Philosophy of Life

[storytimewithjoe]

I am feeling rather philosophical today. (Probably the New Moon affecting my mind-wanderings).

My husbear has hit a bit of a wall. Between the high cost of living here in So. Cal. and just the sheer amount of annoyance at the city, the politics, or whatever, he is just annoyed. I can't say I blame him. I probably have more of those days than he. But to be realistic, is any place "ideal"? What city doesn't have some corruption in the government? What city doesn't have some pollution? What city doesn't have clashes between cultures or religions, or philosophies?

I think we have an excercise in front of us where we need to both determine what we consider to be important and critical things that help us to maintain our joy.

Let me ask you guys out there in LJ world - what are the top five things that you all consider to be THE MOST important or critical things when it comes to selecting a place to settle down?

Comments

[acdntlpoet.livejournal.com]

In looking to move away from where we are now, here are the questions I ask myself about potential new homes:

1. Is it in Orange County or other heavily populated suburb in Southern California?
2. Are there vineyards close by?
3. Is the population concentrated to a few square miles or is it dispersed over a larger area? (Population density)
4. Does it get -exceptionally- cold?
5. Does it get -exceptionally- hot?
6. And one more cause I couldn't think of only 5: Is there some sense of culture or artistic community in the area?

[dendren.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm… well considering I’ve pretty much lived in the same area my whole life it’s hard to really say what I’d like if I lived somewhere else. The times I’ve thought about it at all I’ve come up with the following…

1. Must have a pretty decent gay life/culture/community… bars, baths, clubs… whatever, the more the better. At this point I think I’d be just plane happy as a clam to live in a little (or big) gay ghetto. I’m kinda of tired of the straight world around me.
2. I go back and forth between big city or not. I like the friendliness of smaller cities but would miss the culture of larger ones. I'd probably opt for a small large city ;)
3. NO SNOW!!! Or at least very very very little snow. Snow is bad… I definitely want a warm climate. Oh, and dryer is better too, I love Seattle and that area but too much rain not enuf sun.
4. Some artistic culture and diversity… don’t think I could live someplace where the local cultural icon consisted of that old building that Aunt Fanny lived in.
5. Must have some open space, preferably ocean, not too far away. I don’t think I’d do well in a place that I couldn’t get out of the city quickly and easily, and I know I’d miss the ocean if I moved too far away from it.

Places I’ve considered have been San Diego, Houston (or Austin), Phoenix and Atlanta… but I’m so settled where I’m at, I’m not going anywhere at this point I’m sure

Something I can answer

[kdmorin.livejournal.com]

This is a question I feel particularly qualified to answer since I've lived in 5 states in the past 8-9 years. I'm finally in a place where I'm settled enough to want to stay for a while and actually buy a house (my own personal comittment phobia). Here is my list in no particular order:
1. Geography: There has to be water and mountains nearby. Not that I go to the water much but I just need it to be near me. It must be something about being an Aquarius. I also need mountains to feel secure. It must be since I grew up around mountains that I need them. It wasn't until I moved away from FL and TX that I realized one of the reasons I never felt 100% comfortable was because it was flat.
2. People: I need good friends around me because I need a social network. I also need diversity. I like being able to experience different cultures, foods, etc.
3. Weather: No snow and no humidity. Heat is OK, though. And I need lots of sun because I'm a crappy person when it's cloudy.
4. Sidewalks: When looking for a place to live (i.e. house, apartment), I need sidewalks. I like being able to walk to the grocery, restaurants, drug store, etc.
5. Lots to do: I like living somewhere that has a lot of activities going on. Arts, sports, comedy, etc. That is one of the things I like about OC - there is a lot to do here but LA and San Diego are also close by. There is also the desert and the mountains, too. A great combination!

[georgie-bird.livejournal.com]

One thing I have learned in my long years, and it is very important. No matter where you go, you take yourself with you. It is always best to first examine whether the source of one's discontent is internal or external.

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

Oh honey, remember who your talking to. Remember what led me to move the last time. :-)

Although your words are, of course, wise. And personally, I really don't foresee us moving any time soon. But you made me happy because I know that I am not moving to get away from a part of me or him. :-)

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

First off, get yourself a copy of Richard Florida's book Rise of the Creative Class, which has details about the cities that are doing things right.

That said (and granted, my personal situation is much different from yours):

1. Good local (either city or county) services. Libraries and parks especially. Lots of greenspace that I can easily get to. Perhaps an organic co-op or two that's close by.

2. Walkable or bike-able, and has good public transportation (current home fails miserably on this one).

3. Proximity to extended family. But not TOO close. Within daytrip or weekend trip distance. (This, of course, keeps me in Florida.)

4. Would prefer a place with actual seasons -- yes, even snow. Also, proximity to larger parks. And springs. There must be springs. (Not the season spring, the water-bubbling-out-of-the-ground spring.)

5. Vibrant creative community.

And this is going to sound weird but -- I would like to live in a place that isn't a tourist destination.

Oh, and I would also prefer to be in a place where I could afford a house and a yard. No sharing walls, thank you, and some land so I can plant a victory garden.

[browncolleen.livejournal.com]

It's funny....just about everyone I know, with only a few exceptions, talks about moving away from Orange County. I grew up here - we moved from LA in 1976 when it was still miles of Orange Groves and fields and the cows still grazed on what is now yet another new housing tract in Irvine. I remember when there was nothing out here but open space and I miss that terribly. For me the perfect place to live is the Irvine of 25-30 years ago. I've watched the hills and fields transform into car dealerships, mini malls, and over-prices housing developments while the hordes of people continue to crowd in. I cannot wait to get the hell out of here, although it doesn't look like that will happen any time soon. I've often though about where I'd like to go and while I haven't come up with an answer yet, my top priorities are as follows:

1. Housing must be affordable (it's depressing knowing that if my salary tripled overnight I still wouldn't be able to buy the shitiest condo in the county.)

2. The level of traffic and comute times must be reasonable (no more 45-60 minutes on the freeway to go 12 miles to work)

3. I need to have the ocean within a reasonable distance (preferably the Pacific Ocean)

4. No snow, low humidity. I can take a lot of heat as long as it's DRY.

5. There must be stuff to do with a reasonable distance - shopping, restaurants, museums, theaters, etc.

6. NO TOURISTS! Living near Disneyland is great, dealing with the corn-fed masses visiting from the square states SUCKS!

[brambleberry.livejournal.com]

1. Culture - I moved from Austin to Dallas to backwoods Oklahoma. It's ah ... interesting. I moved for love, but I wouldn't leave behind live music, theatres, entertainment, museums, art, and everything else for less.

2. Climate - I'm finding Oklahoma winters hard because it just never seems to get warm, but my Vermont born sweeties almost can't take Oklahoma summers. So what weather extremes can you abide?

3. Job - I'm an academic librarian. There are jobs all over, but I have to go to the job. So, college towns for me. And a manufacturing base nearby for my engineer to find a job.

4. People - I can make friends anywhere, but I agreed to move here partly because I was moving to a group of really lovely people.

5. Shopping - Sounds crass, but I have to drive more than an hour to get to a needlework shop or to buy organic/gourmet groceries (which includes such rare items as oranges that aren't navel oranges).

Did I mention that living in Austin spoiled me for living anywhere that isn't a liberal foodie town?