Author Topic: Would you live where you currently do if you didn't have to work? (Read 5432 times)

Daisyedwards800 · « **on:** November 12, 2019, 11:57:35 AM »

Or would you move somewhere else? If money wasn't an object.

PeterParker · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2019, 12:08:25 PM »

I really enjoy Chicago but it's already 17 degrees with sludge and salt all over the place.

Only reason I'm here is family, certainly not some all-important job that is easily replaceable.
I mean my mom, dad, and twin brother primarily. But a ton of other family and cousins (though some have blown to NYC, LA, Seattle, or on the road).

That said, I feel like I would live a more Nomadic lifestyle without a job (or a remote/ traveling job). That could be cool.

Maybe we can have a big family meeting and all move to warmer climates ha.

Wrenchturner · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2019, 12:09:13 PM »

"If I didn't have to work" and "if money were no object" are not the same thing! If money were no object I'd live on the west coast of the U.S.

I like where I live in Canada but my retirement plans involve wintering someplace warmer, probably Asia.

Daisyedwards800 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2019, 12:11:56 PM »

Quote from: Wrenchturner on November 12, 2019, 12:09:13 PM

"If I didn't have to work" and "if money were no object" are not the same thing! If money were no object I'd live on the west coast of the U.S.

I like where I live in Canada but my retirement plans involve wintering someplace warmer, probably Asia.

I was hoping to avoid the whole discussion of where the retirement money will stretch the best, and get at more of, where would you settle down if you could within reason?

Wrenchturner · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2019, 12:14:36 PM »

Quote from: Daisyedwards800 on November 12, 2019, 12:11:56 PM

Quote from: Wrenchturner on November 12, 2019, 12:09:13 PM
"If I didn't have to work" and "if money were no object" are not the same thing! If money were no object I'd live on the west coast of the U.S.

I like where I live in Canada but my retirement plans involve wintering someplace warmer, probably Asia.

I was hoping to avoid the whole discussion of where the retirement money will stretch the best, and get at more of, where would you settle down if you could within reason?

Fair enough. I like Canada, it has great first world infrastructure, but it feels beige and boring and the winters are pretty bad. Generally speaking I like my residence to be boring and my travels to be exciting. Not sure if settling down is really in the cards for me, but things change.

Hula Hoop · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2019, 12:24:27 PM »

Exploring the city where I live and spending more time enjoying cultural events with my friends is one of the reasons I want to FIRE. It helps that where we live is not crazy expensive.

RWD · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2019, 12:31:31 PM »

I am leaving as soon as possible.

35andFI · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2019, 12:34:43 PM »

I hate where I live lol

The only reason why I live where I do is because of how close to work it is.

MonkeyJenga · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2019, 01:29:50 PM »

I don't have to work, but money is an object, so I compromised. So far I've been happy with the decision, but I'll see how I feel when I'm deep into the rainy season.

If I had a bigger budget, or if health insurance were less of a factor, I probably would have chosen a warmer state.

Hirondelle · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2019, 02:41:41 PM »

I love the place where I live but if money/work weren't an object I'd definitely go back to a more nomadic (travel combined with stretched multi-month stays in places) lifestyle for the next couple years.

use2betrix · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2019, 02:50:14 PM »

I’ve spent the last 10 years moving all over the country (around 8 states, over a dozen cities) moving specifically for the highest paid work. I have never lived where I “want” and have actually lived in some pretty crappy locations that are the polar opposite of what I want.

For us, right now, the sacrifice is worth it. If I were to go to my locations I plan to FIRE (mountains, rural, etc.) I’d either have no work or very minimally paid work.. I’ll sacrifice my location for the time being part, knowing I will have much better options in the not-so-distant future.

FireHiker · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2019, 03:11:02 PM »

I would absolutely move to the mountains if I didn't have to work. We have a couple places in mind for when that time comes, although we will probably stay put until the kids are through school even if we FIRE before then because I'd prefer not to uproot them if it could be avoided. I like cold, quiet, and grey days. Southern California is seriously wasted on me, but I grew up here and went to college here and stayed after college because of the good employment prospects.

Schaefer Light · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2019, 03:37:13 PM »

If money wasn't an object, I'd live on the Isle of Schaefer Light (a spectacular island in the Caribbean and home to the best golf course this side of Augusta National) and my armada would shoot anyone who tried to come ashore without my permission ;).

