I am curious as to how and why people pick the cities/neighborhoods they live in. Is it because it's close to where you or an spouse grew up? Close to parents? Close to family? Or did it have more to do with school systems for your children or yourself, more business/career/work opportunities, closer to work? Was it because it was more affordable, better fitting of your lifestyle, or you just happened to find the house/neighborhood you love?
As to me, I'll be picking at least 3 cities based on reviews and what I can find online, with guidance from my local friends, of course. It feels similar to an interview... all you have is a piece of paper telling you a lot of information; some of which may be enhancement of the truth, some of which may not be fully descriptive.
Factors I am considering decent cost of living indexes, crime rates, proximity to job markets and moderate housing prices.
What were your deciding factors? Why or how did you end up living where you do now?
A job brought me here temporarily and it took less than a week for me to know this is where I wanted to be permanently. Six years later I still say it was the best decision I ever made and I still can't over the fact that I LIVE here. :)
ReplyDeleteHope that job became permanent! What a great way to find the place you'll end up loving.
DeleteI decided to stay where I've spent most of my life. I grew up in Chicago, but all of my friends are here in St. Louis, so this is where I'll stay.
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty cool. I didn't know you were from that area.
DeleteI had a company in Nashville find my resume online. We did a few phone interviews then they offered me a position. Nashville was never on my list of potential places to live, but I have been here two year and it fits.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is fantastic! If I could be that lucky.
DeleteHubby was transfered to Charlotte, NC 20 years ago. Once we found a small town just North of the city I knew we would never leave!! # hours to the beach, 2 hours to the Mts, job market as good as can be expected in these times, housing is OK, schools, well not so much but lots of other options
ReplyDeleteI live 7 miles from where I was born and 12 miles from where I grew up. They won't let me leave!
ReplyDeletem.
Don't get me started, Tanner! LOL We left a wonderful area that we loved almost 20 years ago to come live in the Mojave desert. Why? Because of a job. A very good job to be sure but a job nonetheless. We are far from family and friends and it is a one hour drive out of the desert in every direction. Within 2 weeks of living here, we knew we had made a mistake but it was too late. Life is too short my friend.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I recommend that you rent for at least a year in any new region/neighborhood that you are thinking of moving to. That way, you are more mobile. One website that I really like is http://www.city-data.com/ .... click on the 'visit Forum' graphic at the top of the site page and that will take you to state by state forums where you can ask the locals any question you like. You may know of this site but, if you don't, there's a wealth of info there.
That's the plan! I'm moving 2015, and looking to buy somewhere after 2017-2019. But with the down payment costs... it may be much later. Also, I love that site. It has been one of my main sources of info. Websites and stats are ok to look at too general of a picture, but nobody will know of the area like someone who lives there. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteWe bought our place because the BF's main client was right next door, but since the economy started tanking in 2008, we are stuck. I hate the area where we live.
ReplyDeleteWe bought this place because of the size and also to be closer to our family. it's not our dream home or dream location but it works for now and will work for many-many years if we are forced to stay here due to the economy.
ReplyDeletehow fun!!!! We are in the area due to DH job --- but we picked the suburb based on schools :) Good Luck!!!
ReplyDeleteI live in Indianapolis. We actually purchased my grandmother's house and it is about 15 minutes away from both sets of parents. It is in a great school district and close enough to both our jobs. We live here because we both grew up here and both have family here.
ReplyDeleteAt some point we will probably move to Ireland (I was born there and lived a couple years there) because we would like our child to experience a different culture and the Irish are some of the nicest people on the planet.
-Brian
We live in NE PA.
ReplyDeleteHubs & I wanted to locate to my hometown of Va. Bch Va after we married but we couldn't find work that paid a living wage....this was back in 1985.
So we moved to Northern NJ, where hubs is from. Found jobs instantly. Hated living there tho so we moved over the river to Milford, PA. LOVED living there....small town, got a house in 1 acre + in the woods for a tiny amount of money. A hell of a commute to NJ for work, but when hubs business opened up a new facility in Scranton PA he transferred and we didn't have to move....just commuted in the other direction now and the commute was shorter.lol
After living there 14 yrs. we moved closer to the job. Partly because w/3 kids now we outgrew the house and partly because w/kids we needed to be closer to schools, activities, etc. and the schools in Milford sucked.
I much preferred the old house but it's not horrible living here.
We will be moving once Hubs retires.
Thinking about going to NH....it's close to Maine(which I love)and it's filled with Libertarian free thinkers like me.
And I prefer cold to hot...... ;-)
Canada is where it's at! ;) Safe, beautiful, & strong!!
ReplyDeleteI never planned to stay in Michigan. I certainly never planned to move back to Lansing after I left (I attended MSU). I graduated from college in a recession, though not as bad as this one, and Lansing is where I finally found a job two years later. It took me another five years to realize I wasn't going anywhere else and I finally settled down and created a life. Sometimes I want to move, but most of my friends and family are here. Plus, Michigan is beautiful and full of great things to do, even if I am not that keen on my specific city.
ReplyDelete