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Where are these homes you speak of in the Portland area that are only $200k?? I like the area but I'm not sure it qualifies.
If you would be satisfied with a small condo, I think it may still be possible-- not easy, but possible-- to find something in, say, Beaverton. There are certain areas of West Linn where things occasionally turn up in that price range as well (I am not sure what those parts of West Linn are like, and am curious myself). But yes, your price range is going to make things difficult, not just in Portland metro but (probably) in most other places that fit your criteria.
Henderson, NV was once described to me as being safe and having very low housing prices. I'm no expert on Henderson, but it may be worth a look. No pro sports, unless Las Vegas really does get an NHL team someday.
Check out the east valley suburbs in Phoenix. Weather is warm, you can find homes around $200k, Arizona State University is close by in Tempe.
Mesa, Gilbert, and Tempe come to mind. There's a big shopping center in Mesa that has plenty of Asian restaurants and a grocery store called MekongPlaza.
Wow, I had to think a little bit, lol. But you have a good list. It's just I'm having a hard time thinking of some areas that have the combination of what you're looking for, especially that have all of that AND a very low crime rate. Ft. Mill and Belmont near Charlotte NC would be worth a look. Some of the suburbs north of Atlanta. Brandon FL near Tampa is nice. Mesa near Phoenix is nice too. Good luck in your search!
Gilbert, AZ (no real downtown but has walkable areas and trails that cut through)
Marble Falls, TX
McKinney, TX
Boise and Meridian, ID (has everything I want except year round warmth! Very tempting option.)
Fayetteville, AR (lacks warmth)
Henderson, NV (just a suburb, nothing to walk to and no character)
Tucson, AZ (interesting option)
Centralia, WA (not sure what to think about this place)
Bloominhton, IL (great town, very easy to get around and had charm, but kind of fat from a large city and cold)
Wilmington, IL (and other towns in the farming areas south of Chicago. Very safe, charming, good schools, near major city but unfortunately it's a dangerous city)
Gilbert, AZ (no real downtown but has walkable areas and trails that cut through)
Marble Falls, TX
McKinney, TX
Boise and Meridian, ID (has everything I want except year round warmth! Very tempting option.)
Fayetteville, AR (lacks warmth)
Henderson, NV (just a suburb, nothing to walk to and no character)
Tucson, AZ (interesting option)
Centralia, WA (not sure what to think about this place)
Bloominhton, IL (great town, very easy to get around and had charm, but kind of fat from a large city and cold)
Wilmington, IL (and other towns in the farming areas south of Chicago. Very safe, charming, good schools, near major city but unfortunately it's a dangerous city)
I'd also check our Aurora Colorado. It's similar to Mesa and Gilbert. Not sure if you want to go through winter.
If you were willing to noodge up the home price a bit (say to as much $250,000 for three bedrooms) and swap a single family home for a big condo or co-op, the NYC suburb of Ft. Lee would be perfect for you. Small walkable and bikeable downtown, very, very safe, excellent schools, diverse with a large sophisticated Asian-American population, four distinct seasons (is winter a deal-breaker?) close to major parks and the Palisades (the cliffs overlooking Manhattan), and of course easy access to NYC and its entertainment and cultural offerings.
Gilbert, AZ (no real downtown but has walkable areas and trails that cut through)
In the last few years the Gilbert downtown has boomed with lots of trendy restaurants and bars. Chandler, which is next door to Gilbert also has a good downtown area and MUCH more Asian specialty shops. Chandler has much better authentic Asian dining and shopping that Gilbert does not have.
You should probably specify a square footage requirement with your housing budget. That could vary widely throughout the country from a 500 sqft hell hole to a 4000 sq ft mini mansion.
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