Geneva's pretty sweet. A buddy has been working there for 20 years, and he's never moving back here.
Montreux for the win! One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen...
If you could live anywhere, where would you? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter JScott
- Start date
I have a few quieter spots I prefer over both. But happy to visit, those are lovely places indeed.
Jackypoo
Two Pair
Heresy! The Midwest has the best trash hills in the whole world!
Mongoose
Full House
So would Deep Purple! Lol!
RIP Mirage poker room.
My father in law worked his entire career for the United Nations, and had lived in Switzerland, Laos, Madagascar, Italy, Israel, Korea and the U.S.
I asked him once if he could chose only one place to return, which would it be.
His answer: northern Italy.
My wife and I spent 2 weeks in northern Italy before kids. It’s magical.
I asked him once if he could chose only one place to return, which would it be.
His answer: northern Italy.
My wife and I spent 2 weeks in northern Italy before kids. It’s magical.
Pretty much everyone chooses a place that intersects with their interests.
We've actually had that freedom to live anywhere we want since I retired ten years ago. We tossed around Paris and several other places in France (Rennes, Cognac, St-Jean-de-Luze, Lyon, etc.), the Netherlands (Den Haag / Delft, Leiden, Gouda), a few Caribbean islands (Aruba, St. Martin, Martinique), Panama, Albuquerque, Taos, Santa Fe, Tucson, San Diego, even Wales.
But in the end, we chose the west coast of FL. We both play tennis six days a week year-round, plus pickleball on Sundays (our country club has 20 tennis courts, 16 pickleball, three private golf courses, and two restaurants), a home on a small lake with lots of wildlife, hitting our pool every day, more cultural activities than anywhere else in the state, easy air hops to the Caribbean and flights to Europe from Miami, Lauderdale, and Orlando, four local airports with direct flights all over the US. Oh, and no state income tax.
Best of all, short pants every day of the year, socks for tennis only, except for occasional dinners at Bern's in Tampa, with the largest wine list in the world. Sometimes you have to compromise your principles.
Not for everyone, but it's perfect for us...
We've actually had that freedom to live anywhere we want since I retired ten years ago. We tossed around Paris and several other places in France (Rennes, Cognac, St-Jean-de-Luze, Lyon, etc.), the Netherlands (Den Haag / Delft, Leiden, Gouda), a few Caribbean islands (Aruba, St. Martin, Martinique), Panama, Albuquerque, Taos, Santa Fe, Tucson, San Diego, even Wales.
But in the end, we chose the west coast of FL. We both play tennis six days a week year-round, plus pickleball on Sundays (our country club has 20 tennis courts, 16 pickleball, three private golf courses, and two restaurants), a home on a small lake with lots of wildlife, hitting our pool every day, more cultural activities than anywhere else in the state, easy air hops to the Caribbean and flights to Europe from Miami, Lauderdale, and Orlando, four local airports with direct flights all over the US. Oh, and no state income tax.
Best of all, short pants every day of the year, socks for tennis only, except for occasional dinners at Bern's in Tampa, with the largest wine list in the world. Sometimes you have to compromise your principles.
Not for everyone, but it's perfect for us...
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Did all your chips come along on the ride also?
IIRC, over 60,000 chips came down from DC with us. I held a contest at the time to see who came closest to guessing the number of chips in the boxes...2013, so probably here on PCF. (Looking back, nothing before 2015 seems to be still available.)
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Interesting facts:
- I have been to South Africa nine times
- One of my closest friends is a widow from Swaziland (now eswatini) who is like a sister to me, and provides us with real perspective on what is important in life.
- My wife and I traveled from the states for her 40th birthday party, and we have traveled to see her several times. She lives about two to three hours from Kruger. She is the one with the scar in the picture below from her party.
- I would never tell her, or my wife, how much I spend on casino chips.
Definitely an amazing place, I've only been once sadly. I can't wait to go back, it just scares me how dangerous it can be. We get a lot of South Africans move to Australia, and some of my close friends are from there. They tell some crazy stories.Interesting facts:
- I have been to South Africa nine times
- One of my closest friends is a widow from Swaziland (now eswatini) who is like a sister to me, and provides us with real perspective on what is important in life.
- My wife and I traveled from the states for her 40th birthday party, and we have traveled to see her several times. She lives about two to three hours from Kruger. She is the one with the scar in the picture below from her party.
- I would never tell her, or my wife, how much I spend on casino chips.
View attachment 773457
Or the Forrest Fires. That part is what scares me about living Cal now. I lived in Huntington Beach for 3 months one summer in the 80s which is way before all this stuff started really happening. I was living with my Uncle and cousins. My Uncle lives in Tustin now and so does one of my cousins.
