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You can't have your windows open because of dust?? That's a new one
We do get a few dust storms during the monsoon season, but its not a year-round occurrence.
He said that you can when it's not monsoon season, but not all day long because of the dust. So, it's not dusty all year round then? I couldn't exist without my windows open.
I've seen videos of the haboobs in the Phoenix area and they look really awful. My friend has a friend near Tucson and she said they had a dust storm the other day (December) and she has to spend the day cleaning. Even with windows shut, dust can seep in anyway, but not to a great extent as keeping them open.
Huntsville does sound like it could work for the OP. Considering that there's going to be an extra 40 billion for defense spending, Huntsville metro will probably get to 500k by the end of the decade.
I was seriously considering Ventura County after you posted because I love California weather and being close to LA but not too close sounded appealing.
That article is ancient, and while Southern California as a whole suffered badly from the housing downturn, some more stable locations (western LA county, OC, Ventura County) didn't suffer as badly as places further inland. Furthermore, and this is especially true in Southern California, incomes have no correlation nor effect on cost of housing.
I was thinking less of Thousand Oaks or Simi Valley for you (boring family areas), and more in the way of Ventura/Oxnard/Camarillo.
Once you reach I-8 North of Tucson it will be 5 hours to reach the beaches in SD in the off season. You will need to add time just to get thru Tucson to reach I-10 north. Especially if you live on the East side of Tucson. Remember I mentioned there are no fwy's going east west in Tucson. It is all crowded surface streets with one light after the other. You will find out if you live in Tucson, going anywhere in the car is frustrating and very time consuming. It is a very difficult area to adjust to driving wise, if your use to fwys before living in Tucson. In the summer months add time mainly when you reach SD, because of the traffic. Plus the beaches will be crowded and very limited parking. Also if your staying at a hotel/motel. Be prepared to find most are sold out all summer. What is left is the most expensive or the least desirable. SD is very popular all summer because of people coming from Arizona. They are called Zonies by San Diegans. So make your reservations long in advance if travelling in the summer months.
There once was a time when Tucson SD was about a 5 hour trip, but not so much in this day and age. Now it seems to be more around 6 and can even be longer. You can in most instances though, just speed across the desert once on I-8. There are one or two checkpoints by the Border Patrol along the way. That can slow you up abit. I guess it just really depends on the time of year and traffic conditions.
Have fun.
You can get from Phoenix to San Diego in about 5-6 hours, Tucson is much shorter. Never had issues with getting a hotel there.
Additionally, the beaches of Mexico are much closer, you can get to Rocky Point in about 3 hours from Tucson.
The problem is that Tampa/St. Pete is too big - 2.5 million in metro. I've found that I prefer a mid sized city, that area is too big. I did like the Clearwater beaches though, wow!
If St. Pete is "close, but no cigar" (I love St. Pete!), why not Sarasota? You're on the south side of the bridge, it's slower paced, and the beaches are also spectacular. Anywhere, really, from Anna Maria down to where the people peter out above the Everglades is not "big city."
I was born in Tampa and I've lived in St. Pete and moved away. I had kind of ruled out Sarasota for living, but my wife and I spent a month on the beach there and absolutely loved it. I don't know about jobs, but it's a beautiful place and I think meets your size requirements.
EDIT: I don't know if Sarasota is part of the Tampa/St. Pete metro technically, but if it is, it shouldn't be in my opinion. People do commute, but there is a different feel south of the Sunshine Skyway. You are large away from the influence of the cities.
You can get from Phoenix to San Diego in about 5-6 hours, Tucson is much shorter. Never had issues with getting a hotel there.
Additionally, the beaches of Mexico are much closer, you can get to Rocky Point in about 3 hours from Tucson.
Do the beaches of Mexico have crime problems? I hear about border towns having so many issues. In Texas, right across from El Paso, Laredo, and Brownsville it is a death sentence to cross the border. Back in the mid 1990's it was safe as can be, which shows how much things changed.
If St. Pete is "close, but no cigar" (I love St. Pete!), why not Sarasota? You're on the south side of the bridge, it's slower paced, and the beaches are also spectacular. Anywhere, really, from Anna Maria down to where the people peter out above the Everglades is not "big city."
I was born in Tampa and I've lived in St. Pete and moved away. I had kind of ruled out Sarasota for living, but my wife and I spent a month on the beach there and absolutely loved it. I don't know about jobs, but it's a beautiful place and I think meets your size requirements.
EDIT: I don't know if Sarasota is part of the Tampa/St. Pete metro technically, but if it is, it shouldn't be in my opinion. People do commute, but there is a different feel south of the Sunshine Skyway. You are large away from the influence of the cities.
Sarasota sounds okay. Is it more of a retirement place? I'm not ready for that (ever)...
Do the beaches of Mexico have crime problems? I hear about border towns having so many issues. In Texas, right across from El Paso, Laredo, and Brownsville it is a death sentence to cross the border. Back in the mid 1990's it was safe as can be, which shows how much things changed.
I was always afraid to go to Rocky Point because of concerns about getting hijacked on the highway in Mexico. My cousins told me I was ridiculous. Apparently, that highway is so well traveled there is never an issue. They have no fear driving to Rocky Point and go often.
I was always afraid to go to Rocky Point because of concerns about getting hijacked on the highway in Mexico. My cousins told me I was ridiculous. Apparently, that highway is so well traveled there is never an issue. They have no fear driving to Rocky Point and go often.
I looked at google maps and it looks like a two lane road in the desert and then all of a sudden a town on really nice beaches?
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