Where should I move to?

[Mike N]

Western to Central NY isn't too bad a place to live. I've been here for 57 years and don't see myself going anywhere else.

Music scene is decent, weather isn't too bad and there's cool places all around the state to see within a reasonable drive. The Finger Lakes are just south of us, Adirondack Region/1000 Islands is just north of us.

If you're into hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiles etc there's definitely enough of that here as well.

Motorsports fans have three dragstrips and roundy round tracks within a short distance.

Lots of micro breweries and wineries here, if that's your thing.

And..... to top it all off, Rochester NY is home to the world's largest music store.... The House of Guitars.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

I'm in Atlanta, and this general area would definitely not meet his requirements. The scorching hot and humid weather for 6 months out of the year would be a deal breaker on its own. And don't get me started on the music scene. Unless you want to be in a classic rock cover band playing at the local wing joint (or you're an aspiring hip hop artist), it's dead.

Haa! I live in coastal Alabama. It is hot and humid here! May get 20 degrees 1 or 2 times in the winter. Kennesaw has a big college of art. Lots of artsy young specialized coffee drinkers. Usually eat weird food!

 

[smeet]

I’m excited. We are planning to do something most uncharacteristic for us - take a leap of faith and move to the Pacific NW area and rent something till we find something to buy. And without doing tons of research and analysis!

So right now we are most interested in Vancouver, WA (close to Portland), and Gig Harbor (close to Seattle). My wife likes the look of the houses and neighborhoods in Gig Harbor a bit more. My main interest will be playing music, in as many different styles as possible. I am attracted to Vancouver, and it seems from what I’m hearing that the Portland music/gigging scene is better and more stylistically diverse.

Is that accurate? I would love to be playing jazz, funk, rock, reggae, fusion, Zappa, experimental noise, and other not-yet-named styles. Me and the boss have to come to an agreement of course, but how hard should I push to be near Portland rather than Seattle (strictly based on the music gigging culture)?

 

[ryco]

Vancouver would be a really good choice. The downtown section was pretty much deserted in the early 2000s. Has been revitalized and remodeled with lots of more condo style living - a lot of my senior citizen friends have moved into refurbished space and really like it. Good transit system into downtown Portland. All the advantages of the services in big city living, only from a smaller city. Lots of stores and services in a very walkable downtown.
Caution: highly DO NOT recommend living in ANY of he outside areas north of Vancouver such as Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Hazel Dell = really bad drug problems = ripoffs, crime.
Nice little towns right on the river east of Vancouver is Camas/Washougal. For me, that's where I would head.

Gig Harbor is nice, too. Way smaller, but just across the bridge from Tacoma which is a nice large town having everything as far a quality hospitals, a nice major music venue (Tacoma Dome). Gig Harbor is small, but pretty hip little scene. Good fishing, couple of good blues venues on the water. It's a little drive to go anywhere and there is a toll on bridges heading to Tacoma. But a lot of nice drives out into the little surrounding communities and Hood Canal/Olympic Penninsula is GORGEOUS right out your back door!

Musically with the styles you mentioned you couldn't go wrong in either location. The Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia has very healthy music scenes for all kinds of music with LOTS of clubs. You might consider Tacoma = really reasonable real estate if you are looking for a house. Nice old downtown, lots of higher ed schools. Lots of music entertainment in many casinos in Tacoma and up the Kent/Auburn valley to the east and north.

Good luck on your journey! Really can't lose. Weather can be a little dreary during the Great NorthWet Fest Nov-May = but it keeps you inside and practicing/rehearsing! Just buy a good jacket!

 

[Winslow]

Whatever you do... if you use leather bass straps, don't let the cows see you.

 

[singlemalt]

Portland, expensive and state income tax. Vancouver, aka Vantuckey, cheaper, no state income tax, but everything you want is in Portland including the busiest Costco in the country.

And it rains. All winter long. Like it’s coming this week and will be here until June. Traffic is ridiculous. Vancouver folks plan their day around rush hour. (There are only two bridges from OR to WA in the metro area) I5 and 205.

We bailed out of NE Portland in 2006 after 12 years. Portland was booming. Now, I dread going into town. It’s gotten pretty bleak and the traffic sucks.

