If money were no object - what city/state would you live in?

[ClaraOswald]

Today, my husband and I were talking about if we'd ever move to a different state in the future and if so, where would we want to go. So then for fun, I started looking at houses on Zillow (which I do way too often.)

I realized pretty quickly that most places near the top of my list are far from being affordable!

So it just got me thinking about where would I consider moving and buying a house if money were no object for me.

And I'm wondering where you all would choose and why? Would you prefer to have a house? Condo? Apartment? Etc.? Do you want a small lot? Tons of land? Etc.

 

[ClaraOswald]

My first thought was that I would want to be within a 1 day drive to Disneyland. Though I did once live 10 minutes from the park....I think I'd rather it stay a vacation destination for our family at this point. Especially since we have DVC and love the Grand Californian. So that basically opens up things within 500 miles or so.

The problem....the weather. I wouldn't want anything super hot like in the desert so that would mean we'd have to be closer to the coast. That's where the "too expensive" part would come in. But if money were no object....hmm....maybe somewhere a little farther north in California.

I would want somewhere warm enough to use a pool year round. But not sweltering. (Though I can deal with a month or 2 of bad heat since we have that here in Nebraska.)

I would want a house on at least an acre, I think. I don't really want tons of land to take care of. But I don't want my neighbors breathing down my neck either.

Outside of California, I'd consider some place like Oregon but not sure I'd like the weather. I've never been up there but it looks pretty!

Utah is pretty but I would need to be near a decent sized city and I don't care for the cities I've been to there at all.

In reality, if we suddenly had millions and millions to spend on a house, we'd probably just end up buying land near here (Omaha-area) to build. Or we'd find a house in one of the few neighborhoods in my area that have decent sized lots.

 

[dizneegirl]

I'd stay where I am, but buy the houses/land on either side of me.

I'm amending this... if money were no object, I'd keep my house, buy the houses/land on either side of me... AND I'd buy a house in Golden Oaks.

 

[kdonnel]

I would own enough homes so that I could move every few weeks. Sometimes cold, sometimes hot, sometimes just right. I would mix it up.

 

[leebee]

I'd go back to either the Boston area, which is home, near my siblings, cousins, etc., or to the Bay Area; we lived in San Francisco for several years and loved it. I am a city mouse, so being near a major city would be my dream. I'd happily have a condo (2br, 1.5baths, decent kitchen, in-house laundry, decent space) with a small backyard and a deck. We are getting "up there" in age and maintaining a yard and exterior of a house is getting to be a lot of work. Sigh... never gonna happen, far too $$$$$ (and my retirement accounts have taken a beating this week...)

 

[ClaraOswald]

I'd stay where I am, but buy the houses/land on either side of me.

Smart!

I would own enough homes so that I could move every few weeks. Sometimes cold, sometimes hot, sometimes just right. I would mix it up.

I like that idea. I'd love a cabin in the mountains somewhere but wouldn't necessarily want to live there year-round. A beach house would be nice, but again, not year round.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Does it have to be in the US? Because barring money and the logistics, I would 100% move to another country. Preferably somewhere that is not extremely hot.

If it's limited to the US, then I'm fine staying where I am.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I'd go back to either the Boston area, which is home, near my siblings, cousins, etc., or to the Bay Area; we lived in San Francisco for several years and loved it. I am a city mouse, so being near a major city would be my dream. I'd happily have a condo (2br, 1.5baths, decent kitchen, in-house laundry, decent space) with a small backyard and a deck. We are getting "up there" in age and maintaining a yard and exterior of a house is getting to be a lot of work. Sigh... never gonna happen, far too $$$$$ (and my retirement accounts have taken a beating this week...)

Yeah, I like to dream but I know we'll never be able to afford the places at the top of my list.

I've never visited San Francisco or Boston but both seem like cool places.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Does it have to be in the US? Because barring money and the logistics, I would 100% move to another country. Preferably somewhere that is not extremely hot.

If it's limited to the US, then I'm fine staying where I am.

It can be anywhere you want. I haven't left the country ever so I don't know enough about other places to know if I'd want to live in one. But if others do...it's just for fun so pick wherever you want. No rules!

 

[longboard55]

A lot of super rich people end up in Newport Beach CA, really has everything plus good weather all year. It is 30 minutes to disneyland but that would not be the selling point. But income taxes have become an issue, actually despite all the hey hoo California income taxes are not that big of a deal for most people because they are heavily graduated but high incomes take a big hit

 

[PollyannaMom]

If I'm staying in the states, I'm happy with my location (nearest big city is Boston). I'd just build the perfect house.

If we're talking worldwide, I'd have to do some research.

 

[dizneegirl]

Well, now, if we're leaving the country, I'd have a house in Germany, too.

 

[tvguy]

Not going anywhere. I am nearly 68 and have lived in 4 places, all within 6 miles of where I am right now. Moved when I was 3, 24, and 25. Moving is just not my thing. Forget money is no object, moving is just too much work.
I married an Air Force brat, and a child of divorce. First 10 years of her life, she moved 12 times. From age 10 to 16 she moved another 8 times as her mom changed residents and boyfriends. She has made it clear she NEVER wants to move ever again.
So different reasons but my wife and I have no plans to move ever, although a care home might be necessary at some point.
If money was no object, I would travel a lot but not move.

 

[GAN]

Probably San Diego….

 

[easyas123]

Hoopers Island, MD

Does it have to be in the US? Because barring money and the logistics, I would 100% move to another country. Preferably somewhere that is not extremely hot.

If it's limited to the US, then I'm fine staying where I am.

or..

Vienna, Austria

 

[Genie+]

Italy

 

[QueenIsabella]

If money were no object, I don't know that I'd be in a rush to move. I like where I am--coastal North Carolina, in a nice development that feels like a resort (quiet, we back up to a golf course), but yet I can get virtually anything within a 3-mile radius.

OTOH, I'd love to travel, and would definitely look into one of those high-end rental companies, where I could stay in Aspen for winter skiing, Rome for a month, Maui for a couple weeks--you get the idea. Let someone else worry about the maintenance and upkeep!

 

[TippyThomas]

Probably somewhere in California. I've never been, but I hear the weather is pretty ideal all year round. That works for me!

 

[georgina]

Where we live has nothing to do with money. We moved here to be closer to our DD, her DH, and our grandson. I like the area where I live now. If I did not have children, I would probably move to Ireland.

 

[leebee]

If international options are on the table, I'm moving to Paris. Actually, I'd go be an ex-pat tomorrow, if France was letting Americans in.