Anywhere in West Virginia would be nice.
TJ
Lots of good riding, outdoor experiences, etc.Chubbs said:
TJ
Where do you live and why would I want to move there?
The wife and I have been talking about a move lately . We currently live in the DC area and have had enough, the traffic, cost of living and everything that goes with it. So we are looking to get out, thus the title of this thread. We are pretty open to anywhere, except places that receive a lot of snow. Obviously proximity to outdoor activities, not just MTB is important, as is a slower pace of life. So I would like to hear from you about where you live and why we would like it or not like it.
Thanks
Thanks
1 - 20 of 53 Posts
Charlottesville, VA
Lots of local culture. Pedestrian mall opens up for concerts every Friday during the summer. All (20+) art galleries open up on the first Friday of every month all year and have music, food, conversation and of course art.
There is a HUGE cycling community right in C-ville and the MTB family extends throughout the state of VA. (www.cambc.org www.cvilleracing.org) The road riding is awesome with some great rides just a couple of miles outside of town.
The cost of living (actually housing) has been steadily creeping up over the past couple of years. So that's a bit of a bummer, but it probabyl doesn't compare to DC.
If you ever want to come down and ride some of the local trails, drop me a message, we'll hook something up.
Why do you want to live here? Hmmm...Well, to start, Charlottesville is perfectly placed in the mountains for awesome mountain biking, road riding, hiking, rock climbing, etc. It was voted the best city in the US by *somebody* last year. (I can't remember who)Chubbs said:The wife and I have been talking about a move lately . We currently live in the DC area and have had enough, the traffic, cost of living and everything that goes with it. So we are looking to get out, thus the title of this thread. We are pretty open to anywhere, except places that receive a lot of snow. Obviously proximity to outdoor activities, not just MTB is important, as is a slower pace of life. So I would like to hear from you about where you live and why we would like it or not like it.
Thanks
Lots of local culture. Pedestrian mall opens up for concerts every Friday during the summer. All (20+) art galleries open up on the first Friday of every month all year and have music, food, conversation and of course art.
There is a HUGE cycling community right in C-ville and the MTB family extends throughout the state of VA. (www.cambc.org www.cvilleracing.org) The road riding is awesome with some great rides just a couple of miles outside of town.
The cost of living (actually housing) has been steadily creeping up over the past couple of years. So that's a bit of a bummer, but it probabyl doesn't compare to DC.
If you ever want to come down and ride some of the local trails, drop me a message, we'll hook something up.
It's raining here right now.
If you like rain and retards who cut down entire forests, Oregon is the place. I have no authority to say that since I just moved here. Unless your idea of culture is statues carved by a chainsaw, it seems to be devoid. Hell, I can't even find a decent loaf of sourdough here (culture, get it? haha.). I guess it's just the liberal snob in me. Where's my latte! Waaaaaa! I feel like complaining!
If you like rain and retards who cut down entire forests, Oregon is the place. I have no authority to say that since I just moved here. Unless your idea of culture is statues carved by a chainsaw, it seems to be devoid. Hell, I can't even find a decent loaf of sourdough here (culture, get it? haha.). I guess it's just the liberal snob in me. Where's my latte! Waaaaaa! I feel like complaining!
For the last 10 or 15 years, Vancouver, BC has been rated among the best cities in the world to live in by several surveys and consulting firms. We've consistently been the best in North America. Here's an article from last year, but there are several more recent if you look around the internet for a bit.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2003/03/03/cities030303.html
Besides, we ARE the North Shore ...
Kn.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2003/03/03/cities030303.html
Besides, we ARE the North Shore ...
Kn.
Yes, but you have to pass a test to get in. You either pass the test, or are rich enough to buy in. And real estate is not exactly cheap up there. But there IS culture....K'Endo said:For the last 10 or 15 years, Vancouver, BC has been rated among the best cities in the world to live in by several surveys and consulting firms. We've consistently been the best in North America. Here's an article from last year, but there are several more recent if you look around the internet for a bit.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2003/03/03/cities030303.html
Besides, we ARE the North Shore ...
Kn.
