If You Could Live ANYWHERE in The World . . .

[zoebartlett]

A few people mentioned Boston and Carmel, CA.

I live about 1 hour north of Boston, and I love the city. I wouldn't mind owning a brownstone in Beacon Hill or along Comm. Ave. (Commonwealth Ave.) for times when I want some time in the city. It's a gorgeous city and there's so much history. The restaurants are great, and there's so much to see and do.

I've never been to the Carmel area but I've heard over the years that it's beautiful. I'm sure I'd love it and I'd love to visit the area someday.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

IAnd I'd love to live in the following cities for no other reason than they just seem cool:

Prague
Cape Town
Tunis
Edinburgh
JohannesburgAthens

I also wanna live in Johannesburg. I was looking up schools to see what is offered over there! My DH wasn't amused by that one!

My second would be CA but the main issues are I'm afraid of the eventual earth quake and also that the school I want to attend is too much money (out-of-state tuition for the first year!) DH again not amused. He didn't respond to my text asking for $130K.

My third choice would be to live in a hut in Thailand. One shaped like a coconut. Only my cat and I would be in there. I would live off of betta fish and have diet coke shipped in by the Dharma Initiative. Didn't bother to tell DH.

Really, though...Dh and I were looking online and are pretty sure we could work a few more years then retire in Costa Rica. That would be awesome!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Oh, and I want to add, that the NW really does feel like home to me. It's fun to daydream, but I love being surrounded by mountains and also being less than 1/2 hour from the ocean. Only downside is the amount of rain. No place is perfect, though...

 

[Elmorton]

Every time I travel, I ask myself if I could live there...I've been to some wonderful, beautiful places but I think I suffer from "Dorothy" syndrome - there's just no place like home. That said, my ideal place would have four seasons (though I could deal with a more mild winter!), small-town, historic vibe with a lot of the culture/amenities of a larger city. I also need somewhere with a moderate-low cost of living. For some reason, I really don't want to live somewhere where it's common to park next to a ferrari or a bentley when you go to the grocery store. As much as I always wanted to move away when I was younger, I do like the Midwest. Perfect doesn't exist (though I'm very happy where I live now). When visiting Madison, Wisconsin or Minneapolis/St.Paul in the summer, I'd imagine I could live there but both are too cold in the winters!!

 

[partgypsy]

I know this sounds lame but Hawaii (do I have to choose a particular island?). In junior high you could pick any state to do a report on so I did Hawaii. I used to know all their names, which one was owned by Dole, which was owned by US Military, that it is home to the world's tallest mountain (with it's own observatory), and the ecological diversity. I had a professor who studied the ecological diversity of the insects and fauna of the different islands. Sadly much less native diversity since us "white folks" moved there.
Most mornings I do yoga to Rodney Yee's AM yoga (the eye candy of the um Island helps relax me).
Plus I loved the tv show LOST.

Lame because it's a pretty conventional answer, and I've never even visited it. But I'm sure I could find some little nook somewhere I could tolerate. Sigh.

 

[Autumnovember]

Philadelphia- Where I live now. The reason is because everyone who I love is here. I love the city, I feel completely at home when I am there. I literally feel WHOLE when I am in the area. I love the sports teams, I love all the little hidden gems, I love the restaurants, I love that there are so many beautiful suburban areas surrounding the city that are so beautifully tranquil. I love that NY is a train ride away. I love that I have two casinos right near by. I love that I can drive to AC whenever I want. I love that the shore is so close by and that the poconos are too if I want to go to the lake. I guess I really just love how everything is so easily accessible to me. I also love the seasons here so much. I absolutely LOVE the fall here and I won't lie...love the winter too!

Now...if we were allowed to bring our friends/family with us....my answer would be 100% different.

San Fran- This is one of the only other cities I visited so far that I really fell in love with. There are a ton of cities that I still would love to visit but out of them all so far this one has been the best.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Love this!

I need 4 seasons for my permanent home...

Place I've been would be Brookline, MA or Newton, MA or in Boston proper. I lived in Boston for almost 5 years and DH was there for almost 10 and we loved it! (I lived in Harvard Square for one year and then at Mass Ave and Columbus in the South End/Roxbury border and DH lived in various places in Brighton, Brookline, Watertown, and JP). We've been in NYC for 5 years now, but think once we have a family we might like to go back to the slower pace of Boston. We LOVE New England and even after 5 years in NYC, Boston still kind of feels like home!