Vancouver feels like a bedroom community with a hellish commute.

East of Vancouver or Portland is the Columbia River Gorge. Small towns and a very rural feel. Tons of outdoor activities.

It a great idea to rent and try a winter here. It’s not for everyone. Rainy, cold, dark. Mild cold, but still cold with occasional snow storms. Did I mention it rains? Like your dog is always wet?

We’ve lived here in the Gorge for the past 20 years. It’s everything I want in the summers. May to October. I’m about ready to give up on the winter rainy season. Eyeing Baja for the winters.

I just retired myself. I can’t think of anywhere in the US I’d rather be than the Pacific NW. Lived in Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan…No way I’d go back to the South or Midwest.

But the rain returns this week, and warm sunny days are just about over.

 

[Richland123]

5 reasons to retire in Johnstown, PA. One misleading statistic in this article is the population of Johnstown. The city limits have about 18,000 people. However, there are 13 municipalities that surround the immediate area and there are over 150,000 people within a short distance. Weather here can change often. Winters can be mild to bitter cold. Summers can be very nice to hot but not for a long time. Lots of festivals, events, and activities. Low crime. Low cost of living. Beautiful scenery. The house next to me is for sale and total annual property taxes are less than $700. The house sets between 2 mountains with a river in between.

5 Reasons to Retire in Johnstown, PA

For seniors looking to start a new life, the following are a few reasons to consider retirement communities in Johnstown, PA. Here’s what to know.

www.seniorlifestyle.com

 

[Jeff Elkins]

I have family that live all over the US and I've always felt deprived living in Michigan... Until a few years ago. I know that weather is changing and seems to be getting worse in states that are known for good weather. For example my fam in AZ say it's getting hotter, FLA say hurricanes are more frequent, CA is drier and have more fires. Here in MI I love spring, summer and fall but not winter. That said our winters seem to be getting milder, I never even shoveled snow last year. Did I mention that we have a great music scene here?

Moved from Michigan 30 years ago for reasons, but have been considering a move back. Where are you and what’s the music scene? I know about some stuff in GR, Ann Arbor, or Lansing for example, but where is it best for music variety and quality?

 

[Markmann]

Moved from Michigan 30 years ago for reasons, but have been considering a move back. Where are you and what’s the music scene? I know about some stuff in GR, Ann Arbor, or Lansing for example, but where is it best for music variety and quality?

I would say anywhere in the metro-Detroit (SE Michigan) area will have the best opportunities for musicians. Research the counties that surround Detroit to decide which area would be a good fit for you. I live in Macomb county.

 

[Wood and Wire]

I’m excited. We are planning to do something most uncharacteristic for us - take a leap of faith and move to the Pacific NW area and rent something till we find something to buy. And without doing tons of research and analysis!

So right now we are most interested in Vancouver, WA (close to Portland), and Gig Harbor (close to Seattle). My wife likes the look of the houses and neighborhoods in Gig Harbor a bit more. My main interest will be playing music, in as many different styles as possible. I am attracted to Vancouver, and it seems from what I’m hearing that the Portland music/gigging scene is better and more stylistically diverse.

Is that accurate? I would love to be playing jazz, funk, rock, reggae, fusion, Zappa, experimental noise, and other not-yet-named styles. Me and the boss have to come to an agreement of course, but how hard should I push to be near Portland rather than Seattle (strictly based on the music gigging culture)?

Goonie country.

Last time I was in Seattle, it felt like it was very much trading on its former musical glory - there was still stuff going on, but I didn't personally feel like it was thriving with new stuff (but this was a few years back).

Portland had a lot more going on, and a lot more variety (a lot of young Alt Rock bands, a regular Americana / Folk / Mountain Music indoor festival, a thriving Metal scene on the outskirts of town, a lot of interesting buskers, a Jazz presence [Esperanza Spalding is from Portland], and an enormo-dome for big touring acts), but a lot of it was the hobby level, which makes for regular cheap nights out, and exposure to new things - it's a lot like Austin, and even stole the "Keep Austin Portland Weird" tag line.

I almost suggested Vancouver WA in my initial reply, but my memory of it, and Salem, were as being a bit run-down - but again, this was a few years ago, and I'm sure things have moved on a bit.

