Sam and I are wrapping up our 10th year living in the Boston area, which is hard to believe. We both moved here the summer after we graduated college — I moved first because a close friend and I decided we wanted to stay in New England (where our families live) but we wanted to be in a larger city to increase our odds of finding a job, and Sam moved shortly thereafter for love (me, duh). Since then I’ve worked at three different organizations (all doing nonprofit operations/strategy) and gone to graduate school (for an MBA), and Sam has been with the same organization (but many different roles) and also got his graduate degree (in education) part-time while still working.
Through all those changes, we’ve asked ourselves if and when we might leave this city. Whereas it used to be fairly conveniently-located between our two families (mine in Vermont, his in Pennsylvania), our families have continued to spread further afield. Both of us grew up in more suburban/rural settings and while we love the conveniences of the city, we’d also love a little more space and nature. Also, Boston is also incredibly expensive, and despite being from the northeast neither of us love the cold weather.
The Shoveler
That said, relocating is no easy feat, especially with two careers that have continued to grow and fulfill us in Boston. We’ve also built up a strong community of friends that it would be hard to leave, and we own a home. We also have easy access to premier medical facilities and amazing health insurance, which didn’t mean much to us when we were 22 and picking a place to live but lately has become more a part of our reality and quality of life. We know people move all the time — it’s increasingly common in today’s world — but there are many things keeping us here that we love and we know that any place we land will require choices and tradeoffs.
So while we continue to think long term about where we might want to be, one of my favorite things to do on a lazy Sunday morning is house hunt (online) in some of the places I’d most love to move. (This is an especially good activity during the wintertime in Boston when leaving the house is an unappealing concept.) Today I thought I’d share a few of the places that are on my wish list.
Colorado — Denver/Boulder area
When we tell people we’d love to move to Colorado, the first thing they usually ask is, “you know it’s cold there, too, right?” Yes, we know that there’s winter and snow in Colorado. And obviously depending on where in the state you are, the amount of cold and snow can be significant (hello, Rockies). But on the whole, Colorado gets less precipitation and has a lot more days of sunshine than Boston. It also has a lot for outdoor enthusiasts, and a culture that supports that. We visited Denver and Boulder last fall, and despite getting some unseasonably cool and rainy weather, we really enjoyed the outdoor adventuring that was within just a 15 minute drive of Boulder.
Also, don’t you want to live in this amazing house with these amazing views?
Source: Zillow
That house in on the market for $469,000, which might seem like a lot depending on where you live but a) it’s on 5 acres, and b) in the Boston neighborhood where we used to live (but got priced out of), this “diamond in the rough” is currently for sale for $1.2M:
Source: Zillow
North Carolina — Research Triangle
Another top contender for us is the Research Triangle area in North Caroline (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill). Sam works in higher education administration, so an area with a lot of universities/colleges is appealing from a jobs standpoint (yes, we know it’s hard to beat Boston on that front, but given that he’s been at the same university for 10 years, it’s not like we actually need 50+ for him to choose from).
This area also has the advantage of being on the East Coast (where much of our family still is), having a milder climate, being easily and cheaply accessible by airplane via RDU, and having some lovely and vibrant town/city centers. We’ve visited a few times in the past several years (most recently for a wedding last summer), and we’ve enjoyed good food (there is nothing like a chicken biscuit), lovely scenery, and plenty of walking and outdoor activity. (Even though I failed to take good photos.)
It was hard to pick a house to show you in this area because there are a bazillion on the market for under $500K, but here’s one with a sweet exterior that’s walking distance to a park and trails:
This particular house (4 beds, 2.5 baths) is $450,000, but there’s a lot on the market much cheaper than that, especially if you’re willing/want to do some work on it. And as a reminder of what we’re used to, here’s a 1-bedroom condo for sale for $450K in Boston. They didn’t bother putting any interior photos in the listing because they know it will sell (over asking price, probably all cash with inspection waived) anyway, but we do know there’s a place to chain up your bike.
Scotland
Okay this one is a pure pipe dream because it would be impossible to get a work visa (and it’s too late for me to marry a UK citizen), but we loved Scotland when we visited a few years ago and I would love to settle down in a small village there. I know the weather isn’t ideal, but I can feel my pastoral European roots calling to me.
We spent four days in the Loch Lomond region which was beautiful and full of amazing nature, and I wish we’d had more time to venture further north into the Highlands.
And if I’m going to spend $500,000 on a house, why shouldn’t it be this one:
Source: Right Move
Okay, so those are some of the places I fantasize about moving (some more realistic than others). Now tell me about the places you live and love, or would love to live!
I’m pretty content where I am, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, but there is one place I would sell my soul to live in and that’s the shack in the TV show “Death in Paradise.” It’s on an island, and has a large tree growing through the bedroom area. Palm trees, ocean, and privacy. It doesn’t get better than that.
Although Scotland sounds good, too. There are ways to solve your “must marry a citizen” dilemma, you know.
Ah yes, a tree growing through my living room has also always been on my dream list! Not to be in New England, of course 🙂
I would agree with Raleigh . It has the university , several large hospitals and , like you said the airport is nearby. There are some nice, smaller communities not too far from the city itself and the weather is much more agreeable than the New England states – and the Maritimes in Canada where I am now living.
Thanks for the thumbs up!
