Moving Nationally or Internationally

[BIG_DADDY]

If you were going to move would you consider an international move ever? If you were going to pick another spot in the good old USA where would you like to be? For me I could see Austin in my not too distant future. If our country goes hard left I would have to look at the options at that time but I am going to start the process next year. I would love to look at Panama. I have seen several clients and friends move over the years. The most popular places have been Costa Rica, Philippines, Equador and Brazil but I know a lot of Brazilians. i can't forget Monaco for those with a lot of cash.

[Bearcat]

Personally, not a big fan of Palm Springs/Palm Desert... too far inland and it's like you're driving through the 80s, and everyone is in their 80s. They still have an Old Spaghetti Factory.

That Fallbrook house is pretty sweet... granted, still a decent drive inland since it's off the highways, but about not a bad drive to either San Diego or the southern part of the LA metro.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Personally, not a big fan of Palm Springs/Palm Desert... too far inland and it's like you're driving through the 80s, and everyone is in their 80s. They still have an Old Spaghetti Factory.

That Fallbrook house is pretty sweet... granted, still a decent drive inland since it's off the highways, but about not a bad drive to either San Diego or the southern part of the LA metro.

I always viewed Palm Springs as a relic of the 60s, but I went there three or four years ago and was surprised by how much I liked it. I'll admit that I like that southwest architecture, which helped, but I also liked the high mountains that were visible. I was there in a February, though, so I didn't feel that heat.

I'm boggled by that Fallbrook house. Five acres in the LA/SD corridor that's affordable? I would have thought that impossible. I was looking to see if I was missing some fatal flaw, but I think it's really just because it's inland so far and so far out of any town. But heck, it's still only an hour away from some nice coastal towns and half of that is just coming down the hill to civilization on rural roads. If I was retiring now, that would be a very strong contender. I'm afraid to show it to my wife because she'll want it now.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I'm boggled by that Fallbrook house. Five acres in the LA/SD corridor that's affordable? I would have thought that impossible. I was looking to see if I was missing some fatal flaw, but I think it's really just because it's inland so far and so far out of any town. But heck, it's still only an hour away from some nice coastal towns and half of that is just coming down the hill to civilization on rural roads. If I was retiring now, that would be a very strong contender. I'm afraid to show it to my wife because she'll want it now.

Yeah... I want it now, too.

I assume Ventura/Oxnard will be further up your list... it's also surprisingly affordable for being on the coast and being close to LA.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Yeah... I want it now, too.

I assume Ventura/Oxnard will be further up your list... it's also surprisingly affordable for being on the coast and being close to LA.

Hmm, I'll have to look at Ventura and Oxnard. I don't have them on my list. Maybe when I finish the list I'll go back and add them so I don't mess up the rankings. I don't have much exposure in that area other than one night in Ventura a few years ago, which was pleasant enough. Further north from Los Angeles probably fits my climate preferences better than the southern part, too.

[flinchfree]

My wife and I are in our early 50's and bought our 'retirement' condo in Palm Springs nearly a year ago. We've got 2 teenagers finishing HS in the next couple years here in KC and then we are escaping the humidity and landlocked nature of living in the midwest. I'll take my Chiefs fandom with me.

We find PS to be much less 80's and more cool vibe with a strong population of 40 thru 60 somethings with plenty of cash for fun dining and architectural inclinations. Main street has had a tonne of money flow in and is pretty chic, with a new Andaz hotel underway though that and nearly everything else under construction has ground to a halt with Covid going on.
We love the weather, condo life, a pool outside our window, and the step off point that it is to 4-5 other states outside Cali, and that's without the incredible variety of geography and things to do within the State. We always make trips to Colorado and Utah either on the way out or once there and looking to take some road trips.
The town of PS is dropped into the midst of stunning surrounding mountains (though super arid) with walking trails and offroading experiences etc in abundance.

We're absolutely on fire to move out there.
Paid 385K for 1585sqft townhouse style condo, 2 blocks off the main strip.


My wife in the pool last week.

[Rain Man]

Nice, flinchfree! That's kind of the vision that I have. I was expecting (and hoping) for Palm Springs to rank higher, because I liked my one experience there.

Have you been there in the summer? How tolerable is it?

[Bearcat]

Nice, I do love the weather in Palm Springs... as far as vibe, I have been to PS once or twice, but last time was on the Cathedral City/Palm Desert end, so perhaps just a more outdated area.

[flinchfree]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Nice, I do love the weather in Palm Springs... as far as vibe, I have been to PS once or twice, but last time was on the Cathedral City/Palm Desert end, so perhaps just a more outdated area.

100 on Cathedral City and Palm Desert. Definitely has that strip mall thing going on around the main through road (Hwy 111), and then you need to cut in to find the 'golf' community gated housing set ups which were largely done in that 80's period. Landscaping in those communities can be really beautiful, but you are indeed often looking at major reno/updating buying a condo from someone who has lived in it super lightly for 30 years. Everything in great shape, but glass mirror walls and very dated kitchens. It's why we stuck closer to PS itself....

[flinchfree]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Nice, flinchfree! That's kind of the vision that I have. I was expecting (and hoping) for Palm Springs to rank higher, because I liked my one experience there.

Have you been there in the summer? How tolerable is it?

I just got back 3 days ago after spending roughly 3 weeks there. Rest of family came with me for just 5 days or so as we drove out, and then they needed to get back for various reasons. Killer drive as we stopped in Moab (did Arches this time, Canyon Lands is waaaaaaaaaay better!) and Mt Zion national parks in Utah.

