Where to go..Where to go??? (New Orleans, Mandeville: sales, crime, house)

[grantsgirl]

Hi guys: My husband and I have had the opportunity to live in Florida, San Diego, Northern California, Montana and Alabama. We both loved Fl but the darn property taxes was costing us $10k each year! He is from San Diego and I am from Alabama. We both love being near the coast. We lived in San Diego for awhile and I wanted to quit driving all together when I had to hit 6 lanes of traffic each morning @ 6am. Talk about a way to start the day! We have a house in Northern California in a resort town but I hated it! Try 10ft of snow in 1mth!!! BRRRR! Same way in Montana. I am currently attending Aveda Esthetician school in Florida and there have been a few job openings for me in Mandeville. I have been reading all of the post about New Orleans and it seems kind of scary! Also, my husband is a huge waterfowl hunter and fisherman and that is another reason why we have to live somewhere close so he can do his "man" things!!! I would appreciate any feedback. We are 27 & 30 w/no children but 4 lovely dogs! I am just really torn on where to go. We are very blessed and in a place that we can choose anywhere in the world to live so I feel like the pressure is on!! Thanks so much..

[Bluesmama]

How important is climate to you?

I'm thinking you should check out Grants Pass, Oregon area. It is NOT on the coast but it isn't far from there, and it's a very outdoorsy place. Your husband would love that part. But I have to mention up front that the coastal water in our state is very COLD! And Grants Pass is small, not near a big city. Weather is better than Portland, though definitely mild.

Bend is another popular place in central Oregon, a Big Little City in the middle of nowhere with white winters but more sunny days than Portland ever hopes for. It, too, offers much. Near lakes but not in close proximity to the coast.

Property taxes in Oregon are higher than California, but we don't have sales tax.

[Jessiegee40]

Mandeville is a very nice smaller town on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. New Orleans is on the south shore. The north shore community is very different then New Orleans!! We don't have a bunch of tourists. Crime is low. It's not a big city. Google St. Tammany Parish. (Louisiana has Parishes not Counties).

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Covington is further away from the lake and the possibility oif hurricane flooding. Mandeville suffered some Katrina damage. There are hunting areas all across southern LA.