|
Florida Keys. Yes, it’s hot in the summer but there’s always a breeze in the Keys. Life is slow and friendly and sometimes I swear that time seems to stand still there. Also has the best reefs and wrecks anywhere in the US with something for everyone from the snorkeler to the tec diver.
|
|
|
I suggested Arizona to Greg and he immediately thought of Phoenix and the heat but I would consider further north if I could work anywhere. Flagstaff, Prescott or Sedona and you would have access to 4 seasons. Sedona is the Red Rock Area (near the Slide fire going on now) in the mountains. It is typically 10-15 cooler than Phoenix and takes 2 hour off a trip to the Grand Canyon or you can make it to Phoenix in an hour and a half.
|
|
|
I would have to vote for the Carolinas. Great Atlantic diving. Old world southern charm. Not too hot. Hurricanes occasionally but you already know about those. Colleges a-plenty.......
|
|
|
The Keys would be awesome, however, the cost is pretty much astronomical. North Carolina Outer Banks around Morehead City would be great. Quaint fishing town, lower cost of living with some awesome diving. With the amount of dive ops in the area, Greg could keep teaching if he chose to do so. Also, 4 actual seasons in that area.
|
|
|
lerpy - 5/28/2014 5:33 AM 
Why are you not considering Canada, it is warm here, for now!
|
|
|
I will recommend Florida, specially in between Orlando and Tampa.( look at Lakeland, FL) Your are close to all the Springs in middle Florida and close to the Orlando parks ( for your kids) and also close to Clearwater, Tarpons Springs, Saint Peterburg (many artificial reefs, wrecks etc).
|
|
|
I’m from Santa Fe, NM, and highly recommend the easy going lifestyles there, along with all the cafes and micro breweries. However, while I love downhill skiing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, hiking, climbing and all the art galleries, symphony, opera, wine tastings, healthfood and major ambiance of a Tri-cultural area, diving would require quite a haul.
Now that I’m in North Central FL, spring, cavern, cave country of the USA, I highly recommend it here. The cool coffee shops are far and few, but we can’t have everything. There are good, organic, fair trade coffee roasters here though, plus some good colleges.
And, like ginovega said, there is diving galore. From coast to coast, and in between, there are plenty of holes just waiting to be explored.
Meanwhile, I grew up on Cape Hatteras, and the quaintness of the barrier islands is magnificent. Of course, to survive, they too have had to turn into major tourist traps. So, lots of veneer there now, and quite a bit of contention between the park service and the locals, and the costs of buying are quite high now too.
If in North Central FL, check out the counties of Marion, Alachua, and Levy, maybe even Gilchrist and Dixie too. Lots of bang for your buck when buying a home with acreage in these parts.
|
|
|
I’ve lived in Florida for the past 10 years and was stationed in Pensacola three times. I love the small town atmosphere right here in Saint Augustine (our nation’s oldest city). Living on an barrier island makes the summers cooler and the winters warmer. The cost of living here is responsible and most attractions are well within a two hour drive. Oh, and we have live music nightly downtown as well as an amphitheater for concerts for well known bands (Boston played last night) Plus, this area is the least likely to take a direct hit from a hurricane (knock on wood). Its about 4 hours to the Keys. As much as I would love to live down there, the cost of housing down there is outrageous, as is practically everything else. To top it off, the Keys get skimmed by hurricanes almost every year by the storms going into the Gulfvof Mexico.
|
|
|
|
I like Florida, but Stumpy, your statement that St Augustine is our nation oldest city is debatable. St Agustine is the oldest city in the Continental USA. However, San Juan, PR is the nation oldest city, founded by Juan Ponce de Leon ( The vicinity of St. Augustine was first explored in 1513 by Spanish explorer and governor of Puerto Rico, Juan Ponce de León, who claimed the region for the Spanish crown. Then, San Agustín was founded in September 1565 by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés,) San Juan was founded in 1508. This is 57 earlier than St Augustine...Many people say and argue that becuase PR is not a State that this statement does not count. Well PR is a US Territory and those who are born there (like me) are US Citizens...
|
|
|
Interesting me tonight regarding central Florida; between Orlando and Tamp, as I am considering that location as well. Canada would be a great second choice, particularly the weather coast, Ontario, or even outside Winnipeg. (I grew up just south of Winnipeg on the US side). Great Lake diving is fantastic if you don’t mind cooler waters
|
|
|
|
Puerto Rico or Guam are not considered (even by the government) because they are only territories. If you all finally decide to become a state, then it will probably change. Frankly, I would like to see the government put forward a bill stating that such a vote must take place, and if you vote no, then you should become an independent nation, which means of course, no more money coming your way from Uncle Sam. I’m sure we can make room on the flag for another star.
|
|
|
|
If you don’t mind cooler temperatures and lots of rain, Seattle is absolutely beautiful. Lots of places to hike, etc...up there. In my travels around the country while in the Navy, it was my second favorite place, just after San Francisco. But San Francisco has the highest cost of living in the entire country, even higher than Hawaii.
|
|
|
|
San Diego is nice too. I spent 14 years of my time in the Navy there. Good diving just off the beaches. Plus, Catalina has fantastic diving, and its just a short ferry ride away.
|
|
|
|
BlueGil, to whom are you referring?
|
|