So, weather in summer......most days it's up over 105 by 11:30 and keeps crushing until the sun dips over the back mountain around 7:00pm. If you want to golf or play tennis you start at 7:00am.
Me, I grew up in Australia so don't mind the big heat, and I will admit PS is an absolute monster June/July/August. The air itself gets super heated, so you just move through it very slowly and casually, stay in the shade or the pool where you can, and move in and out of air con from your car to your home to a restaurant where possible. I kind of like the feeling though, especially sitting on the patio with a joint lit and a nice iced drink. Super relaxing.

Even with that heat we did a couple trail walks with tonnes of water in hand and in the car, and took the dog on a few long walks to downtown and back daily.

Absolutely frickin love it.
And then October - May.....the weather is just dummy good.

[Brody Wa]

I can’t stand living near Seattle. 9- 10 months of cloudy and cold months a year gets old. The beginning of football is very interesting because on one hand you’re excited about the season starting but on the other hand you know your going to have at least 9’months of crappy weather.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Brody Wa

I can’t stand living near Seattle. 9- 10 months of cloudy and cold months a year gets old. The beginning of football is very interesting because on one hand you’re excited about the season starting but on the other hand you know your going to have at least 9’months of crappy weather.

I don't understand not liking cloudy. Cloudy is very pleasant to me. I guess the only downside is if it's accompanied by humidity.

[jdubya]

I have lived in SoCal and NorCal my whole life. Geographically it is second to none as one can drive 1-3 hours in any direction and see the ocean, lakes, rivers, desert, Redwoods, wine country and the sierras easily.

I remember when there was nearly nothing between Santa Barbara and LA. Thousand Oaks was fast food and gas station stop with a bank. Oxnard and Ventura were small coastal towns. Last time I drove through my jaw dropped at how much everything has grown between SB and LA. Brutal....and the traffic.

Up in the Bay Area it is similar. There are pretty areas to live but the politics, traffic, high cost of living, rat race mentality, road rage, crime and homelessness make it stressful and very maddening. I suspect my wife and I are heading out in the next 2-5 years.

Have family north and a little east of California where it is very pleasant and the politics and people are welcoming. Winters are a bit rough for Californians so my wife and i plan to do some light traveling in warmer climates during the winter.

Someone above posted about Incline Village, NV but was turned off by the real estate costs and the amount of snow. I would suggest taking a good look at Reno/Sparks as the real estate goes much further with your dollar and being on the east side of the Sierras they only get a dusting of snow compared to the Tahoe basin. However, Incline Village and the Tahoe basin is only 25-30 minutes away. Reno has a dumpy reputation but is has been gentrifying for a few years now and is looking much better than it used to. There are also other communities just south (Minden, Gardnerville) or north of the Reno area that are growing if you dont like Reno proper but you are still minutes from Tahoe.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

By the way, I kicked Nebraska out of the tournament. I had a business thing in Omaha and everyone I encountered was a complete jerk. So screw Nebraska. They're out. I replaced them with another place that looked interesting.

When I was up there I was treated pretty well. Granted I was on the other side of the state.

I’m guessing it just a function of Nebraska losing. Sidney was 6 hours away from Lincoln but there were a lot of dudes and chicks that went anyway. Monday’s after losses (there were many), it was a different place. Although people actually left me alone when KU blasted them in 08.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

When I was up there I was treated pretty well. Granted I was on the other side of the state.

I’m guessing it just a function of Nebraska losing. Sidney was 6 hours away from Lincoln but there were a lot of dudes and chicks that went anyway. Monday’s after losses (there were many), it was a different place. Although people actually left me alone when KU blasted them in 08.

Yeah, I'm just being petty on Omaha, but those people did not leave me with a good impression and this is my only way of exacting revenge. I had Omaha in the tournament and they were ranked in the 40s. They weren't particular strong contenders and my wife would've shaken her head.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by jdubya

I have lived in SoCal and NorCal my whole life. Geographically it is second to none as one can drive 1-3 hours in any direction and see the ocean, lakes, rivers, desert, Redwoods, wine country and the sierras easily.

I remember when there was nearly nothing between Santa Barbara and LA. Thousand Oaks was fast food and gas station stop with a bank. Oxnard and Ventura were small coastal towns. Last time I drove through my jaw dropped at how much everything has grown between SB and LA. Brutal....and the traffic.

Up in the Bay Area it is similar. There are pretty areas to live but the politics, traffic, high cost of living, rat race mentality, road rage, crime and homelessness make it stressful and very maddening. I suspect my wife and I are heading out in the next 2-5 years.

Have family north and a little east of California where it is very pleasant and the politics and people are welcoming. Winters are a bit rough for Californians so my wife and i plan to do some light traveling in warmer climates during the winter.

Someone above posted about Incline Village, NV but was turned off by the real estate costs and the amount of snow. I would suggest taking a good look at Reno/Sparks as the real estate goes much further with your dollar and being on the east side of the Sierras they only get a dusting of snow compared to the Tahoe basin. However, Incline Village and the Tahoe basin is only 25-30 minutes away. Reno has a dumpy reputation but is has been gentrifying for a few years now and is looking much better than it used to. There are also other communities just south (Minden, Gardnerville) or north of the Reno area that are growing if you dont like Reno proper but you are still minutes from Tahoe.

Reno is indeed in the tournament and hasn't been presented yet, so your positive review of Reno is accurate.

I too have heard that it's kind of dumpy, but I've never been there. On paper, it's got a lot going for it.