Places I've been for just a few days but loved would be Sonoma, CA or Charlottesville, VA so gorgeous and calm but not too far from interesting culture and cities.

I asked DH and he said:

Place he's been-Brookline, MA, Newton, MA, or Natick, MA

Place he's driven through but never really been-Asheville, NC and Sonoma, CA.

So, this actually sparked an interesting conversation and perhaps we will really end up back in Boston in a couple years (and maybe Sonoma for retirement

 

[zoebartlett]

Love this!

I need 4 seasons for my permanent home...

Place I've been would be Brookline, MA or Newton, MA or in Boston proper. I lived in Boston for almost 5 years and DH was there for almost 10 and we loved it! (I lived in Harvard Square for one year and then at Mass Ave and Columbus in the South End/Roxbury border and DH lived in various places in Brighton, Brookline, Watertown, and JP). We've been in NYC for 5 years now, but think once we have a family we might like to go back to the slower pace of Boston. We LOVE New England and even after 5 years in NYC, Boston still kind of feels like home!

Places I've been for just a few days but loved would be Sonoma, CA or Charlottesville, VA so gorgeous and calm but not too far from interesting culture and cities.

I asked DH and he said:

Place he's been-Brookline, MA, Newton, MA, or Natick, MA

Place he's driven through but never really been-Asheville, NC and Sonoma, CA.

So, this actually sparked an interesting conversation and perhaps we will really end up back in Boston in a couple years (and maybe Sonoma for retirement

Bella -- I live about an hour north of Boston now, but I used to live in Chestnut Hill when I worked in the city. It's a great place, isn't it? I love Brookline and Newton. The houses are gorgeous and the restaurants and shops are fun to check out. There are some great restaurants in JP too.

 

[yennyfire]

I love to play this game!!

1. St. Remy, France. DH and I got engaged in Paris and then drove South towards Marseille, stopping at several places along the way and doing day trips from each "pit stop". St. Remy was one of the places we stumbled on. It was incredibly quaint, the people were amazingly kind and the town was absolutely gorgeous. Of course, DH and I would have to learn to speak French without the help of a guide book, lol.

2. Healdsburg or Carmel, CA....went there on a first honeymoon (we got married in January and waited til May to go to Italy, so we went to CA right after the wedding)...it was absolutely beautiful and I loved the vibe of the town.

Of course, the one thing I've always said, is that visiting somewhere is a far cry from living somewhere. I think it would be hard to know if you'd like living somewhere after a week's visit. If we ever consider moving (for a non job related reason), I probably want to rent a place rather than buy, so that if we didn't like it as much as we thought we would, we could get out easily.

 

[soocool]

Even though I have traveled extensively in the US and have been to practically every state at least once (Hawaii, Florida, California, Maine, Ct, RI, NY- city and upstate more times than I can count on one hand) I would love to live in Lake Tahoe, California. I just love the location. So much to do in the summer - beaches, water sports, hiking, boating and I absolutely love the lake. Skiing (Squaw Valley), snowshoeing and the sleigh rides in the winter and the casinos year round. Continue on Rte 80 to Reno, Nevada for some more gambling! (Biggest Little City !!) Not too far from Sacramento, Napa Valley, Sonoma, and of course, San Francisco. Lake Tahoe is my ideal location. (We were originally going to buy a vacation home in Lake Tahoe, but purchased one in Rhode Island instead since we are closer and are able to go there more often).


One place I have always wanted to visit and when I was younger dreamed of living there is Australia. I don't know exactly why, but I did and still do at times. Once DH retires in a few years we are going for an extended vacation there for about 2 - 3 months.

 

[decodelighted]

Barcelona-I went there several years ago with my then-boyfriend, now husband. We had a great time traveling around Spain (we also went to Madrid, Bilbao and Sevilla) but we didn't want to leave Barcelona! Again, I loved the architecture (all that Gaudi!),the weather, the food, the chocolat, La Boqueria market, everything.

Barcelona is amazing. I'd never even wanted to go ... we'd just ended up there because of a cruise we selected and WOW WOW WOW.

 

[decodelighted]

My dream is a house in the country in Virginia within an hour of DC and/or Richmond. It's beautiful, full of history, has 4 seasons but winter isn't too horrid.