 

[Parzival]

5 reasons to retire in Johnstown, PA. One misleading statistic in this article is the population of Johnstown. The city limits have about 18,000 people. However, there are 13 municipalities that surround the immediate area and there are over 150,000 people within a short distance. Weather here can change often. Winters can be mild to bitter cold. Summers can be very nice to hot but not for a long time. Lots of festivals, events, and activities. Low crime. Low cost of living. Beautiful scenery. The house next to me is for sale and total annual property taxes are less than $700. The house sets between 2 mountains with a river in between.

5 Reasons to Retire in Johnstown, PA

For seniors looking to start a new life, the following are a few reasons to consider retirement communities in Johnstown, PA. Here’s what to know.

www.seniorlifestyle.com

That looks like a real hidden gem of a place. I would consider, but as soon as all my kids have moved on, I’m moving to the beach. That’s where I want to be. Love it there. Every time I go I tell myself, man I would love to just live here and be here all the time.

I may start a related thread on best beach towns to move to.

 

[waynobass]

If I lived in L.A. I would stay there. The weather and the culture can't be beat.

People suggesting cold places like Chicago and Idaho are way offbase. You'll freeze your azz off in those places unless you're used to it.

 

[singlemalt]

Portland has a big blues scene, check out the Cascade Blues Association. You can find an open blues jam just about any night of the week. Check out the Willamette Week (local paper that covers news and music and food) web site.

I forgot to mention, while talking taxes, WA has a sales tax, while Oregon does not. Which is why everyone from Vancouver is at the Portland Costco. Registering vehicles cost more in WA.

Portland piles on taxes. If you have a self employed gig, or run a business, you can have fun trying to decipher the Portland/ multnomah county business and tri met tax. On top of your regular fed, state, and property tax. Portland never met a bond they didn’t like.

Climate, going from west or the coast and coastal range, to east of the Cascade range goes from soggy, to high desert. Hood River, 60 miles east of Portland gets half the rain that Portland sees.

 

[smeet]

If I lived in L.A. I would stay there. The weather and the culture can't be beat.

People suggesting cold places like Chicago and Idaho are way offbase. You'll freeze your azz off in those places unless you're used to it.

I don’t like cold, that’s true. I grew up in Chicago. Winter sucked. Summer sucked. Never again.

But where I live now, we had a few days in a row over 110 degrees, and this last summer was relatively mild. It’s a dry heat though so it feels cool. Not.

Going along with the heat, we have brush fires every summer. Doesn’t sound bad I know, but these get huge and move really fast. When the Santa Ana winds are going, the flames can jump over a multilane highway.

 

[mikewalker]

I lived in Vancouver (Canada) for 20 years and don't miss the West Coast rain.
Been up and down the Pacific coast all the way to Mexico, would lean towards San Diego if I could resettle West!
Washington/Oregon wasn't a whole lot different than the BC coast (I was born and raised on Vancouver Island)
If I was able to live in USA full time I'd 100% be in New Jersey. I loved living there a couple decades back

 

[Gopherbassist]

There’s a 3 block walkable area in Boise

Boise is ugly as sin.

 

[Jim Nazium]

Reviving this thread because I too am nearing retirement and looking for a place to live. Any thoughts or experience with Tulsa OK? It looks very affordable and is claimed to have an active music and art scene, as well as outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, etc).

 

[Holdsg]

Are you watching Tulsa King? They make the locals look like bumpkins (but that's shirley Hollywood for you).

 

[WG Plum]

I don’t like cold, that’s true. I grew up in Chicago. Winter sucked. Summer sucked. Never again.

But where I live now, we had a few days in a row over 110 degrees, and this last summer was relatively mild. It’s a dry heat though so it feels cool. Not.

Going along with the heat, we have brush fires every summer. Doesn’t sound bad I know, but these get huge and move really fast. When the Santa Ana winds are going, the flames can jump over a multilane highway.

I believe it will be hotter in the summer and snowier in the winter down in Vancouver than in Gig Harbor, and will likely have more forest fire smoke. I don't think you can go wrong musically in either local, but I would personally choose Gig Harbor simply as a more pleasant location to actually live.

 

[singlemalt]

Ever seen a car that’s been out in an OK hailstorm?