Name a cheap and wholesome place to live

**ScrapMama** · 10-16-2007, 11:03 PM

My 4 kiddos and I currently live in California. I love it, but as everyone knows prices are CrAzY! I would like to relocate in a year and a half to somewhere less expensive, slower pace of life, and just to a more wholesome atmosphere. I'd really like somewhere where there are 4 seasons to the year. I am currently working on a job venture that will honestly allow me to work from home, so money or a job outside the home is not an issue. Is there some place out there...lol...give me your opinions.

**McD** · 10-16-2007, 11:11 PM

Move to Iowa. Gotta love it.

**druidessemily** · 10-16-2007, 11:23 PM

I think the "four seasons" bit is overrated. Move to Florida.

**CraftMomm** · 10-16-2007, 11:59 PM

well i'm not too far from you in Idaho, a lot of folks from California move to my area for the laid back atmosphere here. Town only has about 3,000 people and it's very spread out. cost of living is very low here. I pay $380 a month for a two bedroom apartment, I have electric heat and it never went over $75 a month last winter, and I like it warm!! My internet, dishNetwork and unlimited long distance phone is about $140 a month. Gas is $2.93 a gallon right now BLAH on that but otherwise everything else is good here.

**HisDaisy** · 10-17-2007, 12:08 AM

I would second Iowa!

**frugalfarmwife** · 10-17-2007, 12:30 AM

At least give Ohio a glance, we're a beautiful state. The big cities are getting up there in the cost of living but the smaller towns are still very reasonable.

And our schools are great

The people are in tune with the world today and down to earth (in general)

Taxes are pretty reasonable too.

Oh and you'd definately get the four seasons! But in Cleveland (the snow belt area) you'd get a LOT of the snow!

I'm between Cleveland and Columbus and LOVE my town, winters can be cold but not brutal, summers are GORGEOUS!

Southern Ohio is more mild in the winter but the economy is more depressed.

Of course I also love Kentucky (horse girl here) with the gorgeous farms and greenery, but will stay in Ohio

kj

**mickee311** · 10-17-2007, 06:43 AM

You should try Kentucky! I live in Elizabethtown and LOVE it! I'm from Louisville, which is a pretty big city, 30 miles away, but wouldn't move back for the world. The atmosphere here is good, it's a smallish town but still has all of the stores to shop at, great schools, awesome people and isn't too busy. The cost of living here is low, which is a great plus. And there are plenty of places to choose from when picking where in town to live. You could live in town and still have the luxury of the country, whereas I live right on the edge of town and it's quiet, I don't have neighbors right up on me and I'm still a 5-10 minute drive from the stores and businesses. It's just a great place to live. Again, I must reiterate that the schools here are awesome. I am comfortable knowing that my kids are getting the education that they deserve.

**favesis37** · 10-17-2007, 06:44 AM

nebraska, we have some of the highest prices on gas but over all it is great here

**TheRootedNomad** · 10-17-2007, 07:22 AM

I also recomend Kentucky just outside of Louisville which is for the most part Jefferson County. Shepherdsville, Bardstown (really old quaint town), and Elizabethtown are all nice choices with low, low costs of living. Last time I looked you could buy a very nice 3 bedroom in Shepherdsville for about $85,000. DH and I have talked about moving out of Jefferson County to one of these places eventually. Jobs hold us put for the moment.

**baxjul** · 10-17-2007, 07:28 AM

I would pick anywhere in the south. People generally move alot slower down here than anywhere else. It used to drive me crazy when we first moved here.

**jamie79** · 10-17-2007, 08:26 AM

If your looking for 4 seasons consider Wisconsin. I live in a town of about 9000 where you can buy a house for less then $100,000. You can rent a house for about $450-or so a month. This area of Wisconsin has good schools, small class sizes and lots of activities for the kids at the school and in the communities.

**quiltingmommy** · 10-17-2007, 08:35 AM

If you want four season weather...try New England! I grew up in NH and the state is beautiful! You have cities, towns, really, really small towns, mountains and the ocean within an hour or so drive of wherever you live. Also, Massachusetts rocks! if you live near the Boston area, the real estate is high, but mid section or southern mass is certainly do-able...we live in the southern section and we live on 48% of our salary from 2 years ago and are making it. Schools are also very good here. Winters can be snowy/cold (although the last 2 were warm), fall is lovely, summer is hot and spring is pretty great too!

**guest002** · 10-17-2007, 08:40 AM

Well, I've lived in the Mid-Atlantic and the Gulf South. I'd pick the Gulf South over the Mid-Atlanic (<--too expensive). If you decide on the Gulf South stay at least 3 hours inland due to hurricanes.

We are hoping to try the Desert SW and the Colorado/Oklahoma/Nebraska region.

**pip** · 10-17-2007, 09:00 AM

I was going to suggest someplace in the midwest. Life is not too fast paced, pretty clean, different seasons, good schools. Of course, I don't know anything different!