OP
OP
JScott
Flush
So many great responses. Thanks.
It would be so hard to leave here. I love it. But even being in a very comfortable financial situation, we feel pushed out of our own community.
It would be so hard to leave here. I love it. But even being in a very comfortable financial situation, we feel pushed out of our own community.
That's what's keeping me out of the interior of BC. We looked closely and almost moved to the Okanagan, but being under smoke for 3 months wouldn't work.
I hear this. I have been pondering/dreaming of moving there for a couple years.
Gonna second Portugal. Beautiful country, easy access to Europe, low cost of living but a fairly progressive and developed country.
If time zones matter hard to beat Costa Rica. Or Saskatchewan. You know… either or.
Also, Patagonia area of South America looks amazing.
If time zones matter hard to beat Costa Rica. Or Saskatchewan. You know… either or.
Also, Patagonia area of South America looks amazing.
slisk250
Straight Flush
I live in a great place but given the chance I’d go back to Holland. Haarlem would be a nice spot.
LotsOfChips
Flush
Having traveled pretty extensively (over 30 countries, several for 3-6 months plus at a time), and having thought for years about the "best place to relocate to" I agree that Whistler is a pretty solid option, except for the damn winters (and the damn tourists, and the damn cost of living). NZ is near the top of my list for non-tropical locations. Australia is not bad. Thailand is up there for tropical locations, but language and property ownership restrictions are a consideration. In BC the Slocan, Kooteneys and Vancouver Island are pretty sweet, but maybe don't have the same amenities as Sea to Sky/Lower Mainland. Parts of Europe (closer to the Mediterranean) can be nice.
I suggest that you think about what is truly important to you. Climate? (BC is a bit down the list here, but probably the best option in Canada). English speaking? (If you move to a country that is not, the kids will adapt pretty quickly, but the adults will probably take longer) Safety? (Depending on your definition, this one could eliminate quite a bit of territory. Most of Mexico, large parts of Central and South America, some parts of US, even some parts of BC, etc.) Recreational activities? (Other than perhaps Colorado/NM/Utah/etc. BC/Whistler will be pretty tough to beat) Proximity to family? (Living abroad can be a big strain if you want to maintain close contact with parents, siblings, etc.) Level of development? Social and political considerations? (Red State vs. Blue State, social safety net, education, health care, socio-economic stability, etc.) Presence of ex-pat English speaking or North American community? Cultural considerations? Business opportunities? (The money you have may not last forever).
Once you have identified some priorities, start to narrow down the list, and then go for a visit. And I don't mean for a week or two. Spend 6-8 weeks minimum (better yet 3-4 months), Get past the "gee, this place is paradise" first impressions. Meet and get to talk with the locals. Find out from them what the worst and best things about living there are. Ask about crime, poverty, stability, politics, cost of living, education, etc. Find out how they feel about outsiders with lots of money coming to live with them (will you be a welcome addition to the community, or a target for robbery or violence?).
Another option is to be "homeless" for a while and travel the world. I've had several year-long trips where I lived and travelled in a region (Western Europe, Thailand/Malaysia, Australia/NZ, India), and I believe that they were the best experiences of my life. Set up a base of operations for a month or three in a central location, arrange for home-schooling for the kids, and see the country (countries) from a different perspective than the average tourist. You and your family will get a great appreciation for how other parts of the world live, and you (and they) will probably come to realize what a great and fortunate life we live in Canada.
(Note that a lot of these options will have to wait until Covid subsides)
Best of luck!!!
I suggest that you think about what is truly important to you. Climate? (BC is a bit down the list here, but probably the best option in Canada). English speaking? (If you move to a country that is not, the kids will adapt pretty quickly, but the adults will probably take longer) Safety? (Depending on your definition, this one could eliminate quite a bit of territory. Most of Mexico, large parts of Central and South America, some parts of US, even some parts of BC, etc.) Recreational activities? (Other than perhaps Colorado/NM/Utah/etc. BC/Whistler will be pretty tough to beat) Proximity to family? (Living abroad can be a big strain if you want to maintain close contact with parents, siblings, etc.) Level of development? Social and political considerations? (Red State vs. Blue State, social safety net, education, health care, socio-economic stability, etc.) Presence of ex-pat English speaking or North American community? Cultural considerations? Business opportunities? (The money you have may not last forever).
Once you have identified some priorities, start to narrow down the list, and then go for a visit. And I don't mean for a week or two. Spend 6-8 weeks minimum (better yet 3-4 months), Get past the "gee, this place is paradise" first impressions. Meet and get to talk with the locals. Find out from them what the worst and best things about living there are. Ask about crime, poverty, stability, politics, cost of living, education, etc. Find out how they feel about outsiders with lots of money coming to live with them (will you be a welcome addition to the community, or a target for robbery or violence?).