I lived in Raleigh for seven years and loved it. I’m back in Kentucky because I love it more. If I could live anywhere I wanted I’d be back in the house I sold to move closer than 45 miles to the job I love, but with an income from something local. I can’t wait to get back out of the city.
It’s so hard to balance where we’d love to live versus where we need to live to do the work we love!
I moved south many years ago. I never wanted to
see a foot of snow again. Circumstances change and here I am back where I started in the mid Atlantic region that does get snow sometimes.
I visited Friday Harbor on San Juan Island two years
ago. It was just an amazing place. If I came into some money I think I would love to live there. The ferry system was so very efficient and people explained
how they make a run to Costco on the mainland about every 6 weeks. A different way of life but the people
all seemed much more relaxed and enjoying life on an island. Speaking of islands….Anna Maria Island in Florida would also be a pick again if I had the money.
And I understand your love of Scotland as the beauty of Ireland and it’s people made me want to pick up and move after a couple visits there. Ok yes there is a common theme here….islands but I think that comes from having lived in the State of Texas in area where
I was not close to an ocean of any kind for 25 years:)
I think the Carolinas would be a good fit for you two and the cost of living in a warmer climate would mean
Not as much of the budget would go towards heating a house. Moving is daunting but you are young and it will be an exciting adventure if you choose to take the leap.
Why can’t we all just be independently wealthy and live wherever we want to?
No question, the Pacific Northwest. I went to Portland and Seattle for the first time last year and had a hard time leaving! I live in NYC now and agree with all the same thoughts you had about how hard it can be to leave. Plus, I’m already far from my family (they live in the south) and I can’t imagine moving all the way across the country and being further. But if teleportation became a thing, I’d move there in a heartbeat. It’s so beautiful out there!
It’s so lovely out there, and we’re reluctant for the same reasons (distance from family). When will be have teleportation?
I have come to realize that, for me, wherever I live, it is very important to live “in town,” where I can walk, bike or get public transit to a market, PO, library, performances, church, work, school, etc, rather than having to get in the car for every sojourn. As much as I love the beauty of homes on 5 acres in a remote area, when it comes down to it, I value getting free of car-dependence more. Happily, there are some places you can have an unbeatable view, in-town living, moderate climate, ready access to outdoor recreational opportunities, a rich job market, and also high quality schools, which could be on your radar at some point … Seattle is one!
So true, not having to drive is wonderful! Seattle is getting so expensive, it’s kind of crazy!
Where I live right now in Yorkshire is spectacularly beautiful – we’re in a rural area on the outskirts of a small village, surrounded by wood and moorland on the Pennine hills, yet we are also only fifteen minutes away from a small city, and half an hour by train from either Manchester or Leeds if we want a big city. It’s perfect for us, as we’re both outdoorsy and I grew up on a farm, and it’s an ideal place while our family is very young (my daughter is 9 months old).
BUT – I grew up on a farm, and it was amazing. And I want that for my children too, plus I want a horse and chickens and to rear our own livestock for meat and grow my own veg…to live the dream basically. And I’d like to move back closer to my family (6 hour drive might not be much in the US but its the other end of the UK!). And we want a renovation project.
And we have seen the most perfect little rundown farm with the most glorious outbuildings that is just crying out to be saved, and just down the road from my parents….the problem is – we’ve no money and it’s not even for sale! Ha! But never say never…! 🙂
That sounds amazing! I think I am too lazy to run a farm, but I so admire people who do it! (I grew up in Vermont, so around a lot of farms but not on one myself)
I grew up in Raleigh and now live not far outside of it in a little town no one pays attention to called Fuquay Varina. FV would be a bit of a haul into the RTP area every day, but overall this whole area is great, and there are plenty of little areas popping up where the money goes far for a house. (We have a small 3bedroom, 2.5 bath that we bought new a few years ago for $150K) Both the mountains and the beach are easily do-able for a day trip or weekend adventure and there are plenty of hiking trails
One of the best parts about central NC… We shut it down when it snows, even a little. It’s ridiculous but I love it. Google ‘Raleigh Snowmageddon 2014’ The snow rarely lingers too, most of the time its gone by the afternoon or clears up the next day and the most I’ve ever had to shovel was a path from the back door to the stairs on our deck and that’s only because its in the shade almost all day so it doesn’t melt and and the dogs were tracking in snow. I don’t even own own a legit winter coat.
Fuquay-Varina! I had a friend there when I lived in Raleigh. You mean the city hasn’t completely swallowed it up yet?
Its trying! lol
FV is growing like CRAZY though, we’ve only lived here 5 years and its already changed a lot.
I’ll have to look into it!
Hello from Scotland! It is indeed a lovely place to live (but that doesn’t stop me dreaming about a holiday home along the Hudson River in NY state…)
The Hudson Valley IS beautiful!
I live in Michigan, which I really love – but I’d also really love to live in St. Petersburgh, Fl. A city that averages out to 75 degrees year round – sign me up. Plus it’s beautiful – whale watching right off the beach – it has incredible parks and paths. The downtown is lively and fun. There are so many active people enjoying the city and the historic district has some gorgeous homes. LOVE
I could go for those temps!
That is an accurate and appropriate use of the word discriminating. i.e.: (of a person) having or showing refined taste or good judgment.
I think you meant this on another post, but I know what you mean 🙂