Who has MOVED from their home state ? How difficult was it for you?

[PP1RT]

Do some travelling and see the country. If you fall in love with a spot spend a couple weeks there just kind of mingling around. Avoid the touristy things because once you live there you will never visit them anyways. That is how we ended up moving from southern MN to southern Iowa. We just fell in love with the area and really enjoyed the small town simpleness that we had growing up back home. We grew up farming. I love farming. Back home the yuppies were moving down from the big city and were ruining the small town farming communities. The area we are in now is farm country and we love it.

You only live once. If you dont like where you live do something about it. We did. No regrets. We can go back and see family when we want. Dont have to when don't want to.

 

[cr8crshr]

Kern as you know I moved to Reno NV in 2016 when I saw the futility of staying there in CA. I do not have any regrets. The weather is actually quite pleasant year round. Occasional low triple digits maybe a couple of days per year in the Summer. Nice views of the Eastern Slope of the Sierras and we have tons of H2O actually with Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake, and of course the Truckee River. The river basin is a lot more fertile and green than where I am living, but is a short drive down the hill to get to it. I, having grown up in Chicago suburbia, got used to snow and we do get quite a bit even here. It usually though is melting and gone in a few days but when it has freshly fallen, man it is quite beautiful. One Million Dollor views as I call it. Ranching is a big part of it here. Hunting, fishing, going out into BLM land and exploring, and yes the freedom to carry a side arm and bring along what ever and shoot to your hearts content. Unlike CA where I would now be classified as a Felon because of what I have in the area of firearms. But that is for another topic on a different day. Taxes are low for property, no State Income Tax, fairly good hospitals, just about anything in the way of entertainment and if you like throwing a few bones at the craps table or a game of Black Jack or Texas Hold Em, then it is available 24/7 365 days a year. Just not as crowded as Lost Wages as I call it. You would not be all that far from CA and all because it is only about 2.5 - 3.0 hours back over the Donner Summit. And speaking of Summit, Summitt Racing has a store right here in Sparks. And the car culture? Man it is so much better than CA. Everywhere you turn, is a specialist and shop for any and all things you might need. Now with all that, I choose Reno because at the time, it was all I could afford. But now that I have been up here, and my property value has increased 37%, I just might head East to San Antonio where I originally wanted to go. The Texas Hill Country his absolutely the best. The River area is something with great food and entertainment not to mention the historical attractions to that great State. Maybe I can pull it off an a year or 2 but now that I am going to hit the big 70 next year, moving is not all that easy. Even the small move here to Reno, busted and hammered my butt and took weeks to recover from it. So I guess it is all relative to where one hangs out their shingle and hat because no matter where that may be, it is "HOME. Best Wishes to you and the Family at this Holiday Season...cr8crshr/Tuck

 

[SteveSS]

There are a lot of places on the internet showing the most favorite places to retire.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I do like where I am in eastern MA. Yeah, we get snow, but the winters really aren't that bad here within a 3 1/2 hour radius, I can go to Cape Cod, the Berkshires in Western MA, the mountains in VT, NH & VT, see a show in NYC or travel to parts of upstate NY, and go to RI & CT. Lots of places to see and go to. The change of seasons is nice around here and compared to other states, our taxes are fairly moderate. If you can deal with snow for 3 months and ignore the liberal mindset, Massachusetts is a nice state.

 

[KENTON]

My vote would be St.George, Ut. Or Reno area, maybe a small town near those areas. You would be with in a days drive to Bakersfield. So you could still see the things you like. March Meet, Hot Rod reunion, ect. Parts of Idaho only have 3 seasons,
Last winter
This winter
And next winter.
If you try Idaho I’d look around Twin Falls, they have mild winters compared to other places. Boise has good weather but can get a few days over the century mark. With traffic and growing pains. If you decide you can tackle a few cold months, look no farther than Butte, Montana. No sales tax, and your money from the sale of your house in California will buy you 4 houses like you have now.

