Silly question - where is best to ride/live in the US

[CISE]

I have been unemployed for 4 months now, and am beginning to consider looking at out of state locations.

So, if I have to move, I would like it to be some place that has good riding most (if not all year round) and is a nice place to live.

Due to my job skills it appears that I must work in or near a large urban area.

Now where would you think would be a good place to fit those criteria? Oh yea, I should be "retiring" in 15 years or so ....

Thanks for the input.

[..]

N GA, W NC, E TN.

[Duffy]

N GA, W NC, E TN.

Ditto. 

If you need a big city, Atlanta, Charlotte, Knoxville, Chattanooga, maybe even Asheville? Can't beat the riding around here.

[stormrider]

I agree with the previous. I'm looking at eastern Tennesee. No state income tax. And I'll have to put a word in for Southeast Alabama. Dothan is growing and the recession/depression we're in hasn't affected us quite as bad as other areas but it's on it's way here as well. Year round riding. We've had one snow day in 15 years. Lots of roads I ride have very little traffic and are in decent shape.

[Super Santa]

I might suggest Central Texas, around the Austin area. Year round riding.  Texas hill country right west if town.  State capitol yet many smaller towns in close proximity.

And, no state income taxes.

[Cruzen]

Arizona is one of the most diverse states offering hot sunny days, challenging montain as well as desert rides, miles and miles of open roads and easy access to states with similar roads.  Anyone who has ridden here knows we have many of the best riding roads however it is also has one of the higest unemployment rates so finding a job is very difficult.  We do have the longest riding season which for me is about 364 days per year.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

If you can tolerate humidity then Tn. Ga. or Bama would rate right up there I think.

(Edit: Opps, forgot florida as in Pensacola.)

Raymond (packing slowly)

[Oss]

I am in the Hudson Valley of NYS  great scenery within minutes of my house

You can take a MetroNorth train into NYC in less than an hour while your Valkyrie sobs in the garage because its not being ridden unless you are daring (or just stubborn like Bonzo Gman and me)

Access to pristine roads (if you dont mind the potholes and soccer moms and their daughters who are texting and putting on makeup while passing over the double yellow line)

Short drive to interstate 95 which will help with your walking the bike in heavy traffic skills

You will find lots of nice curvy roads which have been strip paved in 2 foot to 3 foot wide strips leaving a nice path about 6-12inches wide to ride in that meanders as the work crew happened to place the strip pave stuff

Snow Ice Sand and Salt  cant forget the snow ice sand and salt that is real great for practicing your how to lift a downed valk skills if your valk slides off the negative canted road that used to have a guard rail

Yep I just love NY

Of course we also have high taxes both real estate sales and income and you will get to practice your language skills  note  sign language use of one finger not always useful in case of armed road rage immigrant taxi drivers

Best of luck to you in your search   The smokies are some great riding  I would however go with southwestern colordado if you can find a city there  Best roads I have ever seen bar none

[rmrc51]

I am in the Hudson Valley of NYS  great scenery within minutes of my house

You can take a MetroNorth train into NYC in less than an hour while your Valkyrie sobs in the garage because its not being ridden unless you are daring (or just stubborn like Bonzo Gman and me)

Access to pristine roads (if you dont mind the potholes and soccer moms and their daughters who are texting and putting on makeup while passing over the double yellow line)

Short drive to interstate 95 which will help with your walking the bike in heavy traffic skills

You will find lots of nice curvy roads which have been strip paved in 2 foot to 3 foot wide strips leaving a nice path about 6-12inches wide to ride in that meanders as the work crew happened to place the strip pave stuff

Snow Ice Sand and Salt  cant forget the snow ice sand and salt that is real great for practicing your how to lift a downed valk skills if your valk slides off the negative canted road that used to have a guard rail

Yep I just love NY

Of course we also have high taxes both real estate sales and income and you will get to practice your language skills  note  sign language use of one finger not always useful in case of armed road rage immigrant taxi drivers

 

LMAO!!! Being that I lived in NY most of my life I can really identify with everything you posted!!!! lol 

[ChromeDome]

I am in the Hudson Valley of NYS  great scenery within minutes of my house

You can take a MetroNorth train into NYC in less than an hour while your Valkyrie sobs in the garage because its not being ridden unless you are daring (or just stubborn like Bonzo Gman and me)