I'm in San Luis Obispo, where the weather is great, the riding is fantastic, and the demographics and distribution of wealth are skewed to the right enough for a solid thesis paper by a graduate student of statistics. As Gregg K stated so elequently, I think it's the liberal snob in me. It's quite the 'quaint little town' where a lot of the locals think their sh** smells like ice cream because 'it's so great.' Granted, I'm from the East Coast where things are only SLIGHTLY different, and don't get me wrong, its' a nice town, but it is what it is.....a small town with an inflated cost of living where you don't get what you pay for. Unless you're into the riding, which, despite all the hating I've done here, is some of the best I've done.
One word- Montana de Oro.VA2SLOride said:I'm in San Luis Obispo, where the weather is great, the riding is fantastic, and the demographics and distribution of wealth are skewed to the right enough for a solid thesis paper by a graduate student of statistics. As Gregg K stated so elequently, I think it's the liberal snob in me. It's quite the 'quaint little town' where a lot of the locals think their sh** smells like ice cream because 'it's so great.' Granted, I'm from the East Coast where things are only SLIGHTLY different, and don't get me wrong, its' a nice town, but it is what it is.....a small town with an inflated cost of living where you don't get what you pay for. Unless you're into the riding, which, despite all the hating I've done here, is some of the best I've done.
I heard Madonna mountain is off limits. I rode that hill every day for four years. The rollers! Prefumo canyon. Yeah, I liked riding in SLO. But that was in 1986, before it changed. I bought my first house there. $130k. It's probably a billion dollars by now. Waaaaa! I'm complaining again.
SHADDUPPP!!! The best places to live will and should continue to remain the best kept secrets. Some facts all of you should know about Canada. Do you know that global warming is melting our igloo homes? Or that the ski season is down to only 10 months a year? Or that many neighbourhoods in Canada have been taken over by gangs of baby-seal clubbing sealers? Add to that mix the evils of drug legalization, gay marriage, terrorism sponsorship, Walmart unionization and you'll definitely want to stay away. Sorry, we're taken. I think California still has some spots left. D.K'Endo said:For the last 10 or 15 years, Vancouver, BC has been rated among the best cities in the world to live in by several surveys and consulting firms. We've consistently been the best in North America. Here's an article from last year, but there are several more recent if you look around the internet for a bit.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2003/03/03/cities030303.html
Besides, we ARE the North Shore ...
Kn.
Ahhhh yess ... you must be speaking of the Trailer Park Boys, our cultural ambassadors. D.Gregg K said:Yes, but you have to pass a test to get in. You either pass the test, or are rich enough to buy in. And real estate is not exactly cheap up there. But there IS culture....
I'm listening to CJSF right now. It really sucks, too. Don't listen to it.Duncan! said:SHADDUPPP!!! The best places to live will and should continue to remain the best kept secrets. Some facts all of you should know about Canada. Do you know that global warming is melting our igloo homes? Or that the ski season is down to only 10 months a year? Or that many neighbourhoods in Canada have been taken over by gangs of baby-seal clubbing sealers? Add to that mix the evils of drug legalization, gay marriage, terrorism sponsorship, Walmart unionization and you'll definitely want to stay away. D.
Greenville (G-Vegas) SC
what happens in G-Vegas stays in G- nevemind...
been here since 93 after getting out of the Navy while in Spain. Landed a job with Lockheed Martin which was convenient, my wife was originally from Greenville.
back in 89 fled charleston when Hugo hit stayed a while in G'ville w/ the inlaws and i hated it (the town - not the inlaws) .. too much of a small town. the downtown was a deadzone rundown.
The last few years have seen a huge turn around, and it's a huge cycling community too (more roadbiking than anything) but we're 40mins tops from Pisgah/Dupont/Bent Creek
which is cool. and there's alot happening with the development of new trails closer to home Paris Mountain, so hopefully that will continue, and improve.
