Ask the Pack:OT: Best Place to Live

[Embry2425]

My choice would be Seabrook Island. In South Carolina. It’s literally on the other side of Capn Sams Spit inlet from Kiawah Island. It’s a 2500 home private island. Mostly vacation homes. I managed the grounds there for 5 years.

Seabrook Island https://g.co/kgs/PtXFyQ

 

[Podgy]

Western Carolina in the summer. Maybe Waynesville or near Asheville

Austin is fine and so is northern Cali. Progressives have cool cities until their pathological tolerance and dumb ideas make them less enjoyable to live in (let's cut funding for the police because police are baddies; let's have lots of homeless set up shop here. Look at those beautiful tents they have).

Milan or Florence. Maybe the French countryside near a decent sized city. Milan is ideally located to get to other cool places in Europe. Florence is just awesome. Plus, you can get things repaired a lot quicker than in southern Italy. The French countryside is great. The pace of life in Italy and France is pretty cool and healthcare is fine and I like soccer too. Europe has great cities and does of good job of putting violent poor people in the suburbs so law-abiding citizens can enjoy their great cities. They are walkable and public transportation, unlike in America, is good and safe. Again, violent, poor people are in the suburbs.

 

[willi13]

Gonna plug in Ana Marie Island off the Tampa Coast. Spent a week there and kept saying over and over "Man I'd love to live here." Can't vouch for Tampa one way or the other as it was too small a sample size. "I'll never forget warning my ex getting outta the water as there was something big and dark swimming parallel to the beach in waste deep water. Turned out to be an adolescent manatee. So instead of freaking out over a possible shark we hung out with the youngster. Catching fish then walking down the pier a piece and have that pier restaurant blacken 'em up.

We live here and have for 13 years. The island has really changed since we moved here. We have land in Virginia too but will live here forever. Why move away from a place that tourists pay thousands of dollars a week to come and vacation?

 

[dawgoneyall]

For info, guys, what area/state would you want to make your last home at? I'm looking for some ideas, and we might not go anywhere because my wife really likes the place where she works. We bought this home in 2019 because we thought we were just off the edge of town. Austin, Round Rock, and Georgetown have expanded this way and started an extension of the 183 Tollway right in front of the neighborhood. The City has just moved out here with us.

We were already considering the I-20 corridor east of Dallas around the Tyler/Longview area. We would be much closer to family and friend in Mississippi, still don't think I can move back to Mississippi. We will still be close to Dallas or Shreveport if we need it.

I can change my mind in the right area—extra points for no state income tax.

Northeast Mississippi.

If you have to ask why...just forget it.

 

[Podgy]

Northern MS is perfectly fine.
One of the biggest issues would be making new friends if you move to a new area. You need a social group to hang out with from time to time.

 

[Dawg1976]

Don't sleep on the areas just north of Jackson... Took this photo about a month ago about 15 miles north of Downtown Jackson. Don't know the name of the river, but I don't think it's the Pearl.

View attachment 367221

I think you left off a couple of 0's from 15.

 

[aTotal360]

Panther Burn, MS

 

[skipper.sixpack]

We bought a second home in Orange Beach about 8 years ago thinking that was going to be our retirement home but it’s changed so much we are reconsidering. Infrastructure can’t keep up with the influx of people on that island anymore. We are looking north Alabama now. Cull man is a nice town. Scottsboro seems nice. Both are close enough to Huntsville. North Alabama is relatively close to Starkville. There’s good and bad about any place. Home is where the heat is, it’s what you make of it.

I agree DB. Wife and I moved to orange beach 4 years ago next to wharf entertainment district. It was great, Beach 2 miles away, great entertainment a golf cart ride away, restaurants, ETC
But late may thru late September is almost unbearable.

 

[maroonmadman]

We used to have a vacation house in western North Carolina (Deals Gap - on The Dragon) and loved it up there. Property taxes and utilities were kinda high but other than that it was a beautiful place to live. Somewhat isolated as the nearest towns were about 20 miles away but that aspect made it pretty much quiet and peaceful. Numerous lakes in that area (Fontana, Cheoah, Santeela) would be nice to have a house on.

If you want to move out of country, New Zealand. Beautiful country, nice people. If you are willing to learn Spanish consider Chile, near Valpariso on the coast. Once again beautiful country, nice locals.

 

[MS-halfstep]

I hear Equatorial Guinea is nice.

 

[Beretta.sixpack]

IN State: Ocean Springs, Starkville, Oxford (i live in oxford)

OUt of state: Wyoming, Florida Panhandle, Western North Carolina, and my personal favorite anywhere NW Arkansas

Ive benn in 41 of the 50 states.....two ive never been are Montana and Alaska.....I would think those could tempt me

 

[MS-halfstep]

M

Is that the place with the decent IPAs?