Access to pristine roads (if you dont mind the potholes and soccer moms and their daughters who are texting and putting on makeup while passing over the double yellow line)

Short drive to interstate 95 which will help with your walking the bike in heavy traffic skills

You will find lots of nice curvy roads which have been strip paved in 2 foot to 3 foot wide strips leaving a nice path about 6-12inches wide to ride in that meanders as the work crew happened to place the strip pave stuff

Snow Ice Sand and Salt  cant forget the snow ice sand and salt that is real great for practicing your how to lift a downed valk skills if your valk slides off the negative canted road that used to have a guard rail

Yep I just love NY

Of course we also have high taxes both real estate sales and income and you will get to practice your language skills  note  sign language use of one finger not always useful in case of armed road rage immigrant taxi drivers

Best of luck to you in your search   The smokies are some great riding  I would however go with southwestern colordado if you can find a city there  Best roads I have ever seen bar none

Sounds a lot like Chicago but you forgot CONSTRUCTION! Which, thanks to advances in modern technology, seems to occur about 18 months a year ... or maybe it just feels that way.

[T-Bird]

N GA, W NC, E TN.

Absolutely the best areas!

[hubcapsc]

So, if I have to move, I would like it to be some place that has good riding most (if not all year round) and is a nice place to live.

North Carolina mountains, frozen lake, still riding 



-Mike

[valkmc]

Avoid Florida unless you like high unemployment, low wages and high humidity. The trade off is you never have to winterize your Valk and we have blue skies 90% of the time.

[bigvalkriefan]

Avoid Florida unless you like high unemployment, low wages and high humidity. The trade off is you never have to winterize your Valk and we have blue skies 90% of the time.

I agree. The riding in South Florida sucks. A lot of arrow straight roads that are set up on a grid system. Very hot and humid 7 months out of the year and you have to travel 4-5 hrs to get to any decent riding. From December to April the weather is fantastic but that's when the tourists make our traffic a living nightmare. Come to think of it, why the h#ll am I still here.

[Big Rig]

I am in the Hudson Valley of NYS  great scenery within minutes of my house

You can take a MetroNorth train into NYC in less than an hour while your Valkyrie sobs in the garage because its not being ridden unless you are daring (or just stubborn like Bonzo Gman and me)

Access to pristine roads (if you dont mind the potholes and soccer moms and their daughters who are texting and putting on makeup while passing over the double yellow line)

Short drive to interstate 95 which will help with your walking the bike in heavy traffic skills

You will find lots of nice curvy roads which have been strip paved in 2 foot to 3 foot wide strips leaving a nice path about 6-12inches wide to ride in that meanders as the work crew happened to place the strip pave stuff

Snow Ice Sand and Salt  cant forget the snow ice sand and salt that is real great for practicing your how to lift a downed valk skills if your valk slides off the negative canted road that used to have a guard rail

Yep I just love NY

Of course we also have high taxes both real estate sales and income and you will get to practice your language skills  note  sign language use of one finger not always useful in case of armed road rage immigrant taxi drivers

 

LMAO!!! Being that I lived in NY most of my life I can really identify with everything you posted!!!! lol 

I would like to add South Jersey...just take away the mounts and twisties...and your guns...

[LandElephant]

Well depending on your job skill I believe will dictate where you will ride.  I have been unemployed for the past 4 months and I have done about 11,000 miles of riding mostly south and east from Amarillo Texas.

Many have suggested the TN, NC, SC, GA which has some outstanding riding and some great VRCC riders to enjoy the road with.  The one other suggestion of Central Texas in the Hill country is also not a bad suggestion.  Good riding year round but maybe not as technical as the others listed above.  The one thing is that Austin is booming even during this recession.  Housing cost are reasonable, unemployment is below the national level, no state income tax, and the pay scale is not bad.  A lot of high tech has moved to austin area.  Also they have Bone Daddys which puts Hooters to shame. There is a good group of VRCC'rs that ride out of the Austin / Houston/ San Antonio area.  Arizona is another great area for year round riding.  As stated some very diverse terrain and a good group of Vrcc'rs there also.

I am finally going back to work at about the same level as when I got laid off but it took some time.  Again it depends on your needs.

