If I couldn't/didn't live in sowal, my second choice would be. . .

Chicago, though we haven't decided what neighborhood. Why? Because it's a beautiful and comfortable city with great public transportation (we have no intention of owning a car when we live there), it's close enough to Indianapolis that we can easily keep up with our friends, and it's an easy plane ride to anywhere else we want to go, with no connecting flights to most destinations!

I have the feeling we may be living in Italy part-time, too, given that our daughter has all the makings of an expatriate. Lucky for us that Italy is enough of a prize that I won't mind giving up my dreams of a stone mas in Provence.

Asheville, NC, then Santa Fe, NM.

Why Santa Fe, NM? What is it like? Do you have pix?

I don't know what I would choose, maybe the palace where the prince is... has anyone seen my fairy godmother?

I actually agree with Bob on something.

New Zealand

no way! kiwis?

Sante Fe - for the scenery and wide open spaces, or Maine, near the coast, for the seafood, scenery and architecture. (Although I'm not sure I could tolerate the cold at either location.) St. John would be a serious contender, same atmosphere as Destin, no state income tax and you can see the ocean from all the way up the mountain side.

Somewhere near my girls. Really.... somewhere south that I do not have to wear a coat and still has a small town feel.

Why Santa Fe, NM? What is it like? Do you have pix?

I don't know what I would choose, maybe the palace where the prince is... has anyone seen my fairy godmother?

One word:

Peyote

I toyed with Charleston, SC before I moved here. I lived there for 8 years when I was newly married and I never appreciated it. I would have no problem living there now that I have more experience being on my own and having a career. It is a great city and near my kids.

I would also move to St Pete, FL. My mom, dad and sister live there. I was born there, so I have a draw to it.

Other place I would love to live, but don't have the ways nor means is Mykonos, Greece. I loved the island! Great views, friendly people and wonderful food. I loved the historical feel of the island. SIGH

Allifunn, Greece is on my short list - along with Italy and France, in that order - of places I'd most love to visit. Can you say Mediterranean cruise? My heritage is French and Italian, and I love food and wine. Their history. Their architecture. Their geography. Their philosophy of life. Their love of big-butted women. Ahhhhh. These are my people.

After reading Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love, I really, really, really wanted to live in Italy. After watching Mama Mia, I really wanted to live in Greece.

Many years ago, I travelled out west with my family and, while I think the desert is beautiful, I also think I'm part Druid. I LOVE trees, and don't think I could live anywhere without lots of green.

I've heard Asheville is gorgeous, Alpha, and all may favorite fictional towns are in North Carolina, so I'm thinking a visit is in order.

Paula, there's a lot to be said for loving a place with roots. Your old house sounds charming. And if I'd grown up in a place with real winters, I might find them tolerable. Sounds like you have the best of both worlds.

Thanks for playing, everyone. Please keep them coming.

no way! kiwis?

I've never been, but when I was a young teenager I saw pictures and fel in love. I have some friends of some friends who live there that have offered there house if I can ever get the money together to make the trip. If you've been, pass on the information of what to do and where to go. Almost went a couple years ago but checked into airfare and...:shock:, but that is why I work.

One word:

Peyote

Hey So Wal Grin Bringer

You weren't around for a couple of days so the entertainment was somewhat inactive. Of course, Kurt's humor is rather wry. I'm still trying to think of something to say about the Triple S- how I do love a challenge! All you guys on sowal are very interesting in your individual ways. Great mix of personalities

I grew up in a family where we were always razzin each other and wrestling. The men I married had families that were borderline comatose(the opposite type thing I suppose). I had to drink lots of coffee when I visited to stay awake and tried to leave as soon as possible.

Oh, in my hippie days, I never enjoyed mescaline(peyote). Actually, all the drugs we did I never found exciting cause it shut down communication with people. For some reason, I didn't need outside influences to have a good time. I do like a Margarita every now and then, but I'm a lightweight (one or half of one). I do love champagne for celebrating holidays, and with eggs benedict on an outing.

Thanks for the razz! Happy New Year!
So do you have a New Year Avatar or is this the one you're just doing for now?

