Where to live best?

From my perspective, cost assumed to be affordable, four important issues:
#1 Low crime rate
#2 Access to medical care
#3 Access to local life amenities such as food, relatives and transportation.
#4 Access to the Internet and concurrent facilities such as TV.

Beyond that other issues important to the individual like friends and relatives.
 

packleader said:
Southern California has it all to enjoy retirement, living between the ocean and the mountains. Below just a few pictures from today (except the last picture taken two weeks ago on the beach that is to be enjoyed by senior guys.) And don't forget: thanks to Proposition 13, our property tax has only doubled in 45 years, now being $1,600 a year, while in other states you apparently get taxed out of your house.

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Not sure where you get taxes for $1600 in So. CA. Our house taxes in So. CA on a former residence is now $3400.

We left in 2001. Went back in 2010 for my late husband's 70th birthday with his kids. So much traffic and congestion! Glad we left. There's sunshine and better temps other places with less traffic and home prices are more "affordable". Our home sold for $156,000 in 2001. Today, it's appraised at $630,000. Ridiculous for a 3/2 built in the 1950's.
 
ElCastor said:
From my perspective, cost assumed to be affordable, four important issues:
#1 Low crime rate
#2 Access to medical care
#3 Access to local life amenities such as food, relatives and transportation.
#4 Access to the Internet and concurrent facilities such as TV.

Beyond that other issues important to the individual like friends and relatives.
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Agreed.
 

Type The New Forest, England, and chances are you will get picturesque images of landscape and wildlife:
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Now let me take you around this magical place and show you some absolute gems.

The Bisterne Dragon Sculpture. Many New Forest visitors know that Bolton’s Bench near Lyndhurst is the place where Sir Maurice de Berkeley died after slaying an evil dragon, which terrorised the local population. Most will not know that the Bisterne Dragon lives on.
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The Miz Maze. High on a hill near Breamore House at Fordingbridge, you’ll find a mysterious maze cut into the chalk downland. Understood to be of Cretan design, the maze has no dead ends but resembles a labyrinth, where all paths will eventually bring you to the little mound in the centre. It’s claimed the ancient marking was used by Druids and on Pagan holy days, and also by penitent monks, who completed the maze journey, rather painfully, on their knees. You won’t need to do this, but to find it, you’ll have to be prepared for a walk, there is no easy car access, just a number of paths, one of which leads from nearby Breamore House.
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Britain’s only working tide mill. On the New Forest’s tranquil eastern edge, Eling has had a working tide mill on this site for more than 900 years. After being restored between 1975 and 1980, it reopened and now there is a museum, which explains and interprets this fascinating part of our industrial heritage and you can even buy their flour. Because of the changing tides, Eling Tide Mill only grinds flour at certain times, so make sure you don’t miss them by checking their website before any visit.
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Just beyond The New Forest are some truly remarkable buildings, all of a religious theme, the church centuries ago, centred around communities and lives. On the northern edge is the former capital of England, Winchester, to the east is Salisbury and to the west, Wimborne Minster. There's not much to the south, go that way and you will get your feet wet.
 
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary:
This tranquil spot offers a chance to see wild deer up close, particularly in the late afternoon. The sanctuary has a small observation platform, ideal for watching the herds of deer as they graze in the forest.
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Furzey Gardens.
A beautiful, lesser-known garden in the heart of the forest, Furzey Gardens is filled with pretty flowers, shrubs, and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s also home to several woodland walks and a fairy-tale trail for children.
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Lepe Country Park.
Offering stunning views over the Solent and a quiet spot for a picnic, Lepe is often overlooked by visitors. It has a small beach, lovely walking trails, and is perfect for a peaceful day by the sea. In addition to this it also has a café called The Lookout with great views across the sea.
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A charming, hidden pub tucked away near Beaulieu, The New Forest Inn is surrounded by peaceful woodland, offering a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for a traditional pub meal after a day of exploring Beaulieu & the surrounding forest.
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jlhog said:
And that is how you find out.
I am actually most comfortable in my travel trailer, no matter where it may be parked...
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I find that interesting. How do you know what places are available for parking. Is there a website?
 
Manatee said:
It is axiomatic in the real estate business that there is only a limited amount of property near the water, and it is priced accordingly.

When you live near the water it is always in the back of your mind "what if a big storm/ hurricane comes along".
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In London, you are lucky if you have more than a pocket handkerchief of space. We were more fortunate in that we had gardens both front and rear, as well as a driveway to the side of the property. All land is a premium in the world's major cities.

In The New Forest, where we now reside, we have the River Avon running close by, it's one of four rivers bearing that name and to distinguish it we refer to it as The Hampshire Avon. Waterfront properties fetch asking prices way beyond the value of the houses, yet they also have the highest flood risk when water levels rise.

We chose to live in an elevated area, not far from the river, but high enough not to worry about flooding. You can see the elevation from this photo, you can also see my neighbour's waterfront house. We might not look out directly over the river but we still get the vista, and without the risk or the insurance cost, of Mother nature on a bad day.
 
I was born during the war years - dad and many uncles were away fighting- our lives resolved around our cousins and aunts- it worked well and discipline was handed out judicially?

My mother was one of eleven kids - then the war ended - two uncles never came back - the rest did - got married and left the nest - which would have been too small for all anyway so it had to happen. my mother and two sisters remained with throwing distance and we cousins played well. then we started to prosper or watch our city slowly deteriorate and left for green pastures only 50 kms away or so. but it broke up the family for ever - oh yes we caught up occasionally but not daily and that was the end of the big family - its security and comfort.

I've never been a fan of nuclear family structures but have certainly sampled them well
 
Where to live best was the title? - different horses for courses - what's good for the goose may not be good for the gander? - too broad a title from a} which bestest country to b} which bestest area in that country - sounds like a circular tour? In OZ people generally live in four different sites : cities big houses if they are millionaires ; coastal towns cos they like beaches and bathing and also expensive houses sometimes ; city out suburbs which can sometimes have their own beaches and be quite nice and the bush towns and communities - if I've missed any out my ozzie colleagues will dive in. big country and plenty of room to stretch out.
 
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