This has a lot of appeal to me too, because I'd be near my parents, sisters, niece and nephews. And for all the reasons you mentioned. I grew up in VA. Who knew the weather was so ideal? I didn't, 'til I left!

 

[Trekkie]

IAnd I'd love to live in the following cities for no other reason than they just seem cool:

Prague
Cape Town
Tunis
Edinburgh
JohannesburgAthens

I also wanna live in Johannesburg. I was looking up schools to see what is offered over there! My DH wasn't amused by that one!

My second would be CA but the main issues are I'm afraid of the eventual earth quake and also that the school I want to attend is too much money (out-of-state tuition for the first year!) DH again not amused. He didn't respond to my text asking for $130K.

My third choice would be to live in a hut in Thailand. One shaped like a coconut. Only my cat and I would be in there. I would live off of betta fish and have diet coke shipped in by the Dharma Initiative. Didn't bother to tell DH.

Really, though...Dh and I were looking online and are pretty sure we could work a few more years then retire in Costa Rica. That would be awesome!

Jo'burg?! I've lived in Jo'burg! No idea why anyone would want to live there! It's really quite meh. Very flat, no scenery, definitely not a pretty place. Everyone is always very rushed, focused on the next big deal - in fact, that's the only reason I tolerate it. The crime is hideous, absolutely hideous. A week ago my friend's 17 year old son was mugged at gun point for his cellphone, watch and wallet. Altogether everything he had was maybe worth US$200, but they took it anyway. His family is just glad he is alive.

Cape Town is lovely, beautiful scenery, friendly people, very laid-back. My FI and I would go back there in a heartbeat!

 

[elrohwen]

I would have to say somewhere in the UK or Ireland. There are plenty of other amazing places in the world, but I've always felt like I belonged in the UK. Other places would be fun to live for a year or two, but wouldn't necessarily feel like home.

1. I'll go with the Cotswolds, since I've been there and adored it. Not too far from London, but the most picturesque British countryside you could imagine.

2. Wales. I've never been, but I've always felt drawn to Wales. I can speak a little of the language so I'd feel right at home!


If I had to pick some place in the US I would probably choose Boston or Portland.

 

[Pandora II]

Ah, Tuscany...

I lived there for six years, and honestly it's the most incredibly provincial place. I used to go crazy and have to retreat to Milan every now and then to stop myself beating my head against a brick wall.

The life depicted in 'Under The Tuscan Sun' is incredibly far-fetched and untrue to life. I lived in a town not far from where she was based and she talks about my town several times and it just isn't what is real at all.

I lived a totally Italian lifestyle - had a job that an Italian could have done (didn't teach English or anything like that), all my friends were Italian and I rarely spoke English. Most of my Italian friends couldn't cook, we all shopped in the supermarket not little markets or shops. The younger generation were big on fast cars, clothes and going out clubbing at the weekends. You work hard and long hours so no-one really has time for all the things that she talks about in the book.

The scenery is lovely and the food isn't bad - but you do get bored after a while (Italian food is very regional) - but it's not an easy place to live. Houses are expensive and then doing them up costs an arm and a leg if you can even get permission. Pretty much no-one speaks any English outside the main tourist areas either.

Florence is hell on earth in the summer - so full of tourists and pickpockets that we didn't go there after the beginning of June!

Lake Como is a gazillion times nicer and if you want to eat really well go to Piedmonte (scenery isn't that amazing but the wine, truffles and meat are to die for).

 

[iLander]

This is a really enjoyable thread, everybody!

I am finding the trend of the last few posts to be very interesting; natives of a beloved area pointing out the realty of those areas. I find this to be very eye-opening.

I also wanted to add my own punchline to this story; I call it "marrying the mistress".

I had the great good fortune to move to my dream area a few years ago. It was a vacation spot we frequented, and it always gave me a feeling of peace and relaxation. I enjoyed the natural beauty, the animals and plants, etc. So much so that we decided to live there.

Well, it's not a relaxing place anymore. Reality has set in. Fighting traffic to take kids to school, getting used to the (formerly stunning) views, not having time to visit the prettiest spots anymore, they all have worn away the initial joy. It feels a lot like my old wife (hometown).