Charlie

Land Elephant

[Bladedog]

Have you considered the California coast?  Unbelievable weather, scenery, and riding routes.  Clear sunny day right now, temps in the 70's.  I ride year-round, NO snow, some rain here and there in the winter but nothing horrible. Depending on your profession, there are companies hiring.  Home prices have nearly returned to normal.

BUT:

1.    9% sales tax.  OUCH!
2.    Very high state income tax.
3.    They should pretty much hang a sign at the border:  "The government of this state HATES ALL GUNS and doesn't want you to
         have any.  Unless you are a criminal".
4.    Ditto for tobacco.
5.    "Press 1 for English".

[DFragn]

Californie is the place ya oughta be. That's where I'd go back to...

The S.E. has got some great riding too, but you might do better career wise in CA.

It takes days sometimes to be found if ya run off the hill solo. Not good...some injuries could be survivable, but not over days.



This bottom map doesn't include all the secondary mountain  roads.

[Tx Bohemian]

I am in the Hudson Valley of NYS  great scenery within minutes of my house

You can take a MetroNorth train into NYC in less than an hour while your Valkyrie sobs in the garage because its not being ridden unless you are daring (or just stubborn like Bonzo Gman and me)

Access to pristine roads (if you dont mind the potholes and soccer moms and their daughters who are texting and putting on makeup while passing over the double yellow line)

Short drive to interstate 95 which will help with your walking the bike in heavy traffic skills

You will find lots of nice curvy roads which have been strip paved in 2 foot to 3 foot wide strips leaving a nice path about 6-12inches wide to ride in that meanders as the work crew happened to place the strip pave stuff

Snow Ice Sand and Salt  cant forget the snow ice sand and salt that is real great for practicing your how to lift a downed valk skills if your valk slides off the negative canted road that used to have a guard rail

Yep I just love NY

Of course we also have high taxes both real estate sales and income and you will get to practice your language skills  note  sign language use of one finger not always useful in case of armed road rage immigrant taxi drivers

Best of luck to you in your search   The smokies are some great riding  I would however go with southwestern colordado if you can find a city there  Best roads I have ever seen bar none

Sounds a lot like Chicago but you forgot CONSTRUCTION! Which, thanks to advances in modern technology, seems to occur about 18 months a year ... or maybe it just feels that way.

Just to get a rise I was going to put "any place in Texas" but there's no way to beat these posts. 

These are funny!!  Especially the "lifting/walking your bike skills" & the "18 months a year" construction.

[Brad]

The better the job....the better the riding...there is always good riding.....so where ever you find a job thats where the riding will be good.   

[Tundra]

I would cross Florida off your list, sorry Florida riders, just sayin. It's kind of like a one way trip. Wages in Florida are low in comparison to much of the Country, unless you come with a bucket full of money many can't afford to get back out.
  We are considering getting the heck out of here and interested in Eastern Tennesse, Western North Carolina. Lot's of great places to visit, great outdoors, great riding and seasons. Other than summer and Hurricane season  Seems the VRCC is strong and proud there

[Jess from VA]

I agree with the previous. I'm looking at eastern Tennesee. No state income tax. And I'll have to put a word in for Southeast Alabama. Dothan is growing and the recession/depression we're in hasn't affected us quite as bad as other areas but it's on it's way here as well. Year round riding. We've had one snow day in 15 years. Lots of roads I ride have very little traffic and are in decent shape.

Stormrider, I'm also looking at East TN (spent '84-5 at Maxwell AFB); I was sold on the area after attending Inzane at Johnson City year before last.  I retire in a few days, but must stay put in No VA for about three years for several reasons, but plan to ride down to scout the area during this time.  I would like a mountain/countrified location out of any town, and no 'neighborhood.'  Are you actively looking or planning to move?  I hope to get a little help from local VRCCers in my quest for my final abode.

[stormrider]

I agree with the previous. I'm looking at eastern Tennesee. No state income tax. And I'll have to put a word in for Southeast Alabama. Dothan is growing and the recession/depression we're in hasn't affected us quite as bad as other areas but it's on it's way here as well. Year round riding. We've had one snow day in 15 years. Lots of roads I ride have very little traffic and are in decent shape.