We're only 3 hours from the beach and in the foothills on the mountains. Cost of living is nothing compared to other places we've lived. It's home!
what happens in G-Vegas stays in G- nevemind...
been here since 93 after getting out of the Navy while in Spain. Landed a job with Lockheed Martin which was convenient, my wife was originally from Greenville.
back in 89 fled charleston when Hugo hit stayed a while in G'ville w/ the inlaws and i hated it (the town - not the inlaws) .. too much of a small town. the downtown was a deadzone rundown.
The last few years have seen a huge turn around, and it's a huge cycling community too (more roadbiking than anything) but we're 40mins tops from Pisgah/Dupont/Bent Creek
which is cool. and there's alot happening with the development of new trails closer to home Paris Mountain, so hopefully that will continue, and improve.
We're only 3 hours from the beach and in the foothills on the mountains. Cost of living is nothing compared to other places we've lived. It's home!
yes
Yes....Montana De Oro may be the best riding I've done around here. Can't beat Ridge trail....and no, Madonna is far from being off limits. I'm up there a couple of times a week, and there are a LOT of stunts being built up on it. Nothing huge, but a bunch of cool jumps and gaps. The guys who are doing it are doing a relly good job of it.Gregg K said:One word- Montana de Oro.
I heard Madonna mountain is off limits. I rode that hill every day for four years. The rollers! Prefumo canyon. Yeah, I liked riding in SLO. But that was in 1986, before it changed. I bought my first house there. $130k. It's probably a billion dollars by now. Waaaaa! I'm complaining again.
Another Californian moved to Oregon.
TJ
I have to laugh. There has not been clear cutting in 20 years. Unless it is private ground. You should have seen some of the clear cuts near Vernonia, and St Hellens. Estecada had a bunch too. I feel your pain. Sucks to live in a place where there are no trees. Colorado is the same way. I moved away from Oregon because there were no trees left. Now I am in the process of cutting down all the trees in Colorado.Gregg K said:If you like rain and retards who cut down entire forests, Oregon is the place. I have no authority to say that since I just moved here. Unless your idea of culture is statues carved by a chainsaw, it seems to be devoid. Hell, I can't even find a decent loaf of sourdough here (culture, get it? haha.). I guess it's just the liberal snob in me. Where's my latte! Waaaaaa! I feel like complaining!
TJ
Instead, I'll give you a warning!
(In case you are wondering why I live here, in spite of the things revealed by my diatribe, it is because I have two kids in school and they have both expressed a desire to stay. Being the product of a military family, and having attended 13 different schools in 12 years growing up, I vowed long ago to give my kids the chance to have the same friends through their school years.)
I live south of Houston TX, about 20 miles from the gulf of Mexico, and it is the pits. Litter, garbage, toxic air, flat, hot, humid, swampy, hot, humid, smelly, hot, humid, flat, (When my mom came to visit, from north Alabama, she repeated, "It sure is flat here." every five minutes.) hot, and humid. The only redeeming value this place has it that... Well strike that I can't think of one, other than my daughters are here and I love them very much.
It's a two hour drive to the closest hill with a bike trail. This is a bad place to live and have a keen interest in mountain biking.
Have a great day,
I'll reverse it and give you a warning. Stay away from the gulf coast west of Alabama.Chubbs said:... where you live and why we would like it or not like it.
Thanks
(In case you are wondering why I live here, in spite of the things revealed by my diatribe, it is because I have two kids in school and they have both expressed a desire to stay. Being the product of a military family, and having attended 13 different schools in 12 years growing up, I vowed long ago to give my kids the chance to have the same friends through their school years.)
I live south of Houston TX, about 20 miles from the gulf of Mexico, and it is the pits. Litter, garbage, toxic air, flat, hot, humid, swampy, hot, humid, smelly, hot, humid, flat, (When my mom came to visit, from north Alabama, she repeated, "It sure is flat here." every five minutes.) hot, and humid. The only redeeming value this place has it that... Well strike that I can't think of one, other than my daughters are here and I love them very much.
It's a two hour drive to the closest hill with a bike trail. This is a bad place to live and have a keen interest in mountain biking.
