Obviously, knowing exactly what we want isn't all that helpful
May 02, 2006
Roger and I recently decided to make the largest purchase of our lives together: a home in Dallas, Texas. We are pre-approved for a loan, and have a realtor helping us. We've looked all over Dallas for the house. And, need I mention that our lease expired April 30th?
We made a simple list of everything we wanted in a home:
- Four bedrooms
- Three bathrooms
- Two car garage
- A very large kitchen, with lots of counter space, and double ovens
- A big backyard for dogs and kids to chase each other
- A safe neighborhood (not near ghetto apartments)
- Not near an active railroad track
- Lots and lots of windows
- Interesting architectural lines
- Sprinkler system!
- A very large master bathroom, with a separate tub and shower, and preferably styled like the bathroom we had at the Four Seasons Costa Rica.
Since we know exactly what we want, it shouldn't be too hard to find. Don't you think?
So! In the midst of our search, we remembered that we don't actually want to live in Dallas for much longer, because we consider it a flat slab of concrete, and because it is quite pretentious, and because we have to drive twelve hours to get anywhere halfway interesting.
If we buy a house here, it kind of makes living in Dallas feel permanent. At least permanent-ish. After not much debate, we realized, "What were we thinking?"
We're resigning our lease for another year, and it is my personal goal to MOVE! once the lease expires.
This is where you come in, Internets. Where should we move? I'm personally voting for: San Diego, Portland or overseas. Sole preference: the location must be relatively near both the beach and the mountains.
Comments
You know I'm going to vote Portland. 1 hour to the coast, 1 hour to the mountain.
Posted by: heather | May 2, 2006 02:02 PM
At first, I was like, "what? they decided to buy a house? Yea! They're staying!" and then I read on.
Buying a house is permanent-ish? Nobody told us THAT rule. Apparently, since we built THREE houses in SIX years. I think we're content now. If for no other reason but that moves are too exhaustive.
Glad you're staying at least another year!!!
Posted by: AmStaff Mom | May 2, 2006 02:15 PM
hmmm i must think carefully at this recommendtion to where you might set up residence since I will be following with my own personal u-haul right behind yours
Posted by: Katie | May 2, 2006 02:25 PM
My vote is San Diego so we can come visit! ;)
Posted by: Mel | May 2, 2006 02:27 PM
You know, technically speaking, West Virginia is near both beach and mountains. Plus, since the state has already been visited by the Mothman, you should be relatively safe…
Posted by: Deals | May 2, 2006 02:54 PM
I dunno, McKinney is pretty nice. lol
Posted by: Molicious | May 2, 2006 04:10 PM
Once again, I agree with you on the prentious thing. If you move, can I come with you? (I know I don't know you, but anything to get out! I'll watch your kids!!) :)
Posted by: my life is brilliant | May 2, 2006 07:43 PM
I've never been to Dallas, and pretentious isn't anything I thought it was. Isn't that funny? I had no idea. Then again, I'm afraid of Texas in general, irrationally.
Santa Barbara would be my pick. The mountains are RIGHT THERE, and christ, it's so beautiful. But the housing is abysmally expensive. Painfully so. So maybe not.
Is the east coast an option? Maine is STUNNING. But not warm. And the snow might scare you.
Posted by: jonniker | May 2, 2006 10:43 PM
North Carolina is really nice - you should go ask Edgymama if you can come up and visit. Braun lives there too and it is close to mountains and beaches I think.
Virgina is supposedly really nice too.
Now don't you think you need to find jobs where you are going to relocate to first? And then get an apartment there and see if you REALLY like it?
Besides, you KNOW you will miss me.
Posted by: eddo | May 3, 2006 01:43 PM
You could move to Minnesota... we aren't really close to the beach or the mountains... but we aren't a big slab of concrete either.
Posted by: ben | May 3, 2006 02:21 PM
POrtland is beautiful!
Posted by: steve | May 3, 2006 02:30 PM
I would visit in San Diego but considering a 2/2 townhome with a balcony for a yard is 400,000, even with family there I am never moving back! The home you are describing was in USA Today, today and it was selling for $50,000,000 in San Diego.
Posted by: Holly | May 3, 2006 02:42 PM
Dallas really IS a big slab of concrete! I was just there on business last August (a LOVELY time to visit, being 5000 degrees out) and there's nothing but pavement and highways. I made the mistake of walking from my hotel to the firm I was visiting. It wasn't a long walk by any stretch (at least not by New York standards); but I didn't see another soul on the sidewalk the entire way. Passersby would stop their SUVs (does anyone drive a sedan there?) to stare at the Crazy Lady Perambulating Instead of Driving.
I've never been to Portland or San Diego, but I have friends/family in each place and both sets are quite vocal about LOVING where they live. North Carolina, as others noted, is also very pretty and extremely inexpensive (although terribly humid in summertime).
I personally am an East Coast devotee -- I heart NY and all that, and I've always been drawn to New England. Mountains, rocky coastline, outdoorsy-ness and brisk fresh air. The picture postcard white steeple among fall foliage is so, like, heavenly!
Posted by: Lawyerish | May 3, 2006 05:48 PM
San Diego is heaven on earth... seriously.
But personally, I think you and Roger would fit in quite nicely in the Bay Area...
(Oh and good luck getting a 2/2 condo for $400,000 anywhere in CA... in fact, if you find one, buy it for me, I'll pay you back. My friend just bought a 2/2 condo in SF for $735,000... and it doesn't even have it's own washer/dryer!)
Posted by: Courtney | May 3, 2006 08:06 PM
I had to do a double-read on resigning - at first I thought "quitting", then I realized that didn't make sense.
Anyhow, I'm voting Oahu. Because you get mountains (especially if you count volcanoes), and the beach is like, everywhere. And the bottom picture reminds me of one I took there.
Posted by: Lia | May 5, 2006 12:20 PM
Totally right on the Dallas thing. I lived there for several years and hated it's pretentiousness. Now, not so hilariously, my husband got a job in North Dallas! Considering we live in FW, we have to move, but it will NOT be to Dallas or even Dallas County. Yeesh.
Glad you're hanging out another year. How about you get several places in mind you'd like to live, then take a mini-vacation there to check it out?
Downside to CA, earthquakes and INSANE prices. Other than that, just gorgeous!!
Posted by: Jenn | May 5, 2006 05:00 PM
I think Portland is a wonderful city. Seattle too - biased though of course!
Posted by: k | May 5, 2006 06:53 PM
San Diego! If you're used to Texas, you'll freeeeeze in Portland. Yes, there's ocean, but you CAN NOT go in it, lest you die of exposure. Sadly, SD is crazy expensive...you maybe could get a house the size of your bathroom at the Four Seasons. But there's always plenty of margaritas!
Posted by: Irony Queen | May 7, 2006 06:44 PM