Forest Area With a Warm to Mild Climate (rentals, houses)

[SXSE]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for an area with lots of year-round, outdoor recreational opportunities, specifically, walking in scenic trails and parks and maybe even hiking, swimming, etc., in a warm or at least, mild climate. Nearby mountains are okay but I prefer hills or relatively flat terrain in the immediate area where I live. Ideally, there would be a fair-sized city, (population of at least, 20,000), nearby for jobs. I need humidity and like lots of rain and have therefore, eliminated New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California. Northern California would be nice but I think I would have to go to higher elevations to find the forests I'm looking for and that would mean colder temperatures. I've pretty much narrowed my focus to the southeastern region of the U.S. but want to be sure I'm not missing a good choice elsewhere and then, narrow my choices even further within the southeast region, if it is the best place for what I'm seeking.

Places I'm looking at now include; Eureka Springs, AR, Hot Springs, AR, Chattanooga, TN, Knoxville, TN, Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN, Greenville, SC, Spartanburg, SC, Asheville, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Charlotte, NC, Raleigh, NC but I'm hoping to find still-warmer places with no snow and ice or at least, very little of it. I've seen references to South Carolina and portions of Georgia as having "coastal forests" but when I look more closely, it turns out to be swampland, which is interesting but not where I want to spend all my time. Would coastal North Carolina meet my needs or most of them? I've noticed that places like Greenville, Rocky Mount and Kinston, NC seem to have a combination of the substantial population and relatively low cost of living I'm looking for but do they have the recreational opportunities I'm looking for? Would living near the coast have a moderating influence on weather patterns?

Thanks for anything you can tell me.

[DubbleT]

The area of Alabama around Montgomery and Birmingham seems to fit what you want as far as recreation and outdoor opportunities. I've done some vacationing there and it's a very pretty area, lots of lakes and hills and trees. A little warmer than some of the areas you mentioned further north. No idea on the job situation though.
Noccalula Falls Park Downstream- Gadsden AL | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[SXSE]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

The area of Alabama around Montgomery and Birmingham seems to fit what you want as far as recreation and outdoor opportunities. I've done some vacationing there and it's a very pretty area, lots of lakes and hills and trees. A little warmer than some of the areas you mentioned further north. No idea on the job situation though.
Noccalula Falls Park Downstream- Gadsden AL | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Hi DubbleT,

Thanks for the link! OMG! This place is gorgeous!

I didn't know Montgomery is in the southern part of the state or so big. Both look like good candidates. A relatively short drive to the coast too, which is good. Are there plenty of recreational opportunities inside these towns or do you have to drive a long way to get to them?

[SXSE]

Bonus points for a place that has big, old trees that arch over the street, so as to form a sort of canopy in most residential neighborhoods.

[SXSE]

Oh....and to my list of places, currently under consideration, please add Deland, FL but hold the alligators, please!

[creeksitter]

big, old trees that arch over the street

You have just described Tallahassee. I won't say trees arch over all of the streets but they are quite proud of their canopy streets that go on for miles and miles.

I'm not sure how good the job situation is so you would need to find a job before you move.

[SXSE]

Originally Posted by creeksitter

You have just described Tallahassee. I won't say trees arch over all of the streets but they are quite proud of their canopy streets that go on for miles and miles.

I'm not sure how good the job situation is so you would need to find a job before you move.

Hi Creeksitter,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention! Coincidentally, I was researching Tallahassee because of something I'd read in another thread. The size of the population looks like it would support lots of jobs but the cost of living, specifically with regard to rent houses, is a concern. Still, I'm thinking that being a college town, there should be a large number of rentals to choose from and hopefully, a significant number in my price range and in a reasonably safe area of town.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by SXSE

Hi DubbleT,

Thanks for the link! OMG! This place is gorgeous!

I didn't know Montgomery is in the southern part of the state or so big. Both look like good candidates. A relatively short drive to the coast too, which is good. Are there plenty of recreational opportunities inside these towns or do you have to drive a long way to get to them?

Sorry, my experience of the area is from a friends cabin in the woods. Not sure what is available in the towns themselves, but if you like hiking, swimming, boating and generally just enjoying nature it's a fantastic area to be in, and yeah, the proximity to the gulf coast is a plus.
I've lived in Tallahassee too. I give it a thumbs up, although it has a different outdoorsy vibe than the middle Alabama area. More Live Oaks, Spanish Moss, palmetto, and some awesome springs nearby.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by SXSE

Bonus points for a place that has big, old trees that arch over the street, so as to form a sort of canopy in most residential neighborhoods.

You mean places like this ... Savannah, GA?

[telex_610]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

You mean places like this ... Savannah, GA?

What about Asheville NC? Pisgah forest is nearby.....

Charleston SC is also a favorite of mine as well! Not really mountainous but very, very nice.