Hi Friends--
As some of you know, we are getting to the point in our lives where (finally) we need to make a decision about where we want to plant our family permanently. But where? T & I have talked about this for last 9 1/2 years of our marriage, and since we didn't know, we just shoved it off to the back burner for later. Now is later! YIKES! And since we still don't know where to be, I am requesting nominations of the best place you've ever lived or experienced.
Here is my very optimistic wish-list, in order of importance, but please feel free to nominate a place that doesn't meet all my criteria, since I know it's impossible anyway.
1. A great place to raise a family. If I could have a guarantee that wherever we went would be the best chance for my children to grow up safely and make good choices, I would move there in a heartbeat, regardless of the situation.
2. We want to live somewhat near family. Since we have family pretty much across the nation, that shouldn't be too hard.
3. Weather needs to be decent. Since it's below zero right now for me and everyone at playgroup today was talking about Seasonally Affective Disorder (winter depression) and what treatments work for them, I would like to put in a request for "sunny, but not too hot or humid". Is there a place where it is comfortable to be outside 8 or 9 months a year? Terms such as "wind chill" and "heat index" are not my friends.
4. Good community. I would love to live where people are good, solid, down-to-earth, faithful people, though not necessarily of my same faith. I think my current community fits that description well. I would like to be around people who think but aren't intellectually proud. I also really hope to avoid the consumerist competitive "keep up with the Jones'" attitude so prevalent in our society.
5. City/Country accessibility. T has been thinking more about living out in the boonies, which is funny since he's never lived there himself. As he says, "I keep meeting all these people who were raised away from cities and are still normal." I personally like the cultural aspect of cities, with the space and perspective of countryside. Is it possible to have both?
6. Not too much traffic or in a high-development zone.
What do you say? Where's the best place to be? Or only slightly less helpful, where do we want to avoid? I really appreciate your help!
Here I am!
2 years ago
13 comments:
I can't believe I'm saying this but I grew up in La Grande, (northeast) Oregon and it fits the description for #1,3,4,5,6. I loved growing up there ... good community, beautiful, great LDS/non-LDS friends/families, not great shopping (wal-mart is the big woo-woo store). Having said that, I'd have a hard time moving back there to stay. I don't know, maybe toooo close to families. Western Oregon is growing on me too for the same reasons. You might want to ask Marci what she thinks about La Grande though =) GOOD LUCK!
First of all, I just have to preface any of my ideas with the statement that "no place is perfect". I know you know that, but I think it helps just to keep that in mind when you're choosing somewhere to live and in buying a house. There will always be things to like and things to not like. With that being said, I just have to put my nomination in for Texas. It does get hot here, but as long as you're not in the Houston area, the humidity is not out of control. Does it get hot? Of course, but I love the fact that we can go swimming (we have a pool 1/4 mile from our house) to beat the heat. I have heard wonderful things about the city of Austin, TX...kind of an artsy, university town with lots of things to do. Texas has lots of very nice people, many of whom are pretty religious and committed to their faiths. Housing is extremely affordable here. If you avoid parts of Dallas and Houston, then traffic is not too out of control. Anyway, there are so many factors to consider, and ultimately, if you put it in the Lord's hands, then it will all work out. I have to say that we loved the town of Lawrence, Kansas...not too big, not too small. While I can't speak highly of the weather there (unless you like lots of severe thunderstorms and tornado watches), the community there was absolutely unique. So many caring people and so many great city resources for families. There's a university there, and I think that influenced a lot of things there positively. Anyway, I've talked your ear off by now. Good luck with everything! It's a huge decision, but the best comfort is that the Lord will be with you as you choose.
Nashville
Anne Marie, I absolutely agree with you about taking it to the Lord! But short of praying in front of a map with a dart in my hand I wasn't sure how to narrow down the options. I feel like I'm still at the "studying it out in my mind" phase. And so far, I've got to admit that La Grande, OR; TX; and Nashville, TN were not on my radar previously. So thanks all. I appreciate.