If I was simply retired, I would leave my city and move to the beach. Probably somewhere on the gulf coast of Florida. I see no reason to stay in a place with crappy traffic and no beaches.

redhead84 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2019, 03:38:35 PM »

Quote from: PeterParker on November 12, 2019, 12:08:25 PM

I really enjoy Chicago but it's already 17 degrees with sludge and salt all over the place.

Only reason I'm here is family, certainly not some all-important job that is easily replaceable.
I mean my mom, dad, and twin brother primarily. But a ton of other family and cousins (though some have blown to NYC, LA, Seattle, or on the road).

That said, I feel like I would live a more Nomadic lifestyle without a job (or a remote/ traveling job). That could be cool.

Maybe we can have a big family meeting and all move to warmer climates ha.

This exactly. I joke with my family that we should all pick a better location and move as a group. :)

John Galt incarnate! · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2019, 04:30:49 PM »

Quote from: Daisyedwards800 on November 12, 2019, 11:57:35 AM

Or would you move somewhere else? If money wasn't an object.

I'm FIREd and I live exactly where I want to so though I could move I have no desire to do so.

John Galt incarnate! · « **Reply #15 on:** November 12, 2019, 04:40:12 PM »

Quote from: Daisyedwards800

I was hoping to avoid the whole discussion of where the retirement money will stretch the best, and get at more of, where would you settle down if you could within reason?

When deciding where to retire my #1 criterion was rural acreage with lots of peace and quiet.

#2 was mild winters.

I live @ elevation ~2700 feet.

I have a panoramic view of mountains and forests.

I can see the beautiful mountains on the southeast border of Yosemite National Park.

OP, where would you like to live?

Mountains?

City?

By the coast?

OtherJen · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2019, 05:16:14 PM »

If money weren't an object, we would probably live in northern Michigan most of the year but bail to a warmer location (e.g., San Diego) during January-March. We love Michigan and our family is here, but it's not even Thanksgiving and we have 8.5 inches of snow on the ground. Blah.

bacchi · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2019, 05:30:10 PM »

I'd continue living where we live but SO grew up here and wants to leave.

We're looking. In a town+ and near mountains.

scottish · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2019, 06:17:52 PM »

Quote from: OtherJen on November 12, 2019, 05:16:14 PM

If money weren't an object, we would probably live in northern Michigan most of the year but bail to a warmer location (e.g., San Diego) during January-March. We love Michigan and our family is here, but it's not even Thanksgiving and we have 8.5 inches of snow on the ground. Blah.

You should have Thanksgiving in October like us!

We've been looking around for mountain communities in Alberta/British Columbia, but so far haven't found anything suitable. Kimberley is close, though. We'd like to live in the mountains, or at least the foothills.

Work and aging parents are keeping us in Ontario for the time being.

LonerMatt · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2019, 06:28:35 PM »

Where I live now (Melbourne, Aus) would be, like, my 3rd preference and a totally excellent compromise. It's insanely HCOL but if I'm not working I can bike almost anywhere I want, avoid traffic and enjoy a lot of the green space I live next to. So it becomes a lot better after quitting. Summers can be ugly, but there's always variation over the week - it might be stupid hot a day or two, but there'll also be some milder days too.

I'd prefer Canberra as the best mix of home, friends, liveability and affordability. Though maybe if all my friends moved away it'd drop right off the map.

Zikoris · « **Reply #20 on:** November 12, 2019, 06:48:37 PM »

Nope. Vancouver is a great city, don't get me wrong, but I don't want to live in ANY city. My dream retirement locale is an island.

kanga1622 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 12, 2019, 06:51:11 PM »

Eh, I don’t really have a reason to stay in this particular town. We are right between my kids’ two surviving grandparents so that is reason not to make a drastic shift.

Although DH would move south in a heartbeat. He hates the cold and snow. I certainly don’t love it (and the move from 60 to -15 in 3 days was a little insane this week) but I can’t imagine the holiday season without snow. My dog thinks he’s a husky so he loves the snow.

Honestly, we’d probably keep this as home base and just travel more so we wouldn’t have to uproot the kids from their best friends.

