Best city/State to Move to

[NickMan7]

Because I am feeling biased right now, I say Denver. It is not as ecclectic or unique as some of the older cities of the east and northeast, but Boulder (just northwest of Denver) is. Check 'em both out!

[STLCardsBlues1989]

That's in Lafayette Square in St. Louis. It's a pretty nice neighborhood from what I understand. In fact, I think the yellow house in that picture is currently for sale for $475k, which tends to be on the higher side in St. Louis. I doubt you'll need 4 beds and 2.5 baths, though.

The Central West End is nice as well.




Soulard is apparently pretty nice as well. The Soulard Market sells fresh produce (and other stuff) and has been operating since the early 19th century, I think.



Thanks to Urban St. Louis - View Forum - Photography - Showcase St. Louis for the pictures

Downtown (a little bit of it). A lot of lofts have been built downtown, but they can be on the higher end, depending on what you want.



If you decide on St. Louis Coldwell Banker Gundaker -- Your site for St. Louis Real Estate (http://www.cbgundaker.com/buying/ - broken link) may help, as well as stltoday.com or craigslist.

Some shops and cafes in The Loop.


some of the Old North St. Louis is undergoing renovation, but I won't lie to you, a lot of it is ugly. However, if this renovation continues, it may be a good investment opportunity. Old North St. Louis Restoration Group is working on the area, restoring old buildings and putting up new houses that fit in with the older style.

The Ugly:
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8430/some1carescopyup8.jpg (broken link)

Coming back:
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3542/nm1de6.jpg (broken link)

Anyway, I hope you like the pictures. They are NOT mine, by the way. Check out Urban St. Louis - View Forum - Photography - Showcase St. Louis to see lots more pictures. You can't tell everything about a city by pictures, but I hope this helps. apartments on Craigslist can be had for as low as about $450, and a high-end downtown loft might cost you $1500. Crime can be bad, but if you use common sense you should be okay. I've heard that the North Side tends to have more crime than the rest of the city, but I don't live there so I can't tell you for sure. There are great neighborhoods in St. Louis, and I'd think you could walk or ride the MetroBus or MetroLink betwee most of them.

And there's also the Blues (NHL), Cardinals (MLB), Rams (NFL), and (hopefully) an MLS team in a few years.

[Lillietta]

Those 20 below temperatures last - at most a few days in one winter, and it so happens it has hit us now and never did reach 20 below in the Twin Cities. We have had up to 14 below here in the cities in the early a.m. only for one day, then 3 below, another day - but this is just in one week. Temps will be warmer - in the 20s and 30s by the weekend.

[KateDaum]

We came from New England to Northern WI, we are close to MN. I would think you would like MN. We were in Brainerd a few weeks ago and loved it. There is so much to do around here. We have been going to tons of festivals. It is cold but if you dress for warmth you will be fine. People seem to except the cold and it doesn't slow them down.
I lived in Missouri and I love the pictures of St. Louis. If you want a milder climate it is a great state.

[HouseWhisperer]

Asheville NC is on most Best Places to Live lists that are out there right now. Great climate with all the seasons, great restaurants. If you are an outdoors type person there is a ton to do. Real estate is also very good there. My parents live outside of Asheville in Brevard so we travel there quite a bit. I think it might have some of the feel you like from the NE. by far NC is the most affordable state you have listed, give it a try!