Stormrider, I'm also looking at East TN (spent '84-5 at Maxwell AFB); I was sold on the area after attending Inzane at Johnson City year before last.  I retire in a few days, but must stay put in No VA for about three years for several reasons, but plan to ride down to scout the area during this time.  I would like a mountain/countrified location out of any town, and no 'neighborhood.'  Are you actively looking or planning to move?  I hope to get a little help from local VRCCers in my quest for my final abode.

Been looking at some real estate sites. Always thought about Western NC but have a friend just outside Pikesville. I can buy 10 acres for $25k on top of the hill, they call it a mountain. I always heard it called the foothills of Tennessee. No jobs in that area though. Course if you're retiring, who gives a rat, that means you can hire someone to help with whatever project ya got for less than other areas. My friend was making about $1k-1.5k a week in construction till the bottom fell out. Now he works for a plumber making $8. an hour. Still a beautiful place to visit and live. Also found 12 acres SE of Cleveland which has lots of potential. I'm kinda scouting now for down the road.

[highcountry]

I live in the Denver area and the riding opportunities in the summer and fall are spectacular as most know.  I actually have ridden off and on throughout the winter when the days reached the upper 30s.  At this altitude the snow melts off the streets very quickly.  Of course, the mountains and foothills are off-limits in the winter but there is plenty of good riding east and south of Denver.  Also, the Black Hills of SD are only about 7 hrs away.

[sheets]

The Kalifornya coast is bee-u-tiful.  I suspect the central/south coast has more to offer employment wise than the far north.  The above California post with the green stripe leading north from SF up Hwy 1 to Leggett . . . unsurpassed scenery - unsurpassed real estate prices - unsurpassed unemployment, unless you're a self-made man or a TFB.  Service industry serves the well-to-do from the south.  Self employed high tech types can telecommute, I suppose.  Fishing and logging has dried up.  Vineyards and boutique shops are all the rage these days, not to mention pot farms (medicinal, ya know).  Beautiful roads . . . when its not raining - or gale force winds - or so foggy even the ducks are walking.  The coast does offer a nice riding season due to the lack of snow and ice.  Hopefully you have the skills to scratch out a living up this way.  Been here for 35 years and counting.  Three more and I'm history.  Yrmv,          

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

God's Country...Dixie

[Redline +]

Well depending on your job skill I believe will dictate where you will ride.  I have been unemployed for the past 4 months and I have done about 11,000 miles of riding mostly south and east from Amarillo Texas.

Many have suggested the TN, NC, SC, GA which has some outstanding riding and some great VRCC riders to enjoy the road with.  The one other suggestion of Central Texas in the Hill country is also not a bad suggestion.  Good riding year round but maybe not as technical as the others listed above.  The one thing is that Austin is booming even during this recession.  Housing cost are reasonable, unemployment is below the national level, no state income tax, and the pay scale is not bad.  A lot of high tech has moved to austin area.  Also they have Bone Daddys which puts Hooters to shame. There is a good group of VRCC'rs that ride out of the Austin / Houston/ San Antonio area.  Arizona is another great area for year round riding.  As stated some very diverse terrain and a good group of Vrcc'rs there also.

I am finally going back to work at about the same level as when I got laid off but it took some time.  Again it depends on your needs.

Charlie

Land Elephant

Charlie,

We will need pictures of Bone Daddys before considering Texas.

Redline

[LandElephant]

Redline,
Let me say this about bone Daddys.  The food (I know a strange statement) is much better than Hooters.  Also, Hooters changed their uniforms to stay up with the competition aka Bone Daddys.  But for all I will sacrifice myself and attempt to get some photos now that I am heading towards San Antonio,  It;s a great sacrific but I'm willing to step up to the plate.

Charlie
Land Elephant

[Varmintmist]

Quick answer;
Where the work is at is the best place to ride because thats where you can afford to have a bike.

[CISE]

Thanks everyone for the ideas - I appreciate it.

Makes it easier to slim down the areas to search for (sorry NJ & CA, but my wife bought me a tommy gun (the semi auto version of course) for Christmas so I ain't moving there.)

[Varmintmist]

Well then, except for the winters, PA has some pretty good roads and more firearms per capita than any state in the union, shall issue LTCF, and there are some jobs here is WPA

[Jess from VA]

my wife bought me a tommy gun

That is my kind of wife!

(though I've had two, and don't want another)