Where's the Best Place To Live in the US?

[chowder]

Okay, whole new subject here. Our company has decide it is time for use to 'retire' whether we want to or not (along with about 600,000 other people in the US this year!). So instead of getting upset, we have decided to look at this as an opportunity. We can finally put off moving to our little corner of paradise and have our country 'estate' and raise dogs and chickens and bears and deer,etc. The kids can tag along if they want to but they are over 19 so they have to pay their own way!
We just don't know where to move to yet. Let me know what you think is the best place in the US to live and why you like it there. We are open to almost anywhere except big cities (No bears and deer) or Florida (I am allergic to the whole state!).

[Doc]

I lived in Lizard Lick, NC one time. Not a bad place.

[Postal]

I live on the north side of Austin. I love this town. I moved here from Houston. I've also visited central Florida, Wisconsin, Montana, Iowa and stayed in North Dakota for about a month.. I still love it here. It's so diverse and there is ALWAYS something going on. It's also very pet friendly with an abundance of parks, many which are dedicated dog parks. Also, with all the recession going on, Forbes has listed Austin as the #2 place to live right now.. and I believe Texas' unemployment rate has actually DEcreased since the economic downfall. We have lots of high tech places around here that have plenty of employment available. Dell, AMD, IBM, Samsung, Texas Instruments. We also have a new company coming to Leander (just outside of Austin in nice country). Can't remember the name, but they are going to be opening up 9000+ jobs. They are a manufacturing company for batteries that power hybrid vehicles.

Just a place to consider
I know Austin is a big city, but it takes 20 minutes in either direction to hit country. You head south, it's open plains headed into coastal plains. If you head east, you are in heavily wooded areas with plenty of animals :) North and you hit ever growing suburban areas.. West, you're in Austin's popular and beautiful hill country with plenty of lake drives. We're also known for all the variations of TexMex.

[chowder]

Texas has been one of our considerations. We live in North Carolina now and it plays havoc with my asthma and allergies. We are also looking for somewhere with lower income taxes. We were with IBM for 27 years so we are used to being in a high tech place and I think my husband might even know some people in Austin. I"ll have him talk to them. Thanks.

[EnglishBullTerriers]

Texas has been one of our considerations. We live in North Carolina now and it plays havoc with my asthma and allergies. We are also looking for somewhere with lower income taxes. We were with IBM for 27 years so we are used to being in a high tech place and I think my husband might even know some people in Austin. I"ll have him talk to them. Thanks.

I was going to suggest Texas also. That is where I want to retire if I retire in the US. I love Texas, it has just about everything you could want. It really is a great place to live if you are looking to be out away from everything, but still be close enough to whatever you want! :)

[Doc]

Do day still rid hosses in Texass? I iz afared of hosses, Paw sayz day will bite ya when youin ainta lookin. Bee sids all day ate iz beens out dair. And corn stuff.

[Unosmom]

I also live in NC and the humidity is unbearable to me, so I was thinking of trying out Asheville for a while, it would be nice to live in a cabin somewhere with lots of land.

[chowder]

That's the problem I am having. The humidity is killing my asthma as I get older. We just got back from our first trip to Colorado and for 4 days I could actually breathe!! We have heard good and bad things about Asheville including an increase in the real estate prices lately as more people move there. Also problems with the pollution and diseases killing the trees. We've been checking it out for a few years since it was our original choice. It still is pretty there.

[mdram]

ever visit maine?
if you want to get away from people head north of portland :)

[Doc]

Tater an me likes it hot wid lotsa humidity too. I'd durther have it 100 deegrees and humid den 33 and rainin any day. You knowd dats why we talk so slow round here - wez conservin inerge dat way. Wood ya hand me dat funeral home fan over here. It's a bit warm today. Now finya a shade tree and stop all dat yakin.