So, a challenge. Since I whined earlier this week about being cold... where

[Flaxbee]

would I find:

Warm weather most of the year (maybe 1 month of "winter" - some snow is OK; 3-4 months of autumn acceptable)
Abundant fresh water (no drought)
Affordable land, 5+ acres

and - here's the gotcha, because the above elements encompass much of the South...
A relatively good-sized community with progressive people within about a 15-20 minute drive?


California, my beloved home state, fits much of the bill, except for the "affordable land" part... I have family in Boise and while Idaho is about as red as red can be, Boise does have some liberal pockets. And very mild winters.

Anyway. This is just for fun, but any suggestions are welcome.

[loli phabay]

1. gods country, the shenandoah valley in VA, though its mostly red its not loony red

beuatiful countryside, cheap land (relatively) and the winters are not to bad unless you live on the mountains. Lots of stuff to do as well.

[Flaxbee]

4. Already there -- tip-top part of the valley...

and it is gorgeous.

Land is definitely more affordable a bit south.

[loli phabay]

13. oops thats right i forgot you are up in frederick co if i remember

[HopeHoops]

2. The Pakistani mountains?

[Flaxbee]

3. lol. But -- will I get shot in the head for bringing my books?

I don't mean to make light of poor Malala, however.

[HopeHoops]

5. Um, "yes" would be the answer. At least she's recovering. That was sick and disgusting.

Okay, I'm biased. I have a wife and three daughters and they're all top students (including my wife, mind you). They're all black belts, daughters all 2nd degree, wife 3rd degree. I respect Islam as a religion, but I completely reject the notion that males are superior to females. My personal experience has proven otherwise.

[Flaxbee]

8. I have 5 sisters :)

Three from my dad's first marriage, two from my mom's, then came me.

But - I think my dad thoroughly loved and respected and admired us all.

[Chan790]

6. Maryland.

Not on the mainland but out on the peninsula. Nobody wants to live out there, someone was selling a horse farm last year 20+ acres and the price was below $1M. That's about as cheap as you're going to find east of the Mississippi for good-quality land unless you venture into the scary parts of the rural south. It's about 20-30 minutes to Annapolis and an hour to DC, drastically more during rush hours.

It's autumnal now, it'll be that way through November usually. Then it gets cold with warm streaks through the middle of January. The other half of January and all of February...cold is all it is. March is spring and by April it's warm and muggy and stays that way into October.

[Flaxbee]

9. and one of our best DU'ers is out there, too...

(Bertha Venation)


How come no one wants to live there? Too far from 'civilization'?

[marzipanni]

7. Find Your Spot

Try this quiz-
http://findyourspot.com/

[Flaxbee]

10. Fun! I love quizzes like this

Thanks, marzipanni!

[EvolveOrConvolve]

11. I live in Boise, Idaho

It's a great place to live - low cost of living, good jobs (at least in my field), and Ada County is fairly blue.

We'd love to have more progressives!

[Flaxbee]

15. my mom just voted for Obama :)

I do love the area - coming out there sometime before the end of the year to visit family -- trying to convince husband that it's a good alternative to Virginia.

[BlueMan Votes]

12. the big island.

hawaii.

[Flaxbee]

16. would love that.

Do you ever feel isolated? One of my closest friends grew up there and she was crazed to get to Los Angeles for college... but then again, teenagers are often crazed about any number of things.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. Look fifteen minutes South of Asheville, NC. A'ville is very liberal.

[Flaxbee]

17. Hendersonville / Flat Rock area?

I lived in WNC for about 5 years - very very red area, though (Macon County). Wasn't a great time in my life, might not go back just because of that. Abso-freaking-lutely gorgeous, though.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

18. Hendersonville and Brevard areas are liberal but, never mind, if you are

prejudiced due to a history you would not like it. Potable Water is very important. Good luck in your search.

[Flaxbee]

19. A few very bad experiences trying to work with people in the area...

got totally screwed twice and that led to current very tight circumstances.

If that hadn't happened, we'd still be in the area (probably would have moved to H'ville).

Water is definitely one of my biggest concerns.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

24. Flaxbee,

what can I say? Scammers are world wide and some of them call themselves Democrats. Hopefully, you are older and wiser now. I don't know what kind of business you are in and if that would narrow your search even more. All I know is land is relatively cheap and there is good water in those areas. I know some redneck assholes and I know some liberal Dems and both kinds live in that area. I avoid the assholes as much as possible and hang with the good people. No matter where you go, there you are.

[ohiosmith]

20. Las Vegas baby! I love it here!

[Flaxbee]

22. nice, warm city

[madinmaryland]

21. This is all I know about Boise...

Egads! I get headaches whenever I have to watch them on TV!!

[Flaxbee]

23. gah, I know.

Boise's very proud of their team