Looking far an affordable city to raise a family and rebuild (rent, house)
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We currently live near Phoenix and have been here for almost 8 years. My husband lost his job in August, 2008 and we have steadily lost everything else since then. My husband has been working through temp agencies for the past few years, but he cannot find steady work and we have not be able to start rebuilding here. I want to get out of AZ (because of the economy and the weather) and find somewhere better for us.
I have a good job and I telecommute, so we can live literally anywhere is the US. My husband is a construction worker, so in a decent market, he should be able to find work. We have 3 young children which makes education a big priority as well as somewhere that is family-friendly. I prefer a mild climate, but wouldn't mind if the kids got to experience all 4 seasons instead of the 2 we currently have (hot and hotter). I am not afraid of humidity (I grew up in Chicago), but it is important to me that we find somewhere that the kids can play outside during the summer months.
We are currently renting a 4-bedroom house for $1500/month and are hoping to stay in that range (or less) when we move. We just received a letter notifying us that the house we are renting is going to auction in May, so we will be moving in 3 months.
We have talked about the Denver area (but I don't think I will like it), Plano, TX (we are both a little unsure), and I have been interested in the Nashville, TN area (but my husband doesn't think he will like it). My husband likes a lot of outdoor activities (fishing, camping, off-roading). I would like something suburban where there is a chance at a decent-sized yard and friendly neighbors. Suggestions of a good city for us?
ETA: We are open to anywhere in the country, it doesn't have to be the 3 places we have been talking about. There is so much of the country that we are not familiar with.
We currently live near Phoenix and have been here for almost 8 years. My husband lost his job in August, 2008 and we have steadily lost everything else since then. My husband has been working through temp agencies for the past few years, but he cannot find steady work and we have not be able to start rebuilding here. I want to get out of AZ (because of the economy and the weather) and find somewhere better for us.
I have a good job and I telecommute, so we can live literally anywhere is the US. My husband is a construction worker, so in a decent market, he should be able to find work. We have 3 young children which makes education a big priority as well as somewhere that is family-friendly. I prefer a mild climate, but wouldn't mind if the kids got to experience all 4 seasons instead of the 2 we currently have (hot and hotter). I am not afraid of humidity (I grew up in Chicago), but it is important to me that we find somewhere that the kids can play outside during the summer months.
We are currently renting a 4-bedroom house for $1500/month and are hoping to stay in that range (or less) when we move. We just received a letter notifying us that the house we are renting is going to auction in May, so we will be moving in 3 months.
We have talked about the Denver area (but I don't think I will like it), Plano, TX (we are both a little unsure), and I have been interested in the Nashville, TN area (but my husband doesn't think he will like it). My husband likes a lot of outdoor activities (fishing, camping, off-roading). I would like something suburban where there is a chance at a decent-sized yard and friendly neighbors. Suggestions of a good city for us?
Smaller cities around Nashville would be good except for the construction part I think. Lots of outdoor activities in Tennessee in general and the cost of living is much less than where you are now. For the kind of rent you pay now you could dang near rent a mansion in Tennessee. Maybe ask on the Tennessee board. We don't live in Tennessee now but should be there within the next 12 months as long as plans go as planned.
I'm not sure. I'm not very outdoorsy, and I am afraid that I won't be happy there. It is colder than I ideally want and I picture the kids having large green yards to play in and I don't think that Denver is what I am picturing. I am not against it, I am just very unsure.
I'm not sure. I'm not very outdoorsy, and I am afraid that I won't be happy there. It is colder than I ideally want and I picture the kids having large green yards to play in and I don't think that Denver is what I am picturing. I am not against it, I am just very unsure.
Denver is a big city on the Great Plains, just east of the Rocky Mountain foothills, thus we have a nice mountain view to the west.
I'm not too outdoorsy either, but there is plenty here to keep you/kids occupied.
It might not be as cold as you think, and it's never cold for too long. It snows, but it melts. It's pretty dry here, never humid, almost always sunny (well, not when it snows of course).
Yards here don't often exceed 10,000 square feet, and in order for them to be green they'd need to be excessively watered, as it doesn't rain much, but it is greener than Phoenix.
Missouri is one of the most outdoorsman-friendly places in the country. It is very cheap to live there, has a four-season climate. If you need a larger metro area, St. Louis and Kansas City are polar opposites, but both very nice cities to live in.
You might also consider Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is, in my opinion, a well-kept secret.
Consider the Carolinas also and Georgia. Moderate climate with some cold and snow but not a lot and some heat and humidity but being super hot only briefly. Cost of living is low and jobs in construction and most other fields available without too much searching as a rule. Access to mountains and beach within just a few hours drive. Consider: Atlanta, Raleigh, Charlotte, Wilmington, Greenville/Spartanburg
Missouri is one of the most outdoorsman-friendly places in the country. It is very cheap to live there, has a four-season climate. If you need a larger metro area, St. Louis and Kansas City are polar opposites, but both very nice cities to live in.
You might also consider Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is, in my opinion, a well-kept secret.
Both Tulsa and OKC would meet your requests. Cost of living is low, the economy is strong, and the weather is decent with 4 seasons. Both cities have some really nice areas, and some strong suburbs with good schools as well. There's plenty of places for your hubbys kind of outdoor activities. I'm not sure about Tulsa, but OKC has lots of construction going on, both commercial and residential.
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