Another option is to be "homeless" for a while and travel the world. I've had several year-long trips where I lived and travelled in a region (Western Europe, Thailand/Malaysia, Australia/NZ, India), and I believe that they were the best experiences of my life. Set up a base of operations for a month or three in a central location, arrange for home-schooling for the kids, and see the country (countries) from a different perspective than the average tourist. You and your family will get a great appreciation for how other parts of the world live, and you (and they) will probably come to realize what a great and fortunate life we live in Canada.
(Note that a lot of these options will have to wait until Covid subsides)
Best of luck!!!
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buzzmonkey
Flush
Come visit Maine. If you pick the right area, you're within a 1 hour drive of beaches, lakes, ski mountains, towns, and all the cities are small. You can be in Boston in a couple hours or NYC or Montreal in about 5. And I'm sure you could find a house you like for under 2.5 mil CAD.
gopherblue
Straight Flush
In the States? If not a city, then Maine, for the same reasons as stated above. If a city, and finances are not an issue, then San Francisco.
Outside the States?
Stockholm, Sweden, including a summer house in the archipelago.
Helsinki, Finland.
New Zealand, for the reasons stated above. It is a country that has it all, in a small package.
Geneva, Switzerland, but not cheap.
Portugal.
Outside the States?
Stockholm, Sweden, including a summer house in the archipelago.
Helsinki, Finland.
New Zealand, for the reasons stated above. It is a country that has it all, in a small package.
Geneva, Switzerland, but not cheap.
Portugal.
OP
OP
JScott
Flush
That's a great post. Funny thing, other than cost of living, Whistler is perfect. Literally perfect. I love the climate, not too hot (except this year) in summer, and not too cold in winter. I love the changing seasons so a milder climate isn't really what we're looking for. The -3C we get most of the winter is perfect (I'm originally from Manitoba so I can easily deal with a bit of freezing).
Natural beauty is second, I couldn't move back to the prairies for that reason alone. We love the mountains, the lakes, and the people. The healthy active mindset is something we've struggled to find elsewhere. I grew up on a farm where everyone ate like shit, exercise was looked down on unless it was work, and 30+ year olds drink like they're in college. Now I don't want to shame anyone for that lifestyle, but it isn't for me. My 70 year old parents can barely walk down the street with their grandkids, meanwhile I'm skiing with an 82 year old friend of mine here. I want that mentality in the community.
I'm really wanting to stay. I just need a place to park money until we figure out what we're doing, and real estate doesn't seem to be slowing down due to lack of supply. We won't be living off the house money either, I do well with my businesses and they're remote, so that's a fortunate thing.
I really appreciate the advice about local mentality, I see that here where outsiders come in and flash cash (and you have to flash A LOT here to stand out), and sometimes it takes a while for them to realize it's not what the people in this town value. It's more about how fast you can ride the trails, than it is about how nice your car is. No one here cares. And I'm sure that applies elsewhere.
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12thMan
Full House
I hear you @JScott , it seems like every season at Steven's pass there is somebody celebrating their hundredth birthday on the slopes...I want to be that guy!!!! It takes a good amount of luck to live that long, but if I can survive disease, my own stupid decisions, and other humans I don't want to slow down because I sit inside.
I will never take a golf cart when I play unless the course makes me, I know one day in the future, again if I'm lucky enough to live that long, there is going to come a time where I physically can't walk an 18 hole golf course and I am going to mourn that fact and every round I played where I didn't walk would eat at me. I can't have that regret, I can't imagine not being able to do that, it seems so simple now. (Just had a buddy up from out of town, we played discgolf and the course is on an old golf course. Four holes into disc golf, which is only three holes of the old golf course, my buddy was asking if they would bring a cart out to him. As he smoked a cigarette and sat down. We are in our early 40s and a walk in the woods is borderline too much for him. terrifying.)
Good luck on what you find, and congrats on being in a position to have options. And if you ever get down to Washington this winter come to Stevens pass for a day or two, I'll show you some locals only type lines.
I will never take a golf cart when I play unless the course makes me, I know one day in the future, again if I'm lucky enough to live that long, there is going to come a time where I physically can't walk an 18 hole golf course and I am going to mourn that fact and every round I played where I didn't walk would eat at me. I can't have that regret, I can't imagine not being able to do that, it seems so simple now. (Just had a buddy up from out of town, we played discgolf and the course is on an old golf course. Four holes into disc golf, which is only three holes of the old golf course, my buddy was asking if they would bring a cart out to him. As he smoked a cigarette and sat down. We are in our early 40s and a walk in the woods is borderline too much for him. terrifying.)
