[Narz]

Hi all.

So, I was thinking of moving to Central Florida once our (my girlfriend and my) lease was up in February. But we've decided against it for various reasons.

But we don't want to stay in San Diego either (for various reasons) and we're thinking about Northern Cali, Oregon or Washington.

Ideally somewhere reasonably affordable (relatively), with decent public transport, farmer's markets, people who give a damn, not too much sprawl, etc. And since I've heard specificity breeds results, a Brazilian Ju Jitsu studio also (for self defense, health, another way to connect in the community, etc.).

I've moved around ALOT in my life and am wanting very much to settle down in the best possible area I can (again for various reasons, the main ones being relationships, sense of community and just the security of knowing I'm going to be in one place for awhile, come what may).

I feel lucky (though obviously not in some ways) to be alive in this unique time when a person can choose where he/she wants to be. I feel confident I can survive anywhere (at least until TSHTF) but I don't want to just survive, I want to put down roots and be around like-minded (though diverse) people.

And of course I'd like to be somewhere where I would have a reasonable chance at doing alright post-peak, nowhere too dry or with too much extremes in temperature.

Also, if anyone has any recommendations for good efficiency inns (motels where we can stay for a week or month while we find more perminant residency) in the area(s) you suggest that'd be friggin' awesome too.

Thanks all for your time!

[Heineken]

Unfortunately, California, Oregon, and Washington are among the most expensive states in the nation. Good luck.

[MD]

There is a problem at the core of progressive communities: They are expensive.
Until the highly efficient jevon's machine of mass-manufacturing crumbles away, this won't change.

There is a great community right down the road from me: Yellow Springs, Ohio.

That community has cohesively stood against suburbanism. You can live in the village and find every traditional variety of small town main street store still thriving.

The prices are very high, though.

[TorrKing]

Though I am not from America, I don't understand why noone seems to opt for place like Wyoming, Montana and Alaska.

More wilderness and less people. Also, if it is like here, they should have more affordable land too.

[Narz]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Torjus', 'T')hough I am not from America, I don't understand why noone seems to opt for place like Wyoming, Montana and Alaska.

More wilderness and less people. Also, if it is like here, they should have more affordable land too.

[frankthetank]

Wyoming is a freezing cold desert with the only source of water being up in the mtns. I once made the mistake of not checking the extended forecast for a trip up into the BigHorn Mtns in WY (middle of the state). We had to leave because they were calling for up to 18 inches of snow in the higher mtns (we were @ 9,000ft). This was June 23. Montana is probably a little better, except the east is flat like a pancake and the west is mountains. I'd probably rather take my chances in Kansas, atleast its warm!

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Torjus', 'T')hough I am not from America, I don't understand why no one seems to opt for places like Wyoming, Montana and Alaska.

More wilderness and less people. Also, if it is like here, they should have more affordable land too.

[TorrKing]

Norway isn't really that cold, at least not anymore. If the Gulf stream shuts down, I think we would surpass most of Alaska by a fair degree though.

What I would have done, if I didn't have a family, is to emigrate to Russia and move to Central or East Siberia. Virtually lawless, remote places to live undetected, abundant game etc...

Some Evenks even claim that Mammoths still walk in remote parts of the taiga.

Heaven!

[topcat]

We sure would like to find a place like the one Narz is looking for. Too bad that if that place does exist, then everybody would want to go there, making it no fun.

Narz -- Sure would not mide being back in central FL today! Sure it rains there but it usually doesn't get this cold and grey.

Heineken - Why did you rule out the Carolinia's?

[Loki]

I would never use "cheap" and "Oregon" in the same sentence, especially when you throw in "progressive," which narrows your choices considerably. I don't think Washington is much better.

[KhanCEO]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', '
')Most of the other states are hopeless unless you're seriously rich, or they don't qualify for other reasons.

[JustinFrankl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('KhanCEO', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', '
')Most of the other states are hopeless unless you're seriously rich, or they don't qualify for other reasons.

[Heineken]

I forgot to include Oklahoma and upper New York State in my (earlier) list of affordable states.

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('topcat', '
')
Heineken - Why did you rule out the Carolinas?

[gg3]

Another thing to beware of is the presence of religious extremists. Some of these can be worse than the Taliban, and in the event of a breakdown of the Federal government, locales would rapidly take off in their own directions.

You do not want to be living in an area ruled by people who believe the world was created 6,000 years ago and fossils are God's way of testing your faith.

All the more so if you're not conventionally religious (e.g. Buddhists, Pagans, atheists, etc.), if you're gay, etc.

Also consider the impact of climate change.

Me & mine are headed for Northern California. We have a sufficiently large group, people who can invest in land & infrastructure, and people with relevant engineering and agricultural and other skills needed to build community and contribute to the community-at-large in our chosen area.

For single individuals and small families, consider seriously joining up with others to pool resources. Humans survive best in groups.

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JustinFrankl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('KhanCEO', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', '
')Most of the other states are hopeless unless you're seriously rich, or they don't qualify for other reasons.

[Zardoz]

Check St. Joseph, Missouri. My home town. I visited it (first time back, ever) last spring. Phenomenally low RE prices. Nice enough place, but employment may not be easy.

It's about 50 miles north of the very cosmopolitan Kansas City.

[Heineken]

Missouri is high on my list for my final resting place. You get more bang for your buck there than practically anyplace else. E.g., an 80-acre farm with a pond and a nice house for $150,000.

"The economy" there must really suck.

[Tyler_JC]

Well, it depends on how close to civilization you want to be.

I can get some nice rural land for $500 an acre in Vermont...but I'll be all alone for 10 miles...

It is impossible to find super cheap rural land within easy driving distance of a major city.

Why?

The suburbs have long ago filled in the green belts around most of the major urban areas.

I'm 20 miles from Boston but land is still $20,000+ an acre for a plot with decent road access and utilities.