Middle-aged married couple seeking a more congenial climate (insuring, chapel)
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We are planning to relocate away from Minneapolis-St Paul, where we have lived for many years. Any and all Advices on cities to consider will be much appreciated!
Here's some of what we are looking for--these are ideals, of course, so we expect to be making some trade-offs, but it's better to measure against the optimal:
* Milder winters (cold hardiness no less than 5 [avg annual low down to -20 degrees] and higher is better).
* Summers not too hot (optimal heat zone of 6 [up to 60 days/yr above 86 degrees] or less--might go to 7).
* Some humidity is okay and better than too dry.
* Metro area population of no more than 1.5 million, and probably at least 500 K.
* Cost of living, esp. housing, comparable to the Twin Cities or cheaper.
* Active humanist / freethinker community ... liberal / progressive.
* Outdoor activities; we want to live as close to the city center as we can while having a decent sized lot (at least a 1/4 to 1/3 acre) and in a neighborhood pleasant to walk around in. We like hiking, biking, and kayaking.
* Child-free, so schools irrelevant.
* No interest in team sports.
* Average to high percentage of population having graduate degrees.
The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro, NC area would be perfect for you. It fits the climate zone desires with a moderate four season climate. The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro metro area population is right around 500,000 and part of the much larger Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metro which sits at 1.7 million and is spread out over a very wide area. The cost of living is about equal to Minneapolis-St Paul based on the cost of living comparison tools. Durham, Chapel Hill and Carrboro are quite progressive/liberal and possess one of the highest concentrations in the US of residents with advanced degrees. The area is very outdoor oriented with countless activities and places to go engage in them. Though schools aren't a factor for you, Chapel Hill and Carrboro have one of the top public school districts in the country. There's an annual Sci-Fi convention in Charlotte which is an easy two hour drive.
We are planning to relocate away from Minneapolis-St Paul, where we have lived for many years. Any and all Advices on cities to consider will be much appreciated!
Here's some of what we are looking for--these are ideals, of course, so we expect to be making some trade-offs, but it's better to measure against the optimal:
* Milder winters (cold hardiness no less than 5 [avg annual low down to -20 degrees] and higher is better).
* Summers not too hot (optimal heat zone of 6 [up to 60 days/yr above 86 degrees] or less--might go to 7).
* Some humidity is okay and better than too dry.
* Metro area population of no more than 1.5 million, and probably at least 500 K.
* Cost of living, esp. housing, comparable to the Twin Cities or cheaper.
* Active humanist / freethinker community ... liberal / progressive.
* Outdoor activities; we want to live as close to the city center as we can while having a decent sized lot (at least a 1/4 to 1/3 acre) and in a neighborhood pleasant to walk around in. We like hiking, biking, and kayaking.
* Child-free, so schools irrelevant.
* No interest in team sports.
* Average to high percentage of population having graduate degrees.
* Nearby science fiction convention(s).
Nearby science fiction conventions but no job needs?
west..., if winter is the one left out, I can live with that!*
Laura..., I wish!**
* I want to be able to go for walks comfortably as close to year-round as possible. I don't like being outdoors when it's below zero. I also don't enjoy it when it's 100 degrees and 80% humidity for days on end. We are tired of MN winters and want to relocate now and get established somewhere we'd be happier spending our elder years.
** But since we don't buy lottery tickets or come from moneyed families, we both do, and will continue to, work. Actually, we both like our jobs. One of us has the good fortune to work remotely, so I guess I could have added good internet connection to our list, but that's almost enough of a given these days, and besides, very easy to check. I tried to list the most constraining and highest criteria we've come up with and prioritized so far. Oh, and the other of us provides professional services as a solo practitioner. The 'population' and 'graduate degrees' item should take care of insuring a suitable pool of clients. Though the research and subsequent bureaucracy in transferring certification to a new state will be a something less than a joy.
Eugene Oregon would fit the criteria, and if you don't mind an even smaller area, Bend would be ideal (it's a liberal outdoorsman's paradise): Bend, Oregon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Location: Cleveland bound with MPLS in the rear-view
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyle19125
Uhhh, yes it does as I actually lived there for several years. The Triangle area has pretty much an even three months of each season.
No, it really doesn't. Getting below 32 degrees a handful of times a year doesn't qualify as "winter", just like getting above 80 a handful of times a year doesn't qualify as "summer". Besides, the OP WANTS a milder/warmer climate, so why make NC out to be this 4-seasoned wunderland when it's really a temperate place that rarely gets cold (just what the OP wants)?
It's amazing to me how often the term "four seasons" gets thrown around.
Natural..., the northwest has tempted us several times--and then we recall that's a very high allergen region and the daylight/sunlight hours are probably on the whole worse than the Twin Cities, and we regretfully keep that area crossed off our list.
Of course, you would have no way of knowing this, since I didn't include those 2 factors in the list I posted. The list was already getting long and some people won't read a long list, so I tried to balance brevity and thoroughness--always a tough call.
We've been making use of wikipedia a lot in reading up on cities, and I found a couple good lists of SF conventions in the country.
More suggestions welcome!
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