Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I despise smoking of all kind, don't care whether it is cigarettes or marijuana. I hate the smell, the health effects, basically everything. Currently living in Pittsburgh and constantly being exposed to both types of smoke all year-round is making my life miserable. Smoke-free apartments do not help as the landlords do not kick out the tenants despite no smoking being listed in the lease (have complained over 15 times). The other place where I encountered problems with smokers living beneath us in an apartment was the Philadelphia metro, so Pennsylvania is 100% out. The only other place we had a few problems (not as bad) was the Tampa metro, although the residents smoked outside. The problem here is residents smoking inside the apartment all the time.
My boyfriend, our cat, and myself are all experiencing the health effects of constant smoke exposure. Bought 4 high quality air purifiers and open the window as much as possible. Tried opening doors and windows - it doesn't work, plus it's hard to do during the winter when it is 20-30 degrees and you live in a horribly insulated apartment. Pennsylvania apartments are a bad value and it's really hard to get into an apartment with few smokers no matter the price. I have researched reviews of non smoking apartments (2bd) up to $2000 and there are plenty of people complaining about smoke.
We noticed most cities which meet our criteria (healthier lifestyle, plenty of recreation, bike paths, healthy restaurants, city amenities, etc) also have a lot of marijuana smokers, but not necessarily cigarette smokers.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a metro area (can be up to 45min-1 hour outside of a reasonably sized city) where we can enjoy some healthy recreation, access to big city amenities, and healthy food without always be in the presence of marijuana smoke. Our budget is up to $2100-2200 for a 2 bedroom, of course we would prefer cheaper rent in the $1700-2000 range.
We work from home so we can live wherever. Thanks in advance for suggestions. I am thinking a middle income suburb ie somewhere like Naperville, IL or Scottsdale, AZ may be my best bet? Any ideas?
Simply try to avoid living in any state that allows citizens to circulate petitions to get enough signatures to put up an issue for a vote. Two states where that is not allowed is Kansas and Texas. Rent is real cheap in Kansas for apartments or 2 bedroom houses, like in Wichita. Living in a house is a much better way to avoid other people's smoke. Rent on a nice 2 bedroom house in Wichita or suburbs would be around $1000 or less. If you don't like casinos, they won't be found everywhere in those two states as well.
Numerous options for a good metro in Texas.
I certainly don't understand why you would consider any city in IL or AZ, since rec marijuana is legal in those two states. On the other hand, I know some states, such as Colorado, go by county option when it comes to allowing for legal rec marijuana.
Absolutely avoid anywhere in Oklahoma. That state will be voting to legalize rec marijuana in March. If the vote goes the same way as it did for medical marijuana, it will be passed.
Last edited by Kenworthy53; 01-19-2023 at 11:04 PM..
I despise smoking of all kind, don't care whether it is cigarettes or marijuana. I hate the smell, the health effects, basically everything. Currently living in Pittsburgh and constantly being exposed to both types of smoke all year-round is making my life miserable. Smoke-free apartments do not help as the landlords do not kick out the tenants despite no smoking being listed in the lease (have complained over 15 times). The other place where I encountered problems with smokers living beneath us in an apartment was the Philadelphia metro, so Pennsylvania is 100% out. The only other place we had a few problems (not as bad) was the Tampa metro, although the residents smoked outside. The problem here is residents smoking inside the apartment all the time.
My boyfriend, our cat, and myself are all experiencing the health effects of constant smoke exposure. Bought 4 high quality air purifiers and open the window as much as possible. Tried opening doors and windows - it doesn't work, plus it's hard to do during the winter when it is 20-30 degrees and you live in a horribly insulated apartment. Pennsylvania apartments are a bad value and it's really hard to get into an apartment with few smokers no matter the price. I have researched reviews of non smoking apartments (2bd) up to $2000 and there are plenty of people complaining about smoke.
We noticed most cities which meet our criteria (healthier lifestyle, plenty of recreation, bike paths, healthy restaurants, city amenities, etc) also have a lot of marijuana smokers, but not necessarily cigarette smokers.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a metro area (can be up to 45min-1 hour outside of a reasonably sized city) where we can enjoy some healthy recreation, access to big city amenities, and healthy food without always be in the presence of marijuana smoke. Our budget is up to $2100-2200 for a 2 bedroom, of course we would prefer cheaper rent in the $1700-2000 range.
We work from home so we can live wherever. Thanks in advance for suggestions. I am thinking a middle income suburb ie somewhere like Naperville, IL or Scottsdale, AZ may be my best bet? Any ideas?
If you're thinking about those kinds of suburbs, try one in Johnson County, Kansas. Fully illegal in all forms there. It fits a lot of your criteria.
Unfortunately, next door Missouri just went fully legal.
States like Texas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Georgia, Tennessee, etc., draw the line at no THC.
Of course that culture is everywhere, but in these states it might not be as brazen. Here in Wisconsin, it's not something I encounter a lot or give much thought to. Hopefully it stays that way but our governor being what he is would like to change that. I didn't vote for the guy.
Agree with the posters who suggested that people who are exercise fanatics and with at least moderate education will see the benefits of avoiding inhaled products.
