Where to live?

[Ellbee99]

Too bad you want a job and not to be taxed to death. Upstate NY has all the other requirements.

Good luck!

[Douglas]

Thats the only thing that chased me from NY. Tax upon tax upon tax upon tax. Then if you live near the city, extra taxes. (I guess I can understand that since the bulk of the population lives in NY county and the surrounding counties. But still...)

[L. Robinson]

North West! Washington State will meet all your requirements including the concealed carry. You'll need to commute for the lower cost housing you seek and the population requirements. Seattle is great for IT Jobs.

[kenwae]

Take a look at southern Oregon, the Rogue Valley. Medford. It meets just about all of your requirements, though I don't know about the concealed carry laws.

[erozier2]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

No California. I won't live there.

Here here! I had the unfortunate "pleasure" of having to live in CA for a year and a half (job related short term transfer... was going to be a 3-month stay, then 6-month, then 9-month..., then ARGH!). Worst experience of my life. California's a socialist police state (and a failed one at that!), which dictates morality and life to its people. And, no offense to any Camels from CA, the people in CA were the most bigoted closed minded folks I've ever met in my life. All the while preaching how great CA was, and how they were so open minded (hint: only if you share their beliefs).

IMO: Stay away from the coasts. Coasties and coastal states are trouble through and through. The middle of the country has the highest standard of living.

Now as for some constructive suggestions:

1. Stable or strong IT job market
2. $200,000 can buy a comfortable 3 bed/2 bath, 2000 sq/ft house on 1-2 acres within 45 minutes of an urban area. I'm not looking for a palace nor a fixer-upper (at that price).
3. Seasons. Snow is okay but not necessarily required.
4. Recreational activities. Fishing, canoe/kayak, festivals, hiking, etc..
5. Cultural activity. Theater, art, festivals, etc..
6. Relatively small population. Nearby larger urban areas are okay. I like small towns, under 20,000 people.
7. Relatively conservative values. I'm not looking for a red state or red county. I'm also not looking for a entitlement community like Detroit or some cities in CA.
8. History, including older homes and areas of significant historical impact (at least locally).
9. Relatively good school system. Not because I have kids or plan on it but I've found that a good school system tends to be a barometer of the overall health of a commuity.

1) Anywhere in Texas, although their seasons will be different than what you're used to. Top picks: Austin or Houston. Find a small town on the outside. San Antonio could work depending on your tech preference.

2) Missouri, Columbia fits the bill nicely, so do some of the outskirts of St. Louis and KC.

3) Indiana, Bloomington, Lafayette-West Lafayetee, and South Bend all fit the bill pretty nicely.

4) Ohio-Northern Kentucky, The Cincy metro area is a good fit.

5) Lexington, Kentucky

6) Lincoln, Nebraska

7) Lawrence, Kansas

You could find stronger tech industry by moving to the bigger cities but these are some of the strongest you'll find in smaller areas.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by erozier2

Now as for some constructive suggestions:

1) Anywhere in Texas, although their seasons will be different than what you're used to. Top picks: Austin or Houston. Find a small town on the outside. San Antonio could work depending on your tech preference.

2) Missouri, Columbia fits the bill nicely, so do some of the outskirts of St. Louis and KC.

3) Indiana, Bloomington, Lafayette-West Lafayetee, and South Bend all fit the bill pretty nicely.

4) Ohio-Northern Kentucky, The Cincy metro area is a good fit.

5) Lexington, Kentucky

6) Lincoln, Nebraska

7) Lawrence, Kansas

You could find stronger tech industry by moving to the bigger cities but these are some of the strongest you'll find in smaller areas.

I appreciate the suggestions but you do realize I was hoping to find it all in one location, right?

[erozier2]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

I appreciate the suggestions but you do realize I was hoping to find it all in one location, right?

Yes, sorry, my list was confusing. That's 7 suggestions I think fit the bill, not independent places to meet each.

[hey3]

Texas. Utilities and home owners insurance are higher here than other places, so I hear. The hill country, down near Austin, is growing so is the area around Kileen and Copperas Cove. Some nice areas around Houston (Drawback possiblity of Huricanes).

[erozier2]

Originally Posted by hey3

Texas. Utilities and home owners insurance are higher here than other places, so I hear. The hill country, down near Austin, is growing so is the area around Kileen and Copperas Cove. Some nice areas around Houston (Drawback possiblity of Huricanes).

Yeah but the income tax is awesome so I hear. Also one of the highest standards of living, and lowest costs of living in the world.

[Killjoy]

Originally Posted by erozier2

Now as for some constructive suggestions:

1) Top picks: Austin or Houston.

