Where the Heck Should I Move To? Please Help!

Where the Heck Should I Move To? Please Help!

Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes

Hi, Bigger Pockets,

I wanted to get some leads to some cities that could be ideal for me to move to and invest in. I currently live in Los Angeles and would really like to live somewhere different.

I grew up in northwestern Pennsylvania, which was a good place to grow up. We had Lake Erie to enjoy and woods to play around in as well. It’s a great place during the spring, summer and fall months.

The reason why I moved away from Erie is because I don’t like snow and dreary days (they typically run from November to March/April).

I would like to move somewhere that has the following attributes listed below. If any of y’all know of any areas or cities that has the traits, please let me know. I would be super grateful.

A place where:

-There are lots of woods—I really enjoy hiking and being outside

-I like water that has waves—so it’s near a decent-sized lake or an ocean

-Land is relatively cheap—I would like to live on a decent-sized plot of land

-It either doesn’t snow or it very rarely snows

-People are friendly

Those are the main needs. I truly hope I can find a place that suits my likes. The U.S.A. is so large it’s tough to know where to search and so I wanted to ask y’all, since Bigger Pockets users are all over America (and beyond).

Again, thank you, fellow BPers. I appreciate it very much.

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Craig CurelopBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Post Falls, ID · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y

@Karl B. - When reading this, Florida was the first place that jumps out at me. However, if "lots of woods" is what you value the most then maybe Florida isn't for you.

Colorado meets a lot of these criteria. Though there is not much water with waves, there is TONS of wonderful hikes and people are super friendly and active. 

Sure it snows, but it does not stick. At least in the Denver area it doesn't. If you want snow, you go to the mountains. 

I have similar criteria as you and I live in Denver and am very happy. 

You also might want to consider northern CA. A few hours north of San Francisco, like Sacramento area? There are a lot of hikes, it's pretty warm, people are nice, and it's not far away from the ocean. 

See this reply in the discussion

213 Replies

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  • Investor · Aurora, CO · Member since 2017 · 20 posts · 2 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Kevin Wiley:

    I live in Clearwater, FL and it seems to meet your needs. Other than that, North Carolina or Colorado would do you good :) 

    I am not sure about Colorado. I live in Colorado and the prices and market are red hot. Especially in Denver. It really depends on the ROI or CoC in my opinion. I always try to find deals with atleast 12% CoC. I am looking at Chicago and Florida.

  • Real Estate Agent · Grass Valley, CA · Member since 2015 · 14 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    I would look at Lake Tahoe area.  Real Estate is selling well, Hikes great, and the lake is huge.  Also Auburn / Grass Valley, CA in the foothills has many lakes and hiking.  40minutes to Sacramento and 1/1/2 hour to Tahoe. 

    I spend the winters in Hawaii on the Big Island, Kona area.  Let me know if you need some referrals from that area.  I know some incredible agents there. Nice hikes, wave water and great weather.  

  • Long Beach, CA · Member since 2016 · 44 posts · 21 votes
    9y

    Thanks for this post @Karl B. As a newbie, residing in LA and open to relocating, I've been exploring the same options. It seems like North Carolina is the place to be though too far from family for me. Having previously lived in the Seattle area for a brief period, the Pacific Northwest feels like a great option but still pricey near the metro areas. 

    I'll also like Texas and obviously Austin is great but doesn't seem like a great investment area anymore. I've been looking at San Antonio and wondering why no one mentioned it. Maybe it doesn't hit all of the criteria but definitely appears to be a great city with affordable real estate. The missing piece here is that I've never visited so BP'ers please shoot this post down and prevent me from moving to a terrible place.

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Cardiff By The Sea, CA · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 3 votes
    9y

    @Karl B 

    I still have friends that never left Erie, and several have been very successful in niches of RE in Erie. Yes, LECOM and Erie Insurance are the engine for jobs and the Medical Centers.  Also, around Gannon University there is student housing opportunities. It is a poor education system and the labor unions haven't kept current with the times. Lord Corp., AMSCO, GE have largely pulled out to new non-labour and high tech states.  

