What do you think is the best place to live in America?

[girl gone mad]

I'm trying to set a goal to save up money and move within the next few years.

My ideal place would:

1. Be blue or at least purple.
2. Not have long, cold winters or super-humid summers.
3. Be affordable for a young family.
4. Have a bit of culture.
5. Have outdoor and indoor activities (good libraries, museums, hiking, parks, etc.)
6. Not be polluted over overcrowded.
7. It would be possible to get by without a car.
8. Have friendly, interesting people.

Will I be able to find a place that has all of these qualities? It seems like many places meet most of the criteria, but are either too expensive or too crowded.

[Floogeldy]

1. What is the deal with the car thing?

:)

[girl gone mad]

8. I'm not big on driving,

that's all.

[leftofthedial]

2. in my shorts

OH! I just read the actual post. Sorry.

Sounds like parts of California, Oregon or Washington. Maybe northern New Mexico, depending on your defnition of "culture."

[Broken_Hero]

5. I concur with

the idea of Washington state, or Oregon. Mild winters, mostly, but you do have to put up with a bit of rain in some areas, but not much.

[pitohui]

11. affordable for a young family?

california, oregon, or washington?

that is funny

i think if this person wants to have a family, they had better suck it up and learn to drive

you don't get cheap real estate in a safe area AND you don't have to drive

and naming those three states as affordable provided me my best laugh of the night, so thanks!

[girl gone mad]

13. How far north in NM?

Taos?

I've heard mixed things about NM culture.

[leftofthedial]

16. NM culture IS mixed

plenty of ancient culture

and mixed Native, Spanish, Mexican and various strains of Anglo culture

but the more affordable places will be smaller towns and current culture (movies, music etc. will be a bit limited compared to modern urban areas).

Santa Fe--way too expensive
Albuquerque--not without a car

[Kerrytravelers]

3. Well, I love my area of Los Angeles...

... but it doesn't fit #3, 6 and 7.

[begin_within]

4. Except for #3, Santa Barbara, California fits. Too bad it's $$$$$$$$.

[Mz Pip]

6. Portland, OR

My son lived there for a couple of years and loved it. Clean, progressive, beautiful and green. And compared to other places, affordable.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Arugula Latte]

17. I'm biased, but I agree. That's partly why we moved here.

Close to ocean, forests, mountains, even high desert. Cheaper than California (where I used to live). Rain and grey -- yes, but :shrug:

[liberaltrucker]

7. Having been to all the Lower 48...

I'd have to pick anywhere along I-5 from the Canadian Border
to Sacramento. Just MHO.

But, "My home's in Alabama, no matter where I lay my head".

[mrbassman03]

15. Yep, Bellingham fits that...

First real city (sorry Blaine) south of the Canadian border. The weather is just amazing, the city has an extensive parks system, downtown is full of culture and great food, and it is easy to get around without a car.

[pitohui]

9. you contradict yourself

you want to get by w.out a car but you don't like crowds, sorry, you got to pick one, they are not gonna put in mass transit just for you

i don't want to be cruel but your expectations are just ridiculous

[girl gone mad]

12. Yeah, you're probably right, but...

I've heard Savannah has an uncrowded feel and you can walk to parks and shops.

I don't need great public transportation, per se, just the ability to get by with a bicycle or walking and not be 100% dependent on driving. A lot of college towns are like that.

You're probably right about my expectations, though. I was just throwing it out there. I'd be happy meeting 3 or 4 of the criteria, but affordability is an important one.

[u4ic]

10. Canada

now that Harper's in power...:puke:

[mrbassman03]

14. Bellingham, WA fits all of your criteria...

http://whatcom.kulshan.com/Washington/Whatcom_County/Bellingham/default.htm

"Perennially recognized by the national media as one of the best places to live in America, Bellingham is a place that truly has something for everyone. At the top of Sehome Hill, Western Washington University offers a quality education and plays host to world class artists and entertainers. In Bellingham's revitalized downtown, the Mount Baker Theatre and the Whatcom Museum of History and Art further the city's reputation as a cultural hub."

"For the outdoor lover, Bellingham's extensive park and trail system offers endless possibilities. Boaters find unlimited recreational opportunities in Bellingham Bay, which also serves as a springboard to the San Juan Islands and Alaska. With a rich history that dates back to 1853, Bellingham is truly unique."

[terrya]

18. I'd say Chicago, but I'm prejudiced

[XNASA]

19. I think that Chicago has all of those traits......

Seriously, the weather here isn't as bad as most think.

Other places to consider would be Asheville (though I'm not sure you could get by without a car), or maybe someplace like Vermont or the Hudson Valley in New York.

[ileus]

20. Good Luck with that.

The affordable part means you aren't gonna find culture.

[4morewars]

21. Venezuela

Gasoline is only 14 cents a gallon, and the government leans left.