Have a great day,
Michigan
I live in West Michigan. My wife and I have had that talk a few times this year. Currently Michigan's unemployment rate is the second highest in the nation, however we both have good jobs. I guess the main reason we would move, is to leave the winter months behind. It gets old being cold and not seeing the sun in the winter time. My vote would be somewhere out West where it does not snow.
As for the trails, most of the trails are on the East side of the State. There are a couple trails within an hour of Grand Rapids. None of the trails offer any real large hill climbs,jumps, drops and most are closed when hunting season starts. There pretty much are no trails where I live, I have to drive an hour if I want a good ride.
Check the trail review section on this website, see who has the most trails that are ranked in the top ten.
If I were somewhere else I would not move to Michigan.
I live in West Michigan. My wife and I have had that talk a few times this year. Currently Michigan's unemployment rate is the second highest in the nation, however we both have good jobs. I guess the main reason we would move, is to leave the winter months behind. It gets old being cold and not seeing the sun in the winter time. My vote would be somewhere out West where it does not snow.
As for the trails, most of the trails are on the East side of the State. There are a couple trails within an hour of Grand Rapids. None of the trails offer any real large hill climbs,jumps, drops and most are closed when hunting season starts. There pretty much are no trails where I live, I have to drive an hour if I want a good ride.
Check the trail review section on this website, see who has the most trails that are ranked in the top ten.
If I were somewhere else I would not move to Michigan.
If you call some place paradise
Kiss it goodbye(Don Henley)
Enough said
Kiss it goodbye(Don Henley)
Enough said
Birmingham, Alabama
If the following statements are mostly true, is town is for you.
You want to move here because:
Being called a ******* is not offensive to you
You own a full size pick up (domestic) equipped with flowmaster exhaust.
You've wondered where to buy that bumper sticker that says" W
still the president".
there shall be no family time, house work or socializing during deer season
You beleive littering is good because it gives people jobs.
You beleive anyone who walks or rides a bike along a road must be really poor (or gay).
You think conservative talk radio is the bomb.
You beleive children should not have a RIGHT to an education.
Your truck payment is higher than your mortgage.
You beleive the less government the better, unless of course they can keep gays from hooking up.
God I could go on. But there IS some decent riding IN the metro area (trailhead 5 miles from my house) including a 10,000 acre state park. However, as far as quality of life in general goes you could do MUCH better, like Huntsville
If the following statements are mostly true, is town is for you.
You want to move here because:
Being called a ******* is not offensive to you
You own a full size pick up (domestic) equipped with flowmaster exhaust.
You've wondered where to buy that bumper sticker that says" W
still the president".
there shall be no family time, house work or socializing during deer season
You beleive littering is good because it gives people jobs.
You beleive anyone who walks or rides a bike along a road must be really poor (or gay).
You think conservative talk radio is the bomb.
You beleive children should not have a RIGHT to an education.
Your truck payment is higher than your mortgage.
You beleive the less government the better, unless of course they can keep gays from hooking up.
God I could go on. But there IS some decent riding IN the metro area (trailhead 5 miles from my house) including a 10,000 acre state park. However, as far as quality of life in general goes you could do MUCH better, like Huntsville
Nothing's perfect, and yup, real estate ain't cheap. That's relative, though. If you live almost anywhere in California, our real estate looks pretty cheap! Rents are surprisingly affordable, though.Gregg K said:Yes, but you have to pass a test to get in. You either pass the test, or are rich enough to buy in. And real estate is not exactly cheap up there. But there IS culture....
The province of BC is booming right now, and all indications are that it is likely to continue at least until the 2010 Van/Whistler Olympics. There is a shortage in many professional skills and almost all skilled trades. Anything construction-related (fitters, electricians, steelworkers, etc) needs a lot more people.
Test? Well, just like most other countries, if you're serious about moving, then apply for a job. If you have secured employment it's not that tough to get landed immigrant status. The employer will sponsor the application. There are a lot of websites to choose from ... monster.ca, vancouverjobshop.com, etc. Just Google "vancouver employment"!
Kn.
1 - 20 of 53 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
ilmfat
790 Replies
DIRTJUNKIE
467 Replies
Sparticus
353 Replies
Recommended Communities