You’re gonna want to try the Asonga Lager. Or if you want to kick it up a notch, drink some Malamba at a Pygmy bar. What a riot and there is no minimum drinking age so take your kids.

 

[ZombieKissinger]

I love eastern Washington but would have to get out some in the winter. I’m 4 hours to Glacier and Ranier.. 6 to Banff, N Cascades, and Olympic, and a little further to Jasper

 

[RockyDog]

If I had to stay in MS I’d try Ocean Springs.
I’m just ready to get out. Tired of the politics and the leadership that is only looking out for their own.

The wife and I are starting over in our 40s. Second marriage for us and both of us coming off divorces. We don’t own property and are both about state retirement eligible so we are looking to start completely over.

I’m open to something completely new. I’d like to check out options in East Tn, north GA or just say the heck with it and go farther west to Colorado.

I’m looking for something laid back. Townhouse or condo in a place that is walkable that has nice bars, restaurants, a Trader Joe’s, a nice community with amenities.

 

[aTotal360]

If I had to stay in MS I’d try Ocean Springs.
I’m just ready to get out. Tired of the politics and the leadership that is only looking out for their own.

The wife and I are starting over in our 40s. Second marriage for us and both of us coming off divorces. We don’t own property and are both about state retirement eligible so we are looking to start completely over.

I’m open to something completely new. I’d like to check out options in East Tn, north GA or just say the heck with it and go farther west to Colorado.

I’m looking for something laid back. Townhouse or condo in a place that is walkable that has nice bars, restaurants, a Trader Joe’s, a nice community with amenities.

Woodstock, GA

 

[pseudonym]

You’re in a good state. With the federal government in shambles, being in a good state is becoming more and more important. The big three for me right now (southern bias) are Texas, Tennessee, and Florida.

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

I think you left off a couple of 0's from 15.

I was off a bit I guess, more like 20 miles... Jackson is a beautiful town. Not sure why all these SPS aholes run it down so much.

 

[Pilgrimdawg]

Don't sleep on the areas just north of Jackson... Took this photo about a month ago about 15 miles north of Downtown Jackson. Don't know the name of the river, but I don't think it's the Pearl.

View attachment 367221

That’s the Snake. My kids just finished a week in that exact spot. Triangle X Ranch.

 

[Pilgrimdawg]

My spots in order of preference. Jackson, WY. Cody, WY. Bitterroot Valley, MT. Bozeman, MT.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

a similar thread is on the OT, San Diego seems to be a popular response.

 

[SouthFarmchicken]

Salida, Colorado. Probably haven’t heard of it. You are very welcome.

I did some work there 8 years ago. At that time, I did not have much to invest in real estate but thought to myself that in about 5 years, I’m gonna buy a vacation home and ultimately retire in Salida. Prices were high but reasonable. Wife on board. Well, I checked three years ago…astronomical. Because it’s awesome.

 

[MaxwellSmart]

-no income tax state
-mountains, rivers and lakes
-large airport/city within one hour drive
-good interstate access
I’m thinking south of Nashville
-change my mind

This. I'm retiring to a farm halfway between Memphis and Nashville. Can't see a neighbor and I'm 30 minutes from Jackson if I need anything I can't get in the small towns around me. No State income tax has kept me in TN.

 

[57stratdawg]

a similar thread is on the OT, San Diego seems to be a popular response.

San Diego is phenomenal. It’s one of few places where you never really have to check the weather assuming you’re staying around the water.

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

Salida, Colorado. Probably haven’t heard of it. You are very welcome.

I did some work there 8 years ago. At that time, I did not have much to invest in real estate but thought to myself that in about 5 years, I’m gonna buy a vacation home and ultimately retire in Salida. Prices were high but reasonable. Wife on board. Well, I checked three years ago…astronomical. Because it’s awesome.

I have a friend who has a place in Salida. My wife worked a summer camp in Buena Vista in college as well. Haven't been in close to 10 years, but it was cool.

 

[Hugh's Burner Phone]

I don't like big cities so someplace rural. Someplace that actually has four different seasons and not three summers and New Years. That being said MS is home so I'll probably be right here. Maybe after retirement I can visit other places when it's so hot and humid here you feel like you're getting tea bagged by Satan himself.

 

[TaleofTwoDogs]

This. I'm retiring to a farm halfway between Memphis and Nashville. Can't see a neighbor and I'm 30 minutes from Jackson if I need anything I can't get in the small towns around me. No State income tax has kept me in TN.

What are you doing about the mountains???

 

[HWY51dog]

Black Mountain, NC about 15-20 miles from Asheville, NC.
Thought about beach type home, but the way my luck goes the first hurricane season it would be blown way.

