Mountain Town

[Apple Annie]

From the greater Asheville area, it will take at least 1 hr. to get to Greenville Spartanburg airport to hop a connection. 2-1/2 hrs. from Asheville to Charlotte; figure over 3.5 hours to Atlanta (not worth it at all). Boulder is a lot cleaner city by far. (my 2 cents)

[GabrielleS]

I completely agree Annie. That is one thing my sister says as well. She says if we move t0 Boulder she would move there as well.

Though I don't want to sound negative about Asheville.

Gabby

[GabrielleS]

How are you feeling about it now after these messages Geordie? (Nice name by the way)

Gabby

[Geordie]

Thanks again everyone for your insight into Asheville, Boulder, airports, etc. I'm not sure what to think, Gabby. I do know that we need to live close to a good size airport so we have pretty much ruled Asheville out. I have been researching the Charlotte area a bit but am not sure that it's a good fit. The air quality is not so good there. Perhaps a bit North of Charlotte like you suggested, Annie, would been cleaner. The truth is our families live in the East so we were thinking that it would be nice to be a bit closer to them, especially with us having children. I am just having a hard time finding a place that sounds appealing. I guess I was looking for a town that was "Boulderish" here in the East and I don't think that exists. I am not really keen on being too far North as I don't like the bitter cold winters. Colorado winters seem much milder with all the sunshine and minimal humidity. I love how clean Boulder is and love the mountains and the creek path. I just don't know if it would feel so right now that we are no longer in school. When we were there we were in family housing and all of us residents had our own little community. We spent holidays together and had many gatherings. In a sense we were like one huge family. On this forum I've noticed multiple people talking about how pretentious Boulder is. I never saw that side being where we were. I worry now we will feel isolated. I want to keep our options open. I am researching many areas now. Below are the places on my list. It keeps getting longer! It's been fun researching and I've learned a lot. This is a great forum.
Boulder, CO
Fort Collins, CO
Raleigh, NC
Charlotte, NC
Murfreesboro, TN
Indianapolis, IN
Austin, TX

[Apple Annie]

If you went north of Charlotte, let's say somewhere near Morganton, Hickory or Lenoir, you would still have the mountain flavor (not Boulderish tho), and could get some direct flights from the Charlotte airport. Probably about 1 hr. 20 minute ride or maybe a little less. If I want a direct to Providence, I need to fly out of Charlotte, over 2 hr. ride for me. So I usually bite the connection bullet.

[GabrielleS]

Hi Geordie

I appreciate your mentioning air quality. That's so important and easy to forget or put aside until it bites you when you're older and you wish you'd made different choices. Especially important if you have children too. I wish I could better advise about the type of communities you like in the East. Yes I have also read about the apparent pretentiousness of Boulder and also heard people discuss it. To be honest, most people that say it don't live there or ever have. And anyway, one person's pretentiousness is another person's pride don't you think? I think jealousy had a lot to do with it too to be honest. Like you said, you didn't experience it when you lived there and neither did I. I was living with a family when I was at school. I would take such comments with a pinch of salt.

If the area that you choose has everything you need for you and your family then nothing else matters. It isn't as though you're going to make friends with every person you meet anyway.

I share your feeling of isolation though, I thought I'd feel lonely when we came overseas for a few months. You soon make friends. We might be back in the U.S. sooner than we thought so I'm excited. I've visited Fort Collins and can recommend it. It sounds like we're in similar situations as we'll also need to be within reasonable vicinity of an airport.

Best wishes Geordie!
Gabby

[manlybeach]

I've been off the forum for a bit... you asked me where else we're looking. Our options are fairly open job- and money- wise. And I think wer'e looking for the same sort of lifestyle as you describe. We also have family in the east - Asheville, Charleston and MA, so we're looking east, too. Charlottesville is on our list, yet to be visited firsthand. We've also considered:
Portland and/or Corvallis OR - would be perfect except for the winter drizzle.
San Luis Obispo CA - sounds lovely, but I'm not sure about CA...
Fort Collins, Longmont: either of these in the old town sections would be nice, lower key alternatives to Boulder.
Asheville
My good friend who is a regional sales manager, based in Denver, and a pretty hip guy raves about Albuquerque and Salt Lake City, if you are in the right area. Lots of bang for your buck, too.
Lots of other little places...


I found this list of 25 greenest cities in America to be helpful in narrowing options: http://www.countryhome.com/greencities/top25.html. Also found Utne Reader, Outside Magazine and Mother Earth News online good sources for lists of the types of places we're after.

Since my husband is a kiwi, we can also move to New Zealand. It's a hard choice (I know we're lucky to have it), further complicated that our life here in Manly is pretty darn wonderful. Talk about expensive, though!

Good Luck. If you find just the spot, let me know,and we'll come too!

[VSB]

Originally Posted by manlybeach

We are in the same boat as you -- lived in Boulder from 1993-2001 . . .

That was a very informative, well written analysis.

Thank you for taking the time to compose it all.

[GabrielleS]

I thought I would bump this up again! I hope that Geordie has found her perfect place to live. Look forward to hearing all about it.