In search of the right place to call home

Pietrantonio · April 9th, 2008, 11:06

I'm looking for practical advice on some areas where the cost of living is reasonable, yet at the same time, can enjoy areas of good schools, and nice neighborhoods. Right now, I live in NC Charlotte, and the cost of living isn't outrageous, but it's getting harder as the days progress. I'm sure it's not just NC as well. But, I do want to be able to live where I can call home (5+ years) with nice neighborhoods where the residents mow their grass, and keep things clean. (Selective areas of NC keep up with this stuff) I would like to be in an area where my kids, when they arrive one day, can go to school in a nice area, etc.

So, I come to all of you for your advice. I've looked on CNN Money for "best places to live" etc, but it targets more familys who can afford 200,000 + dollar homes. That's not us. Our budget falls in the 95,000-150,000 dollar limit range. If you have any ideas, opinions, suggestions, experiences living where you are or where you did, and the such, I'd like to hear about them. The world is a large place, and actual testimonies seem to be the best form of review.

Thanks for all the help!

MQAAord · April 9th, 2008, 12:09

We've lived in Indianapolis for 3 years now.

Housing here is very affordable, and you would be able to afford a house in a decent neighborhood and school district in your budget with no problem.

Indianapolis has a nice zoo, one of the best Children's Museums in the country, a minor league baseball team, and a good quality/cost of life ratio. I'd go back to Chicago in a heartbeat if we could, but Indy's not a bad place to be.

The winters can be a little chilly, though coming from 10 years in Chicago and being born & raised in Wisconsin it's nothing to me

The summers are almost too hot for me, I personally would never live any farther south than here, I hate the heat.

The new terminal at IND is supposed to be done pretty soon, and the airport is serviced by all airlines. Pretty much any hub city can be got to via a 1 leg commute, especially with CASS jumpseating. CVG is a 2 hour drive away and ORD is 3.5 hours (MDW would probably be 3), STL is 3 or 4 hours.

Velocipede · April 9th, 2008, 12:21

Don't bother looking anywhere north of the Oregon border or west of the Idaho border. You can't afford it.

Cessnaflyer · April 9th, 2008, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velocipede

Don't bother looking anywhere north of the Oregon border or west of the Idaho border. You can't afford it.

He could easily afford to live here in Moses Lake. There are many nice homes in that price range. The only problem you are about 45 minutes to an hour and a half away from anything. I met an AS pilot who drives from here to SEA so it can't be too bad

970Flyer · April 9th, 2008, 12:28

Check out Newman, GA or the DFW areas. I haven't lived in either, but the homes are undervalued and you may be able to hook yourself up with a deal. Can someone comment on those two locations?

CirrusMonkey · April 9th, 2008, 21:40

Knoxville, TN. Sure, there are 1 million people and only 5 last names, but at least you will be amongst family here! Yeeeeeehaw!

Pietrantonio · April 15th, 2008, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by MQAAord

We've lived in Indianapolis for 3 years now.

Housing here is very affordable, and you would be able to afford a house in a decent neighborhood and school district in your budget with no problem.

Indianapolis has a nice zoo, one of the best Children's Museums in the country, a minor league baseball team, and a good quality/cost of life ratio. I'd go back to Chicago in a heartbeat if we could, but Indy's not a bad place to be.

The winters can be a little chilly, though coming from 10 years in Chicago and being born & raised in Wisconsin it's nothing to me

The summers are almost too hot for me, I personally would never live any farther south than here, I hate the heat.

The new terminal at IND is supposed to be done pretty soon, and the airport is serviced by all airlines. Pretty much any hub city can be got to via a 1 leg commute, especially with CASS jumpseating. CVG is a 2 hour drive away and ORD is 3.5 hours (MDW would probably be 3), STL is 3 or 4 hours.

I've been looking at the homes built by M/I. There's the development Indian Creek Meadows that looks nice. The house you get for the money is well worth it, especially when here in NC it would run you about 300 +

It seems the temps aren't much different either compared to NC. How's the neighborhoods? Are they well kept? In good areas etc.?

Kristie · April 16th, 2008, 00:22

Florida is out now too since housing prices skyrocketed there. you might be able to get way out in the boonies but the big cities would be tough to get into.

Swen · April 16th, 2008, 00:40

Hudson, WI. Commutable distance to MSP and low cost of living.

N826AW · April 16th, 2008, 05:02

You can find houses on the fringe of PHX (Southern Gilbert/Queen Creek) for the $95-$150k range.

MQAAord · April 16th, 2008, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pietrantonio

I've been looking at the homes built by M/I. There's the development Indian Creek Meadows that looks nice. The house you get for the money is well worth it, especially when here in NC it would run you about 300 +

It seems the temps aren't much different either compared to NC. How's the neighborhoods? Are they well kept? In good areas etc.?

It's probably a little colder here in the winter than it is in NC, but not by too much. To me, winters here aren't all that bad.

I'm not familiar with the Indian Creek Meadows development, but most of the newer neighborhoods are well-kept, nice and safe. The "bad" areas here are generally in the city of Indianapolis itself, and when you're here house-shopping you'll KNOW the bad neighborhoods when you see them.

Our house isn't an M/I, we're in Pulte neighborhood, so I don't know anything about that particular builder.

Indy is a nice place to be. It's not Wisconsin or Chicago, but I can't complain

ljg · April 16th, 2008, 13:21

Nashville, TN would meet that criteria. Newnan also seems like a nice place. I lived in Indy and found people too polite there. That's the biggest complaint I can make about the city, FWIW- Good place (but no BNA).

KC Jake · April 16th, 2008, 14:07

Kansas City has a good variety of houses in nice neighborhoods for good prices. The schools on the Kansas side are top notch too. It can get kinda boring if you aren't semi-creative. HOT summers and COLD winters abound. It's a good place to fly.

srleslie · April 16th, 2008, 16:14

Little Rock has all the comforts of a large city but is still small enough not not feel like a major metro area. It has decent schools, many nice homes in your price range, mild winters (although very hot summers) and friendly people. There are lots of recreation opportunities around, with the Ozarks right next door. LIT is a nice place to fly out of as well.

Flyingtower · April 17th, 2008, 10:26

I'm living in Houston and its great! Low cost of living compared to most other places. Unfortunately, with most airlines it is considered a high-seniority base (at least for A&Ps), so getting in here was a bit harder than it would have been elsewhere. Housing is particularly innexpensive.

TheShortOne · April 18th, 2008, 06:56

Salt Lake City (and the surrounding 'burbs) is a great area! It's not frigid in the winter (compared to Michigan at least) and it's nice in the summer. People here are very nice and there is a TON of stuff to do if you guys are into the outdoors - hiking in the mountains, camping, mountain and street biking, skiing/snowboarding in the winter, snowshoeing, etc etc. Lots of cool museums and restraunts in downtown SLC. It's also a Delta hub so it's pretty to get into and out of (unless you're trying to non-rev on CAL. then it's a PITA!)

Park City is really ideal but the cost of housing is through the roof so I would recommend you look at places like Cottonwood Heights, Sandy and Sugarhouse (it is near the University of Utah) to start with if you're interested in the area!

rjmore · April 18th, 2008, 17:00

I live in a place called The Woodlands just north of Houston. It is one of the top master planned communities in the world. The lawns are cut and the schools are very good. Take a look at http://www.thewoodlands.com/ then hop over to http://www.har.com (Houston Association of Realtors) and do a search. People forget that Houston is the fourth largest city in the country and has plenty to do. I usually don't go outside of a 5 mile radius of my house since everything I need is here. If I do go into Houston it is for the zoo, museum, or other events dowtown.