WANTED: New hometown

its a lot safer now too with Jim Leyritz off the streets. Problem with Tampa St Pete area is the Traffic. Makes NY traffic seem mild.

 

You know, that's funny, Inky -- I was just looking at Oxford this afternoon. I've always liked the idea of it, small town, college town, kind of exotic by Canadian standards, something different, with a good literary history and apparently a fantastic book store on the square. I was looking at maps -- it looks like you'd fly in and out of Memphis, which isn't ideal, but isn't a dealbreaker. I know a few people there, too, which is a plus.

I like San Diego on a philosophical level, but I'm not sure I'm really a California guy. (Or that my wife is a California girl.)

We were just talking about how I could maybe do a few writers-in-residence or visiting professor type deals, jump around and get a really good feel for the whole country. Missoula, Oxford, Charleston, Portland, Chicago, San Diego... That sounds like a sweet way to spend a couple of years before the kids are in school.

Keep 'em coming though, folks. I have to say, I'm touched by the response here and via PM. There are a lot of good people on this board. It's appreciated.

And to jgmacg and Frank: Free beer? SOLD.

Wait: Oxford isn't dry, is it?

 

SoFla is more humid than most places, but it is incredible from November through March.

And, it's not nearly as hot as the majority of the country in the summertime.
I think it is temperate.

 

Missoula is fantabulous, but you do have the occasional snow storm in June, and most of the schools in Montana are iffy, at least until the latest school funding suit works itself out.

 

Jonesy, don't ya trust me!?! I'd never, ever even consider a dry town for you (or my own damn self).

 

Chris,

Allow me to make a less than subtle pitch for my adopted hometown, Baltimore.

For starters, you're really getting two cities in one, since D.C. is a mere 40 mins down the road. But Baltimore has a very rugged charm to it, and a literary and cinematic history to boot. Yes, the public schools aren't good, but by the time the kids grow up, you could easily move to the county, where some of the best public schools in the country are. You get more house for the dollar than in D.C. or NYC, but those cities are still close enough that you can experience them any time to like. Good food, plenty of good golf, many fine drinking establishments, and just enough exotic local flavor to keep you on your toes. Plus, drinking buddies. This, I can provide. Sure, our baseball team is godawful, and yes, our MVP middle linebacker might kill you and your family and have the charged dropped, but we have an indoor soccer team that's badass.

I'm a big fan of Portland, Ore., as well, because if you can handle the weather, it's like a bohemian Seattle with less traffic.

 

Funny I always thought they were good schools comparatively. I'd recommend Missoula solely based on the bars. Charlie B's and The Old Post are the best.

 

The half-million price probably rules out the most beautiful area in California -- the Central Coast.

Incredible climate, good schools in the San Luis Obispo-Morro Bay-Arroyo Grande area, great watering holes and some of the greatest scenery on the planet.

Just my .02

 

Montana's schools are awful.

I could never hang out at Charlie B's. . . too much cigarette smoke. Course now that the state's banned smoking, I would probably be there every damned night (after stopping at the Iron Horse for a strawberry sex, of course).

 

Probably because there's so many old NY'ers here. I wish we had a subway.

 

Second the Research Triangle and Charlottesville recommendations. I've been told Ashville is pretty damned cool. My hometown (Norfolk, Va.) is temperate and on the coast of the second biggest toilet in the world. Housing is a little pricey (though nowhere near NYC/SF/D.C. levels).