<p>Bham has had a huge increase in home prices but is cheaper than Seattle. Nice town but weather can be much colder than Seattle with snow more often. Ashland is far from cheap too. Winter fogs might be tough if not used to that.</p>
<p>Thanks, Cathymee - that was helpful. I am a consultant working from home so can pretty much live anywhere as long as there is an airport within an hour. Any idea of the cost of living? Like typical price of a 2-bedroom townhouse that’s fairly new?</p>
<p>Also, Tarhunt: Did you consider Denver? Why or why not?</p>
<p>Cleveland is terrific (at least, near University circle, shaker heights, cleveland heights, etc.) but the weather is awful - absolutely awful so much of the time. Gray skies, gray skies, cold, wet, gray, a did I mention, GRAY? I grew up in Cleveland, and was Hap, hap, happy to move to a place with sunshine!!!</p>
<p>barrons: Well, it was built in 1987-- so, okay, a 20 year old subdivision. I doubt it’s within walking distance to anything.</p>
<p>Tarhunt: Thanks for those suggestions! I’m thinking of moving, too–leaving NC, its uncontrolled growth, tornadoes and hurricanes-- to all the transplants! 
It’s certainly not the beautiful state it once was.</p>
<p>If you are interested in a small town, relatively close to a large city, and not afraid of cold weather, then Northfield, MN would be a good choice. Two colleges, one of which has an outstanding music program. Very nice town, too.</p>
<p>As for North Carolina, my choice would be Brevard. Another great music program and charming town.</p>
<p>I’d bet there is a grocery store within 1 mile. Also some restaurants, shops, etc. No it’s not downtown but then it’s not 100 years old either.</p>
<p>sunshadow:</p>
<p>I’ve considered Denver, but Boulder is about 30 minutes away and simply has a lot more to offer on a day-to-day living basis than Denver, if I can afford it.</p>
<p>Ft Collins is pretty nice for less $$$ than Boulder.</p>
<p>Wife and I are thinking of retiring to Salt Lake City. Moderate climate, Big schools, sports, and a small LAC (Westminster close by) Property is reasonable, the community is safe, and has a lot going on. We also like Durango, Colorado but that might be a little isolated.</p>
<p>Call me crazy, but does anyone know anything about Aspen?</p>
<p>barrons: If there’s a grocery store, shops, restaurants, etc within one mile, you can bet it’s in a strip shopping center somewhere–requiring a car to get there, because the traffic and highway are too busy to be able to walk or bike there (no sidewalks, either)–plus, you’re stuck in one of those soul-less subdivisions.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&latlongtype=findit&address=505%20Sun%20Creek%20Dr&city=Winston%20Salem&state=NC&zipcode=27104-2460&country=US&latitude=P53Z%2BXdp60HNLzNAVInwnw%3D%3D&longitude=aA3YfKJQvzbUpROydOcf5g%3D%3D&cat=Restaurants[/url]”>http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&latlongtype=findit&address=505%20Sun%20Creek%20Dr&city=Winston%20Salem&state=NC&zipcode=27104-2460&country=US&latitude=P53Z%2BXdp60HNLzNAVInwnw%3D%3D&longitude=aA3YfKJQvzbUpROydOcf5g%3D%3D&cat=Restaurants</a></p>
<p>If you want a quaint old house in the CBD it will cost you but most people can live with being within a mile of typical shopping areas and just enjoy walking in the quiet neighborhood streets–even without sidewalks.</p>
<p>sunshadow:</p>
<p>Aspen has a rep for the town where the billionaires are driving the millionaires out.</p>
<p>Really? I kind of thought it was the “hot” place to be back in the 80s and maybe 90s, but I thought the popularity kind of declined after that. I am obviously wrong.</p>
<p>barrons:</p>
<p>We looked into Ft. Collins. It’s less expensive, yes, but one gets what one pays for, it seems. FC has a nice old downtown area and, frankly, that’s about it. It’s probably at least 1.25 hours from downtown Denver for those times when we might want to visit a decent museum. The town itself, outside of the old area, is mostly strip malls. There’s very little open space, getting around by bike is not recommended, and the cultural opportunities are inferior to those in Boulder. I’d look at Colorado Springs before Ft. Collins, though I’d probably choose Bellingham first.</p>
<p>We may choose Bellingham, anyway.</p>
<p>sunshadow:</p>
<p>I can’t say you’re wrong because I haven’t checked the numbers. But Aspen certainly has the rep of being hideously expensive.</p>
<p>barrons: Oh, okay. I guess I’m not like “most people.” I actually like living within walking or biking distance to places (and not just strip malls), and I feel good about being able to leave my car at home, but that’s just me. I’m obviously in the minority. ;)</p>
<p>Madison, Wisconsin. </p>
<p>Highest average income in the state. Metro area of 200,000-300,000 plus. Housing prices are reasonable, not compared to elsewhere in Wisconsin, but certainly to NOVA. Property taxes are high in the Madison area. Food and gasoline costs seem to be pretty much the same as DC. Resturants are cheaper. Great arts and sports in the university and city (minor league baseball.) Easy access to Chicago. A nice small airport, newly renovated. The beltline is not the (DC) beltway. Politically progressive city.</p>
<p>A good place to live if you are an outdoor person and like hunting and fishing. It can get really cold. City does a nice job with the snow. A good public transportation sytem. Plus I have been told that a Costco is coming!!! We already have a Trader Joe’s.</p>
<p>I think there is a reason people move to warm weather places to retire. Because most of us aren’t that old yet, I don’t think we know what our bodies are going to feel like when we get old.</p>
<p>Ther must be a reason so many retirees move to Florida and Arizona besides cheap housing.</p>
<p>I think our bodies are going to need the warmth. My joints already make a noise and I’m only 50.</p>
<p>And I’m with Jack. Walking distance means walking distance. It does not mean driving a mile or two.</p>
<p>Hi gadad! </p>
<p>Here is an article about college town living <a href=“http://www.collegetownlife.com/index.html[/url]”>http://www.collegetownlife.com/index.html</a></p>
<p>Jack-
Sounds like you are wanting to keep them fur-ners outta your town! I didn’t look into real estate , but certainly found the Ch. Hill area charming. I also love the Asheville area, and Gainesville, FL.</p>
<p>I just got back from Claremont, CA. This area has a huge retirement community and is a beautiful area, if you can afford it (and if it isn’t on fire right now… I believe that nearby Orange County is having wildfires right now).</p>
<p>And ironically, Sunshadow, I am currently sitting in Mt. Pleasant, SC, having just toured Charleston!!! This is a charming area. The beach area (Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island) has gotten prohibitively expensive for singles, but Mt. Pleasant is affordable. There is lots of construction going on around College of Charleston. The Ravanel Bridge was finished a while ago, and makes it very easy to get over to Mt. Pleasant. There is a walkway filled with walkers, joggers and bicyclists on the bridge. </p>
<p>As for Aspen, beautiful place, beautiful people, big, big pricetags…</p>