Want to move... can't figure out where... I know what I want though.. (houses, subdivisions)

[Cuda1337]

So my wife and I have lived in Florida for 10+ years and are ready for a change. We want to move in the next 1-2 years, but I am having a hard time nailing down where we should look.

Priorities:
Lower population density (according to city-data we are above 7000 per sq. mile currently)

Varied terrain with hills etc. We don't want to live in the mountains, as I have concerns about snow driving on crazy mountain roads in the winter, but we would like to live in maybe a foothills type of area. Or at least somewhere with some rolling hills etc.

Not to cold. We are willing to go to a colder area, but we don't want to be dealing with tons of snow or months on end below freezing temperatures. In terms of heat, we are used to it. So we don't if the summers are hot or humid. Anywhere from 70 - 100 is fine

We are outdoors people. We love hiking. Biking, trail riding. I'd like to be within driving distance to white water rafting and skiing. The more nature, the better.

Affordable, nice housing. We would be looking to spend around 300-350k on a house, but could go higher for the right area. We want to get a nice slice of property. I'm sick of subdivisions with houses right on top of each other. I'd love to have a few acres of my own.


We don't mind being near a city, but don't want to be in one. A surrounding area with a 20-30 minute drive to the city would be nice.

Extra bonus points for places that have night life that isn't catered to partying. We don't really drink or party, but we enjoy doing things in the evenings.


And then the obvious, safety, hospitals etc are concerns.


Cities that are on my shortlist: Greenville, SC Athens, Ga Chattanooga, Tn Cartersville, Ga


California seems intriguing, but I'm having a hard time finding an area that isn't a desert and/or crazy expensive housing. We really don't like deserts, we want tree's and green nature.



Any thoughts you guys may have are appreciated!

[justinjj1]

Check out Hot Springs, Arkansas. It's in the Ouachita Mountains, but they are kind of like you describe just hills really. Lots of outdoor activities in the area with two major lakes, and lots of rivers nearby. It's near the Ouachita National Forest, so lots of trees. It has a relatively low population density, but Little Rock is a major city that is 45 minutes away. The area is surpisingly affordable and has great weather.

[Cuda1337]

Originally Posted by justinjj1

Check out Hot Springs, Arkansas. It's in the Ouachita Mountains, but they are kind of like you describe just hills really. Lots of outdoor activities in the area with two major lakes, and lots of rivers nearby. It's near the Ouachita National Forest, so lots of trees. It has a relatively low population density, but Little Rock is a major city that is 45 minutes away. The area is surpisingly affordable and has great weather.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out!

[kyle19125]

Check out Hendersonville NC which is about 30 miles southeast of Asheville. It's on a plateau at around 2100 feet so it doesn't have the scary inclines of other areas to the north, yet cooler summers and little snow (about 10" a year). You have all kinds of outdoor recreational opportunity within very close proximity, lots of desirable low density housing well within your budget and Hendersonville has a really nice downtown for leisure activity. It's also quite safe and has pretty much all of the services you could want including a good medical center in town.

Hendersonville.com - A Guide to Hendersonville, NC
Welcome to Downtown Hendersonville, NC

[Cuda1337]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Check out Hendersonville NC which is about 30 miles southeast of Asheville. It's on a plateau at around 2100 feet so it doesn't have the scary inclines of other areas to the north, yet cooler summers and little snow (about 10" a year). You have all kinds of outdoor recreational opportunity within very close proximity, lots of desirable low density housing well within your budget and Hendersonville has a really nice downtown for leisure activity. It's also quite safe and has pretty much all of the services you could want including a good medical center in town.

Hendersonville.com - A Guide to Hendersonville, NC
Welcome to Downtown Hendersonville, NC

Thank you Kyle! The driving is definitely a concern. Not so much for myself (grew up driving in Michigan snow) but my Wife who has never driven in snow.

[ckhthankgod]

What about Beckley WV, which is a small city that offers the outdoor activities you are looking for?: City Of Beckley, WV

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beckley,_West_Virginia

Parts of western Virginia around Radford/Blacksburg/Christiansburg may work as well. Radford, VA | Official Website

Blacksburg, VA : Home

Christiansburg, VA - Official Website

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacks...ropolitan_area
Roanoke isn't too far away.

[mr roboto]

Asheville NC

[Cuda1337]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

What about Beckley WV, which is a small city that offers the outdoor activities you are looking for?: City Of Beckley, WV

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beckley,_West_Virginia

Parts of western Virginia around Radford/Blacksburg/Christiansburg may work as well. Radford, VA | Official Website

Blacksburg, VA : Home

Christiansburg, VA - Official Website

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacks...ropolitan_area
Roanoke isn't too far away.

Thanks for those suggestions. I'll look at them, but my first inclination is they may be to cold. I feel like Greenville may already be pushing the cold limit we are going to have. I would think WV would be even colder with more snow?

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Cuda1337

Thanks for those suggestions. I'll look at them, but my first inclination is they may be to cold. I feel like Greenville may already be pushing the cold limit we are going to have. I would think WV would be even colder with more snow?

Beckley averages 25 inches in snowfall and Blacksburg averages around 16 inches in snowfall. The national snowfall average is 23.3 inches of snowfall. So, both of those areas do not get a high level of snowfall, but enough for skiing.

[MsVaslovik]

Originally Posted by Cuda1337

So my wife and I have lived in Florida for 10+ years and are ready for a change. We want to move in the next 1-2 years, but I am having a hard time nailing down where we should look.

Priorities:
Lower population density (according to city-data we are above 7000 per sq. mile currently)

Varied terrain with hills etc. We don't want to live in the mountains, as I have concerns about snow driving on crazy mountain roads in the winter, but we would like to live in maybe a foothills type of area. Or at least somewhere with some rolling hills etc.

Not to cold. We are willing to go to a colder area, but we don't want to be dealing with tons of snow or months on end below freezing temperatures. In terms of heat, we are used to it. So we don't if the summers are hot or humid. Anywhere from 70 - 100 is fine

We are outdoors people. We love hiking. Biking, trail riding. I'd like to be within driving distance to white water rafting and skiing. The more nature, the better.

Affordable, nice housing. We would be looking to spend around 300-350k on a house, but could go higher for the right area. We want to get a nice slice of property. I'm sick of subdivisions with houses right on top of each other. I'd love to have a few acres of my own.


We don't mind being near a city, but don't want to be in one. A surrounding area with a 20-30 minute drive to the city would be nice.

Extra bonus points for places that have night life that isn't catered to partying. We don't really drink or party, but we enjoy doing things in the evenings.


And then the obvious, safety, hospitals etc are concerns.


Cities that are on my shortlist: Greenville, SC Athens, Ga Chattanooga, Tn Cartersville, Ga


California seems intriguing, but I'm having a hard time finding an area that isn't a desert and/or crazy expensive housing. We really don't like deserts, we want tree's and green nature.



Any thoughts you guys may have are appreciated!

I have many of the same desires as you do, and having been raised in the boonies of Michigan I long to get back to the boonies, just NOT in Michigan. Looking around and digging I've had my attention directed to an unexpected place, the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania. Check it out, it's full of natural beauty, abundant wildlife, away from populations, no subdivisions, no traffic, no oppressive press of humanity and I found houses there for $15,000. You might have to milk your cows in the mornings and feed the pigs and chickens, but it sure beats LA, or for that matter most of America. Yes, you have to leave your comfort zone. Yes, it will be worth it.