Buffaloski Boris · « **Reply #22 on:** November 12, 2019, 06:51:30 PM »

If it weren’t for jobs, we’d be outta here so fast it would make your head spin. Virginia was a nice state that has really begun to suck.

ice_beard · « **Reply #23 on:** November 12, 2019, 07:04:07 PM »

My FIRE calcs are for our current location, the Bay Area of California. My wife is from here and honestly I'm not sure any place can offer as much of what I want 365 days a year. The climate is great, the ocean is near, access to a vacation home in Tahoe is 3 hrs away. I consider moving to Tahoe where the COL can be a little less, depending.

If I didn't have to work and had the means, I would probably follow the seasons. I would ski at more places out west in the winter, and follow good weather to climbing destinations the rest of the months. Or I could live in the Bay Area and do all those things while not living out of a van.

Lmoot · « **Reply #24 on:** November 12, 2019, 07:12:15 PM »

I don't like where I live. I grew up here (FL) and know nothing else, but I also know I like being near mountains and areas that have seasons. Most of my family and social life is here though, so if money weren't an object, I would just take off to mountain towns during summer and fall for hiking, leaf-watching, and festivals. Maybe do some seasonal gigs or volunteer at National Parks.

I cherish the idea of home and roots, so though I'd travel around to different areas, I'd also probably get a cabin, or a rustic house in a wooded neighborhood to be a permanent second home, where I could visit frequently, maybe even have roommates that stay year round, take seasonal job, join active/hiking groups...all so that I could integrate myself into a community and carry that feeling of home with me when I need to escape the Floridery-ness of Florida.

nancyfrank232 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 12, 2019, 07:14:05 PM »

Love Canada. Love big cities. If money were no object I’d still be here

Awesomeness · « **Reply #26 on:** November 12, 2019, 07:44:17 PM »

Quote from: PeterParker on November 12, 2019, 12:08:25 PM

I really enjoy Chicago but it's already 17 degrees with sludge and salt all over the place.

Only reason I'm here is family, certainly not some all-important job that is easily replaceable.
I mean my mom, dad, and twin brother primarily. But a ton of other family and cousins (though some have blown to NYC, LA, Seattle, or on the road).

That said, I feel like I would live a more Nomadic lifestyle without a job (or a remote/ traveling job). That could be cool.

Maybe we can have a big family meeting and all move to warmer climates ha.

This is me too. I’m near St Louis. Ridiculously cold already. I only live here to be near my daughter. My son is moving back but still not launched, I’m so excited we’ll all be together again. I want to move to the south so bad I’m saving for it now. The heat is crazy but it’s not painful like the brutal cold, the cola is cheap. But I need them to come w me. If they don’t I’ll still go but it’ll be set up as a second home so I can go back and forth. I may just get the rv and be a snowbird. I have base privileges and just saw the 10 day forecast in key west. Heavenly.

Family is number one. I have a great home in a nice area, we’re together and safe, life is good. But I want to move so bad I dream about it.

Villanelle · « **Reply #27 on:** November 12, 2019, 07:56:27 PM »

If money wasn't an object in any way?

Absolutely not. And we are in one of the most expensive markets in the country. But we'd move to an even more expensive place (~$1000 per square foot).

We really like where we live. Like, we are deliriously happy. (Though we have yet to go through a winter, which is a big deal for my weak blood, even though winters here are extreme!) But we'd rather be closer to family and living in a place with what we consider to be terrific weather, as well as daily access to the beach.

Alternatively and in direct contrast to my "closer to family" criterion, we might consider moving to Europe, if we could work out the immigration and other concerns.

Arbitrage · « **Reply #28 on:** November 12, 2019, 08:18:31 PM »

No, not at all (Los Angeles area). I don't understand the attraction of big cities, aside from the economics. I despise the overcrowding, the pollution, the traffic, the traffic, the lack of access to the outdoors, the traffic, the feeling of being trapped in a giant monster of concrete, the lack of bike infrastructure, the ugliness, and the traffic. Also the cost, though this is supposed to be without the need to work.

Weather is good, though a bit too hot at times.

