Does thid place exist....?

[RIJIMMY]

Sometimes I question what the heck I’m doing here (New England). I grew up in Ct, lived in Providence, Boston, LA, San Francisco and eventually settled in Mass. My wife’s family is all out in San Fran, My folks are in Florida. Other than stripers and my job, whats keeping me here? As winter settles in, I get in the “lets move” mode again. I really hate winter . Now with 2 kids, it’s a little tougher. I really missed the Atlantic coast when I was in California and housing was more affordable so I talked my wife into moving here in 2000.
My dream would be an Austin Tx, or Atlanta Ga near the ocean, but I don’t think any place like that exists…
.I’m looking for a dream location. I may be looking for a Utopia, but please tell me if you know any place that meets most of these requirements
1. Year round avg. temp range of 50 – 85
2. On or very near to the coast (preferably the Atlantic)
3. Economic center - ie. Jobs
4. Good housing/commuting options
5. Cultural outlets, restaurants, music, arts.
6. Relativley clean
7. Low crime
8. Good saltwater fishing
9. Good place to raise kids

Any ideas?

[spence]

All things considered, I think RI is an excellent place to live

-spence

[partsjay]

Sounds like N. Carolina to me.

[5/0]

North Carolina?

Wife & I often thought of the move.

[tynan19]

With a new family my wife and I are considering the same. I just don't think I could leave my family at this time. We have spent time in Florida and North Carolina. Everywhere seems great at the time but who knows if that feeling will last for years.
It would just be such a hige step to get up and move.

Besides I still love winter.

[fishweewee]

Originally posted by partsjay
Sounds like N. Carolina to me.

u beat me to it.

[reelecstasy]

how bout "fantasy land" each time I have moved away from Ma, I always end up coming back..Closest thing I think you will find to Fantasy land is the Carolina's...Maybe RI, I have my eye on Middleton currently...But I am trying to see if I can transfer my job down there. Unfurtunately my job is a golden handcuff, I would love to leave it but the benifits and pay keep me comin back for more..........

[RIJIMMY]

you guys are naming states.....I should have clarifyied....what about cities?????

I have looked at No Car and So Car....most major cities/economic centers (Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham) are inland.

Nothing by the coast

[Jimbo]

You know, RIJ, some would laugh at what I am about to say, but have you considered The Garden State? It's not utopia, but it certainly meets alot of your criteria. I live in the center of the state and on average I bet the temps fall somewhere between 50 and 85. The snow primarily goes north and west of the city (NYC) or south of us, but we get enough for effect. You can still get close to the Atlantic, NY and Philly are a 45 min drive, but there's plenty (culturally, sportsurally, and restaurantically) to do in state, go in any direction and find fish and the NJ coast isn't too shabby a place to chase bass, crime? depends where you wanna be (Utopia would be someplace where it doesn't exist at all). I honestly don't know the markerplace for jobs here, but we're hiring so I figure other places are, too. I'd rather be where you are, so why don't we just make a complete and total swap like they do on the reality shows?

[chris L]

LOL at Jimbo .

third exists after second and before fourth .

[fishweewee]

Originally posted by Jimbo
You know, RIJ, some would laugh at what I am about to say, but have you considered The Garden State?

j/k Jimbo

[RIJIMMY]

Jimbo, you're right. I wouldn't consider Jersey,, but thats what I am looking for, something different to look at. Thanks for teh idea. I have no knowledge of Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,,,
As far as swapping...winter gets old quick, Im in a snow belt and we get clobbered with each storm.
Spence, I love RI, but in reality, teh job market for what I do does not exist and winter sucks there too.

[Fishpart]

VA, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, VA Beach....Much more boat fishing than surf..

Only a couple hours from Wives Head, NC if you ge the urge to go further south...

