Let me put it this way. After I bought my house, the fist winter I only had snow shovels. By the time winter hit, stores were sold out of snow blowers and I really couldn't afford one any way. We had one storm where we had 12 inches that I had to dig out by hand. That was a LOT of work. So the next year, I made a point to get a snow blower. Got a real good deal on one as well. Turned out we didn't get any more than 3 inches at a shot that 2nd winter. Third winter, it paid for itself. Several 24"+ storms an a dozen or so with 8 to 12 inches.

It really depends on the year. Some are warmer than others.

We do get some ice storms and freezing rain is fairly common. They typically are not bad and are cleaned up within a day.

One thing I would say is at a minimum get good snow tired for your cars here. 4- and all-wheel-drive is over rated. The right tires will make any car good in all but the worst snow.

This sounds a lot like how it is in Illinois. The last winter I was there was a doozie. We had it all! Horrible winter. That is why we moved. By April we had had enough and packed up and moved west. But some winters there weren't that bad as far as snow and ice. The only clincher was the terrible wind that drove the wind chill down and froze your innards. Summers weren't to bad but the first summer we were there was one of the hottest ever recorded. We were there 16 years.