Where to relocate for FIRE?

[Cassie]

I would not choose Florida unless you love heat and humidity.  I was there in April and Nov and both were way too hot-ugh!

[ohsnap]

Just wanted to give an update; we actually visited one of the cities!  We took a short trip to Spokane last week and loved it.  That said...my husband pointed out that we mostly loved it because we were on vacation.  :)  Coffee houses, breweries, running on the Centennial trail, hanging out at Auntie's Bookstore...what's not to like? We didn't really do any investigation of real estate or neighborhoods.  We also went out to Coeur d'Alene for one night, and that place is heaven on earth.  I chatted with a local there for about an hour and she had me ready to pack up & move.  The year-round outdoor opportunities are just amazing there - running, snowshoeing, cycling, swimming, boating, skiing, fishing, etc.  She was very friendly and she seemed to think that the area is very welcoming to newcomers (she's only been there a few years).

All that to say: Spokane is still on the list, and now Coeur d'Alene is added! 

[chasesfish]

We're hoping to FIRE to Florida, but currently live in what may be your perfect spot!  (Disclaimer: I was born, raised, attended college, and now work here. I'm possibly biased.)

Blacksburg, Virginia, home of Virginia Tech, hits pretty much everything on your list!

...

It does sound pretty perfect!  You totally checked all the boxes for me; I'm definitely adding it to the list.  My son and I were just googling pics of Shenandoah fall colors.  I went to high school in the DC area and loved to travel down to that area when we lived there.

So...why are you considering a move?!

My husband is in hospitality (hotel/event management) and there isn't much growth potential for him here.  I can work anywhere there's a college or university, so we've been looking at Tampa/St. Pete area for now and then panhandle area when we're FIRE.  We love the gulf area!  I've been excited to hear from some of the Tampa folks' on this thread. 

The Shenandoah is gorgeous!  I work in an Ag Dept and a lot of my students are from the Valley.  Blacksburg is very similar, just more mountains.

I'll add this as someone who lived in Blacksburg for four years after college - Love the outdoors and the fishing in the New River is some of the best in the world, but damn those winters are cold.  I mean cold...the temperature and wind speed are equal from mid November to March

[Poeirenta]

You might like Wenatchee, WA and surrounding area. That's where we travel to for our specialist medical care, and it's close to the mountains and along the Columbia River. They have invested quite a bit in making their downtown walkable, have a great riverside trail system, and their indoor farmers'/artists' market is pretty cool- google Pybus Market.

Property in Douglas County (east side of the Columbia) is probably cheaper than Chelan County but don't quote me on that...I live one county to the north, aka the back of beyond.

Plus you'll actually get snow (and sunshine!) compared to the wetside of WA.

[icemodeled]

We are relocating to Florida end of month and purchased our new home in May. Our property taxes will be roughly $150 a month and homeowners plus wind insurance is only $60 a month! The house is a 1995 built 3 bed 2 bath 1300 sqft, very nice and good neighborhood. I wouldn't count out Fl entirely, maybe some areas are costly but some are not. Port Charlotte and areas south of Sarasota has some great deals for homes. We paid $125k for it. So far our utility bills have been about the same as in Ohio. As far as being hot and humid, we have spent a full summer there and loved it, but everyone prefers different things. I cannot handle the cold well.

If your looking for snow and cooler temps then I highly suggest Nashville TN. I prefer that area over Knoxville personally. Homes are quite affordable and cost of living is good. You're a short drive to the mountains and it's a good central location.

[TravelJunkyQC]

I'm not sure if this is applicable, since I didn't see anything stating the contrary in the first post, but if you're looking at such a wide range from Washington to Texas to Florida, is leaving the US in the realm of possibilities? Because if so, you just blew the doors wide open with a 40k a year budget...

[mlejw6]

Sounds like you exactly described Pittsburgh.  Winters can be cold, but not any different than you'd get anywhere on the Acela corridor.  Cheap housing, the Allegheny/Appalachian Mountains, several large universities w/ top end hospitals and more cultural amenities than a city its size probably needs.

http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/business-tech-news/economist-names-pittsburgh-livable-city/
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mjf45hkeh/pittsburgh-pennsylvania/

Disclosure: I grew up in Pittsburgh but moved away to a super HCOL area for work.  It's a really great place though.

I know I'm late to the party, but I want to second Pittsburgh. I went to college there and it's really great. I prefer warmer climates myself, but it satisfies every single point on your list. Especially the public transportation. Their bus system is fantastic.

[davisgang90]

Blacksburg and Roanoke are both on our list for FIRE locations.  My wife and I are both VT grads and she is from Roanoke.