[RIJIMMY]

Hmmm, Norfolk......that looks kind of nice

[Jimbo]

All right, before somebody makes some joke about what exit off the turnpike am I, or do I go "down the shore," just forget it. I know people hold it against NJ because we have a few more toxic dumping sites than any other state in the union, and our former governor didn't believe in sparing the rod when it came getting something straight between he and his male aides. As far as I'm concerned New Jersey is still part of New England and you shouldn't make jokes like that. It's not funny.

[MakoMike]

NJ is very funny. Highest population density in the whole U.S. Its so funny ita a joke! (Only kidding, my son lives in NJ)

[fishweewee]

Originally posted by Jimbo
All right, before somebody makes some joke about what exit off the turnpike am I, or do I go "down the shore," just forget it. I know people hold it against NJ because we have a few more toxic dumping sites than any other state in the union, and our former governor didn't believe in sparing the rod when it came getting something straight between he and his male aides. As far as I'm concerned New Jersey is still part of New England and you shouldn't make jokes like that. It's not funny.

Jimbo, I think technically NJ is part of a region named "mid-atlantic."

New England encompasses CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, and ME.

[The Dad Fisherman]

I thought New Jersey was part of the Tri-State Area.....NY, CT, and NJ

[179]

Chesapeake, VA.

The Outer Banks would be a great choice but the only industry there is tourism so jobs might be tough. BTW I'm moving there in 4 weeks

[fishweewee]

i would move to near-coastal VA or NC in a heartbeat, given the opportunity.

[Jimbo]

Mid-Atlantic, Tri-State Region, it all depends on how you look at it. Personally, the way I see it anything north of the Mason-Dixon Line is New England and anything south of that is Old Confederacy. Although they're sort of weird in this part of New England, when I go and ask for a grinder and an orange tonic they look at me sorta funny. Hey, which one of you googans took my couzey?

RIJ, I have a friend who raves about Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina. I don't know where Message in a Bottle was filmed, south of Maryland I would assume, but I could easily see myself moving there to live out my remaining years like Dodge Blake. Nice looking area.

[RIJIMMY]

179's got it. Chesapeake is lookin good. To think S-B.com may actually infulence my future? This is a 3- 5 year plan. I want to make a right move. This is definatly a possibility

check this out
http://www.thisistidewater.com/Chesapeake/

[partsjay]

My brother -in- law moved to N.C. about 4 years ago...he moved to Cary....which is inland...near Raleigh. He will never move back....very rarely do they get winter conditions....usually in the 60's....there are alot of people from up our way that move to that area. Very affordable living down there....If you go to realtor.com you can search for homes all over that area. He doesn't fish...so, being inland doesnt bother him. I have always wanted to move to VT......but its not going to happen anytime real soon. Makes me want to puke when you look at the prices of houses around the Country...and then look at the prices around here.

[zacs]

I would want all of those things, except I have a hard time accepting the culture south of the mason-dixon line. there are some (a few) exceptions, but I travel all over the country and for the most part it sucks down there.

One time I was in memphis TN, and I was talking to an old bluesman, and I said, "i think I might like to move to FL and enjoy the weather, and fishing, etc..." He said, "Son, there aint nothin' shakin' in florida." i will never forget that.

That being said, if you must, look into Charleston, SC, or Savannah, GA

_Z_

[Slingah]

look at Wilmington N.C.....

[BigFish]

Wellfleet!

[Rappin Mikey]

Holyoke, MA. Even nicer then Jersey!

[fishsmith]

I can't remember the highway name(it goes by Mt. Trashmore - the dump that was turned into a recreation area), but the rush hour traffic from Va beach to the Navy yard in Norfolk, made a ride into boston seem like breeze.
one thing about this lousy weather is how it can make a cloudy 60 degree day in March feel like summer weather.
I love NE, chill me to the bone, tax me and 'fee' me to death, I'm not leaving.

[28inches]

San Diego.

[zacs]

28 inches is right if you are willing to leave the atlantic, but that opens up somany more possiblities. But cost of living is a bitch from San Diego straight through to Eureka.