jmood

"Visited" Ithaca several times. Quite progressive, pretty, mostly well educated people. Can get buried in snow at winter but I personally don't mind at all (in 2 separate years got caught there in a snowstorm and we were still driving when the streets were empty). It is very small though.

You mentioned being fed up of traffic in CA. Anywhere in NJ or anywhere immediately north of NYC it's going to be the same.

Hotscot

Yes I gathered that...this is going to be tough....

Sally Redux

I think it's tough when you're just seeing it as a stepping-stone. We were sort of thinking along those lines, but then, is it worth the upheaval when it's not what you ultimately want? I know it's harder for you because of the business.

Hotscot

I do think it's worth it Sally.
Can't stand where we are right now...and the heat and sun is killing me..
For the business will be @ 5-7 year before we can leave the US and return to dear old Blighty.
Need somewhere for the interim.

As you know intended O.C. but we've 'ad enough of CA.

Sally Redux

Oh I hear you on the heat - but then you've got the humidity on the other side.

But it could be a nice boost, not trying to be overly negative (for once).

Hotscot

I think you always tread a nice line in diplomacy

But yes that's another point...I think I find humidity worse than dry heat.
There must be a sliver of the country for me somewhere in the East...

Sally Redux

Really?

I don't know much about it 'back east' as they always call it in LA (). My husband was saying that places like Washington DC feel more European, but are noticeably more humid.

A wee sliver must exist. Have you been able to explore?

Hotscot

Indeed..quite liked the New England region but of course we only had a brief snapshot.
We'll do plenty more visiting in the next couple of years.

Sally Redux

Nutmegger

Here you go, Hotscot -- found just the house for you, an "English Manor" in CT! Went to a yard sale there today -- not my taste, but I wouldn't say no to the indoor pool!

26 Giles Hill Rd, Redding, CT 06896 is For Sale - Zillow

Hotscot

Wow....

I do have my Scottish flag to hang

Nutmegger

I think it would look great against all that wood paneling!

WEBlue

There's a Home Depot now in Hyannis, not far from the Mall. So only a half hour away if it's not rush hour....

Or a crash on one of the bridges will close it down for a few hours, as we discovered last year when trying to visit relatives.

Hmm... "5 land parcels, totaling 300 contiguous acres, making it the largest, privately-owned land mass in Fairfield County!"

A mere 20 million dollars, though the Zestimate is only $6 million.

joto

Sorry, not much help here as I much prefer the heat and sun in southern CA to "the frozen north". We did live in MA when we first moved over here and for 9 years. The long winters did get to me after winter #2. The snow never seemed to leave between November and March/April. I had enough of that. We were in CO for a few years and that was good. Not too long winters and the summers were nice, but not too hot.

jmood

If climate is so important perhaps you need a winter home and a summer home.