What made you choose to move where you did? (college, move back, better)

[wileygray]

We made a list of the pros and cons of where we currently live (our neighborhood and city-Seattle). Decided if we move within the area how many of them would be solved and then decided if any cons were deal breakers (Finally decided the lack of sunshine 8+ months a year is too much for us). We looked for a place that had all the pros of Seattle (with better climate). Start with a list of what is important to you and decide what is a deal breaker or must have.

[The_GarGars]

Originally Posted by silibran

Here's a thought: you don't have to like the way your state is going to live a personally satisfying life. I haven't liked the way my present state is going for most of lifetime of living here. I don't agree with almost anything our state legislature does, or how my neighbors generally vote, or hold the same worldview as most of my friends. But I manage to live a rich life.

So, if you are making a nice living where you are at, and your environment provides the social and cultural stimulation you want, you really don't have to move. Moving is expensive. But I think you should count the cost of relocating. Will you give up seniority at work? Can you find work elsewhere, or do you simply hope to find work elsewhere? Will your debt increase if you move?

If moving would increase your standard of living, and there is a place that fits your philosophy, then, I'd go for it.

Very true on the political part of it. As someone else stated earlier...we can move somewhere else where the politics might agree with ours but it doesn't mean it'll stay that way. Politics is an important issue for us but not like in the top 5 or anything. Congestion, poor air quality, high cost of living, no "open spaces" are some of the things that we don't care for over here. Well we do have the local mountains, but the bloody roads are closed so often due to fires during the summer. Hopefully no bad fire season this year.

I like your last few points. I must admit that since we seriously started talking about moving, I've noticed many good points about our current city that I would have overlooked had I not really opened my eyes to what goes on in it. We love the community feel that it brings and hope that if we do leave, we can find that somewhere else. In regards to debt..thankfully that should be decreasing within a couple years as I finish paying off my students loans (yay).

sigh. Only time will tell what happens. The hubby is more gutsy than I am and I like to get all my pros and cons triple-checked before I do anything.

[luvthatmouse]

We moved from FL to MA 2 years ago for a job. A friend told my husband about a job opening where he worked and the benefits were very good. The pay was the same as he had been making in FL, but he was contract and his contract had just ended. He probably would have been picked up again, but it was not permanent and had no benefits.

DH grew up in MA and I had lived here for 9 years before we moved to FL, so we were very familiar with the area. We miss FL a LOT. All of our friends are there, my parents are there and I have not been able to find any work in 2 years. I decided to work from home rather than take a min. wage job. It is very isolating though.

We were positive about the move at first and researched things to do, where to live, restaurants, etc. After 2 winters, missing friends and struggling with one income though we regret it. We are trying to get back to FL ASAP. I got called for an interview after starting to apply back there so hopefully we will not have to deal with another winter here.

[brocco]

i have family here and there were more job opportunities in my fields of interest. i wasn't too excited about the area but now i actually like it for the most part (richmond, va). i think i will move when its time to start a family, though. ideally i'd raise my family in NC in either charlotte, chapel hill, or raleigh but i'm afraid that those areas are becoming too overpopulated.

[tigre79]

I visited, I loved it, and I knew there was no other place like it. As for the town I'm in specifically, my boyfriend grew up here, and it's the most beautiful place I've ever been.

[Home_Kid]

i have passed through Bristol TN. looks so nice. anyone live here ??

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by Home_Kid

i have passed through Bristol TN. looks so nice. anyone live here ??

What do you want to know?

[Home_Kid]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

What do you want to know?

property taxes on homes, general cost of living, crime rates, the people, business, jobs, home prices, weather, etc etc. if you were to pitch me a short story as to why Bristol is a good place to live, what would you say, etc.....

[redwolf fan]

Originally Posted by The_GarGars

So, the hubby and I are considering moving...or at least thinking about it...okay, more like dreaming. We love the city we're in, but hate the way the state is heading. We had a few locations in mind initially, but since we'd be the first in either of our families to leave the state...we didn't realize how many options there are to choose from.

So to those of you who have moved to the location that you loved (or ended up at)...how did you go about choosing that spot? What helped narrow your choices down? And I guess...with so many cities/states to choose from, how were you able to pinpoint exactly what areas to consider?

Thanks to any and all who read and respond to this.

About 10 years ago, we started to do extensive research to find the right place to move when we retired

I subscribed to------Where to Retire ---magazine ,also

Criteria was----------4 season climate,mild winters, low cost of living, scenic location
We then took vacation trips ( Tennessee, NE Alabama, SW MO, KY, and Arkansas,

In January we went down to Arkansas ( the Ozarks ) and rented a furnished house to see if we liked it-

After just 2 Months ( and touring 15 houses) we put an offer and it was accepted. We moved in May 1

We are very happy here( 850 miles from family,relatives,and friends )

I honestly believe we also would have been content in all the other places also.

[azteacher721]

My husband relocated back to NC for various reasons before we married. I figured if I wanted a marriage where we were both living in the same state, I better move. It is also much closer to the rest of my family, so I figured it was a blessing in many ways.