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Location: Cleveland bound with MPLS in the rear-view
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Chicago is laced with towns like these (suburbs now): Elgin, Aurora, Villa Park, Geneva/St. Charles (my recommendation!), etc. etc. etc. If you love the Chicago area, and want to be far out, there are just tons of options. HOWEVER, these "small towns" will feel big and busy in Chicago though, because the city has a sphere of influence FAR beyond its core and inner suburbs. Geneva/St. Charles are quaint and beautiful but traffic is crazy!
Bear in mind real estate costs and taxes in either Connecticut or suburban Philadelphia are going to be extremely high. I would strongly suggest the Midwest as your real estate costs and taxes will be significantly lower without sacrificing the quality of life/schools.
West, we do love the Chicago area, we even hooneymooned there, and it is definitely a possibility. Kyle, yes unfortunately the COL is much higher in the NE and mid atlantic, but we think it makes up for it in things like museums and having the ability to go on day trips to several major cities. However, we want to explore all of our options do some research and go from there.
West, we do love the Chicago area, we even hooneymooned there, and it is definitely a possibility. Kyle, yes unfortunately the COL is much higher in the NE and mid atlantic, but we think it makes up for it in things like museums and having the ability to go on day trips to several major cities. However, we want to explore all of our options do some research and go from there.
Keep in mind, that not all of the Northeast is expensive. Interior Northeast metro areas have a general COL on par with Southern metros. Check out any COL calculator to see. You can also get to world class cities in the US and Canada, as they would be within a reasonable drive. You may also be pleasantly surprised by what these other Northeastern areas have to offer and Fall is just great in these areas as well.
Outside of NYC, look into the Rivertowns of Westchester County(Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Ardsley, Croton, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, etc) or Nyack. Perhaps Mount Kisco, Mamaroneck, Suffern, Brewster, Carmel, Monroe, Cornwall and Rye, among others in NY.
Keep in mind, that not all of the Northeast is expensive. Interior Northeast metro areas have a general COL on par with Southern metros. Check out any COL calculator to see. You can also get to world class cities in the US and Canada, as they would be within a reasonable drive. You may also be pleasantly surprised by what these other Northeastern areas have to offer and Fall is just great in these areas as well.
Michigan could be another option as well.
To be more specific, East Aurora outside of Buffalo has that small town, main street feel. Same with Lewiston, Fredonia, Kenmore, Hamburg, Lancaster and Lockport are some other examples in that area.
In say the Harrisburg area, you have Carlisle, Hershey, Middletown, Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg. It is an area that is pretty close to Baltimore, DC and Philly isn't too far away.
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