    If you have any deals in Erie, I have contacts that may be of assistance.  Let's see how the Mayoral election turns out and if there is some change in the wind.  Good luck

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    Thank you for all the great suggestions. I'm closing on a multi-family in Pennsylvania Monday and flew back last night. My parents don't have Internet and I'm staying with them. But I'll go to my dad's office and will be able to respond individually tomorrow to all post messages, which I want to do. I'm at the library now. :-) Thank you, everyone! I appreciate your suggestions very much! 

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Bettina F.:

    If you can handle sun on snow, try Northern Idaho.  We have the most beautiful lakes and whitewater rivers.  But you have to promise to vote conservative!  But face it -- anywhere you go will be an upgrade from LA!

     I've always wanted to visit Idaho and the Dakotas. And yes - to have fresh air and lots of land will be amazing. I'm visiting my parents in PA and they have dozens of acres and it's amazing. It's just reaffirming my decision is the correct one. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Steven Greenhill:

    Atlanta is great!

     I've heard a lot of nice things about Atlanta. I hear the people are very nice and people get along. I appreciate the message, Steven. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Thomas Russell:

    Bend Oregon... not as grey as Portland but you need the right occupation supposedly to thrive there ... not a lot of high paying jobs...

     Many thanks. Bend was mentioned previously and so I will definitely research it more as you have mentioned it again. Based on the photos it has a lot of amazing areas. Many thanks for the suggestion, Thomas. I appreciate it.

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    Wilmington, Surf City, Hampstead, Oak Island, Southport,  Cape Hatteras all in NC. Pretty much anything along the NC coast is nice, not much snow at all and affordable if you can withstand the humidity and bugs. Charleston, SC is a very nice city, I heard that Kiawah Island, SC is also nice, Savannah, GA, Myrtle Beach, SC are all decent choices, all close to the ocean. Best of luck finding your next place. If you decide to move close to Wilmington, NC I have a realtor friend there that can help out finding a place/land.

    Hi, Mayumi. Many thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely look into the NC coastline cities. There are a lot of them! I've been researching Charlston as well - it's been mentioned a few times and the photos I've seen of the city are pretty amazing and it will be one of the towns I'll have to visit merely because it looks amazing. Again, many thanks!

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Jazmin Jarrell:

    Austin, Texas meets all of your needs and it's where everyone from California is moving to anyway. Austin has a great outdoor scene with many hiking, biking and water activities. There are a few great lakes and other bodies of water. It definitely doesn't snow but beware the temperature gets MUCH warmer than SoCal or the North East. People are friendly and there's an overall laid back vibe. The cost of living in Texas is significantly more affordable than California. Good luck!

     I appreciate it, Jazmin. I will be looking into that area - a few other towns were mentioned as well that I'll definitely be looking into. Thank you for the suggestion. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Patty Puckett:

    I would look at Lake Tahoe area.  Real Estate is selling well, Hikes great, and the lake is huge.  Also Auburn / Grass Valley, CA in the foothills has many lakes and hiking.  40minutes to Sacramento and 1/1/2 hour to Tahoe. 

    I spend the winters in Hawaii on the Big Island, Kona area.  Let me know if you need some referrals from that area.  I know some incredible agents there. Nice hikes, wave water and great weather.  

     Hi, Patty. Many thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely look into Hawaii and Tahoe. I appreciate the suggestions.

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Chad Gaither:

    Thanks for this post @Karl B. As a newbie, residing in LA and open to relocating, I've been exploring the same options. It seems like North Carolina is the place to be though too far from family for me. Having previously lived in the Seattle area for a brief period, the Pacific Northwest feels like a great option but still pricey near the metro areas. 

    I'll also like Texas and obviously Austin is great but doesn't seem like a great investment area anymore. I've been looking at San Antonio and wondering why no one mentioned it. Maybe it doesn't hit all of the criteria but definitely appears to be a great city with affordable real estate. The missing piece here is that I've never visited so BP'ers please shoot this post down and prevent me from moving to a terrible place.

    Many thanks for the post, Chad. Yes - it would be awesome if my question can help others as well. There have definitely been patterns, city and area-wise, and I've learned a lot so far and plan on doing a lot of research. I'm definitely moving somewhere else. 

    A lot of people have mentioned Oregon and that could be an option if you want to live on the West Coast. I'm also going to research taxes - somewhere with a lower income tax than California. 

