Relocating to warmer climate...

[Seanmcd]

OK, my family and I live in New England, which is a great place to live, without a doubt. However, we have been thinking about relocating to somewhere with a warmer climate for several years now. We are avid boaters and would never move far away from a lake.
We were considering Florida, obviously, but have friends who tell us that it is very congested and over developed.
We also like Arizona, but know very little about the area.

So, if anyone wants to offer some suggestions, I would be much appreciative!! Here are some loose requirements:

-It must be warm!!
-Not crowded!! We live in Northern NH and like not being around traffic and crowds.
-Cost of living is important, we are not rich and must work, I am a cop and wife is a teacher.
-Politically conservative? Is that too much to ask?
-Close to lakes, recreation areas!!

I know that is kinda broad, but what the hell. I can tell you that with the exception of the warm weather part, northern NH is the greatest place to live!! Anyone ideas?

[chpthril]

Here in North Caroline (outside of Charlotte), I am 2 hrs from the mountains, 4 hrs from the beach and 20 min from 2 nice lakes. Many more lakes w/in a couple hours drive with nice campgrounds that make for a great long weekend.

Lots of crime and stupid rednecks so finding jobs would not be a problem. Ha ha ha, just kidding

[mtnsmith]

I live in Largo, FL which is in the Tampa Bay area but if I were looking at Florida I would look up in the Jacksonville area. There are lots of great lakes up in that area plus to the west of town there is a lot of newer development going on but they planned things pretty well to handle the development without lots of congestion. I also grew up in Texas and the Austin area has always been one of my top living choices. Austin is a little pricier than Jacksonville, but I also think it is prettier. My sister is also a teacher looking to possibly relocate from New York City and she really likes the Austin and Atlanta School systems for some reason. Hope this helps some.

[Wake Havasu]

Re: Relocating to warmer climate...

Originally posted by Seanmcd
OK, my family and I live in New England, which is a great place to live, without a doubt. However, we have been thinking about relocating to somewhere with a warmer climate for several years now. We are avid boaters and would never move far away from a lake.
We were considering Florida, obviously, but have friends who tell us that it is very congested and over developed.
We also like Arizona, but know very little about the area.

So, if anyone wants to offer some suggestions, I would be much appreciative!! Here are some loose requirements:

-It must be warm!!
-Not crowded!! We live in Northern NH and like not being around traffic and crowds.
-Cost of living is important, we are not rich and must work, I am a cop and wife is a teacher.
-Politically conservative? Is that too much to ask?
-Close to lakes, recreation areas!!

I know that is kinda broad, but what the hell. I can tell you that with the exception of the warm weather part, northern NH is the greatest place to live!! Anyone ideas?

I beleive they are looking for Policemen in Lake Havasu City.

I believe they are looking for Policemen in Lake Havasu City.

It's warm not crowded and AZ so conservative you can own a machine gun!
Oh yeah they have a lake which you can boat on and enjoy Christmans Dayon the water!

[raythompson]

How about the Knoxville area in East Tennessee. You are only an hour away from the Smokey Mountains, 3.28 hours from Atlanta, lakes galore in the area that are useable from the middle of March to the end of October. Temperatures in the lakes are currently in the high 80's. Never crowded lots of launch areas that are close.

[leisure]

And no state income tax in Tennessee...yet.

[flackpack]

Think mid-west.

California and Florida have had real estate prices going up in a huge way for the last several years, and now they are poised for a small set back. There will be a buyer's market, but the prices are still outrageous.

Arizona is HOT! Everyone will tell you it is a dry heat, but so is an oven.

The Dallas area has great home prices in comparison to the coasts, and many lakes to choose from for riding. There is also a growing population, with a diverse economy set to handle a slight recession. There is a teacher salary war beginning in the school districts around the area, and a big recruitment push by the local law enforcement groups. DPD is offering bonuses for signing on to new officers, and compensation for veteran transfers for previous time in other agencies.

One more Texas bonus - No State income Tax!

[dogbert]

Originally posted by flackpack
Think mid-west.

California and Florida have had real estate prices going up in a huge way for the last several years, and now they are poised for a small set back. There will be a buyer's market, but the prices are still outrageous.

Arizona is HOT! Everyone will tell you it is a dry heat, but so is an oven.

The Dallas area has great home prices in comparison to the coasts, and many lakes to choose from for riding. There is also a growing population, with a diverse economy set to handle a slight recession. There is a teacher salary war beginning in the school districts around the area, and a big recruitment push by the local law enforcement groups. DPD is offering bonuses for signing on to new officers, and compensation for veteran transfers for previous time in other agencies.

One more Texas bonus - No State income Tax!

Texas has lots of options. I'm down in Austin. There's about 20 lakes within an hours drive, including the one I'm normally on. Some of the smaller communities around Austin, like Leander, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, etc. are growing like crazy. PM me and I can get you in touch with the right people.

[Paublo]

Wake Havasu is partially correct. They need policemen and teachers, it is politically conservative, it is warm (hot, but a dry heat), but in the Phoenix area it is getting very crowded (traffic). There may be opportunities along the Calif. border- Colorado River- Parker, Havasu, Bullhead. I have visited Texas a few times recently and there are also a lot of options there. And no one is bigger on capital punishment than Texas, if that qualifies as being conservative.

[yllw20]

Texas is a great place....I moved here from the midwest...yes we believe in capitol punishment. Go towards the autin area if you can....it is so awesome there. Besides Dogbert didnt mention you have TSR about 1 hr away.

[talltigeguy]

You can try my neck of the woods in Southern Utah.

- conservative
- the county is about 100K people, so we are beginning to experience congestion, but the families are large and we can't build schools fast enough. One elementary went to a dual shift program last year where one set of kids went from 7 am to noon and one from 1 pm to 6 pm. With growth we need more police officers too.
- Climate roughly like Las Vegas, not quite as hot as Phoenix. I have wakeboarded every month of the year.
- Lake Mead is 1 1/2 hours away and Lake Powell is 2 1/2 hours away with 3 smaller lakes 20 minutes away.
- Home prices have gone up, but currently there are 5 times the number of homes on the market as at this time last year, so supply has overincreased relative to the demand and I think some correction will happen soon. The average home price is about 250K for a 3 bedroom 2 bath.
- Tige dealer is 1 1/2 hours away in Las Vegas, along with anything else you can imagine.
- Ski resort is 1 1/2 hours north with plenty of snow (400 + inches per year average).

[NICKYPOO]

Re: Relocating to warmer climate...

Originally posted by Seanmcd

-It must be warm!!
-Not crowded!! We live in Northern NH and like not being around traffic and crowds.
-Cost of living is important, we are not rich and must work, I am a cop and wife is a teacher.
-Politically conservative? Is that too much to ask?
-Close to lakes, recreation areas!!

Reno, Nv.
-100 dergees today.
-"Biggest Little City in the World". Small town feel, big city comforts.
-No state income tax.
-Politically conservitive?
-You can't leave town in any direction with out passing a lake. Recreation beyond that, it's the Sierra Nevadas man.

[do420jc]

We rec. moved from the Boston area to AZ for all the same reasons. We absolutly love it. You can ride all year and cost of living is cheap. What lake did you fancy in NH?

[Seanmcd]

We keep our boat on Squam Lake, in Holderness, NH. It is very beautiful and scenic. It would be paradise except for the 9 months of winter!

We also go to Winnipesaukee, but only on weekdays, never on weekends!

Sean

[do420jc]

Squam is very beautiful. I used to go to Sunapee and Bow Lake last few summers. We have been here in AZ for 2 months and we love it. 4 lakes, all less than an hour away. Completely different than NH though.