Do I regret moving to my favorite place? I do and I don't. It's not as special as it once was. I don't get that relaxed feeling anymore. But it is still a pretty good place, and I can't find anything better. Not yet anyway.

So, I "cheated" on my original home by sneaking off to marry the glamorous, beguiling vacation mistress.

I think I kinda regret it, she was more beguiling when she wasn't my wife.

 

[zoebartlett]

I love this thread. It makes me want to book tickets to every place I've read about.

 

[MAC-W]

1. Perth, Australia. Seriously, I've travelled all over the world and have been to so many different countries, but something about Australia (and Perth in particular) just makes me feel at home. You know that feeling you get when you know there's nowhere else you'd rather be, that you are meant to be in that particular place? Well, that's how I felt in Western Australia.

It's a lot like South Africa - beautiful scenery, wide open spaces, friendly people, cosmopolitan, great food. The only thing we have that they don't is crime - there is no crime in WA!

And they have kangaroos! Fluffy ones!

Hi Trekkie,

I currently live in Perth and have to say I agree with you. And I've lived in 14 countries across 3 continents and visited 38 countires in total. (ETA: Soon to be 39 cos I'm off to Spain for hols in a couple of months). Perth is something a bit special. I cant see myself leaving here for a loooooooooooooooooong time 'xcept for the odd holiday here and there.

Just for you - here's a couple of pictures taken a few nights ago of some of my garden guests. We have a total of 8 that visit, but these 4 are more regular visitors than the others.

 

[MAC-W]

oh and to answer the original post...


Places I've already lived in but would live in again - either Milan, Istanbul, Prague or Knysna. Why? Just cos I love the vibe in each one and have very fond memories of my times there. If I absolutely had to pick one it would probably be Istanbul (I think)

Place I've never been to but would like to live in? Not sure but probably either Madrid, Rio de Janeres or Buenos Aires. Mainly cos I think they would have interesting cultures and I would find it relatively easy to get a job in any one of them. I wouldnt mind doing a couple of years in Houston either, again purely cos it would be easy to get a job there plus it would give good access to the American South East & South West, both which I would like to visit at some point.

 

[Autumnovember]

iLander, very interesting. I hope that doesn't happen to me!

I have never lived in downtown philly, always lived right outside of it besides when I went to college.

We finally bought a place right in the heart of the city and I can honestly say it has been a dream come true for me. I hope I still love it just as much a year from now as I do now.

 

[princesss]

IAnd I'd love to live in the following cities for no other reason than they just seem cool:

Prague
Cape Town
Tunis
Edinburgh
JohannesburgAthens

I also wanna live in Johannesburg. I was looking up schools to see what is offered over there! My DH wasn't amused by that one!

My second would be CA but the main issues are I'm afraid of the eventual earth quake and also that the school I want to attend is too much money (out-of-state tuition for the first year!) DH again not amused. He didn't respond to my text asking for $130K.

My third choice would be to live in a hut in Thailand. One shaped like a coconut. Only my cat and I would be in there. I would live off of betta fish and have diet coke shipped in by the Dharma Initiative. Didn't bother to tell DH.

Really, though...Dh and I were looking online and are pretty sure we could work a few more years then retire in Costa Rica. That would be awesome!

Jo'burg?! I've lived in Jo'burg! No idea why anyone would want to live there! It's really quite meh. Very flat, no scenery, definitely not a pretty place. Everyone is always very rushed, focused on the next big deal - in fact, that's the only reason I tolerate it. The crime is hideous, absolutely hideous. A week ago my friend's 17 year old son was mugged at gun point for his cellphone, watch and wallet. Altogether everything he had was maybe worth US$200, but they took it anyway. His family is just glad he is alive.

Cape Town is lovely, beautiful scenery, friendly people, very laid-back. My FI and I would go back there in a heartbeat!

Oooh, good to know! I've got friends in Jo'burg and they seem to like it, but good to hear Cape Town is a cool city - my department at work has a counterpart there and I've been keeping my eye on jobs there.

 

[Asu]

Ah, Tuscany...

I lived there for six years, and honestly it's the most incredibly provincial place. I used to go crazy and have to retreat to Milan every now and then to stop myself beating my head against a brick wall.

The life depicted in 'Under The Tuscan Sun' is incredibly far-fetched and untrue to life. I lived in a town not far from where she was based and she talks about my town several times and it just isn't what is real at all.

