Where should I live?

Tigerpaw · January 6th, 2013, 02:43 PM

Just for fun...

Where should I live in 2018? I will finish my 20 years in the US Air Force at the end of 2017. I can live anywhere in the US, here are my top considerations:

1. Suburb of a large city(>150,000)
2. Within 75 miles of a major military or VA hospital
3. Most family is in Illinois(would like to be with them, but not a dealbreaker)
4. Might prefer a warmer/drier climate than Illinois
5. Diverse(we are an interracial couple with a mixed baby)
6. Gun & CCW friendly
7. We are a <$100,000 household annually

**Currently in Dayton, OH. I enjoy it and may stay if I find a job. I might like something similar, or bigger**

**I like the idea of the west coast, but have very little experience there. Other than COST$$$, Seattle area would be nice**

Ideas???

Alex · January 6th, 2013, 04:59 PM

1,2,4 & 5 all are satisfied by Northern California. But 6 & 7 would likely be dealbreakers.

Apex · January 6th, 2013, 09:12 PM

Texas is pretty cheap for the most part. Dallas has a high cost of living though. Austin isn't too bad.

Tigerpaw · January 7th, 2013, 04:50 AM

I guessed Texas would pop up. Never lived there long term. Spent LOTS of time on medium and long stays, just wasn't impressed. Of course the majority of that time was Wichita Falls(ugh!).

cuz · January 7th, 2013, 05:00 AM

Texas

lgk · January 7th, 2013, 05:21 AM

Virginia meets all your requirements.

nautica · January 7th, 2013, 07:35 AM

Or one of the Carolinas. They have some amazing roads there as well.

Tigerpaw · January 7th, 2013, 11:09 AM

Cities!!!

ahenthus · January 7th, 2013, 11:27 AM

Army retiree here. Look into Greenville, SC. Very cosmopolitan, growing, some of the best roads for riding (to include Dragon), great weather, etc.

Yakaru · January 7th, 2013, 01:26 PM

Austin TX is my vote; but it's my favorite place in the world so I'm biased. Norfolk VA is also a good location -- tons of military out there and they've got a solid open carry/ccw setup last I recall.

antiant · January 7th, 2013, 06:27 PM

Central California (San Joaquin Valley), cost of living is cheaper than most of the major cities in California.

Tigerpaw · January 7th, 2013, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahenthus

Army retiree here. Look into Greenville, SC. Very cosmopolitan, growing, some of the best roads for riding (to include Dragon), great weather, etc.

How about North Charleston(or surrounding area)?

+ Good size Air Force Base for possible employment and benefits
+ Boeing for possible employment
+ Good weather, other than hurricanes
+ Housing seems cheap

- Heard it has had its share of crime
- From the looks, might be smaller than I prefer

ahenthus · January 7th, 2013, 07:13 PM

I love Charleston but don't know much about N. Chas. My backdoor neighbor is a tire design engineer for Michelin at Donaldson Center (formerly Donaldson AFB) and they have a lot of aviation businesses there. What was your AFSC? Are you looking for an aviation second career? I did 4 years in USAF before 21 in the Army. I was a radar mechanic on F4E's. I use Fort Jackson for most of my military retirement support, PX, Commissary, etc. I really don't use any of it much anymore. Once you've been out for a few years you tend to become very civilianized (at least I did).

Tigerpaw · January 8th, 2013, 01:22 PM

2A571 - Heavy Airframe Crew Chief (15 yrs so far: KC-135R, E-3A, E-4B)

I don't know if I will stay around airplanes after retirement. I will have my A&P. Just want my options to be open.

January 6th, 2013, 02:43 PM	#1
Tigerpaw ninjette.org guru Name: Tom Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 '09 Boulevard C50. '08 250r(TOTALED BY DEER) Posts: 467	Where should I live? Just for fun... Where should I live in 2018? I will finish my 20 years in the US Air Force at the end of 2017. I can live anywhere in the US, here are my top considerations: 1. Suburb of a large city(>150,000) 2. Within 75 miles of a major military or VA hospital 3. Most family is in Illinois(would like to be with them, but not a dealbreaker) 4. Might prefer a warmer/drier climate than Illinois 5. Diverse(we are an interracial couple with a mixed baby) 6. Gun & CCW friendly 7. We are a <$100,000 household annually Currently in Dayton, OH. I enjoy it and may stay if I find a job. I might like something similar, or bigger I like the idea of the west coast, but have very little experience there. Other than COST$$$, Seattle area would be nice Ideas??? __________________________________________________ CHEERS!!!