I plan to move when we FIRE. Biggest thing holding us back is good friends in the area, but there's no doubt in my mind that leaving is the right thing to do. My wife, however, is not so sure on that regard.

fuzzy math · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2019, 08:24:24 PM »

See my profile comment

It helps me a lot to see that others have the same wanderlust and the same indifference and indecision about where to live once they are not working. Sometimes I wonder just how messed up I am for having these thoughts. I want to be a nomad, and could list about 17 places I'd like to live. I don't know if it just gets too boring to be in one place, or if I'm doomed to never make long term friendships by moving too often. Knowing that I'm here for the next decade until my kids are grown feels almost like a prison sentence at times, although I know this is the best community we've been in since they were born.

js82 · « **Reply #30 on:** November 12, 2019, 08:42:06 PM »

No. Barring something unforseen, I expect to leave my current locale long before I reach FIRE. I live in a LCOL area and have a job that pays quite well relative to the cost of living here, but to put it quite simply, I don't fit in here.

I'd gladly pay more(and plan on doing so) to live in a locale where there are more people like myself.

Michael in ABQ · « **Reply #31 on:** November 13, 2019, 12:08:03 AM »

I'd prefer somewhere in the mountains, a little more rural. We moved here because of my wife's family over a decade ago and now we're pretty well settled so it would be hard to uproot. I grew up in the NW and like aspects of it - but I don't miss months of overcast and rain after having sun year round. Also, NM is now a pretty blue state and crime in Albuquerque is pretty bad (#1 in auto thefts), albeit not so much where we live.

Maybe Idaho or Utah - definitely western US. Possibly Montana. I like some snow in the winter but not multiple feet. I can deal with the heat alright - but the humidity in the south and east - no thanks. Though I'm about to spend a lot of time in a very hot and humid place so I guess I'll get used to it.

2sk22 · « **Reply #32 on:** November 13, 2019, 02:30:46 AM »

Absolutely yes. New Jersey gets a bad rap in some quarters but I really like the diversity of my town. My street is very quiet and yet New York is literally just 3 miles away. My kids have benefitted greatly from growing up so close to a big city.

Freedomin5 · « **Reply #33 on:** November 13, 2019, 03:07:16 AM »

If I wasn’t working, I wouldn’t be living here, since my work provides my (free) housing.

Sailor Sam · « **Reply #34 on:** November 13, 2019, 03:56:20 AM »

I live in Maine, and I'd stick here for a few years post retirement.

My wife is stuck in Florida, and we'd get her the fuck out as quickly as possible.

Long term we're probably going to end up in Alaska, but neither of us have plans of exactly settling down.

chouchouu · « **Reply #35 on:** November 13, 2019, 04:20:11 AM »

I live in Sydney, which is a damn beautiful place to live and while I've considered moving awal because of the high cost of living I think I'd be pretty sad to go. So I'd like to retire here, Brussels or Paris. I really enjoyed living in Brussels and Paris is pretty similar but with better food, so those two are also attractive.

Sugaree · « **Reply #36 on:** November 13, 2019, 04:37:56 AM »

No. Life is easy here, but I'm using easy to save up for an easier retirement in somewhere warm. Probably Central America.

dcheesi · « **Reply #37 on:** November 13, 2019, 05:09:04 AM »

Well technically I'm here because of my SO, and ultimately because of her family. But when we retire, we plan to move elsewhere, probably closer to a beach. Probably staying in the same region, though, since we both have aging parents within a few hours of here.

Metalcat · « **Reply #38 on:** November 13, 2019, 05:21:05 AM »

I love where I live.

The winters are brutal, but to me that only really matters when you are forced to drive somewhere in really bad conditions. Otherwise, snow and cold are no big deal, especially since I live in a high-rise with underground parking. Otherwise, I like winter.

I live in a major Canadian, multi-cultural city with world class amenities and infrastructure. I'm also right by the water.

I could see us being partially nomadic and "living" all over the world for various stretches of time, but we'll maintain our little apartment as home-base.

jlcnuke · « **Reply #39 on:** November 13, 2019, 06:14:12 AM »

Nope, I'd be on a boat sailing and diving around the world. It also wouldn't be the 18°F it was here this morning outside Atlanta.

katekat · « **Reply #40 on:** November 13, 2019, 06:26:30 AM »

Where we currently live was picked almost entirely on two bases: (a) abundant jobs, (b) lowish COL. So no, although it's a nice place, if we didn't have to work and money was no object, we wouldn't live here.

If money was no object we'd likely live near one of the sides of the family, so either MD or the UK. Probably the UK since we prefer the lifestyle there overall and if money was no object we could even buy ourselves out of the things we didn't like about our lifestyle there.