 

[GloryDawg]

Northwest Arkansas seems like a good place. Good weather, less mosquitoes, SEC football and apparently they have a big foot.

 

[SouthFarmchicken]

I have a friend who has a place in Salida. My wife worked a summer camp in Buena Vista in college as well. Haven't been in close to 10 years, but it was cool.

I was having a beer at the watering hole with a local, probably in his late 50s, in Salida. Having been to nearly every small mountain town in Colorado and spent significant time in some, I told him this is my favorite place in Colorado. Why don’t people know about this place? (This was 2013).

He said, let’s try to keep it that way. Turns out, he had grown up in Aspen. Said that back in the 70s Aspen was just like Salida. Beautiful, sleepy mountain town with a few good watering holes and restaurants. Then, all the douche bags moved in and it’s terrible.

I haven’t been back since 2014. I can’t imagine it’s changed that quickly.

It has a small river, with rapids, right through the middle of downtown. You could swim and kayak it. The downtown is awesome. Great restaurants and bars. Not a party scene. There are houses and condos on the river.

Hiking trails surround you in the most beautiful scenery in America. A ski resort (that Texans and tourists avoid) is a 30 min drive. It gets a ton of snow and no line.

There are also some of the best rapid put ins in North America within a 30 min drive.

It’s also very difficult to get to. Nearest major airport is Colorado Springs and you have to drive through the Royal Go

Bonus, you have the largest sand dunes in North America a short drive south too.

 

[SouthFarmchicken]

Black Mountain, NC about 15-20 miles from Asheville, NC.
Thought about beach type home, but the way my luck goes the first hurricane season it would be blown way.

I second Black Mountain and would add Banner Elk to the mix.

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

I was having a beer at the watering hole with a local, probably in his late 50s, in Salida. Having been to nearly every small mountain town in Colorado and spent significant time in some, I told him this is my favorite place in Colorado. Why don’t people know about this place? (This was 2013).

He said, let’s try to keep it that way. Turns out, he had grown up in Aspen. Said that back in the 70s Aspen was just like Salida. Beautiful, sleepy mountain town with a few good watering holes and restaurants. Then, all the douche bags moved in and it’s terrible.

I haven’t been back since 2014. I can’t imagine it’s changed that quickly.

It has a small river, with rapids, right through the middle of downtown. You could swim and kayak it. The downtown is awesome. Great restaurants and bars. Not a party scene. There are houses and condos on the river.

Hiking trails surround you in the most beautiful scenery in America. A ski resort (that Texans and tourists avoid) is a 30 min drive. It gets a ton of snow and no line.

There are also some of the best rapid put ins in North America within a 30 min drive.

It’s also very difficult to get to. Nearest major airport is Colorado Springs and you have to drive through the Royal Go

Bonus, you have the largest sand dunes in North America a short drive south too.

Make it happen man. I found my Salida 3 years ago and have planted the family tree here. You won't regret it.

 

[60sdog]

san luis obispo, ca
santa rosa, ca

Haven't been to either. If I had gobs of money, pretty sure either would be fun as hell to live in for the scenery, weather, and outdoor activities.
...living in either place would be fun as hell until the fires get me.

Not too sure where else in the US I would want to live unless family all moved too. Chattanooga area?

Outside the US?- Belize.

CA options- Too radically liberal and extremely high state taxes.

 

[60sdog]

Panther Burn, MS

Ha, the Tetons in Jackson Hole. We go there every year. No state income taxes but extremely liberal (socialist). “Nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.”

 

[60sdog]

I was off a bit I guess, more like 20 miles... Jackson is a beautiful town. Not sure why all these SPS aholes run it down so much.

View attachment 367289

No end to the natural entertainment out there but extremely liberal politics and Brutal winter weather. Side benefit: no state income taxes.

 

[60sdog]

Colorado Springs

Crime terrible there.

 

[MaxwellSmart]

Delete

 

[MaxwellSmart]

What are you doing about the mountains???

The mountains are a couple of hours away. They are pretty to look at but I like the rolling ridges behind me and flatter ground to live in.

 

[Cantdoitsal]

Truth.

The Bay Area is beautiful but…

I love rents too damn high guy.

 

[PK Dawg]

perdido is perfect weather and crowds for about 9 months of the year. You can avoid most of the crowds pretty easily in high season by just hanging out in Pensacola proper. You can avoid the the heat in the NC high country. Both regions still have very affordable areas

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

Ha, the Tetons in Jackson Hole. We go there every year. No state income taxes but extremely liberal (socialist). “Nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.”

No end to the natural entertainment out there but extremely liberal politics and Brutal winter weather. Side benefit: no state income taxes.

Crime terrible there.

Jackson WY is too socialist and Colorado Springs has too much crime... "I think you'd do really well in Noxapater."