I'm surprised there were actually suggestions so far! After a list like that I wasn't sure if anywhere would fit the bill. Certainly no where I've lived. But I can say this: NO to Miami. There. In case you couldn't have guessed that one yourself. :)
But I will tell you that rural is nice. If Ryan and I end up in Utah (which we're not sure we will), we've thought about Midway. It's not very rural, but I just thought I'd mention that. What about northern Ca?
f I could figure out a way for Josh and I to end up back in this place I would go in a heart beat. We started out our marriage in St. George, UT. Yes, it gets hot in the summer, but its a dry heat and quite manageable. It has the small town feel that T likes. They have good shopping, great restaurants, TONS of recreation. It is stunningingly beautiful. Of course, the winters are extremely mild, and as you can imagine there is a large LDS influence, but with a lot of people moving in from other places offers some more diversity. They just built a new hospital there. Walks to the temple grounds every Sunday...even in the winter, where you just hang out and talk and read. Tons of people are there. So much about it that I love! What it lacks...a major university for us to combine the PhD side of Josh...so, there are my two cents. I love St. George! (of course, the proximity to Salt Lake isn't bad either )
-Megan
Washington state is nice. I especially really liked the Olympia area. The people there are nice, the church is strong, and it is very beautiful and a mild climate there. The question is, CAN YOU HANDLE RAIN 9 MONTHS OF THE YEAR? Or maybe you could live in Forks - ok I am kidding about that one....
Tri-cities is a great community and also neat people, but it is A)not close to ANYWHERE and B) not so pretty to look at. But I think it is a really nice place to raise a family, if you can get past those other things...
We are in the same boat as you--where do we want to end up?!? I am sure there are great communities in many parts of the country, let's hope we can both find one somewhere :)
Its got 1, 4, 5, and 6 going for you. Not sure about where in the country you have family so I can't speak for that requirement. As far as humidity - it isn't bad (well compared to STL). It isn't dry either. But you get all four seasons but without extremes.
I'd have to agree with Anne Marie and say Texas, but we may just be biased on that end. We'd love to have you guys close by. :-)
We'll show you all the great things about DFW when you come in February.
Glendale or Gilbert, Arizona. Or Mesa, or Tucson. The weather is perfect 8-9 months out of the year for sure. June-August is pretty dang hot, but every house comes with a pool. Arizona is a great place to raise a family because there are still a whole lot of LDS people, yet you still have plenty of variety so missionary opportunity is great. -- I also REALLY like Canton, Michigan. The ward there is great and the school district is also amazing. But it gets very very cold. :-)
-Danielle
Of course I have to put my vote in to live near me! Not just because I would love it if you did, but also because of all your requirements (minus the weather part - sorry - can't help that - but just think of how much fun your kids have on snow days!!!!)...
If it's a country location away from developments you want - we have it in an over-abundance - especially in my awesome awesome ward! We are close (about an hr or so) from Boston w/ all the culture of the Irish and Italians, plus the amazing New England history and scenic areas (minus the really big mountains you see in UT)!
We have a lot of diverse religions - mainly Catholic, but Baptist and Protestants are around too. I've lived here for almost 9yrs so that says a lot for me (the mover and shaker that I am!). Lots of church members keep moving here - close to the temple - 1/2hr to hr away depending on where you live!
Close to all the east coast attractions so if road trips are your cup of tea (and who doesn't like a cool road trip?) - it's ideal! Not so close however to the west - take that for what it's worth!
I could go on and on.. but I think you have to experience it for yourself - hint hint (come visit!).. Best of luck and one last kicker - free babysitter!!!!
Go to findyourspot.com and do the questionnaire. Its pretty comprehensive. They then give you the top 24 cities that match your preferences. I got some surprising results. -Daina
Daina and Megan, you might be interested to know that I did do findyourspot.com and my #1 place was St. George, Utah. How about that? Daina, what were some of your top places?
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