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I would like a mild climate but not at the expense of culture.
got any ideas??? Thanks
What is your budget for housing? I know of a charming northern CA college town that you may be happy with. Chico is, in my opinion, very affordable as far as CA goes. You can still find little bungalows for under $200,000 that may need some work but can be charming when fixed up. The closer to the univesity, the more expensive it gets.
Downtown Los Angeles is absolutely over-flowing with world-class culture: Opera, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, theatre, and more. However, the major art musuems are spread out more and are not downtown (Getty, Getty Villa, Norton Simon, LA County), unless you like modern art. There is also a lot of fairly new high-rise residential construction right downtown within walking distance of the musical venues I listed above. The big problem would be affordability. I'm sorry I don't have specific information on costs for you, although I would be curious to know myself. Another option would be to live near a bus line or light rail line which goes to downtown Los Angeles, and most of them do. Los Angeles is not everyone's cup of tea, but I just love it. At least you've got the mild weather part here, with almost non-existent heating costs.
I think a "secondary" city would be ideal. If you like Boston, try Portland, Maine. Or an older town outside Philadelphia (more affordable). Most big cities lack charm anyway, or if they have a charming core, it's super expensive.
Many people have spoken well of Knoxville, I think. Haven't been there and don't do humidity.
to know exactly what there is to "deal" with in California. If you mean relatively high taxes with no particular break on state income taxes for retirees, then I agree 100%. If you mean over-crowding, I am with you on that too, but it wouldn't apply to Chico. The primary reason for the over-crowding is that California is such a great place to live. Just curious what you have in mind.
Almost any interesting city can have "affordable" components. For example, in Indianapolis a high end condo being built was foreclosed and they remodeled it into 40 rentals with 22 being classed "affordable". The building is in our high rent area about 4 blocks to downtown and a major library. 3 blocks to our arts district and 5 or 6 blocks to all the sporting venues (baseball, basketball, Lucas Oil Stadium, etc.) Just south of downtown, a nice walk, is Fountain Square and Fletcher Place neighborhoods. There is an adorable brick two bedroom/one bath totally remodeled home with unique details for around $100,000. So owning is totally possible also.
Vibrancy and charm are hard to measure. I love my downtown neighborhood. It is so green, quiet, close to all kinds of things. We can walk to two grocery stores, library, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Interstates open up all the other parts of town. Love the parades, like St. Patricks Day and our 500 Race Parade. Love the marathons like the 500 mini marathon we just had. But it is not ever day.
Our weather is not the greatest but all four seasons are here.
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I am curious...
