Why does everywhere I want to move to suck? (crime rate, house)

[Hickory]

Tough set of conditions -- might not exist in the US. I'll put in a pitch for my city, Oshkosh WI (pop 62,000, metro area 300,000). On the shore of Lake Winnebago -- 6th largest freshwater lake in the lower 48 -- lot's of room to sail. Very inexpensive housing. Has a good size state U campus. about 2 hrs to Milwaukee, 3 to Chicago. Jobs depend on your field -- we've lost lots of manufacturing, but probably still way above the rest of the US. Some of the industry is fueled by the war lately, but we still make stuff people can't imagine living without (toilet paper). Downtown on the mend -- buy in now, cause it won't be cheaper.

Maybe you need to think like a pioneer -- get in before a city booms or becomes so well known that real estate spikes.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Hickory

Maybe you need to think like a pioneer -- get in before a city booms or becomes so well known that real estate spikes.

That's exactly what I'm telling people about Scranton and Wilkes-Barre! Real estate in both cities right now is dirt cheap, but they'll both be seeing much more investment in the next 5-10 years as the mass influx of NY/NJ transplants starts to spill down from the Pocono Mountains and into these valley cities. Personally, I'm starting my "flipping" career in Scranton, my future hometown. Both cities are on the mend after decades of "Rust-Belt Decline", and "The Office" is finally helping to bring some added recognition to the Electric City in particular.

[Hickory]

oh, I forgot to mention that the last few years have seen increasing numbers of people moving to Oshkosh from Chicago and Milwaukee. They take the windfall from selling expensive real estate there and buy waterfront here. I have never met anyone who who claim you can buy anything near Lake Michigan around those 2 cities in your price range.

[dullnboring]

I'm not sure how the economy stacks up, but I figured I'd throw in Toledo, Ohio for a suggestion. It seems to meet the rest of your criteria.

[recycled]

Originally Posted by Sonnenwende

I would really prefer the Great Lakes region from far western Superior to eastern Ontario, but it is hard to find somewhere there that is a city of decent size that wasn't completely washed up after manufacturing took a turn for the worse. Chicago might be doable depending on the commute. Duluth seems interesting. Have to look more into both.

Keep the suggestions coming.

My niece attended college in Holland, Michigan. They have a very nice lake on the edge of town, and are close to Lake Michigan. Directly across Lake Michigan from Chicago, so you are not too far from large metro area. Close to many other metro areas too. Michigan economy is pretty bad due to auto industry woes, but Holland benefits from proximity to Chicago.

Upstate New York? Cost of housing low, taxes high, economy mixed, many cities + towns with big universities near lakes. Ithaca (Cornell U), Syracuse, Rochester? Not too much sonnen but plenty of wende for sailing around - lots of boats too.

[Kimbercuddles]

Originally Posted by politikally

Sounds like you should move to Minnesota!
1. The economy Rocks Always strong and very diverse.
2. We've got Four Defined seasons
3. We've got 10,000 lakes, and lake superior for sailing.
4. Rent is right on target for what you want, housing -- a little higher, but in range.
5. Duluth is 100k+ population, and the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) is over 4 million in the metro. (the cities are 2 and 1/2 hours away from each other)

6. Taxes, eh. I hate taxes

Check into it!

Yep...that would have been what I would have suggested. I was born and raised there and aside from the fact that I was meant to live near the ocean, I would still be there. The people are "Minnesota Nice" and it's true. Great accents. Besides, Minnesota is (from recent research) the healthiest state to live in...Louisiana is the worst. No joke. Heard it on the radio and after living in both states, doesn't surprise me at all.

[Kimbercuddles]

Originally Posted by ColdCanadian

"Four Defined Seasons" is a little vague. Would you like to further explain about what kinds of winters, springs, summers or autumns you'd prefer?

I've heard jokes like how Louisiana gets 8 months of summer and 4 months of spring-like winter. I imagine cities in Texas would be about the same.

Then there are jokes about Winnipeg in Canada, close to northern Minnesota that they also have only 2 seasons; Winter and July.

Both of these are pretty inaccurate, but there are very strong differences in the length of seasons depending on the region.

Do you want blazing fall colour or any fall colour will do?

If you like winter days averaging just below freezing and summer days averaging in the mid-high 20's Celcius, (like Germany?) you'd probably like somewhere in the Great Lakes or some parts of New England.

Louisiana is much more humid than Texas, in my opinion. I've lived in both states...although I guess eastern Texas might be more humid than San Antonio...which is where I lived. People always complained about the humidity in San Antonio...visit Baton Rouge and New Orleans...you'll definitely change your mind! No comparison!!

The Minnesota comment is right on, Canadian!!

[politikally]

Well I've always been a fan of Lake Superior, which does a pretty good job of regulating the weather (unless of course, it's snowing).

Thus in addition to Duluth, MN you may wish to consider Marquette, MI.

[Blue Grass Fever]

I was going to echo the same sentiments as politikally: Anytown,Lake Superior with the exception of Soo-Locks!

[politikally]

Originally Posted by Blue Grass Fever

I was going to echo the same sentiments as politikally: Anytown,Lake Superior with the exception of Soo-Locks!

Yeah the Soo is kinda the retarded brother of the north.