I am thinking of moving out of CA...suge stions?

“we left california in '93....our decision to leave was based on:

unaffordable housing....
ultra-long commutes to get to (semi)affordable housing....
rise in gang activity....
general decline in economic conditions....


we considered oregon, north carolina, and ohio....

we chose ohio because:
proximity to family....
ultralow housing costs....
relatively close to great backpacking spots (within 6 hours of michigan, west virginia, virginia, kentucky, pennsylvania, canada, etc.)....
great industrial base....lots of work!!

we have never (well almost never) regretted our decision....we visited california this past summer for the first time since '93 and now i remember all those reasons why we wanted to leave....

you can do a lot worse than relocating to ohio (or anywhere in the midwest, for that matter)....”

“Lived there for seven years, you could do much worse. No income taxes, about 50K people, 45 min from Ft. Collins, twice that to Denver.”

“Driggs or Dubois, Idaho. I would've said Jackon, WY but you'd need several jobs and a few roommates just to survive, thus, leaving no time to backpack, ski, or snowshoe.”

“Portland, Maine.

I lived and worked there most of my life before moving to California. Although I wouldn't go back...hate nine months of winter and three months of lousy skiing...it was a great area.
Hopping night life, lots of recreational areas, and if you ever thought about boating and sailing, it is Mecca. It's very pretty being right on the Atlantic The seafood is the best in the country, it is relatively safe, and it is about two hours to Boston five from NYC. Housing, like most other desirable places, is high, but there are smaller towns close by where an apartment or a condo can be has reasonably.

That is if you don't mind moving about 3500 miles from CA.”

“Misssoula, MT. Fayetteville, AR.
I can't blame you for wanting to leave CA. Great place to visit, but even my wife, who is a native, wouldn't want to live there.”

“So you wannna move to WY eh? Well so did I, and I did about 1-1/2 years ago and it is great. Less people, less taxes, less heat & humidity. In general the cost of living is low, but so is the pay. As far as Cheyenne or Jackson, the majority of Wyomingites I talk to do not consider either of these cities to be part of Wyoming (Cheyenne is part of Colorado, Jackson is part of California). Finding a decent paying job may be difficult. The economy here is not as bad as some other parts of the region, however. Bufalo is a cool little town, and if you found a decent job there, dont hesitate to go for it. Housing may be hard to find, but not impossible. The Bighorn Mountains are your backyard in Buffalo - underated and wonderful. Aren't you a student? Is graduation near?”

“I envy your "throw all caution to the wind" attitude. I once made a move like that but returned to where I grew up b/c of other circumstances. Now that I want to move again, I'm worried about work(economy sucks and I have a decent job right now) and an awesome girlfriend who would like to move as well, just not out West where I'd like to be. Best of luck.

Phil - What happened w/ your brother and sister in Montana that made them leave?”

“My two cents (and that's all it may be worth):

In 1982 when the GM plant where I worked here in LA (South Gate) was closed down, hundreds of people were unceremoniously transferred to places all over the country just to stay employed. My "unofficial" assessment of the results were:

50% were happier than in CA
50% were miserable

My conclusion based on a more "in-depth" consideration was that attitude is everything. For the most part (not 100%), if you are not happy where you are now, moving will not help that much. If you have positive mental attitude, you can can live most anywhere and be happy with the location.”

“I would opt away from Cheyenne, not much down there. Fairly close to the Snowy Range, but it's a small national forest, relatively speaking.

Buffalo might have some opportunity right now as many companies invlolved in coalbed methane (CBM), are setting up shop there. The movement of CBM has progressed from the eastern edge of the Powder River Basin (Gillette, WY), to the western edge (Buffalo/Sheridan). Which leaves another fine place to live, Sheridan.

Signed,
Chief
Happily living in Cody, WY.”

“Don't forget about Canada!”

“One small hitch about moving to Canada, preference is for Canadians in some jobs. I was looking at a job in Canada and the application stated, "preference will be given to Canadians." Did work for a short time in a church-related job, in Canada, it was a hassle for me and employer to get visa approved.”

“How about Fairbanks? Great community, great outdoors.

It tied for #4 with Wenatchee WA in a book on "micropolitan areas", communities with less than 200,000 people. An that was getting zero points for weather (cold and dark winters) and low points for access to a major metro area. Anchorage, 250,000 or so is 360 miles away.

If you want a larger, milder city, check out Anchorage.”

“Close to the Sierras (great hiking), the economy is reasonably stable (right now), housing is not overly expensive (130K for decent digs). Even on a busy day, like Fourth of July, if you stay away from the downtown area commuting is a breeze.
The most common jobs are in the tech field, transportation, warehousing, and construction.
The weather is decent, but cold in the winter. Lots of sunny days.
One more great thing about Reno, I'm here!!”