Nope. Houston is out for Brian. With his luck, he'd run into Rick Waldroup.

[JimHowerton]

You might want to consider Boise,Id. I've lived in Idaho for over 30 years just for the recreational benefits. Boise and Sun Valley are the bluest parts of the state and the rest I just shake my head and wonder what they're thinking. There is some intolerance of out of staters, but thats just the idiots and luckily they don't count.
Boise doesn't have very bad winters and only a couple of weeks over 100 degrees. The state is all about the outdoors, and with only about 1.3 millon people there's still places you can get away from it all. Hunting, fishing, Bogus Basin for skiing, Sawtooth recreation area for solitude and wilderness if you really want to get away from the madness.
Idaho is pro gun. You only really need a CWP in the larger cities. I think the only places you can't take a weapon are government buildings, schools and bars. Check out the Idaho.gov site for the laws. I have a CWP and I always carry when I'm out of the house.
The only really weak spot may be the job market, but well, thats just about everywhere right now. Outstanding people still get hired.
I left California 35 years ago and have never looked back, but I do visit the relatives every few years.

[Songman45]

Dallas, TX?

Again there is the commute from the smaller outlying cities but there is a strong technology base. You'll find those conservative values out of the metro area. Seasons, might not be great we have two: winter and summer. There are lots of cultural outlets and if you look you'll find quite a bit of history. Nothing to match the history of the East Coast. Concealed handguns are licensed. There is accessablity to a variety of lakes and recreational areas. An hour's drive from just about anywhere will provide you with a different scene. In some places an hour's drive is 10 miles and in others it'll get you 70 miles away.

Its tough to get metropolitan, suburbia and rural in one package.

Steve

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Killjoy

Nope. Houston is out for Brian. With his luck, he'd run into Rick Waldroup.

I almost can't do Austin, although I've heard good things about it. Hardly surprising since it has my name and all.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by JimHowerton

You might want to consider Boise,Id.

I've heard good things about Idaho. A friend would love to move back there. Definitely a consideration.

Thanks.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Songman45

Dallas, TX?

Again there is the commute from the smaller outlying cities but there is a strong technology base. You'll find those conservative values out of the metro area. Seasons, might not be great we have two: winter and summer. There are lots of cultural outlets and if you look you'll find quite a bit of history. Nothing to match the history of the East Coast. Concealed handguns are licensed. There is accessablity to a variety of lakes and recreational areas. An hour's drive from just about anywhere will provide you with a different scene. In some places an hour's drive is 10 miles and in others it'll get you 70 miles away.

Its tough to get metropolitan, suburbia and rural in one package.

Steve

When I made the list, the first place that came to mind was the Dallas area. I have a lot of relatives in the area...none of whom I feel any particular connection with (not that it matters). I've spent a fair amount of time there. It's not a bad place.

On the list but I think a little more season would be needed. I want at least a few brisk weeks each year where you FEEL winter rather than just recognize it on the weather-weenie's green screen.

[gsk]

Above, someone mentioned Lexington, KY. It's a great place. Lived there for 11 years. It's a relatively new city (as far as cities go). Much white collar work so IT is needed. Major university there. Many cultural things to do and country side just a few minutes drive away. Has 4 seasons with a mild winter (for most part). The surrounding small towns are nice. Many outdoor activities: hunting, fishing, boating, etc just a short drive away.

[erozier2]

Originally Posted by gsk

Above, someone mentioned Lexington, KY. It's a great place. Lived there for 11 years. It's a relatively new city (as far as cities go). Much white collar work so IT is needed. Major university there. Many cultural things to do and country side just a few minutes drive away. Has 4 seasons with a mild winter (for most part). The surrounding small towns are nice. Many outdoor activities: hunting, fishing, boating, etc just a short drive away.

Lexington also has the benefit of being in Kentucky, the second most beautiful state in the union after Missouri.

[Mechoption]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

This reminds me: I forgot the guns thing.

I ain't givin' them up.

Adding to the list...

You can have as many hunting rifles as you like in Canada, just no hand guns, and no fully automatic weapons. (maybe no semi-automatic either, but I'm not really sure). You can however have a cross-bow

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Mechoption

You can have as many hunting rifles as you like in Canada, just no hand guns, and no fully automatic weapons. (maybe no semi-automatic either, but I'm not really sure). You can however have a cross-bow

Most of my guns are handguns. And I shoot competitively with them.

I'll pass.

[Mechoption]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

Most of my guns are handguns. And I shoot competitively with them.

I'll pass.

You can shoot competitively with them in Canada, and you can own one - you just need to go through all the extensive paperwork and stuff Gun politics in Canada - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia