[sedimenjerry]

Tallahassee does have better winters IMO. But if going from Seattle/Portland in the summer then Athens would be a little cooler in the fall and could ease you into the warmth and humidity. It would also take a little longer to warm up than Tallahassee. It really depends on when you move back and forth. You would probably want to spend more of the year in Athens than Tallahassee but it depends on your preference. You can still experience the outdoors year round in both places.

[Gatornation]

Athens and Asheville are nothing like Tally. Asheville is very very liberal while Athens is a true college town. Tally is neither of those.

If you want the progressive feel like Portland/Seattle Asheville would be your place.

[TinaOz]

I have lived in Athens for the last 5 years, so I know the town well. It is a town built around a college, to be sure. I would caution you that, at 39, you are going to feel really old when you go out here. When I go out, I notice that at least 80% of the crowd falls in the 18-25 age range. If you are single, meeting age-appropriate women might be a problem. At 30, and my friends and I are already feeling as though we've outgrown this town. It makes me sad because there is a good time to be had here. There is always something to do, and you can get a slice of pizza and a beer for less than $5. But when you are always one of the older people in the bar, it's not good for the ego. That is the biggest draw back I can think of for a 39 year old man. Also, I lived in Cali before coming here, and I think you will find a comparable level of progressiveness. In a conservative state, Athens is a liberal town. And people here have a focus on health, wellness, and green living that is similar to what I admired in Cali. Athens is the only smoke-free town in Georgia - no smoking in restaurants or bars. Coming from Cali, you will probably be less impressed with other areas of Georgia. To meet women (young professionals in your age-range), you will likely need to spend a lot of time in Atlanta. I think you will get sick of that commute pretty quickly.

[Scientifical Madness]

Originally Posted by ctr88

oystercatcher...the problem with South FL are the crowds, congestion, crime, attitude, expense to live close to the beach, etc.... I prefer that winter climate down there but it comes with a lot of downsides.

Exactly. I'd choose Asheville hands down. My 2nd choice would be Tally, and I dont know much about Baton Rouge or Athens, or the other places, but I am very familar with Asheville - that'd be my choice.

Whoever said Asheville resembles a freak show with the hippies, the homeless and the locals is wrong IMO. Not sure how the locals resemble a freak show, kind of sounds like an undeserved cheap shot. Some of the homeless there are the most appreciative people. The hippies dont bother anyone. Yes, there are hippies there, but what's the problem? They're nice folks. I cant say that about most parts of FL. Tally is different, than say, Orlando or Miami, so Tally would be my 2nd choice.

[Scientifical Madness]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

Athens and Asheville are nothing like Tally. Asheville is very very liberal while Athens is a true college town. Tally is neither of those.

If you want the progressive feel like Portland/Seattle, Asheville would be your place.

I agree, definitely.

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

Athens and Asheville are nothing like Tally. Asheville is very very liberal while Athens is a true college town. Tally is neither of those.

If you want the progressive feel like Portland/Seattle Asheville would be your place.

I don't think I stressed enough in my first post have Asheville would be by far the most liberal and progressive place of all those that you listed.

[GloryB]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

I don't think I stressed enough in my first post have Asheville would be by far the most liberal and progressive place of all those that you listed.

Yep.....cause you aren't going to get that in Tallahassee or Athens. I like the conservative feel of those towns.....but one person's blessing may be another person's curse.

Why don't you take a vacation and try staying in each of your projected list towns for 3 days? Before an expensive move....it would be worth a vacation investment. Also, is finding a job a part of the decision making factor?

[Scientifical Madness]

^^^ I like Asheville, although I tend to be more conservative too. It's amazing what living in Orlando and having a child will do. I used to be very liberal - NOT ANYMORE!

[JAS]

Originally Posted by Scientifical Madness

Whoever said Asheville resembles a freak show with the hippies, the homeless and the locals is wrong IMO. Not sure how the locals resemble a freak show, kind of sounds like an undeserved cheap shot. Some of the homeless there are the most appreciative people. The hippies dont bother anyone. Yes, there are hippies there, but what's the problem? They're nice folks. I cant say that about most parts of FL. Tally is different, than say, Orlando or Miami, so Tally would be my 2nd choice.

Asheville is one of those places that is nice to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there (and I spent many years in the piedmont of NC). There is a tremendous contrast of very wealthy versus very poor, and although the city has a historic downtown, it is unfortunately overrun by by the homeless and the trustafarians. And they do in fact bother people - I've been asked for money several times, which gets annoying, especially when the person hasn't bathed in several days.

I'm just callin' it as I see it. The mountains are beautiful, the history there is interesting -- but I think the city doesn't have enough of a true middle class for my taste.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by JAS

Asheville is one of those places that is nice to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there (and I spent many years in the piedmont of NC). There is a tremendous contrast of very wealthy versus very poor, and although the city has a historic downtown, it is unfortunately overrun by by the homeless and the trustafarians. And they do in fact bother people - I've been asked for money several times, which gets annoying, especially when the person hasn't bathed in several days.

I'm just callin' it as I see it. The mountains are beautiful, the history there is interesting -- but I think the city doesn't have enough of a true middle class for my taste.

Exactly right, just how I feel about it. And it's only liberal in the downtown, and maybe northside, other neighborhoods are ultra conservative, and very antagonistic toward outsiders. I also found the politics there too "radical" - like Berkeley California. Did not like that at all. I like a place that is "progressive" rather than radical liberal. It's a beautiful city with A LOT of problems. All the neat businesses are being run out of downtown from a combination of high rents and the panhandlers (many of whom camp out in the doorways of businesses. We're very happy to have sold our place there after realizing it was not a place we would ever retire too. So much happier here in Sarasota, where it's "progressive", and laid-back, but not radical at all.