 

[Richard Cranium]

If you try Idaho I’d look around Twin Falls, they have mild winters compared to other places. Boise has good weather but can get a few days over the century mark. With traffic and growing pains. If you decide you can tackle a few cold months, look no farther than Butte, Montana. No sales tax, and your money from the sale of your house in California will buy you 4 houses like you have now.

Is it true that Idaho doesn't have a contestant for "Miss America" contest because no one want's to be called "Miss I da ho"?

 

[64BEL]

I was born in Erie, PA, but we moved to upstate NY (Albany area) before my 1st birthday. We have east coast roots - my parents grew up in Philadelphia, so that's where most of our relatives were. So, when we moved to Omaha in '73, when I was 10, it was a BIG change. Then we moved to Wisconsin in '78 when I was 15. I lived with my brother in northern CA (Silicon Valley) the spring and summer of '83 with plans to stay out there, but I came back to WI for a job opportunity later that year. CA had great weather, though! I went to South Dakota in '85 for college and stayed there until early 1990, when my wife and I relocated back (for me) to WI. Been here ever since.

Pros of our rural area: Low property taxes, no gangs, no traffic, clean air, very pleasant surroundings, very safe. We're within an hour of Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay, and 3 hours from Chicago, so we're nicely positioned in the state without having to live with the cons of those areas. Ethanol free gas is available all over the place around here, and no vehicle inspections. Less people around here is another real plus.

Cons: Winter sucks - WAY TOO F'NG LONG! Not only that but the salt on the roads is a major drag. The humidity in the summers has become more and more of an issue, too. It didn't used to be too bad. We're also a little too far away from my car buddies in the SE part of the state like Thunderlugs, eric383, and Sonny Black, to name a few. Having to put the old cars into winter hibernation is also a downer.

Overall, the pros outweigh the cons and no reason to leave a great job to relocate. My number one gripe is the winters as I get older, but the midwest is a nice place to live.

 

[Mike67]

I do like where I am in eastern MA. Yeah, we get snow, but the winters really aren't that bad here within a 3 1/2 hour radius, I can go to Cape Cod, the Berkshires in Western MA, the mountains in VT, NH & VT, see a show in NYC or travel to parts of upstate NY, and go to RI & CT. Lots of places to see and go to. The change of seasons is nice around here and compared to other states, our taxes are fairly moderate. If you can deal with snow for 3 months and ignore the liberal mindset, Massachusetts is a nice state.

First time I went to Mass we flew into Boston, stayed a week in Acton, had no idea that it was so beautiful up there!
On a side note, one of the things I found hilarious were how everyone was acting because to the temp in July....it was a whopping 84 deg, everyone said that it was a heat wave and were passing out....when I left Houston it was 105 without the indices....

 

[QuickBpBp]

Light that place on fire on your way out!

Someone did that a few weeks ago and look at all the losses...
Anyway I grew up here in South East Pa and the wife and I like it here. She is here from also. We enjoy the seasons for the most part except this year was and has been RAIN! We are Close to many beaches, Close to drag strips and car shows, Close to the mountains and Close to the Bay. When we retire we found a small town on the bay in Maryland where we would like to have a second home.

 

[KENTON]

Is it true that Idaho doesn't have a contestant for "Miss America" contest because no one want's to be called "Miss I da ho"?

Not true, they seem to think it’s an honor. Least wise the gals I hang around.

 

[moparedtn]

How's the summer heat in TN?

Oh, we get all the seasons for sure.
Summers run mid to high 80's, blipping into 90's once in a while. There's plenty of times this fair-skinned
Irish/Dutch paleskin has to seek sunscreen and a straw hat.
We're not nearly as humid as say GA or FL and not even as humid as DC was/is, really, but there is humidity.
Winters run lows in the high 20's/low 30's, highs in the high 40's/low 50's.
We're good for a couple snows of measure a winter usually.

