@JBSeattle I’d have to disagree on both points. I moved from Baltimore to Mt Pleasant and have never felt more welcome in a new community. Savannah is 2 hrs from Charleston, not a half an hr.
@carolinamom2boys
Really it is that far? I stand corrected on that point. Felt close to me when I went, but you obviously know better.
Could Mt. Pleasant be different than Charleston? Savannah felt more blue collar to me and accepting. Charleston felt blue blood and I had a feeling like I was not part of their club. They were polite but the people in Savannah were genuinely friendly. It also could be since we are obvious Northerners? IDK
@JBSeattle Mt Pleasant is right over the bridge 10 minutes from Charleston. I worked in Charleston for 8 years and never experienced what you have described. I moved from Baltimore so I was also obviously not local. I guess it’s all perception. How much time did you spend in Savannah and Charleston?
IMO Savannah is definitely more blue collar than Charleston, but it is also more fun. I think Wilmington, NC is the farthest north I’ll get him. He wants the ocean and I prefer trees.
@dfbdfb That is really funny. Who moves to Iowa for warmth? The coldest I’ve ever experienced was 0 w/o with chill. My wimpy parents are coming unglued in Boone, NC today b/c they have snow and they sold their house in FLA so they are stuck there. My dad tried to get the snow off the steps with his leaf blower. I think I need to start a thread re: Floridians trying to get through a winter in the mountains. He has never shoveled snow in his life. SMH.
“Historic” Savannah or Savannah? We have dear friends that live on Skidaway Island (technically Savannah) which is a very affluent area and the furthest thing from Blue Collar.
I got eight more years…ten at most and I’m out of Massachusetts!
I have a junior and a senior, so they’ll both be off to college within two years. My plan is to then start exploring cities and towns down the east coast, before deciding where to move. I want a walkable city/town, with single story homes, within an easy walk of lots of shops and restaurants. Also want to be nearish a major airport, and preferably close to the Amtrak DC-NY line. My perfect town may not exist.
It certainly exists here in northern NJ, but you’ll pay dearly for it.
@eb23282 Ha! You can’t scare me. I live in the suburbs of Boston. I’m already paying dearly! However, I am thinking further south than that.
Haha! MA is where we came from and I missed it literally every day for years! I do miss the snow, but not sure I want to shovel it anymore. Hubs wants ocean and warmth, I want mountains and seasons. We either need 2 houses or inexpensive living with generous provisions for travel!
There are lots of little towns in North Carolina that are walkable and affordable - especially if coming from the northeast, I know I’m delusional wanting to go north though. One thing that is important is a good hospital and a nice perk is a college town because of the programming such as plays and music. Just my two cents.
How many on this thread would follow their kids though? I’d be willing.
@TwinMom2023 I am counting on following my kids because H and I can’t agree on where to go - too many options!
Unfortunately, it could be many years before they settle down.
We are in NY and think realistically we will not be able to stay here in retirement with just one salary/retirement. However, we also have two older children w special needs and the thought of starting all over again with new systems makes me rethink the whole notion of moving. I also like the idea of a nice walkable town not to far from DC-NY line @momzilla2D !
I’m also thinking I would love a nicer downtown area than where I am now. I have always be enamored from afar with Cape Coral, FL and its system of canals but I don’t think there is a nice downtown area like other places like Naples.
My husband is already early retirement age. He’s holding on for 2 more years unless health forces him out. When the kiddo leaves for college we’ll be ready to get the house into minimally sellable condition and we’re looking elsewhere. I am constrained by work to mid-Maryland, but there are possibilities for me in eastern WVA or central-west VA.
I just feel paralyzed until we know where the kiddo is going to school. I don’t want to move farther away from him the moment he leaves the house.
If I had all the money I think I’d like to relocate to Havre de Grace. Nice bayside town, just off 95. There’s a retirement home on a low cliff overlooking the boardwalk and the bay that we’ve been fantasizing about for years.
And just like that, it’s over. S19 got into his first choice yesterday. Which means we are stuck in Pennsylvania for the next four years. Thanks, Penn State main campus. 
Mr. InfiniteWaves and I both commute from PA to the MD/DC area for work. We moved to PA from the MD/DC area when the kids were very young. Our plan is to move back to MD as soon as we can to live out our working years and then consider heading further south.
So my personal goal is for S21 to attend a private college that gives him great merit. I’m sure that S21 and all the private colleges out there will go along with this plan so that I can stop commuting 100 miles round trip each day. LOL!
@ninakatarina Havre de Grace is nice! And a good spot to enjoy Philly or Baltimore if you need a city fix.
Big congratulations @InfiniteWaves !! Are there any outstanding acceptances that may sway S?
@EENYMum No outstanding acceptances. He already had four other acceptances and would have happily attended Susquehanna University. Penn State has been his top choice though and the last decision to come in. Because of course.
Congrats @InfiniteWaves !
That is one pain of a commute! You should start telling your younger one about the greatness of University of Maryland, Georgetown and George Washington University!
We’ll be staying put. DH has way too many tractors to ever consider moving- we need a barn, garage, and shop- oh and space for the semi until he retires. We’re 15 minutes from my parents, who needed a lot of help health-wise this summer so I wouldn’t leave them either.
The girls’ colleges are 1-2 hours away so we’re good there. I expect D’17 to stay in Iowa. D’19 thinks she’ll be living in Colorado because mountains, or by some National Park where she can work. But she wants to be close to her sister too.