“130K?! for decent digs!? you couldn't even buy a refrigerator box for that much here in NY. Unfortunately, I'm not in the tech field.”

“thanks for all the good suggestions!:) I wish I could afford to go all the way cross country! Unfourtunatly that won't be likely. I barely have enough to get to cheyenne and be able to afford an appartment too.

by the way for you renters... when they say rent is $440/month with a $200 deposit is that $440+200 all at once or just 200 up front and the rest later? (sorry dumb question but i have never had to do this for myself before)”

“Spirit:

All at once.”

“i was afraid of that!

thanks :)”

“state college, pa is very nice with lots of backpacking, nice town, nice scenery, lots to do outside, housing costs are reasonable, for now.”

“How about Louisiana? Rated #1 healthiest state to live in 2002.

OOOOOOOOOOOPPS, read it upside down! We're #50.”

“Where in CA are you located? Why do you want to move? Traffic? Change of scene? Can you just up and move? What about your job? I would list what you want on a piece of paper and then match your needs with locations that offer you the best deal. Low cost living, jobs, plenty of hiking - list your needs and you'll find the right destination. good luck.”

“Bishop, CA and work at Schott's(?)Bakery? Then when all the TT folks came through town you could slide us a few free cinnamon rolls. The weather is nice there. You're close to some fair BPing and I'm sure somebody you met here would always be stopping by to crash in your apartment when they were too tired to drive back to LA. Nothing like good friends coming by to visit.”

“You don't seem inclined to say what is making you so unhappy but I would suggest you clear it up before you move and then perhaps you won't need to move. That greener grass will keep eluding you if you don't. MP”

“Wow! MaryPhyl has the best suggestion of all!”

“GARY INDIANA!!!!

By GOSH . . .it even has its own song. Be ncie and LIZS will sing it to you!!!

Gary, Indiana

Gary, Indiana, Gary Indiana, Gary, Indiana,
Let me say it once again.
Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana,
That's the town that "knew me when."

If you'd like to have a logical explanation
How I happened on this elegant syncopation,
I will say without a moment of hesitation
There is just one place
That can light my face.
Gary, Indiana,
Gary Indiana,

Not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rome,
but Gary, Indiana,
Gary, Indiana,
Gary Indiana,
My home sweet home.

If you'd like to have a logical explanation
How I happened on this elegant syncopation,
I will say without a moment of hesitation
There is just one place
That can light my face.
Gary, Indiana,
Gary Indiana,

Not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rome,
but Gary, Indiana,
Gary, Indiana,
Gary Indiana,
My home sweet home.


Heck . . .here's and audio link:

GARY INDIANA FROM THE MUSIC MAN”

“Spirit --

Des Moines
Dubuque
Gary


Call me crazy . .but if you want to hide . . .trust me . . .noboby will look for you in these spots!!

Someday you'll thank me!”

“Especially Dubuque....the smell...ugh...”

“how'bout Canada

less terrorist threat there”

“Gary doesn't smell pretty either...”

“You could just click your ruby slippers three times and be transported to where you want to be. (Little known fact about Kansas. Don't spread it around, please.)”

“Dubuque doesn't smell and has a cool riverfront project going on (that's on the Mississippi, to those who don't have a clue about the heartland)

Cheyenne is OK. It sits on the high plains, but the mts. aren't too far.

You'd have a Sierra Trading Post Outlet store there.

Also, as Chief mentioned, the Snowy Range is not sooooooo far away. I loved that area!! Great hiking to be had... and 99% of the people were just across the border to the south, in Colorado. Too bad for them!! Good hiking with a lot less people around.

(And then there was the.. umm... slightly "illegal" deer camp near Blackhall Mountain, but hey the guy was friendly and let us camp there and even hang out in his huge tent. lol)”

“1. ohioans are frequently on PA trails... save the gas and just move here :P

2. if your short on cash but have plenty of time may I suggest you check out AMTRACK. they frequently have online tickets that are a fraction of normal cost. The site wont give you the seat automatically like the site claims so the tickets have to be purchased separately. (train food is expensive,byo!~)

3. if you truly need to escape there are organizations that help people relocate depending on circumstace.”

“somebody mentioned amtrak, I got this emailed from GORP today.

Purchase through December 13 for travel through February 28, 2003.

Sample One-Way Fares on Amtrak.com
Chicago - St. Paul $32
Washington, DC - Charleston, WV $35
New York - Montreal $36
Seattle - Whitefish, MT $49
Emeryville, CA - Salt Lake City, UT $51
Subject to Availability. Restrictions Apply.

Book online today using Discount Code H234 and get 35% off!”

“Haven't you moved, yet?”

“Unemployment in the Pacific Northwest is quickly approaching 8%. That, along with very high housing prices, clogged freeways, tax rebellions and Boeing going down the crapper mean that Nevada or Utah are better bets. Good luck!”