I lived a totally Italian lifestyle - had a job that an Italian could have done (didn't teach English or anything like that), all my friends were Italian and I rarely spoke English. Most of my Italian friends couldn't cook, we all shopped in the supermarket not little markets or shops. The younger generation were big on fast cars, clothes and going out clubbing at the weekends. You work hard and long hours so no-one really has time for all the things that she talks about in the book.

The scenery is lovely and the food isn't bad - but you do get bored after a while (Italian food is very regional) - but it's not an easy place to live. Houses are expensive and then doing them up costs an arm and a leg if you can even get permission. Pretty much no-one speaks any English outside the main tourist areas either.

Florence is hell on earth in the summer - so full of tourists and pickpockets that we didn't go there after the beginning of June!

Lake Como is a gazillion times nicer and if you want to eat really well go to Piedmonte (scenery isn't that amazing but the wine, truffles and meat are to die for).

I think it actually depend a lot from were you are based.I was born and grew in Tuscany,in Massa and lived in Sarzana,and while now is starting to get a bit lost,the lifestyle we lived (and my grandparents still live) was very close to the movie you are talking about.In bigger cities like Florence it get lost easily,but in Sarzana and near villages is still very much there.My grandma rarely go to a supermarket,and I don't know anyone who can't cook there.Now,here in Lombardia is very different,and I miss my region so much!Yes,Como is nice (I live 20 minutes from the city center) but people here in the north are obsessed with work,they go,go,go and never stop.It's like they don't have time to enjoy life anymore.Tusany is still quite in the north,but is a lot slower.There you are actually able to enjoy life in a way here you just can't.I shop only in discount supermarket,'cause local shops are way too expensive,and I still spend just as much as my grandma who only shops in local shops,while getting lesser quality items.Life is so much more expensive here,you just can't compare.When we were looking to buy an house we realized that with the money we have,we can get a two rooms house/apartment here (Province of Como),or a three rooms house/apartment there (province of Massa).Florence,Pisa and Lucca provinces are more expensive,though.

 

[janinegirly]

I have actually lived in some pretty great places growing up. Some key places (that get mentioned here alot) were London, Paris, Hong Kong, Singapore.
The thing I would say is living somewhere is very different from visiting, and every country has its pros and cons. Small quaint villages (or islands) get boring and other old world cities/towns do not offer all the convenieces we are all use to (no stores open on Sunday?!).

Anyway, having said that I love London, that is my city for some reason. It has all the elements of a cosmopolitan city without the grime (unlike US cities) and people are still polite. I love that you can live in a major city of millions, yet have a local shop, restaurant, park and not hear beeping horns! (unlike NY). I miss London, but it's very expensive and not an easy sale for others (ie significant others!). The weather is the drawback, but it's not so great in the NE either and at least their winters are mild.

Second choice would be South of France.

I really don't know much about the US except the NE and LA, and I seem to falling into that pattern of living where your job and family are since we have a LO and DH lived in the same town his whole life. I'm ok with that, the travel bug isn't as strong anymore. BUT there are places I think about in the US but don't know enough about whether they are realistic long term- Laguana Beach CA and Carmel for example. Really anywhere with sun, near a city, but without the traffic, IF that exists!

PS for those who say "right here", I'd love to know where you live too!

 

[Pandora II]

Ah, Tuscany...

I lived there for six years, and honestly it's the most incredibly provincial place. I used to go crazy and have to retreat to Milan every now and then to stop myself beating my head against a brick wall.

The life depicted in 'Under The Tuscan Sun' is incredibly far-fetched and untrue to life. I lived in a town not far from where she was based and she talks about my town several times and it just isn't what is real at all.

I lived a totally Italian lifestyle - had a job that an Italian could have done (didn't teach English or anything like that), all my friends were Italian and I rarely spoke English. Most of my Italian friends couldn't cook, we all shopped in the supermarket not little markets or shops. The younger generation were big on fast cars, clothes and going out clubbing at the weekends. You work hard and long hours so no-one really has time for all the things that she talks about in the book.

The scenery is lovely and the food isn't bad - but you do get bored after a while (Italian food is very regional) - but it's not an easy place to live. Houses are expensive and then doing them up costs an arm and a leg if you can even get permission. Pretty much no-one speaks any English outside the main tourist areas either.

