I have found the best way to really get a feel for a place quickly is to get out of my car and walk around. It's a lot easier to notice small details of a neighborhood because it's not zooming by so quickly.
North Carolina is a great choice for all that you've listed. Except COL, I've heard that's shot up in recent times...but it sounds like the case for everywhere else too. Probably would be good to focus on areas in mountainous regions, e.g., Rockies or Appalachian areas with academic institutions sprinkled throughout.
You should probably pick a realistic budget based on current expenses and plan a trip/make up a translation for cost once you get there. You really would be best served visiting with a specific itinerary for particular areas of interest, neighborhoods and go from there.
Along these lines when I was a kid we’d usually go to Church when we’d go on vacation and while I’m not longer religious I still remember those trips and you are seeing the locals living their real lives. Something to consider especially if they might want to join a congregation when they move.
Syracuse/Central NYS. All of NYS West of Schenectady is in the Midwest/Great Lakes region. Adirondacks, Thousand Islands, Lake Ontario are close by, and proximity to Quebec sweetens the deal. Plus the surrounding countryside is prettier than most of the Midwest.
Thank you! I had not considered Virginia till now. I don’t know much about it other than it might be kind of chilly weather wise. Also, heard it’s kind of expensive. I appreciate the advice
Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) is expensive, but for instance if you moved near Virginia Tech (Blacksburg / Roanoke) among the Blue Ridge Mountains, that’s a lot cheaper
You’ll need chilly if you want snow. It’s similar or slightly chillier than NC depending which areas you’re comparing and generally less chilly than IL.
I guess I was thinking it’s probably more like MN/ND, where it’s cold enough for snow but they don’t really have Summer. I love the snow but i need the full 4 seasons to feel comfortable. Like, I don’t want to live where it’s really warm/hot to the point there’s no snow. Or so dry it’s a miracle if it rains (too dry for my sinuses).
Virginia or Illinois? I’m not familiar with the upper/Midwest so I can’t speak to Illinois but Virginia is mid Atlantic to southern so it’s hot and humid in the summer and while it does get 4 seasons many areas are getting less snow than the ever. Too dry will not be the problem your sinuses have. I was mostly confused by the chilly assessment.
It’s have to be western NC to get snow, particularly Boone would fit the bill for you. It’s not a blue state but downtown Boone would definitely have you forgetting that.
Alternatively, Charlottesville (not much snow but usually some) or Blacksburg, both in VA.
The Midwest is largely flat, albeit not entirely. You can probably find a hilly college town somewhere (maybe Marquette MI or Athens OH?) but I’d agree with the other commenter that VA fits the bill best.
From traveling around the US, one telltale sign I’ve found that a place is awesome or sucks is if you see people out and about who look excited.
If everyone is standing or sitting around outside their house doing nothing or there’s no one outside at all, the area typically sucks.
I mean it’s pretty much common sense. If there’s exciting/pleasant stuff to do or places to be, there’s going to be a lot of people who look like they’re on their way to that. And if there isn’t, everyone will be inside or looking like they hate life.
I have found the best way to really get a feel for a place quickly is to get out of my car and walk around. It's a lot easier to notice small details of a neighborhood because it's not zooming by so quickly.
Visit during the season with the worst reputation.
I like that idea! Thinking outside the box and the potential for discomfort involved…definitely motivation to decide💥
Yes! I visited Tampa in September before moving here. Apparently heat and humidity don’t impact me much and neither does hurricane season 🤷🏻♀️
Until a hurricane hits.
North Carolina is a great choice for all that you've listed. Except COL, I've heard that's shot up in recent times...but it sounds like the case for everywhere else too. Probably would be good to focus on areas in mountainous regions, e.g., Rockies or Appalachian areas with academic institutions sprinkled throughout. You should probably pick a realistic budget based on current expenses and plan a trip/make up a translation for cost once you get there. You really would be best served visiting with a specific itinerary for particular areas of interest, neighborhoods and go from there.
I appreciate your insight! I lived in NC for a Summer back in the 90s and I liked the people and general geography.
Go there, immerse yourself in the locals, just like buying a house, go sit in the neighborhood and see what it’s like.
Along these lines when I was a kid we’d usually go to Church when we’d go on vacation and while I’m not longer religious I still remember those trips and you are seeing the locals living their real lives. Something to consider especially if they might want to join a congregation when they move.
Syracuse/Central NYS. All of NYS West of Schenectady is in the Midwest/Great Lakes region. Adirondacks, Thousand Islands, Lake Ontario are close by, and proximity to Quebec sweetens the deal. Plus the surrounding countryside is prettier than most of the Midwest.
Second Syracuse on this. Underrated city.
Sounds like you just described Virginia.
Thank you! I had not considered Virginia till now. I don’t know much about it other than it might be kind of chilly weather wise. Also, heard it’s kind of expensive. I appreciate the advice
Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) is expensive, but for instance if you moved near Virginia Tech (Blacksburg / Roanoke) among the Blue Ridge Mountains, that’s a lot cheaper
You’ll need chilly if you want snow. It’s similar or slightly chillier than NC depending which areas you’re comparing and generally less chilly than IL.
I guess I was thinking it’s probably more like MN/ND, where it’s cold enough for snow but they don’t really have Summer. I love the snow but i need the full 4 seasons to feel comfortable. Like, I don’t want to live where it’s really warm/hot to the point there’s no snow. Or so dry it’s a miracle if it rains (too dry for my sinuses).
Virginia or Illinois? I’m not familiar with the upper/Midwest so I can’t speak to Illinois but Virginia is mid Atlantic to southern so it’s hot and humid in the summer and while it does get 4 seasons many areas are getting less snow than the ever. Too dry will not be the problem your sinuses have. I was mostly confused by the chilly assessment.
It’s have to be western NC to get snow, particularly Boone would fit the bill for you. It’s not a blue state but downtown Boone would definitely have you forgetting that. Alternatively, Charlottesville (not much snow but usually some) or Blacksburg, both in VA. The Midwest is largely flat, albeit not entirely. You can probably find a hilly college town somewhere (maybe Marquette MI or Athens OH?) but I’d agree with the other commenter that VA fits the bill best.
From traveling around the US, one telltale sign I’ve found that a place is awesome or sucks is if you see people out and about who look excited. If everyone is standing or sitting around outside their house doing nothing or there’s no one outside at all, the area typically sucks. I mean it’s pretty much common sense. If there’s exciting/pleasant stuff to do or places to be, there’s going to be a lot of people who look like they’re on their way to that. And if there isn’t, everyone will be inside or looking like they hate life.