Falls are simply ridiculously spectacular, what with all the foothills on my end of the state covered in hardwoods
that give those postcard colors out in abundance.
One amusing aside, least to me, is that cedars are so abundant in this part of the world to almost be considered
a nuisance, even though that wood is desirable by woodworkers in other parts.
The sawmills don't want to cut them up, since that sap gums up their works.
I consider them weeds, really - and boy, they go up like gasoline torches when set afire.
Not that I'd know anything about that...

We don't have magazine capacity limits or waiting periods or any of that nonsense on weapons and folks just target
shoot when they feel like it. Startles visitors sometimes, cracks me up.
As with any rural area, we have our share of welfare frauds and tweakers and such - the usual trash - but they're
smart enough to know not to try and rob folks, either, since most everyone has a little something waiting on them
should they try.

Folks respect each others' privacy and property, yet at the same time we keep an eye on each other, too, just in
case one of our neighbors needs help.
The part that really throws friends from up yonder when they visit is that we strike up conversations with each other down here with total strangers on the fly, wherever we happen to be. It's considered kind of rude if you don't.
I had a friend actually look at me in total shock when the lady behind the counter at a local gas station started talking to him (he's from DC and his family is originally from NY).
He honestly didn't know what to make of her trying to speak with him.
Hilarious.

 

[69a100]

moparedtn- What's the elevation in your area? That helps explain the snow.

 

[moparedtn]

What county are you in, in TN? I ask because like everyone responding here, we have been talking about moving and looking around as to where for quite some time now.
We live on Long Island in NY and it sucks - period. Weather sucks, people are nasty more than nice, taxes suck, and now the reason why we pay such high taxes- the school district is falling apart because it is run by the left who can't control spending and just raises taxes to pay for more and more programs that don't work - all the while welcoming illegal aliens in with open arms.
The problem here is beyond repair, as NY becomes more and more liberal, doubling down on stupid. It is a shame because we have great beaches and plenty to do. My biggest concern is for my kids - the day of settling down, buying a house and raising a family are gone for the youth and the middle class in general. Most 30 year olds are either gone, or living in their parents basement.
So, to the point, my family 3 generations ago and going back to 1810 was from Paris Tenn, in fact they were one of the founding families. My grandfather left after service in Europe in WW1 after getting a job as an engineer in NYC, so we really don't know any family back there. I have heard its beautiful but would really like to hear from people who made the choice to be there what the positives and negatives are. I can't believe the negatives are any worse than Long Island. Our biggest hurdle in my youngest, who is 13 and in school.

Paris is over yonder in the western flatland-ish part of the state. It's pretty over thataway as long as you don't get close to Memphis (or even parts of Jackson, so I hear).
We're over here in the NE part but outside of the "tri-cities" region (Kingsport/Johnson City/Bristol) by a fair margin.
It's a little lumpier over this way - foothills of the Appalachians, you know.

 

[moparedtn]

moparedtn- What's the elevation in your area? That helps explain the snow.

My ridge is 1700'; the state road down at the bottom is about 1400'.
We don't have the location/elevation to get all the snows the real mountains along the TN/NC border get, along with the Smokies.
It's funny when it does snow here because we'll have double the accumulation that's down at the road - all in a quarter mile difference, just because of the elevation gain.
I've gotten fairly good at plowing snow off gravel roads as a result.
I am the highway department for our little one lane road, literally.

 

[moparedtn]

Born/raised in Allentown, Pa. Good place to be from. In 91 @ age 38, loaded the 69 Sport Sat with the Kirby and the Microwave and moved to San Jose. Earth/Mars. Walk out the door in December and it is 64 degrees. I know why I am here. Other posts indicate how I feel about most of the rest of it.

