Have you found your Nirvana?

[WISEWOMAN]

I'm constantly looking at real estate in different parts of the country. I should have become a realtor because my real estate ADD is ridiculous.

I want to live on the coast near the beach or near a lake. West coast is preferable but I've also looked into the south and east coast.

Do you like where you live and what makes it desirable?

[97guns]

i love the weather where i live, san francisco bay area but we pay for it. summertime average is low 80's, it rarely gets into the 90's, wintertime averages high 50's with an occasional sub 30 low

my parent are from hawaii and i go there often, i can't stand the humidity there

[EarlyRetirementJoy]

I likewise love where I live, Orange County, CA, in between San Diego and L.A. Counties.

South OC and North San Diego counties tend to be further away from employment centers, and therefore more affordable. It's feasible to find somewhat affordable coastal living in these areas as a result. Ventura County to the north is more affordable, coastal wise, for the same reasons, as are the successive counties north of Ventura, excepting Santa Barbara. When you begin to get within striking range of the Bay Area, costs will begin to surge upward. You'll know it when you see it, I'm sure.

North of San Francisco, including Oregon and Washington is also affordable, but the coastal weather will get increasingly colder.

As you know, everything in real estate is a tradeoff, location wise.

[Goldy1]

Michigan here. Winters are cold but not the coldest or arctic. Nice summers. Cheap cost of living. Safe. Clean. beach 10 minute drive. Lakes everywhere. Nice parks. Low crime. Yes we are 45 minutes from detroit in a large city often ranked safest in nation for its size. I actually grew up 15 minute drive from detroit in a small city. Super safe clean and today its the same. That being said I'm not detroits greatest fan.

[ua_guy]

We have. Pacific Northwest here. Our version of Nirvana with regards to a home is different than most, though. We live out in the fray where it's relatively cheap to live, and hard to get to. I see wildlife more often than I see neighbors, just the way I like it.

[dawnwes]

Yes. I love the West Coast. I have lived in Seattle and Los Angeles County and loved both of them. I wanted to stay. Dh did not.

His Nirvana is apparently North Carolina. So, here we are. Minimal muddy lakes and 3.5 hours from the beach. This is not my happy place. But it is affordable and my kids are happy.

People coming down from the NE think our weather is great. But having lived in LA, I completely disagree. 90 degrees and 5,000% humidity is NOT my cup of tea. Ice storms in the winter are not my cup of tea either.

However, we moved from a 1,400 sq. ft. house that we sold for $600,000 with no yard to a 4,000 sq. ft. house on 2.5 acres for $350,000.

So, there ya have it. There are indeed pros and cons to each place.

[feh]

Lived my entire life in WI. Seven months of the year are wonderful; winters are awful because I don't like cold weather and the hassles of snow.

Planning on moving upon retirement.