    It looks like Austin is only 90 minutes from San Antonio so you could always live in Austin and invest in San Antonio. :-)

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Bill Bindseil:

    @Karl B 

    I still have friends that never left Erie, and several have been very successful in niches of RE in Erie. Yes, LECOM and Erie Insurance are the engine for jobs and the Medical Centers.  Also, around Gannon University there is student housing opportunities. It is a poor education system and the labor unions haven't kept current with the times. Lord Corp., AMSCO, GE have largely pulled out to new non-labour and high tech states.  

    If you have any deals in Erie, I have contacts that may be of assistance.  Let's see how the Mayoral election turns out and if there is some change in the wind.  Good luck

    I appreciate it. Thank you. There are deals to be had. Closing on a duplex on Monday off of West 12th.  If you know of a good handyman, please let me know. Mine is booked up until mid-September. :-/

  • Investor · Dripping Springs, TX · Member since 2017 · 17 posts · 4 votes
    9y
    I'll plug Austin Texas again, particularly hill country west of the city. I live in Dripping Springs but was planning on moving to Colorado for years (from CA) until I measured all the generally criteria that a family man with 4 kids would... and we are thrilled here for over 2 years now!!
  • Investor · Buda, TX · Member since 2016 · 137 posts · 55 votes
    9y

    @Scott Wilson I think Dripping Springs is a great suggestion!  I'm looking to move there from Buda myself.  

  • Investor · Dripping Springs, TX · Member since 2017 · 17 posts · 4 votes
    9y

    Hey @Eric Barnett... We never got together for coffee?  We should do!!

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Scott Wilson:

    I'll plug Austin Texas again, particularly hill country west of the city. I live in Dripping Springs but was planning on moving to Colorado for years (from CA) until I measured all the generally criteria that a family man with 4 kids would... and we are thrilled here for over 2 years now!!

     @Scott Wilson Thank you, Scott. I'm definitely looking into that area. Patty had suggested I check out Lago Vista and the Google image photos were impressive. If you know of any specific towns in the Hill Country area, please let me know. I appreciate it very much!

  • Ronald RohdePro Member
    Attorney · Dallas, TX · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    Texas gets my vote

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Eric Barnett:

    @Scott Wilson I think Dripping Springs is a great suggestion!  I'm looking to move there from Buda myself.  

    Awesome! I will definitely look into it. It looks like they have some water falls and some nice woodsy areas in Dripping Springs. Austin is too expensive for me but it looks like there are several areas around it (Lago Vista and south of there - Dripping Springs) that have a lot of what I'm looking for. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Ronald Rohde:

    Texas gets my vote

     I've always liked the people of Texas as well as their governing ways and tax codes. So it's one of the states I really like. 

  • Ronald RohdePro Member
    Attorney · Dallas, TX · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Karl B.:
    Originally posted by @Ronald Rohde:

    Texas gets my vote

     I've always liked the people of Texas as well as their governing ways and tax codes. So it's one of the states I really like. 

     And its a booming economy, lots of real estate deals going on so easier to jump into the market here.

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · College Station, TX · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 969 votes
    9y

    Other than Humidity College Station TX is fabulous!

  • Real Estate Agent · New York, NY · Member since 2017 · 66 posts · 26 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Karl B.:
    Originally posted by @Steven Greenhill:

    Atlanta is great!

     I've heard a lot of nice things about Atlanta. I hear the people are very nice and people get along. I appreciate the message, Steven. 

     I absolutely love it there.... visited 2x only but i would move there if my business wasn't in nyc and florida and if the real estate wasn't so cheap -- in which case each deal would net me very little $$

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Steven Greenhill:
    Originally posted by @Karl B.:
    Originally posted by @Steven Greenhill:

    Atlanta is great!

     I've heard a lot of nice things about Atlanta. I hear the people are very nice and people get along. I appreciate the message, Steven. 

     I absolutely love it there.... visited 2x only but i would move there if my business wasn't in nyc and florida and if the real estate wasn't so cheap -- in which case each deal would net me very little $$

     I've got a lot of research to do! :-)

  • Investor · Wellington, CO · Member since 2017 · 79 posts · 30 votes
    9y

    How did it go, Karl? Did you close?

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