I have absolutely loved every person I've ever met from PA. Lots of Mopar folks there. PA folks remind me a lot of folks down here in TN, really - they're just as down to earth.
I love the FOOD in PA, too. Tons of awesome home style restaurants there and the meats!
Holy cow. Making me crave some Lebanon Sweet Bologna right now..... *drool*
The problem with PA is - well, it's where PA is. Winters get rough sometimes, the politics is a mess and so are the roads.
The Turnpike is under construction for the rest of time.
Nonetheless, I always loved visiting PA. Lots of history, good people.

 

[NJRR]

Born and raised in NJ. Getting to the point of wanting to make the move too. The state sucks and is expensive. Problem is, all our family is here ( except the wife's parents in south FL). Also, have a family business and real estate investments here, so not so easy to just pick up and move no matter how much we want to. I have a summer house in upstate NY and love the warm months there. Ideally, I can see spending May-October in upstate NY, then the rest of the year down south on the beach somewhere, Florida is fine for me and the wife. Now just to make it all work.

 

[69a100]

My ridge is 1700'; the state road down at the bottom is about 1400'.
It's funny when it does snow here because we'll have double the accumulation that's down at the road - all in a quarter mile difference, just because of the elevation gain.

I heard that, I'm at 5K and just going to Reno @ 4K, there's a big difference in snow and temps can vary anywhere from 4-15+ degrees depending on time of year.

 

[Kern Dog]

The whole idea of packing up everything and moving out of state is both exciting and scary at the same time. In theory it seems to feel like breaking up with a longtime girlfriend, leaving a long time employer and shedding your old skin all at the same time.
I have truckloads of car parts I'd want to keep. 4 project cars.....then The 70 Charger, the 75 Power wagon, the 2007 Ram and 2 other cars. All of my tools. I'd need a multi-car hauler just for the cars. A semi-tractor trailer would surely be enough for the parts and home furnishings. What a huge undertaking. The money from the sale of this place would buy a really nice spread outright.
I have never dealt with high humidity for very long. I've been to Florida once. Spring 1991. Hawaii twice. I've worked in the cold and really did not like it. Living in an area with light snow while being retired and therefore NOT required to work outside in it....Not as bad.
I appreciate the advice given from everyone. I like the suggestion to travel to see and experience firsthand what the destinations look and feel like. Someone also suggested doing research about activities and car shows in these regions. EXCELLENT advice! While I love being alone sometimes, I surely don't want to feel totally isolated wherever I go.

 

[Garys1969RR]

Az is nice if you can take the heat. Lots of Mopar guys, and parts, in Phoenix. Wherever you go, it will always involve compromise on many levels. Ca-earthquakes, Midwest-tornadoes, Colorado-snow, Florida- humidity, etc. Look at it as an adventure! Go stay in your selected area for a week or 2, see how you like it.

 

[Hosehead]

"Whatever you do, leave your damn liberal, California bs behind!" Gotta love the moving police.

Seriously though, this is a timely thread for me for sure. After living in hell-a (Los Angeles) for 22 years, my wife has finally agreed to move back home(Oklahoma) with me. We bought a nice old house on a piece of property, two car garage, 800 sq ft shop for 115k. Our equity after 5 years of owning our house in Pasadena will pay for the new house more than twice over.
I know, I'm moving back home and not leaving my home state but I am super excited to leave the granola state.
It sounds like you may be ready to go, Kern. I say go for it. Every California native friend that I have says they'd go in a heartbeat if they could. The all say how far downhill our state has gone. I tend to agree. I liked it a lot more 22 years ago than I do now.
And I don't want to sound like a California basher. Some great people here. Great weather, car culture, etc. I just can't take another minute of the traffic, crowds and expense. It's become completely insane to live here.
Sounds like you're getting lots of good advice from the members throughout the country. I'm sure you'll find a good spot. And while Oklahoma isn't everyone's first choice, you won't find many places that are cheaper. Good luck whatever you decide but I say get out while you can.
Wanna split a car hauler??