Allifunn, Greece is on my short list - along with Italy and France, in that order - of places I'd most love to visit. Can you say Mediterranean cruise? My heritage is French and Italian, and I love food and wine. Their history. Their architecture. Their geography. Their philosophy of life. Their love of big-butted women. Ahhhhh. These are my people.

After reading Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love, I really, really, really wanted to live in Italy. After watching Mama Mia, I really wanted to live in Greece.

Many years ago, I travelled out west with my family and, while I think the desert is beautiful, I also think I'm part Druid. I LOVE trees, and don't think I could live anywhere without lots of green.

I've heard Asheville is gorgeous, Alpha, and all may favorite fictional towns are in North Carolina, so I'm thinking a visit is in order.

Paula, there's a lot to be said for loving a place with roots. Your old house sounds charming. And if I'd grown up in a place with real winters, I might find them tolerable. Sounds like you have the best of both worlds.

Thanks for playing, everyone. Please keep them coming.

can you say mediterranean cuisine? omigosh - I could live and die anywhere in Italy - and lots of places in France. The food is the best and freshest I've ever had - the travel is all about the food. I only wish I had the language - my Italian family only passed on the fun/bad words.

I'm sorry Miss Critter, I should stick with the thread's theme. I would love to live somewhere warm and exotic, near water, where there is a variety of cultures, good eating places, and not expensive, where I could have privacy, and also interact with people.
I received word that my fairy godmother was detained due to driving behind a group of cyclists on 30A.

can you say mediterranean cuisine? omigosh - I could live and die anywhere in Italy - and lots of places in France. The food is the best and freshest I've ever had - the travel is all about the food. I only wish I had the language - my Italian family only passed on the fun/bad words.

I don't even know those, Tootsie, and my great grandparents on both sides were fluent in Italian and French. In those days assimilating into American culture was paramount, and their kids were forbidden from speaking their native language.

It's long been a goal of mine to learn Italian. Maybe this is the year.

And yes, the food! So much fake stuff passes for food here in the US, that anything made with real, from the earth stuff is just heaven. One of my favorite "celebrity" chefs is The Barefoot Contessa. She does a recipe each month in House Beautiful (I think that's the one), and everything I've tried from her has been fabulous.

. I only wish I had the language - my Italian family only passed on the fun/bad words.

There are so many wonderful places...I would love to find the weather of San Diego, the energy of South Walton, and the rocky coast of Maine/Calif/Oregon...all in the same place somewhere.

I'm sorry Miss Critter, I should stick with the thread's theme. I would love to live somewhere warm and exotic, near water, where there is a variety of cultures, good eating places, and not expensive, where I could have privacy, and also interact with people.
I received word that my fairy godmother was detained due to driving behind a group of cyclists on 30A.

No apology necessary, BH. Just adding to the richness of the thread.

The million dollar question, of course, is to find/name the actual place you described. An exotic, culturally-diverse, affordable sowal. Hmmmmm

Miss Critter - what an interesting topic!

I have several second choices, many in Italy or France, but realistically I would LOVE to live in Fernandina Beach or some small town or out of the way place on the water - near Jacksonville, Florida (NOT Jax Beach - don't care much for it). Jax area is surrounded by much natural beauty, swamps, rivers, preserve, etc. The beach does not rival ours but the other natural resources definitely do. Fernandina Beach is my favorite place to visit in Florida and its filled with young families and surrounded with so much history. Downtown is wonderful and I've never had so much good food in many casual/cool restaurants in one little place. everytime we go we discover a more and more good food. Italian, French, Japanese, Spanish, Seafood (tons of real seafood shacks), etc. one of the best and most beautiful state parks - Fort Clinch - in the heart of Fernandina Beach.. You will find a lot of southern culture in NE Florida - and lots of Georgia folks. all good peeps. Visiting the big city of Jax is fun when you want to go to a play or museum, or just explore.