Florence is hell on earth in the summer - so full of tourists and pickpockets that we didn't go there after the beginning of June!

Lake Como is a gazillion times nicer and if you want to eat really well go to Piedmonte (scenery isn't that amazing but the wine, truffles and meat are to die for).

I think it actually depend a lot from were you are based.I was born and grew in Tuscany,in Massa and lived in Sarzana,and while now is starting to get a bit lost,the lifestyle we lived (and my grandparents still live) was very close to the movie you are talking about.In bigger cities like Florence it get lost easily,but in Sarzana and near villages is still very much there.My grandma rarely go to a supermarket,and I don't know anyone who can't cook there.Now,here in Lombardia is very different,and I miss my region so much!Yes,Como is nice (I live 20 minutes from the city center) but people here in the north are obsessed with work,they go,go,go and never stop.It's like they don't have time to enjoy life anymore.Tusany is still quite in the north,but is a lot slower.There you are actually able to enjoy life in a way here you just can't.I shop only in discount supermarket,'cause local shops are way too expensive,and I still spend just as much as my grandma who only shops in local shops,while getting lesser quality items.Life is so much more expensive here,you just can't compare.When we were looking to buy an house we realized that with the money we have,we can get a two rooms house/apartment here (Province of Como),or a three rooms house/apartment there (province of Massa).Florence,Pisa and Lucca provinces are more expensive,though.

I lived in Arezzo for the 6 years I was in Tuscany if that explains anything! I was in Como for 2 years - used to work for Mantero and then Ratti - and lived just outside the old walls. It's true that you work crazy hours in the North, but it's much more cosmopolitan. I used to enjoy asking people in Tuscany if it was southern Italy there... they used to go crazy!

I also loved the lakes and the mountains - I used to climb a lot and took up caving with the Club Alpino Italiano so most weekends I was out doing that. I thought moving to Tuscany that there would be similar things there, but everyone was just into clubbing and not much else! I missed Como for years. I'd be tempted to retire there if I ever become disgustingly rich!

 

[Asu]

Ah, Tuscany...

I lived there for six years, and honestly it's the most incredibly provincial place. I used to go crazy and have to retreat to Milan every now and then to stop myself beating my head against a brick wall.

The life depicted in 'Under The Tuscan Sun' is incredibly far-fetched and untrue to life. I lived in a town not far from where she was based and she talks about my town several times and it just isn't what is real at all.

I lived a totally Italian lifestyle - had a job that an Italian could have done (didn't teach English or anything like that), all my friends were Italian and I rarely spoke English. Most of my Italian friends couldn't cook, we all shopped in the supermarket not little markets or shops. The younger generation were big on fast cars, clothes and going out clubbing at the weekends. You work hard and long hours so no-one really has time for all the things that she talks about in the book.

The scenery is lovely and the food isn't bad - but you do get bored after a while (Italian food is very regional) - but it's not an easy place to live. Houses are expensive and then doing them up costs an arm and a leg if you can even get permission. Pretty much no-one speaks any English outside the main tourist areas either.

Florence is hell on earth in the summer - so full of tourists and pickpockets that we didn't go there after the beginning of June!

Lake Como is a gazillion times nicer and if you want to eat really well go to Piedmonte (scenery isn't that amazing but the wine, truffles and meat are to die for).

I think it actually depend a lot from were you are based.I was born and grew in Tuscany,in Massa and lived in Sarzana,and while now is starting to get a bit lost,the lifestyle we lived (and my grandparents still live) was very close to the movie you are talking about.In bigger cities like Florence it get lost easily,but in Sarzana and near villages is still very much there.My grandma rarely go to a supermarket,and I don't know anyone who can't cook there.Now,here in Lombardia is very different,and I miss my region so much!Yes,Como is nice (I live 20 minutes from the city center) but people here in the north are obsessed with work,they go,go,go and never stop.It's like they don't have time to enjoy life anymore.Tusany is still quite in the north,but is a lot slower.There you are actually able to enjoy life in a way here you just can't.I shop only in discount supermarket,'cause local shops are way too expensive,and I still spend just as much as my grandma who only shops in local shops,while getting lesser quality items.Life is so much more expensive here,you just can't compare.When we were looking to buy an house we realized that with the money we have,we can get a two rooms house/apartment here (Province of Como),or a three rooms house/apartment there (province of Massa).Florence,Pisa and Lucca provinces are more expensive,though.