Sugaree · « **Reply #41 on:** November 13, 2019, 06:32:27 AM »

Quote from: jlcnuke on November 13, 2019, 06:14:12 AM

Nope, I'd be on a boat sailing and diving around the world. It also wouldn't be the 18°F it was here this morning outside Atlanta.

This is totally off-topic, but have you been to the quarry just north of Cartersville? I think it's called Kraken Springs now. I've been wondering if it's worth the drive. I really like the shop that owns it, but haven't made it over there yet.

FLAFI · « **Reply #42 on:** November 13, 2019, 07:44:35 AM »

From now (November) thru May, I wouldn't want to live anywhere but Florida - great weather, excellent beaches, low taxes & cost of living, and good infrastructure. From June thru early October, not so much - heat and hurricanes are a drag.

We will eventually add a summer residence in the Rocky Mountain West.

DadJokes · « **Reply #43 on:** November 13, 2019, 08:04:17 AM »

Quote from: redhead84 on November 12, 2019, 03:38:35 PM

Quote from: PeterParker on November 12, 2019, 12:08:25 PM
I really enjoy Chicago but it's already 17 degrees with sludge and salt all over the place.

Only reason I'm here is family, certainly not some all-important job that is easily replaceable.
I mean my mom, dad, and twin brother primarily. But a ton of other family and cousins (though some have blown to NYC, LA, Seattle, or on the road).

That said, I feel like I would live a more Nomadic lifestyle without a job (or a remote/ traveling job). That could be cool.

Maybe we can have a big family meeting and all move to warmer climates ha.

This exactly. I joke with my family that we should all pick a better location and move as a group. :)

I might have to suggest this...

TN is nice, except for the brutally humid summers and the colder than I'm comfortable with winters.

I'd love to spend winters in south Florida, though I'm not sure where I'd rather be for summers. I've never been anywhere that I found particularly pleasant (west Texas, southwest Ohio, middle Tennessee).

Tris Prior · « **Reply #44 on:** November 13, 2019, 08:38:18 AM »

Absolutely not. If I were FIRE tomorrow I would leave immediately. I'm trying to come up with a plan to GTFO of the great frozen white north where we are already getting below zero windchills in November! Most jobs in my field are in cold places though so I'm feeling kind of stuck.

JMoney777 · « **Reply #45 on:** November 13, 2019, 08:54:29 AM »

I wouldn't live where I do were it not for my job. It's a very high cost of living area, in a high tax state and municipality, and winter is miserable. Once I'm done, I'm out in a heartbeat.

SimpleCycle · « **Reply #46 on:** November 13, 2019, 09:12:22 AM »

I'm a very "bloom where you're planted" kind of person. I've really enjoyed most of the places I've lived, and they've been pretty diverse in terms of climate, COL, job opportunities, etc.

I really love city life though, so Chicago is my jam. And I have a wife who really wants to continue working, so we're tied here even if I didn't have to work. We would be FI if we moved to lower COL, but we choose not to.

dogboyslim · « **Reply #47 on:** November 13, 2019, 09:30:55 AM »

I like where I live, and plan to live here post FIRE. Our family and friends are close, we get four seasons to enjoy, and we are close to metro areas while still being small enough that we have a neighborly feel. We are also very close to outdoor amenities such as Lake Michigan, Door County, several national forests and state parks that are great.

We will probably travel more post FIRE, but we will still call Wisconsin Home.

sui generis · « **Reply #48 on:** November 13, 2019, 09:47:43 AM »

I'm FIREd but my husband's not and we have cats, so I am effectively stuck in one place and that place is due to husband's work. Luckily I like this location (Bay Area) except for winter when I find it too cold. I'd rather be in a place where highs only in the 50s are rare. I came here from San Diego and that would be better, though there were still some cold days. And San Diego wouldn't be good year-round because it gets too hot in the summer. Of course, here in the Bay Area, we had two weeks of heat waves hitting 100 degrees this summer, and no one here has AC. But generally, summers here are nice with days in the high 60s and 70s more standard. I think the bottom line is, if I had it my way, there's no one place I'd live year-round.

wkumtrider · « **Reply #49 on:** November 13, 2019, 10:00:14 AM »

I'd move to Colorado for the mountain biking.

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Author Topic: Would you live where you currently do if you didn't have to work? (Read 5432 times)