Good luck on what you find, and congrats on being in a position to have options. And if you ever get down to Washington this winter come to Stevens pass for a day or two, I'll show you some locals only type lines.
Really such a subjective question in the end.
I was born and raised in Canada, mostly in Edmonton, Alberta. In 2012 I moved abroad to Zurich, Switzerland, where I've been ever since. Interestingly, I always said, if we had the chance to move back to Alberta, I'd jump at the chance - well, that chance came a couple years ago when my wife received a job offer in Calgary and, surprisingly, it was me who decided against moving back.
Switzerland isn't the most exciting country on earth, but the life quality sure is hard to beat. I'd caution though, if you think house prices in Whistler are expensive, wait to you see them in Zurich.
All that said, without thinking about any of the important stuff like job, schools, healthcare, taxes, etc..., if I could uproot and land anywhere, it'd be Canmore, Alberta, Canada. In a heartbeat. Love that place.
I was born and raised in Canada, mostly in Edmonton, Alberta. In 2012 I moved abroad to Zurich, Switzerland, where I've been ever since. Interestingly, I always said, if we had the chance to move back to Alberta, I'd jump at the chance - well, that chance came a couple years ago when my wife received a job offer in Calgary and, surprisingly, it was me who decided against moving back.
Switzerland isn't the most exciting country on earth, but the life quality sure is hard to beat. I'd caution though, if you think house prices in Whistler are expensive, wait to you see them in Zurich.
All that said, without thinking about any of the important stuff like job, schools, healthcare, taxes, etc..., if I could uproot and land anywhere, it'd be Canmore, Alberta, Canada. In a heartbeat. Love that place.
This sounds perfect, Larry!
Friends of my wife travelled the US for a year, looking for a place to live just as you described. They settled in Aspen (they have $).
There’s a similar feel in Ketchum, ID. Groups of old friends skiing Sun Valley in the morning, then lounging around drinking hot cocoa for a bit before heading back down. I would love to live that.I hear you @JScott , it seems like every season at Steven's pass there is somebody celebrating their hundredth birthday on the slopes...I want to be that guy!!!! It takes a good amount of luck to live that long, but if I can survive disease, my own stupid decisions, and other humans I don't want to slow down because I sit inside.
I will never take a golf cart when I play unless the course makes me, I know one day in the future, again if I'm lucky enough to live that long, there is going to come a time where I physically can't walk an 18 hole golf course and I am going to mourn that fact and every round I played where I didn't walk would eat at me. I can't have that regret, I can't imagine not being able to do that, it seems so simple now. (Just had a buddy up from out of town, we played discgolf and the course is on an old golf course. Four holes into disc golf, which is only three holes of the old golf course, my buddy was asking if they would bring a cart out to him. As he smoked a cigarette and sat down. We are in our early 40s and a walk in the woods is borderline too much for him. terrifying.)
Good luck on what you find, and congrats on being in a position to have options. And if you ever get down to Washington this winter come to Stevens pass for a day or two, I'll show you some locals only type lines.
Athens, Greece.
You can easily travel to either pristine rugged mountains or outlandish islands.
You can even swim within city limits if you 're not picky.
There are (or were, before the pandemic) still a handful of good whisky bars / jazz bars where you could even smoke (illegally), where you had all of the New York City feeling you ever needed.
Proverbially human-friendly and dry climate (not so much anymore, because of climate change, but still).
Pretty safe too, by western metropolises' standards.
Only problem here is bureaucracy, government inefficiency and low salaries.
Not an issue if you 've already earned, stolen or inherited a good chunk of money.
So, if I ever got rich, I 'd stay here.
You can easily travel to either pristine rugged mountains or outlandish islands.
You can even swim within city limits if you 're not picky.
There are (or were, before the pandemic) still a handful of good whisky bars / jazz bars where you could even smoke (illegally), where you had all of the New York City feeling you ever needed.
Proverbially human-friendly and dry climate (not so much anymore, because of climate change, but still).
Pretty safe too, by western metropolises' standards.
Only problem here is bureaucracy, government inefficiency and low salaries.
Not an issue if you 've already earned, stolen or inherited a good chunk of money.
So, if I ever got rich, I 'd stay here.
RainmanTrail
Straight Flush
Chiang Mai, Thailand or just about anywhere in Costa Rica.
Lets start a poker commune on the beach in Costa Rica. I am only 10% joking.
Great coffee, great weather, chill people, year round growing season of tropical fruit. Man what else do you want?!
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