My other second choice is somewhere near Apalachicola on the river or bay - an out of the way spot - not sure exactly where. The Forgotten Coast is filled with natural beauty and still has much old charm. Excellent restaurants, and many seafood shacks (we just don't have 'em around here like that).. You will find mostly locals living in and around the area - lots of fishermen, etc. Shopping and art galleries galore in apalach keep things interesting.

Both areas are in North Florida are similar to SoWal with just the right amount of change in seasons throughout the year - but still maintaining a nice temperate climate (avg high temps range from 62 to 90).

there are other areas around the country such as Maine, lots of places in California, Ann Arbor (Paula - I've always heard this is a wonderful place to live) and several others... I would LOVE to explore but for now I would prefer to stay in Florida - and mostly in SoWal!

I love that area too /I spent several warm winter days there Jan.08.
My cousin lives on the st johns river in an historical part of Jacksonville. I've always enjoyed my visits there. The actual beach isn't the same as sowal,but love the area in general.
Sowal is my first pick overall overall. If it weren't for my grandkids right down the road , I love to move to the beach or the Pt Washington area. I used to look at lots in that area, they were selling for about 8k each back then. also, wanted to teach at the school down there,went so far as to go in and talk with the principal once in the summer of 92.Never followed up on it. I had teenagers at home then who weren't leaving their school or friends. Oh well.

No apology necessary, BH. Just adding to the richness of the thread.

The million dollar question, of course, is to find/name the actual place you described. An exotic, culturally-diverse, affordable sowal. Hmmmmm

True True Miss Challenger
And so we shall!!!
I love adventures!!!
Off to surf the net

True True Miss Challenger
And so we shall!!!
I love adventures!!!
Off to surf the net

Cowabunga!

Nosara, CR. Easy pick for me so far and think one day I will make it happen.... Its like 30A, 30 years ago. No rules and people just play better. The waves are perfect and the schools are top notch. The pace is slower and a day can last a week.... Pura Vida
The season is 8 months!

Toots, when you move to Fernandina, I wanna be your neighbor to the north! I would dearly love, if I ever decide to leave here, to go back to St. Mary's, GA (or the surrounding area) on the southernmost tip of Georgia, right across the Florida border. I grew up there (from 5 yo to 13) and still have many, many friends in the area.

Downtown has a little waterfront harbor, where you can catch a ferry out to Cumberland Island (where there are wild horses running free, and a beautiful beach with sanddollars and starfish all over the place and scenic paths through the woods and historic mansions...), and it's small town, but it's big enough to have a real, honest-to-gawd high school marching band that actually dresses up and participates in all of the community parades (I love parades, but we just don't have enough music in 'em down here!)... lots of beautiful, old moss-hung oaks, and quaint little cottages... and lots of bridges over gorgeous marsh... Of course, there's a Navy base right down the street, and a lot of turnover, so not all of the area is as picturesque, but I love, love, love it there!

Sante Fe - for the scenery and wide open spaces, or Maine, near the coast, for the seafood, scenery and architecture. (Although I'm not sure I could tolerate the cold at either location.) St. John would be a serious contender, same atmosphere as Destin, no state income tax and you can see the ocean from all the way up the mountain side.

But do you think you can DRIVE on that mtn. ? Tried to several times on several islands(they're all the same--INSANE!) and that is why I'm still in Fairhope, Al. near the water on the coast. Otherwise, yeah, St. Johns would be my second choice too!

Kitlit, St. Mary's looks beautiful!

I've never been, but when I was a young teenager I saw pictures and fel in love. I have some friends of some friends who live there that have offered there house if I can ever get the money together to make the trip. If you've been, pass on the information of what to do and where to go. Almost went a couple years ago but checked into airfare and...:shock:, but that is why I work.

met a neighbor at the post office who is moving there. if you love the outdoors, it's paradise. you must go.

There are so many places I would like, France, Switzerland but probably the most realistic and closest to happening is Oxford, MS.

Voted one of the best college towns in America, and one of the best small towns to retire to and many other awards.

Great schools, many wonderful locally owned restaurants and business, music, literature and more. It is so clean and well maintained by the city.
Right now I just try to get down there once a week or so, hopefully sometime it will be permanent.