I lived in Arezzo for the 6 years I was in Tuscany if that explains anything! I was in Como for 2 years - used to work for Mantero and then Ratti - and lived just outside the old walls. It's true that you work crazy hours in the North, but it's much more cosmopolitan. I used to enjoy asking people in Tuscany if it was southern Italy there... they used to go crazy!

I also loved the lakes and the mountains - I used to climb a lot and took up caving with the Club Alpino Italiano so most weekends I was out doing that. I thought moving to Tuscany that there would be similar things there, but everyone was just into clubbing and not much else! I missed Como for years. I'd be tempted to retire there if I ever become disgustingly rich!

Do it!!!Lol
Don't get me wrong,I love it here,but cities and towns here drives me bats**t crazy I just never adapted to the lifestyle (on the other hand,my husband was born here in Como,and he can't understand how we can be so relaxed about anything,lol).I actually love the mountain life too,just not the city life.I'm used to a much more laid back,relaxed lifestyle.I guess it's in my dna
I would actually LOVE to buy a little cottage and live in the mountains around Sondrio.Places like Livigno makes me daydream about a wooden house,a fireplace when out is snowing,a big dog and a bunch of kids,lol.
When we lived in Tuscany we were pretty much on the beach from april to the end of september(we lived on the exact point were tuscany end and Liguria start,on the Aurelia road).Other than the beaches,the clubbing there is famous,that's true.Actually Tuscany has one of the most famous and frequented nightlife zone,it's pretty much a very long and straight regional road that go by the seaside from Marina di Massa (near Forte dei Marmi) to Viareggio.Some of the most famouse clubs in Italy are there,many of them were very very famous already in the '50/'60,and are frequented by celebrities even now.There is a club,la canniccia,that is a really beautiful place.It's pretty much made by gazeboes put in a very green area,full of grass and trees,and there is a big pool that is open every night.
So yes,nightlife is very in here,but that's more because they made a real lifestyle out of it
Oh,e chiedo scusa per il mio inglese pessimo,ma l'ho dovuto imparare da sola,dato che a scuola più che "the pen is on the table" non si sono degnati di insegnarci

 

[Clio]

1) New Orleans. It's been home ever since we moved there when I was 17. I was instantly at home.

2) There isn't any place other than New Orleans that is home, so for place #2 I might as well stay where I am, in the DC area.

 

[Astra]

I asked DH and he said:

Place he's been-Brookline, MA, Newton, MA, or Natick, MA

Oh yeah... Newton, Natick and of course Chestnut Hill . I have never lived in Boston, but I've been there I guess 5-6 times and every time It's harder to go back home... cause MA feels like home

 

[Trekkie]

1. Perth, Australia. Seriously, I've travelled all over the world and have been to so many different countries, but something about Australia (and Perth in particular) just makes me feel at home. You know that feeling you get when you know there's nowhere else you'd rather be, that you are meant to be in that particular place? Well, that's how I felt in Western Australia.

It's a lot like South Africa - beautiful scenery, wide open spaces, friendly people, cosmopolitan, great food. The only thing we have that they don't is crime - there is no crime in WA!

And they have kangaroos! Fluffy ones!

Hi Trekkie,

I currently live in Perth and have to say I agree with you. And I've lived in 14 countries across 3 continents and visited 38 countires in total. (ETA: Soon to be 39 cos I'm off to Spain for hols in a couple of months). Perth is something a bit special. I cant see myself leaving here for a loooooooooooooooooong time 'xcept for the odd holiday here and there.

Just for you - here's a couple of pictures taken a few nights ago of some of my garden guests. We have a total of 8 that visit, but these 4 are more regular visitors than the others.

Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangaroo Iwantakangarooooooooooooooo!

Now I'm sad because I don't have kangaroos. I assume you live up in the hills? When we were in WA in 2009 we visited Karakamia and they told us that the hills are the only part of Perth where the kangaroos still visit people's gardens on a regular basis. It's so sad that their habitat is being destroyed. But hey, I live in in Africa, so I don't really have a leg to stand on in that regard. Where I live we occasionally have meerkats (like Timone of Timone and Pumba) and monkeys but they're not nearly as soft and fluffy as kangaroos. And they don't let humans touch them.

