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I originally posted in the California forum, but decided I might find a better fit if I searched nationwide for where to move.
I'm a secondary teacher looking to relocate to a much warmer area -I'm from Iowa- that has a beach with my two toddlers. I'm in need of some advice on affordable locations. Here's some information to help out:
Salary: roughly $40,000
Housing: looking to rent a two or possibly three bedroom.
Community: A beach community would be nice, but isn't required as long as I'm close. I'm okay with driving to the beach if it's at most about 45 mins away with normal traffic flow. If I can't have the beach then maybe a trade off with having a view of the mountains? I like being outdoors; hiking, biking, etc.
Safety: As mentioned I'm moving with children so a fairly safe neighborhood is preferred. I'd like to be able to walk at night without feeling like I'm going to get mugged and it'd be nice to be able to lock up my bike and not have it stolen.
Weather: I can't handle severe heat year round (avg below 77° preferred) so maybe not too far south. That being said I also despise extreme cold so not too far north (cooler climate is okay but I really prefer to live in an area with warmer water). If recommending an area by mountains, I don't mind snow, it can LIGHTLY snow in any area suggested as long as the average temperature stays above 25° during the cooler months. I'm moving from the Midwest where snow is a given -every winter, for around 5-6 months out of the year with temperatures constantly dropping below freezing. Brrr.
I'm sure I'm forgetting to mention something.... I'm really partial to California, but if someone has another affordable safe beach community they want to recommend that's in another state then I'll entertain the idea. I really really just want to get to the ocean and away from these freezing winters.
Ah one more thing. I'd like the beach to have decent waves to surf, but also chill enough for the kiddos. Thanks
Your criteria don't match one another and you're going to need to figure out what to let go of. Affordable beach communities where the temperature doesn't regularly exceed 77 degree don't exist, and mountainous areas where the temperature stays above 25 degrees in the winter do not exist either. The areas that would make the most sense for you are in the Southeast US where the cost of living is lower and you have the beach access you speak of in affordable areas, and obviously the 77 degree thing goes out the window but remember everything is air-conditioned and it's truly "too hot" for most for just a couple of months versus 5-6 months of winter. Check out places like Charleston/Mt Pleasant SC, Tampa FL, Jacksonville FL and Sarasota FL.
Yea. I would check out the southeast. Never too cold, although they do get a couple quick snaps in winter. Summer is obviously going to be hot and humid but I'm sure you're used to that living in Iowa.
Unfortunately, renting a two bedroom in an average Southern California beach town is going to run you, at the very least, $1,600-$2,000 a month. Thats about half your annual income just on rent.
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