But maybe areas where marijuana is legal are actually best. Why? I’m thinking those users will have access to other forms of cannabinoids. Edible rather than smoked. So if they feel the need or desire they won’t pollute the air (unless they are already addicted tobacco smokers).
Would you consider Provo Utah? I haven't combined tge lists to make other suggestions. Maybe How a City or some suburb or nearby town.
If you want a big city, that will limit options.
Maybe a suburb of Boise.
Don't really know much about the Salt Lake City area. Boise is nice, although most of my family lives in the Midwest area so it would be kind of inconvenient. I'll look into it a bit more.
OP, I know exactly where you are coming from as a former Philly resident. Between the constant barrage of tobacco smoke and polluted air my lungs/breathing definitely suffered. In nicer weather with the windows open a layer of black soot would quickly form on the white-painted windowsills. Living in FL now above a unit where every night they sit out and smoke the nastiest smelling weed I've ever encountered, making our patio area unusable. I would suggest from prior experience living in NC, in particular given desire for outdoor recreation and a more educated demographic the area around Lake Norman just north of Charlotte. The Cornelius-Davidson-Mooresville corridor is very nice and has multiple desirable apartments in your price range. Lastly NC to date has not legalized Marijuana. https://www.apartments.com/min-2-bed...4m-hj3H40ukw5C
Philadelphia was pretty bad - we had a chain smoker living underneath us and couldn't use our balcony. Fortunately, the smoke didn't come into our apartment in that case. Also in Palm Harbor (suburb of Tampa) we had a smoker living beneath us and we couldn't even take advantage of the pretty lake view or open our windows during the winter season! I just wish they had separate apartments for smokers and non smokers. Technically they do, however, many do not follow the rules!
Utah cities are your best bet, Provo, Orem, South Jordan, Lehi, Spanish Fork, even Salt Lake City itself which is more pro weed will have less weed smoke around. The culture there promotes a healthy lifestyle due to LDS religious influence which means no drugs, smoking or alcohol consumption. Utah ranks as having the lowest percentage of marijuana users in the country. A fantastic state with clean air and no nasty weed smell.
Marijuana is also fully illegal in Idaho, Wyoming, Kansas, and South Carolina. Though these states will have a strong pro weed 'counter culture' so you're more likely to encounter people who are in your face about it.
Avoid West coast cities and Colorado at all costs, especially Portland and Seattle which are extremely pro weed. Oregon even decriminalized hard drugs. Colorado is literally mecca for marijuana users
Only passed through the Salt Lake City area one time on a road trip. The mountain views were beautiful and it seemed like a healthier destination. Unfortunately, it would be a far move. We were looking for something closer to the Midwest or Northeast if possible, and maybe the West as a last resort.
Probably not a metro area. You want a house in the sticks.
From my personal experience, most smokers I know live in the sticks. It seems like mid to high end suburbs would have the lowest rates of smokers. Out of all the people I know who live in suburbs in various parts of the country, none of them are smokers.
Simply try to avoid living in any state that allows citizens to circulate petitions to get enough signatures to put up an issue for a vote. Two states where that is not allowed is Kansas and Texas. Rent is real cheap in Kansas for apartments or 2 bedroom houses, like in Wichita. Living in a house is a much better way to avoid other people's smoke. Rent on a nice 2 bedroom house in Wichita or suburbs would be around $1000 or less. If you don't like casinos, they won't be found everywhere in those two states as well.
Numerous options for a good metro in Texas.
I certainly don't understand why you would consider any city in IL or AZ, since rec marijuana is legal in those two states. On the other hand, I know some states, such as Colorado, go by county option when it comes to allowing for legal rec marijuana.
Absolutely avoid anywhere in Oklahoma. That state will be voting to legalize rec marijuana in March. If the vote goes the same way as it did for medical marijuana, it will be passed.
I feel like the suburbs in Illinois and Arizona would have few smokers. I have family in both areas and have never noticed any smokers anywhere. For example, I have never encountered a smoker anywhere in Orland or Tinley Park, IL in my 30+ years of visiting. The suburbs are clean, have plenty of amenities, and are within a half hour drive of the city.
If you're thinking about those kinds of suburbs, try one in Johnson County, Kansas. Fully illegal in all forms there. It fits a lot of your criteria.
Unfortunately, next door Missouri just went fully legal.
States like Texas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Georgia, Tennessee, etc., draw the line at no THC.
Of course that culture is everywhere, but in these states it might not be as brazen. Here in Wisconsin, it's not something I encounter a lot or give much thought to. Hopefully it stays that way but our governor being what he is would like to change that. I didn't vote for the guy.
Wisconsin is a nice state but the place I would live in (Madison) probably has tons of marijuana smokers with the college. Not sure where else I would go. While the vacation towns are nice, not somewhere I would want to live year-round.
Never been to Iowa.
I simply don't like Texas.
Tennessee has a high rate of cigarette smokers - my sister currently lives in the area and says everyone is a smoker.
Georgia is probably the smokiest state in the entire country. Every car reeks of marijuana and the smell is present anywhere you go. I couldn't get of the state fast enough. I have no desire to ever step foot in the state again.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
