[beachmouse]

The tourists annoy at one level, but I do enjoy a lot of the restaurants and businesses that wouldn't be there if they weren't. And you can manage to organize your life so you don't interface with them too much on a day to day basis. The worst of it for us is the grocery store- parents figure that because they're on vacation and there's no danger of shame because they're far away from the people they know then it's perfectly to let little Snotleigh play dodge ball in the frozen foods aisle or to get a game of shopping cart tag going with her brother going over in dry goods.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by wrx04

Thats funny. I was actually down in Ft. Walton Beach from september to december for one of my rotations at eglin. The area was nice, especially around destin, but i like a bigger city personally. Too much tourism.

The Redneck Riviera....

[wrx04]

Haha...yep. Little culture shock.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by wrx04

Haha...yep. Little culture shock.

The panhandle does have some of the best beaches around however. The fine white power sand , a natural thing thats shared by the Mexican shore a long way down range...

I built a beach house on the Gulf many years ago , in south west Florida , on an offshore island without a bridge, very primitive then. My visits to the Panhandle were rare , but , I always remember the sand. That was about all that was there. Destin was but a dream, in a long forgotten developers eye. I know its different now...

[mtusarah]

I'm moving to Klamath Falls, Oregon next month. just graduated from college and was offered a job out there. It is a small city, about 20,000 people. Though the people I met during interviews reminded me of yoopers... so I think I will like it ... I hope... :/

[tsimmu]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

little Snotleigh

OMG! That is hilarious and I concur 100%

[dagnabit9]

I grew up in Michigan and I've been out here (New Mexico) since 1985. I might be a bit disgruntled but I absolutely HATE it out here! Between the endless dust and dirt that's everywhere to the incessant winds it's like living on the moon if it had an atmosphere.Yes, the winters are milder (not a lot of snow - just cold temps) and the summers are hot and dry. Every summer from July through August they have what's called the "monsoon" season here - thunderstorms (with wind, of course) almost every afternoon. I've seen it rain mud here!You can't make any good money here unless you work at or near one of the National Labs (Sandia or Los Alamos). Housing rates are a bit higher than in Michigan.So, I would be wary to come out here...

[darstar]

Originally Posted by dagnabit9

I grew up in Michigan and I've been out here (New Mexico) since 1985. I might be a bit disgruntled but I absolutely HATE it out here! Between the endless dust and dirt that's everywhere to the incessant winds it's like living on the moon if it had an atmosphere.Yes, the winters are milder (not a lot of snow - just cold temps) and the summers are hot and dry. Every summer from July through August they have what's called the "monsoon" season here - thunderstorms (with wind, of course) almost every afternoon. I've seen it rain mud here!You can't make any good money here unless you work at or near one of the National Labs (Sandia or Los Alamos). Housing rates are a bit higher than in Michigan.So, I would be wary to come out here...

You are too far south. try Taos... Angel Fire , lots of snow , big trees , and , when you want to have a night on the town , drop down to Santa Fe for some great shopping. Stop at Chimayo , my favorite restaurant on the way home, back north.. granted , the high desert is not for everyone.

[dagnabit9]

Too far south? Maybe. Too far west? Definitely! I guess I miss things that are green - like grass, trees, and plants - you know, stuff you don't really have to water out there!

[Driller1]

My "retirement job" is 10 miles south of Tela, Honduras. I am building a resort there. It is white sand beach.