Help me find my dream town/city (apartments, low crime) - General U.S. - City-Data Forum

searchingforsomething · 12-15-2008, 07:14 AM

I can live just about anywhere. This is the problem. I have so many choices I'm stuck.

I'm a writer. My work is home-based, I have no kids. (I do have a pug and some plants. I can live without the plants, but not the pug.) I am single. financials are decent (I pay $1,500 a month for an apartment, I could probably go to 2K.) I don't need a big interior but I need a bigger exterior. (garden, place to hike etc...)

Here's my dream list. A town/city that:

Has no/low crime
Has a temperate climate. No extremes in either direction. (pug is delicate)
Has access to nature. (pug likes to walk.)
Is near water. Salt or fresh.
Has open spaces, not too many people.
Has access to shopping. (preferably smaller stores. not Sam's Club)
Has internet access
Is relatively quiet (don't need a club scene but like a good pub)
Has access to an airport (within an hour)
Has a vibrant arts community
Has a community period! (I like having people over for dinner)
Has an inspirational quality (It's a dream list) like a river, meadow, lake, mountain or sea.

I have family in Chicago/Minneapolis and have been living in those places almost my whole life. I need something new and refreshing.

I have considered Washington state, Oregon, Vermont, Hawaii, Tennesee, kentucky, but within those places I am confused where specifically to try. Seattle is too big, Portland is too big etc...and I'm not sure about which communities that are smaller might work.

Any and all ideas greatly appreciated. My work is suffering from being in one place too long and I need help writing the next chapter of my life.

danco · 12-15-2008, 07:29 AM

Need to see photo of pug.
No particular reason other than their so damn cute.
Definitely a west coast dog. In fact I often thought
Rene Zelweigler resembles one.

searchingforsomething · 12-15-2008, 07:43 AM

he loves hats...and he has a blog. So embarrassing. http://walterthepug.blogspot.com

christina0001 · 12-15-2008, 07:47 AM

Asheville, NC comes to mind...I have not personally been there but from what I have heard, it has most or all of what you are interested in.

houstoner · 12-15-2008, 09:04 AM

If money is no object, I'd try a smaller arts community in the Northeast, Northern California, or Washington State. Someplace like Provincetown, MA or Port Townsend, WA. Vermont seems like a really good place for writers.

Try reading through this epic thread. Oodles of suggestions here. //www.city-data.com/forum/gener...eck-woods.html

Newarkbomb · 12-15-2008, 09:54 AM

You would probably like somewhere in Rhode Island. Its weird, because i dont usually recomend Rhode Island often but when i was reading your list Rhode Island came to mind.

I only been there once, but it was like for 3 weeks and it is beautiful, i would live there if my life wasnt where i live now.

you should check it out.

Minnehahapolitan · 12-15-2008, 10:11 AM

I would go to Burlington, Vt.. It isn't warm, but fits all of your other criteria.

houstoner · 12-15-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newarkbomb

You would probably like somewhere in Rhode Island. Its weird, because i dont usually recomend Rhode Island often but when i was reading your list Rhode Island came to mind.

I only been there once, but it was like for 3 weeks and it is beautiful, i would live there if my life wasnt where i live now.

you should check it out.

Really? Where? Providence?

Synopsis · 12-15-2008, 10:39 AM

If I were you I'd check out Southern Missouri or Northern Arkansas in the Ozarks. Lots of nice, beautiful country to reflect and inspire; also, the weather isn't too harsh in the Winter.

watchoverme · 12-15-2008, 12:47 PM

Asheville, NC came to my mind too!

I would check that out.

I also love Northampton, MA. It's a very liberal little city, but it has a lot of soul. Lots of restaurants, places to walk around, second floor apartments.

I'm heading south from the north, so I'm leaning a bit towards the area of the country where it's on the warmer side and cheaper side, so I'm probably a bit more bias towards the south right now- and would say to check out NC. I'm in the same situation as you- I'm a 21 year old female small business owner who can relocate my business anywhere in the US, and it makes it so hard to choose!

Good luck looking and please, keep us updated!