Real estate daydreaming, part 2

So, I took a quiz on places where you should live. I'm hestitant to share the link, as they pretty much played every angle to get personal information from their site visitors, and I had to give a false snail mail address to get my results. Annoying, but... they gotta pay the bills like everyone else!

It's http://www.findyourspot.com -- no direct link, but you can copy and paste if you really want to try it.

Anyway, they gave me two results that are "not in this life or any other" (New Mexico and Arkansas), but the others were pretty consistent. Clearly, I should be living in either Oregon or Massachusetts, LOL.

San Francisco didn't come up at all, but that was undoubtedly because I'd capped the real estate price limit too low. This is the second most expensive real estate market in the country -- just sayin'.

Here's my list, with my personal comments:

Portland, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

I'd consider either of these places, but I think Portland is too hot for me -- their last couple of summers seem to have been brutal.

Danbury, Connecticut

Close to New York City, so hard to believe it's not priced beyond my reach. I've never been there.

Providence, Rhode Island 

I'd consider it, but I read a survey somewhere that people in Rhode Island are the unhappiest in the country?

New Haven, Connecticut  

I've been through there, but never stopped. In general I like Connecticut, at least, once they get rid of Joe Lieberman.

Worcester, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Northampton, Massachusetts
Williamstown, Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Andover, Massachusetts

Sensing a theme here? Which is okay, because I like Massachusetts. I can't imagine I can afford Boston, however.

Corvallis, Oregon   

Livestock guard dog program there. That's what I know, LOL.

Hartford, Connecticut   

I cannot live somewhere with the slogan, "Insurance capital of the world." Also, wouldn't that be Switzerland?

Baltimore, Maryland    

Having seen "The Wire," I'm skeptical... but I'd check it out.

Salem, Oregon   
Bend, Oregon
Medford, Oregon
Ashland, Oregon
Milwaukie, Oregon

Note there is zero Washington, where I'm truly considering moving, and like, half of Oregon. Why?

Frederick, Maryland 
Charleston, West Virginia  

Visit, yes. Move, no.

Fayetteville, Arkansas
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Not even to visit.

As I said, I was surprised not to see any Washington, and also, no Pennsylvania or Vermont, all three places I've come closer to moving to than any other states. Odd.

Comments

[KathyF]

Albuquerque's not that bad...but, the state of New Mexico does have a huge dog problem. Too many strays, and too much dog fighting.

Albuquerque itself is pretty progressive, and Santa Fe is just about the most progressive area in the country.

So, can I interest you in a four bedroom, three bath house in the Northeast Heights area of Albuquerque? Newly replaced swamp coolers included.

[Christie Keith]

LOL, no, Kathy. I'm a New England, green rolling hills, lawns, forests, clapboard/stone/cute country cottage, Great Britain kind of gal. I don't like the architecture or the geography of New Mexico. It's just not for me.

[Theresa]

Consider Texas. Cheap real estate (especially compared with California!) and no state income tax. Yes, summers are brutal, but we're designed for it. You go from your air-conditioned house to the air-conditioned vehicle to the air-conditioned office/school/dog training/dog event site. Dog events like tracking tests,lure coursing, and hunt tests that have to be outdoors aren't held May through September. Winter can get cold, but you'll never have to dig your car out from the snow drifts!

[Christie Keith]

Wow, I know Texans love Texas, but truly: Not for me. Not ever. Sorry, guys!

[Kim Thornton]

Checked out Corvallis last August. Pretty nice, with excellent grocery stores--lots of local foods/meats.

[Cheryl]

Being originally from Massachusetts - close to the NH border - closer to Worcester than Boston. Can get hot in the summers & humid. We didn't have air until my dad got the window units. Winters can be brutal with the Nor' easters. Lots of mosquitos on that thar water. But it is GREEN and there is WATER and lots of TREES. From hot, sunny Phoenix I'd rather be in San Diego or Seattle....
Cheryl

[Marsha]

Most of Baltimore's not like "The Wire," although some parts definitely are! There are some really nice neighborhoods and quite a lot to see and do. And eat!

[KathyF]

Christie, I have to say I agree with you there. I never liked the terrain either, nor the Spanish style architecture, not even after living there for 5 years. I like me some grass and trees!

But Old England is even better than New England when it comes to that...our grass stays green year round.

[K.P.]

Wow, that's freaky. I grew up in Frederick, MD! It's not a bad area whatsoever, if you like the country life. Although it is getting fairly expensive these days what with everyone moving from Baltimore and Washington, DC. It's gotten quite cosmopolitan, that way.

I kind of figure you for a Portland-bound gal. It's a very progressive kind of place, and almost everyone I've ever met from there absolutely loves it.

Baltimore I am very "eh" on. I don't like gigantic cities unless I'm just visiting. Washington, DC is quite nice for the most part.

[Cindy R]

I've used that Web site, and it's interesting but you do get some strange results. The towns have to be in their database and it left out some obvious contenders in my search, while putting in a few totally outside my search criteria. Forget Danbury, CT, by the way -- I go there for Trader Joe's, but it's basically a depressing suburban/exurban pit. Ah well, it's fun to dream.

[Teri]

I have to agree with "not Texas". Even though I've lived here half of my life, one day I'll move somewhere that has trees, a fall season that lasts longer than a week and a winter season where 52 degrees is not the average temperature. The older I get, the more Texas heat affects me both physically and mentally. I've never been to Oregon yet I've always thought it would be somewhere that I wouldn't mind living. Or the Raliegh, North Carolina area. My brother and his family live there and I love it when I'm able to visit them.