January 6th, 2013, 04:59 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	1,2,4 & 5 all are satisfied by Northern California. But 6 & 7 would likely be dealbreakers. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

January 6th, 2013, 09:12 PM	#3
Apex Livin' the Minimoto Life Name: Mark Location: Riding around in TX Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.	Texas is pretty cheap for the most part. Dallas has a high cost of living though. Austin isn't too bad. __________________________________________________ --- My IG Page --- My FB page! --- 2022 Honda Navi && 2018 Z-125 Pro

January 7th, 2013, 04:50 AM	#4
Tigerpaw ninjette.org guru Name: Tom Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 '09 Boulevard C50. '08 250r(TOTALED BY DEER) Posts: 467	I guessed Texas would pop up. Never lived there long term. Spent LOTS of time on medium and long stays, just wasn't impressed. Of course the majority of that time was Wichita Falls(ugh!). __________________________________________________ CHEERS!!!

January 7th, 2013, 05:00 AM	#5
cuz cuz Name: Israel Location: Houston (me) Galveston Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 ninja 250r Posts: A lot.	Texas __________________________________________________ THE GOOD LIFE

January 7th, 2013, 05:21 AM	#6
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	Virginia meets all your requirements. __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

January 7th, 2013, 07:35 AM	#7
nautica Gixxer Powered Name: Brett Location: OH Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 GSXR 600 Posts: 397	Or one of the Carolinas. They have some amazing roads there as well.

January 7th, 2013, 11:09 AM	#8
Tigerpaw ninjette.org guru Name: Tom Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 '09 Boulevard C50. '08 250r(TOTALED BY DEER) Posts: 467	Cities!!! __________________________________________________ CHEERS!!!

January 7th, 2013, 11:27 AM	#9
ahenthus ninjette.org member Name: Claude Location: SC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, 1994 HD Sportster, 1975 Yamaha XS650B and many works in progress. Posts: 60	Army retiree here. Look into Greenville, SC. Very cosmopolitan, growing, some of the best roads for riding (to include Dragon), great weather, etc.

January 7th, 2013, 01:26 PM	#10
Yakaru The Violet Vixen Name: Yakaru Location: Issaquah, WA & Las Vegas, NV Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Perigee (250), Hotaru (250), Saturn (300), Pearl (300), Zero (S1000RR), Chibi (Z125), Xellos ('18 HP4R) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '16	Austin TX is my vote; but it's my favorite place in the world so I'm biased. Norfolk VA is also a good location -- tons of military out there and they've got a solid open carry/ccw setup last I recall.

January 7th, 2013, 06:27 PM	#11
antiant antiant Name: antiant Location: Cali Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '14	Central California (San Joaquin Valley), cost of living is cheaper than most of the major cities in California.

January 7th, 2013, 07:13 PM	#13
ahenthus ninjette.org member Name: Claude Location: SC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, 1994 HD Sportster, 1975 Yamaha XS650B and many works in progress. Posts: 60	I love Charleston but don't know much about N. Chas. My backdoor neighbor is a tire design engineer for Michelin at Donaldson Center (formerly Donaldson AFB) and they have a lot of aviation businesses there. What was your AFSC? Are you looking for an aviation second career? I did 4 years in USAF before 21 in the Army. I was a radar mechanic on F4E's. I use Fort Jackson for most of my military retirement support, PX, Commissary, etc. I really don't use any of it much anymore. Once you've been out for a few years you tend to become very civilianized (at least I did).

January 8th, 2013, 01:22 PM	#14
Tigerpaw ninjette.org guru Name: Tom Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 '09 Boulevard C50. '08 250r(TOTALED BY DEER) Posts: 467	2A571 - Heavy Airframe Crew Chief (15 yrs so far: KC-135R, E-3A, E-4B) I don't know if I will stay around airplanes after retirement. I will have my A&P. Just want my options to be open. __________________________________________________ CHEERS!!!

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