But you probably know this, seeing as you used to live in Knysna! When I lived along the south coast that was one of my favourite party spots. Now when we drive through Knysna, I am just in awe of how beautiful it is. And cramped and full of tourists and cars with GP numberplates... But mostly beautiful. Do you have any pics of your time in Knysna? I'd love to see them!

My FI has a conference in Adelaide in November that I just can't miss ( ) and I am trying my utmost to convince him that we absolutely *have* to go to Perth while we're in Australia. I mean, we *must*. Those kangaroos aren't going to stroke themselves, you know!

IAnd I'd love to live in the following cities for no other reason than they just seem cool:

Prague
Cape Town
Tunis
Edinburgh
JohannesburgAthens

I also wanna live in Johannesburg. I was looking up schools to see what is offered over there! My DH wasn't amused by that one!

My second would be CA but the main issues are I'm afraid of the eventual earth quake and also that the school I want to attend is too much money (out-of-state tuition for the first year!) DH again not amused. He didn't respond to my text asking for $130K.

My third choice would be to live in a hut in Thailand. One shaped like a coconut. Only my cat and I would be in there. I would live off of betta fish and have diet coke shipped in by the Dharma Initiative. Didn't bother to tell DH.

Really, though...Dh and I were looking online and are pretty sure we could work a few more years then retire in Costa Rica. That would be awesome!

Jo'burg?! I've lived in Jo'burg! No idea why anyone would want to live there! It's really quite meh. Very flat, no scenery, definitely not a pretty place. Everyone is always very rushed, focused on the next big deal - in fact, that's the only reason I tolerate it. The crime is hideous, absolutely hideous. A week ago my friend's 17 year old son was mugged at gun point for his cellphone, watch and wallet. Altogether everything he had was maybe worth US$200, but they took it anyway. His family is just glad he is alive.

Cape Town is lovely, beautiful scenery, friendly people, very laid-back. My FI and I would go back there in a heartbeat!

Oooh, good to know! I've got friends in Jo'burg and they seem to like it, but good to hear Cape Town is a cool city - my department at work has a counterpart there and I've been keeping my eye on jobs there.

Ooooooooooooh! Cape Town is gorgeous! Many people joke it's not really Africa, that it's just a part of the Mediterranean that detached, floated down and got stuck at the end of Africa. It's a very cultured place (or at least the locals would like to think so) and has an abundance of museums (including a slave museum and a holocaust museum) and art galleries and a cathedral on almost every corner. You can walk from town to the Waterfront shopping mall and buy Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada etc and dine on haute cuisine...

But it *is* Africa and the scenery and the lifestyle reinforce that. There are world class beaches just 15 minutes away from the CBD and it's not unusual for people to go surfing over lunch or before work. On the negative side, you will be harassed at traffic lights by beggars and people trying to sell you fake name-brand sunglasses. Crime is a problem, but it's not nearly as bad as it is up north in Jo'burg.

If you do ever get the opportunity, go for it! It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you won't regret it!

 

[iLander]

iLander, very interesting. I hope that doesn't happen to me!

I have never lived in downtown philly, always lived right outside of it besides when I went to college.

We finally bought a place right in the heart of the city and I can honestly say it has been a dream come true for me. I hope I still love it just as much a year from now as I do now.

I think you're good for at LEAST a year, AN, probably several years. I'm on year 10 here, so that's why it's worn off a bit. But the place does fit me well, which is why I don't want to move.

 

[iLander]

Hi Trekkie,

I currently live in Perth and have to say I agree with you. And I've lived in 14 countries across 3 continents and visited 38 countires in total. (ETA: Soon to be 39 cos I'm off to Spain for hols in a couple of months). Perth is something a bit special. I cant see myself leaving here for a loooooooooooooooooong time 'xcept for the odd holiday here and there.

Just for you - here's a couple of pictures taken a few nights ago of some of my garden guests. We have a total of 8 that visit, but these 4 are more regular visitors than the others.

COOOOOL! Kangaroos!

Did you know that "kangaroo" is the Aborigine word for "I don't know"? When Captain Cook first saw a kangaroo and asked a local what it was, he replied "Kangaroo", and the name stuck.

I think this is hilarious!