In a van, down by the river.
shhhhhhh....*whispering* you might check out Oklahoma...
You don't mention job needs, whether you want largecity/smallcity, whether you'd like to go semirural, climate, etc.
I have moved 11 times in the 29 years I am married. There are only two places we would "go back" to. One is the greater Richmond, VA area. We loved the living there, although we did live west of the city. Short trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the beach or Washington, DC. Good, affordable private schools. Delightful weather 10 months of the year (July and August are miserably muggy).
The other is the Laurel Mountains in western Pennsylvania. Charming small towns (Ligonier is especially nice) and a simple, less complicated lifestyle. I could go on, but you get the idea.
Come join us in the U.P (upper peninsula of michigan), it's cheap and there are only like 50,000 people in the entire U.P yah!
Well, if you are looking for a very conservative, friendly, but hot in the summer place, look into Bryan/College Station. Housing is one of the best bargins in the U.S. Private schools are great. Homeschools are popular. Churches are conservative. Winters are mild....summers are hot. We are located 1hr away from Houston and 3 hrs away from Dallas/Ft.Worth....which is close enough for big time shopping if you desire, Opera, museums, etc. George Bush Library located here...they always have great stuff going on.
Hey. On second thought ...
I'll be watching this thread, trying to pick up ideas.
In a van, down by the river.
Wherever you go, try not to live west of your work, that way you won't have the sun in your eyes on your commute.
Northern Mississippi or Tennessee. I'm seriously thinking of leaving Wisconsin. I can't handle the high heating costs in the winter anymore.
Well, check out East Tennessee. [And I have a house for sale here with 3400+ sq ft, dbl garage, 3/4 bdrms, 3 1/2 bths, 1/2 acre lot, appraised for $305,000, can be purchased for $280,000 ... and my house is typical for the area, with houses available for more and newer (min's ten years old), and houses (some newer) for less.] Cost of living is very reasonable and the people are an eclectic mixture, with excellent healthcare facilities. Weatherwise, we have a pleasant range of all four seasons.
Southern coastal Oregon. Anywhere between Gold Beach and Depot bay. The most beautiful area I have seen.
Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach or Atlantic Beach, FL. Grew up down there and love it. Plus an added extra bonus: my beloved Jaguars!
Fort Bend or Montgomery County, Texas. SW or North of Houston.
Austin Texas and surrounding area. Living in Toronto now, but it is a longer term goal. Nice city, great weather, fabulous food and excellent people. (Of course, I like to wear my hear big, too)
1/6th gravity, a good night's sleep and all my Earthly cares far behind me!
You like snow?
Bedford Street. West Village, near Chumley's Speakeasy.
As others have said, Texas. I live north of Houston in a rural part of Montgomery County. I bought the land (50 acres) and built a 4300 sq ft 4 bedroom house about eleven years ago for about $250K. Even with the improvements I have done (2 wind generators, second water well, others) the property value is under $400K. Annual taxes (including school) run under $1K.
The upper peninsula of Michigan is pleasant, not crowded, and land is cheap. My folks retired up there. Don't know about the job thing though.