Why do you live where you live?

[grsthegreat]

Ive lived in north Idaho since 1993, and wouldn't live anywhere else. Ive done alot of traveling, and ive seen other places that are quite nice, but this place has everything i need. Were only 40 minutes to a large town yet live in the sticks. Large lake is 8 miles from my doorstep, mountains surround me. I have 20 acres forested and access to 10 acres in pasture.

I love the 4 seasons, get enough rain but not too much. Set a good amount of snow, but again not too much. Springs are wonderful and fall isnt too cold or wet.

Idaho politicians stay out of your life.

 

[jimpen]

Well for me I have 6 acres and the nearest "city" is 13 miles away. It is pretty rural. I ended up in Ohio because that was my last base when I was in the USAF. I met a lady and decided to stay. I was born in the eastern end of PA. I'm far enough away that relatives won't call before coming to visit but if I need to get there I can do it in ten-twelve hours.

My current house is quiet. My neighbors are out of sight enough that I can take a leak in my front yard and no one will know. I like being able to be undisturbed.

 

[Deere Dude]

I and my wife lived in South Central WI all our lives for the most part. I loved the country life but the winters were hard on the old girl. One of the biggest influences for me was to move to an area that was away from snow for my wife's sake, although I really did enjoy playing in the snow. Perhaps more importantly for us was to move to an area with a higher population of like-minded religious friends.

Last fall we moved to the sticks in South Central Tennessee, Hohenwald. I had a 45 HP tractor and wanted a sandbox to accommodate that. so we bought 19 acres a couple miles from a town of 5500. I bought a 28' GN trailer and made about 7 trips and we were moved. Our son and his family moved south of Nashville about and hour and a half away about the same time so this worked out for us.

I like the scenery and hills although the curvy roads don't lend oneself to gawking while driving very much so I need my wife to tell me to keep it on the road occasionally.

I like the friendliness of the people I have met. You cannot walk the road without every car you meet waving at you. If you ever saw the movie, "Doc Hollywood," our town is similar to that one.

 

[amberg]

I live in central Va. orange, Spotsylvania line top side of lake anna, the old house was built in 1890, I guess you just have to like where you are born at. ( magic carpet ride ) the best song ever IMO by Steppenwolfe

wish I lived down there.

 

[OldMcDonald]

I live a long way from most of you - never even been to N or S America. I have though (with my wife) farmed our own land in England x2, Australia and Scotland before moving here in 2003. We move every now and again for a change of scenery, and the opportunity to produce new crops. Agriculture is all I have ever been interested in, despite being obliged to work for many years behind a desk because I was not born of a wealthy family.

We have enjoyed our various farms (9 to 3000 acres) and we are here because it is a very pleasant country, nice people, and not many for the space available, entirely safe - very low crime rate, good food, excellent wine (particularly Port of course) and a very cheap place to live. As farmers we pay no local taxes, non-business purchases are taxed up to 23% as a Value Added Tax (EU compulsion), business purchases taxed but reclaimed, car tax €30, insurance (any driver) €150. Income tax is quite low too. Little frost and snow not normally within about 20 miles. Summer temps 90ºF or just a wee bit more. All in all very pleasant. 14 miles from a 60.000 pop city on a very good road, 3-phase electric (2/3rds produced from renewables in 2013) mains water, a small river as the boundary, and the one drawback - no decent fishing. Fish in the river average about two inches, never seen one over 5.

 

[jrclark]

Family and friends are all located in the NW suburbs of Philly. Both the wife and I grew up there, but moved closer to the city shortly after getting married, since we both work in town. We chose to move back to the burbs so our daughter could be raised around family and take advantage of the fresh air and wide open surroundings. We are undertaking the (long and arduous) task of building our new home on 5 completely wooded acres nestled deep in the woods.

The commute isn't too bad, about 1.5hrs each way via train. Would much rather live where I want and work where I have to!

 

[dave1949]

We came to Maine in 1994 for work-related reasons. After living in a southern Maine coastal town until 2006, we moved here to western Maine. This is really the first time we chose a location just for itself. The other places we have lived were all in conjunction with job considerations.

We both enjoy nature, a little room to roam, neighbors that aren't too near, seasons, and a temperate climate with plenty of greenery. This area offers those things at very reasonable land prices with just enough services nearby: stores, medical care, etc. We paid just under $500/acre for our land in 2003. There are still plenty of larger parcels available for around $1000/acre.

There aren't many places that offer that combination of low land cost and services and have the type of climate we prefer. The reason land is inexpensive here is that there are few jobs, and even fewer good paying jobs. The land is not good farmland and the region is outside of the main transportation network. But we are retired, our kids are on their own where they need to be and all that stuff is largely off our radar at this stage of life.

I'm sure there are a number of areas that I could enjoy living in. Places are what you make of them to some extent. This probably isn't our last stop, but for now while we are able we will enjoy what it offers.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I live a long way from most of you - never even been to N or S America. I have though (with my wife) farmed our own land in England x2, Australia and Scotland before moving here in 2003. We move every now and again for a change of scenery, and the opportunity to produce new crops. Agriculture is all I have ever been interested in, despite being obliged to work for many years behind a desk because I was not born of a wealthy family.

We have enjoyed our various farms (9 to 3000 acres) and we are here because it is a very pleasant country, nice people, and not many for the space available, entirely safe - very low crime rate, good food, excellent wine (particularly Port of course) and a very cheap place to live. As farmers we pay no local taxes, non-business purchases are taxed up to 23% as a Value Added Tax (EU compulsion), business purchases taxed but reclaimed, car tax €30, insurance (any driver) €150. Income tax is quite low too. Little frost and snow not normally within about 20 miles. Summer temps 90ºF or just a wee bit more. All in all very pleasant. 14 miles from a 60.000 pop city on a very good road, 3-phase electric (2/3rds produced from renewables in 2013) mains water, a small river as the boundary, and the one drawback - no decent fishing. Fish in the river average about two inches, never seen one over 5.

Not to mention some of the best football in the world...

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Family and friends are all located in the NW suburbs of Philly. Both the wife and I grew up there, but moved closer to the city shortly after getting married, since we both work in town. We chose to move back to the burbs so our daughter could be raised around family and take advantage of the fresh air and wide open surroundings. We are undertaking the (long and arduous) task of building our new home on 5 completely wooded acres nestled deep in the woods.

The commute isn't too bad, about 1.5hrs each way via train. Would much rather live where I want and work where I have to!

Small world, I'll be in Montgomery and Bucks counties the next 3 months. Beautiful area...

 

[OldMcDonald]

Not to mention some of the best football in the world...

True. Like many countries their best players are in other countries, but the top clubs bring in good players from other countries. I still think Eusebio was the best I have seen in over 60 years of watching the game. He died on 5th January. I remember the date because my mother would have been 101 that day. She died 3 years ago.