OK, I have been in the Chicago area for nearly 5 years now and the winter is just killing me so I am planning on getting out.

Since I moved to Chicago I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and in the winter my hands and feet are extremely uncomfortable, this is the 3rd winter with the arthritis and I don't see it getting any better. My psoriasis flares up in the winter too but a humidifier in the house helps a bit. Roll the clocks forward to the summer and no pain in my hands, unless i have had a hard day gardening, no pain at all in my feet and all my crustiness clears up also. So I have come to the decision that I have to move to a warmer climate rather than suffer for 4 months of the year unless I take some serious drugs (who's side effects a very very scary if you read them all!)

So rather than just open the floor to a "where should I live?" question which I know is too vague I will give you a bit of background information:

1. We need to move somewhere with a reasonable metro area as I need some manufacturing activity there and my wife is small animal vet so rural is out.
2. Neither of us is religious at all so am not sure if the bible belt will be suitable.
3. Both us are vegan/vegatarian so need somewhere that will at least have some grocery stores that will carry Boca/Gardenburgers/Tofu etc.
4. Both Liberal.
5. Love to be outdoors, like walking and biking.
6. Preferable no or extremely rare snow/ice.
7. Would prefer a more laid back lifestyle than the work, work, work one I currently have in Chicago.
8. Not too far from a reasonable size airport so family can visit with out too much hassle.
9. Good schools are no important as we home school or pets (we are not planning on kids, my condition being hereditary being one reason)


I really can't think of anything else, right now I am thinking of AZ (Phoenix or Tuscan), Las Vegas, or California (away from the coast).

Thanks for anyone who takes the time to read my post and reply.

GESC

I was literally reading through what you said thinking 'Phoenix' throughout much of the post, only to see you are already contemplating that. I also thought Tempe which is a bit smaller but a college town which might give you a few more activities that you would enjoy despite the smaller size.

Seattle would also fit much of your requirements, but I don't know how the humidity (i.e. rain) would affect your medical situation, which is why I was looking more to the SW.

My second recommendation was Las Vegas, which you also seem to be considering. I'm not talking about the Casino strip you see everyday, but the huge metropolis that has been built around that. Vegas is a pretty fast growing city and the fact remains that most resident rarely ever set foot in a casino.

Phoenix should be your goal. I fits ALL your criteria. Plus it's a really beautiful city. My parents loved it when we lived there and wouldn't mind going back. And it's a big departure from Chicago.

Chapel Hill, NC sounds like it may suit you and your wife. Despite your reservations about the "Bible Belt", I've not found locals in the Triangle (Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Durham) to be in your face with religion, particularly Christianity.

Chapel Hill in Orange County, NC is generally considered the most liberal of the the three Triangle cities/towns (CH is a town). You don't specify what kind of manufacturing work you're looking for but there is manufacturing within the Triangle area and RDU International Airport is maybe 30-40 mins drive from CH. There's the American Airlines direct, non-stop flight to LGW (shortly to change to LHR) daily too.

Hi:

First of all -- where is Tuscan? I've heard of Tucson. I really like Flagstaff AZ -- but it is up at 7,000 ft elevation and is not really warm in Winter, but it is not super-hot in Summer often being 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix. Las Vegas is often quite nippy in winter.

There are many places. By the way, being "liberal" one should note that even the bluest of "blue states" are, in reality purple and quite often have strong pockets of red. Your very state of Illinois is an example. And I've seen vegetarian/vegan stuff in the most unexpected places.

Also, it pays to factor in the cost of living.

On the cold -- my parents gave up on Ohio winters and came to LA in 1947. But note that winter in most places is MUCH less severe than Chicago. For example, there was mention of Seattle. I happen to like Portland OR myself.

You might also want to consider the San Francisco Bay AREA outside of the City itself -- there is a wide variation in climate within the Bay Area.

I can see how DuPage county might turn you off! Let's see:
Lots of religious fanatics who would like to see creationism taught in public schools? Check.
99.9999% republican? Check.
Siberian winters? Check.
Intense, keep up with the Joneses community pressure? Check.

Phoenix is alright, but a bit of a cultural wasteland, IMO. It's more like a gigantic suburb than a proper city, IMO. Also, this may be obvious, but it's unbearably hot in the summer: skull-melting, furnace-blast hot. It's the hottest city in the US. The people are great, though. I really like everyone I've met from the southwest.

If the heat's not a problem, check out Santa Fe, NM which is one of my favorite cities in the country. Lots of culture, relatively good economy, great food, absolutely breaktaking surroundings, great people. If you want outdoorsy pursuits, look no further... amazing skiing, hiking, etc, etc, etc.

If marginally cold is bearable, check out Asheville, NC which is also gorgeous (in a different way) and has lots to offer. It's also among the best places to live if you're outdoorsy with world class white-water rafting, mountain biking and hiking.

Lastly, Austin, TX which is just an amazing place to live from many angles. It's the "live music capital of the US", has some of the best mexican restaurants I've ever eaten at, has terrific people, is pretty, has a young, vibrant scene, has a booming economy etc, etc. I love it there.

Good suggestion with Santa Fe. From what I understand - it's still reasonable to live there too. My parents live in Sedona, AZ and like it very much - but one problem you run into is that several people have vacation homes there - so oftentimes neighborhoods are half empty the majority of the time. Beautiful country though.

So a good place to resume my burgary career then?

For that I'll sic a javalina on you.

Margate............

Seriously though, I'm sorry to read about your diagnosis. I hope that you manage to get the better of it. Good Luck

Jim.

Did you mean buggery by any chance?

Oh another major reason for the OP to consider the Triangle, in particular, Chapel Hill, is top notch medical services. Some specialties are better than others at UNC Hospitals but there's also Duke down the road... or Wake Med in Raleigh.

There's some manufacturing in Wellington, but more in Auckland. Your wife's occupation is on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, so pretty much automatic PR.

I've met two people who are religious here, and neither of them shove it down your throat.

No probs!

We have a leftie government.

Definitely the place for you!

Snow... oh yeah, we'll see that in winter on the mountains in the distance, but that's it.

Check! My work week is a pretty strict 37 1/2 hours. And I'm salaried.

Check, Wellington is a one-hour flight from Auckland, the POE for this country. Mind you... it's pretty much a day's travel from the UK...

No worries then!

Oh wait... you were asking about places in the US, not New Zealand...

The temp has been relatively mild this winter so far but I know what you mean, I had to go to Austin, Tx over New Year and flew out out of 20F at O'Hare with freezing fog and a coming blizzard into blue skys and 85F temps so whilst friends were shifting snow I was sat by a pool having an outdoor barbeque under palm trees

I'm seriously thinking that now I have an EAD a move south may be called for

However I'm not sure about the laid back lifestyle down there a friend has been trying to get his Cable fixed since before Christmas, they just make appointments and then don't show up. At least in Chi we expect people to make appointments and keep to them

If it weren't for the cold, most of NE would hit the spot

How about New Mexico?