• This site contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link, Poker Chip Forum may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

If you could live anywhere, where would you? (3 Viewers)

JScott

JScott

Flush
Joined
Nov 3, 2019
Messages
1,154
Reaction score
2,984
Location
Whistler, BC
So, I'm in an interesting situation. We just sold our house and have the opportunity to do pretty much anything as we're not tied at all financially to our community. I work remotely with a couple of businesses in mining/agriculture and don't need to live in a specific area for these either, my wife is a stay at home mom, kids are 6 & 8 so we're basically free to do whatever. We have great friends, but no super strong ties to the community. We have no debt, and a bit of a windfall from this sale.

Ideally I'd stay in Whistler, as it's heaven on earth, safe, beautiful scenery, amenities, close to but not TOO close to a major city... it has it all but it's also ridiculously expensive. Our next step up of a home here would be $4 million and that just feels stupid to spend that kind of money. The kids aren't really taking advantage of the sports here and could use some worldly influence. I need to invest the money from the sale, but wouldn't mind taking a year or two and going somewhere. I'm a cowboy at heart, but I still love the mountains.

I want to stay away from cities, but right now we're feeling like we're in the position to go anywhere in the world. What would you do?
 
Honestly having traveled a lot for work and having lived for a couple years in Ontario, I'm pretty much set on living in BC. Climate is moderate, people are decent, and aside from cost of living no real negatives (well, there is the rain). If I moved somewhere I think it would likely be somewhere in Europe. I love the Netherlands.
 
grantc54 said:
Honestly having traveled a lot for work and having lived for a couple years in Ontario, I'm pretty much set on living in BC. Climate is moderate, people are decent, and aside from cost of living no real negatives (well, there is the rain). If I moved somewhere I think it would likely be somewhere in Europe. I love the Netherlands.
Click to expand...
I was okay with the cost of living to a point. But it's starting to feel really stupid looking at $4.5 million dollar 90's homes with terrible floor plans. I mean, $4+ MILLION DOLLARS for these shitholes.

I just can't justify it anymore. And I couldn't move back to Vancouver, it's the traffic that kills me.
 
JScott said:
I was okay with the cost of living to a point. But it's starting to feel really stupid looking at $4.5 million dollar 90's homes with terrible floor plans. I mean, $4+ MILLION DOLLARS for these shitholes.

I just can't justify it anymore. And I couldn't move back to Vancouver, it's the traffic that kills me.
Click to expand...
Why not move east of the city? Lots of options and it's tolerable as long as you don't go too far east (go too far and you'll end up with neighbours like @Jeevansluck). For $2.5M-$3M you could buy a pretty nice piece of property in the east part of Langley and onwards.
 
I'm probably opposite of you, Scott. We're not really the outdoorsy type, unless we're talking parties on the patio with lots of good food. We're culture nuts, so we thrive best in a big city that has lots of venues for art, music, performances, etc. And food, lovely food from everywhere, love to discover these.
 
I have travelled a fair bit and BC is hard to beat. Whistler is pretty amazing and the pricing is justified albeit insane.

If it was me I would make some solid investments with the liquidity (bitcoin) and rent somewhere out of town that is a bit cheaper like even Squamish.

If you want a travel fix just go on holidays to Mexico or Hawaii and then go back to Whistler.
 
WOW. What a great open question. Been around a bit in my travels but this is giving me something to ponder!
 
Id say somewhere in Australia but we are closed for business atm.

As for getting some worldly influenece for your children thats sounds like a great idea. Could that not be accomplished with frequent travel? If not maybe some where in Europe if thats an option? Im fortunate to have dual Australian European passport so thats an option for me. Maybe check out which countries would let you in and shortlist from there.
 
Travel is an option, which is partly why I don't want to spend loads on a house, but I also know this market will take a long time to slow down. If I move, we're never coming back.

It would be a much simpler thing if covid wasn't happening, I'd love to be travelling around right now.

It's so tempting to just buy a villa in Costa Rica and say "fuck it".
 
Two factors come into play for me.

1 Fantasy- where would I love to live barr any type of other factors such as cost, family, etc…

2. What’s practical given cost and family. My wife and I often speak about moving out of CA for various reasons but all of our family is close which makes it tough.

I don’t know the particulars, but I freakin loved Spain when I’ve traveled there!!!
 
I share the opinion that a couple of years in Europe -- France, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain -- would be hugely beneficial for your kids, as well as giving you and your wife a lot more input as to what really matters to you when the kids head off to school. The broad experience shapes and enriches your life, as a few years in Italy and Germany did for my wife, as the youngest of six kids.

It turns out the my wife and I lived a block apart in Heidelberg in 1967, but of course we never met. Her dad was an army general, and I a lowly lieutenant. But those unshared experiences have been meaningful nonetheless.

In Latin America, both Panama and Costa Rica have a lot to offer -- we have close friends who've returned late in life to the States from both.

You're very fortunate to be in this situation -- I hope you take advantage of it!
 
Last edited:
You and your wife living a block apart in Heidelberg in 67 but never having met is freakin amazing. = small world
 
I would agree with @pltrgyst - the experience of living in Europe for your kids would be priceless. I spent summers in Munich with my Oma & Opa from age 9-13 and still have very fond memories of that time. I learned the language and was fully conversational until my mid 30’s when I forgot most of it - lol.

For me, it would be Bavaria, in the outskirts of Munich.
 
I'm bias but... Vancouver Island. Victoria is a laid back Vancouver. Comox/Courtney is a cheap Squamish. Next step.. Australia. You're bound to have some contacts down there.
 
South Africa, near Kruger Park
 
I used to travel to Canada a bit for my job many years ago in my late 20’s/early 30’s. Spent most of my time in the St Catherine’s / Toronto area, and some time in North Bay (in the winter - lol), and once or twice to Halifax.

Always thought Toronto was a fantastic city (except the traffic), with a great music scene. The other scenery wasn’t bad either - lol. Always came home from Toronto thinking there must be something in the water. Would have loved to live there when I was young and single :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:.

Liked St Catherine’s as well, far away from the city, but close enough. North Bay, not so much, that place was COLD!!
 
Switzerland, with quick access to mountains, lakes, cities, and the rest of Europe.

Given that it is so damn expensive, then maybe on a lake near the French, Italian, or Austrian Alps.
 
F Europe. F Hawaii. F all these places to live. Feel free to visit but to live the NW corner of the USA/BC Canada is where it's at for me. ;)

I snowboard in the winter and play outside in the mountains and trees in the summer, this are is perfect for me. I've traveled to a lot of places that I love to visit, and I was born in Scottsdale so Arizona will always be a soft spot of mine- but I don't think I will ever give up at least one place to live in this area.

I like the heat, I like the snow, I like the mountains, I like the trees, and I love seeing green around me.

It's upper left/BC for me.
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account and join our community. It's easy!

Register

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Similar threads

CraigT78
ExPats Where you at?
2 3
Replies
74
Views
3K
pltrgyst
pltrgyst
cpac54
Vegas On-Strip Hotel for Couples Trip
Replies
5
Views
347
cpac54
cpac54
D
Headed to New Zeeland and Australia November
Replies
15
Views
604
DrStrange
D
GodStillBlesses
Bryson Motorsports is drag racing in Orlando, FL this week
Replies
5
Views
300
pocketJs
pocketJs
chkmte
Warning! You probably shouldn't use CashApp
Replies
0
Views
132
chkmte
chkmte
Back
Top Bottom