Where do you live? And why?

[ElToro]

san francisco bay area. Born and raised in San Jose. Family been here since 1870s or so. yes i hate the politics but its also all ive known. my bro left for TX a few years ago. if it wasnt for my 98 year old grandma and my 70 year old folks that im very close and loyal to, i'd bail. maybe after my grandma passes my parents wont have much to stay for. they are retired and could sell or rent their home easily. we could all pack up for TX and start anew there. my bro already has the groundwork laid. my wife has been really anti california lately and wants to move away before the kids get entrenched in school. both are pre-k

its tough to pick up and move. i have a very very good paying job here.

[DammitBoy]

Born in Southern Cali, raised in Washington DC, went to college in Alabama, and kept marrying southern women.

I've worked my way west to Mississippi so far, and this is where my kids are.

So here is where I'll stay.

[Victor1Echo]

I live in Independence, ca because I hated So California--traffic, smog, people,illegals and just so much over development made me feel like a rat in a cage. Since I am a teacher, I just applied all up and down highway 395. I got job and moved. I now live about 7 miles from a national forest, am on friendly terms with our counties sheriff, but best of all live in a atown of less than 600 people. Oh, I can also shoot my guns on public land about 4 miles from my house. I get to live in the area of my dear tag, which most people in California probably don't get to do. I feel like I live in another state, except for all the illegals.

[marv]

I live a mile from where I was born. Family biz has kept me here. Used to think of places I'd rather be. Too late now.

[Sport45]

Born a Texan and have bounced around the state a bit following the paycheck. Just outside of Houston now.

[aka108]

Born in SoCal. Loved being there in my teens and early 20's during the 1950's. All formal eduction in that State. Navy sent me to Florida in 1960 and the place sort of took hold of me. Transferred back to CA and the place was in the process of changing for the worse. From CA I went to Seattle on a promotion and hated the place. Drizzled all the time and the sun only came out in the middle of the work week. So, returned to Florida and never left however I had some great experiences in North NV while young and built a retirement home outside of Elko which we used for 15 years. Sold it last year since just getting too old to maintain two places.
In Tallahassee we are only 4 miles from a regional med center, 1 mile from major shopping yet the house still seems out in the country where it was when we built it. Would not move for anything.

[cleardiddion]

Born in Pucheon, ROK moved to Bakersfield, CA when I was seven.

From there we went East(a bit different) to Longmont, CO a year and a half later.
Was there for 14 years with the exception of 4 years of FL for my education (ERAU more specifically).

Folks' place went under and I moved up with them here to Cheyenne, WY.
Folks moved on, I stayed.
Why?

A lot had to do with my job (wandering all up and down WY and into CO) but it also had a lot do with the fact that I really like it here. Centrally located to where I want (and need) to be, less people and a higher proportion of good ones, good climate (mostly), lots of open spaces, and the gun laws are damned good.

Oh and the tax rates, they help quite a bit to keep me rooted here.

[archigos]

Upstate NY

Sorry this is long, but I really want to explain my roots here and hopefully dispel some thoughts about us Upstate New York RKBA supporters.

I've been here my whole life so far (I'm in my late twenties, for those who must know). I was born here and raised here. I was stupid and stayed local for college for a girl (though that college wound up being great for me). I've kept stumbling into decent jobs around here since, and now that I'm finally more mobile and could find a job elsewhere, my wife (not the aforementioned girl) is finally in a job that is great for her.

Make no mistake about it. I want to escape NY in the worst way, and escape really is the only term for it. I love the climate and the landscape, but the politics are horrific. I do some behind-the-scenes politically-related work and the additional exposure is even more disheartening - some of the more disgusting things never make their way to the news. The thought of living here and paying taxes to this corrupt machine causes me such emotional pain that it sometimes manifests itself as physical discomfort. My wife and I have arguments because she wants to buy a house, but I refuse to do so in this state. We're living in a cramped apartment for the sole reason that we're still in NY.
Yet, I'm still stuck here (for now). I'll make my escape someday, but family comes first, and this is the happiest I have ever seen my wife. When she gets some time in this role on her resume we'll find a better place for us, and I really cannot wait.

I often see people post on this forum that its NY residents' fault for living in NY, and that's pretty hard for me to read on The High Road. I didn't choose to live here, I was born here, and I've been kept here originally by my need for a job and now by my commitment to my wife - and I have no shame for this.
While I've been here, I've worked diligently to change things as best as I can. I grew up in an anti-gun family and have, through about 15 years of work, managed to persuade my entire [local] family to support RKBA. My uncle now is a skeet instructor at his gun club, my brother works for a very pro-gun federal politician, my father has permits in multiple states, and even my mother (who previously wouldn't even allow a gun her home) has finally gotten her permit of her own accord, though she doesn't really use it. As I said, I do some behind-the-scenes political work and am highly motivated to work to make things better. My business has discounted more than we've taken in so far this year for the sake of helping the good guys. I've slaved away for pennies on the dollar, and didn't have any need to do so.
Don't think less of me because I'm from NYS, and don't tell me its my fault. I am every bit as committed to RKBA as most anyone on THR. I am dying to escape this state, but have reasons that I can't just yet. While I'm stuck here, I am doing everything in my power to fight for our rights. I have no shame for continuously facing oppression, and I'm proud of how I handle it.

[boomhower1820]

I'm originally from a cow town in Ohio. I graduated from college and didn't want to move back home. My sister have got married and bought a house in Charlotte, NC. She offered to let me come down and stay with her. Eventually got my own place. GF at the tome(now wife) got pregnant. We got broke. Her family was from a small town not to far away so we went there. Six years later we're living in another small town not far away and I couldn't be happier. Big cities are great when your single, smaller towns much better to raise a family.

[Johnny Dollar]

I often see people post on this forum that its NY residents' fault for living in NY, and that's pretty hard for me to read on The High Road. I didn't choose to live here, I was born here, and I've been kept here originally by my need for a job and now by my commitment to my wife - and I have no shame for this.
While I've been here, I've worked diligently to change things as best as I can. I grew up in an anti-gun family and have, through about 15 years of work, managed to persuade my entire [local] family to support RKBA. My uncle now is a skeet instructor at his gun club, my brother works for a very pro-gun federal politician, my father has permits in multiple states, and even my mother (who previously wouldn't even allow a gun her home) has finally gotten her permit of her own accord, though she doesn't really use it. As I said, I do some behind-the-scenes political work and am highly motivated to work to make things better. My business has discounted more than we've taken in so far this year for the sake of helping the good guys. I've slaved away for pennies on the dollar, and didn't have any need to do so.
Don't think less of me because I'm from NYS, and don't tell me its my fault. I am every bit as committed to RKBA as most anyone on THR. I am dying to escape this state, but have reasons that I can't just yet. While I'm stuck here, I am doing everything in my power to fight for our rights. I have no shame for continuously facing oppression, and I'm proud of how I handle it.

Thank you for posting,archigos. Transforming your entire anti gun family in NYS into firm RKBA believers is nothing short of a miracle. You are to be commended. And hang in there. Your wife will eventually come around and you will get the dream job and location you so absolutely deserve.

I can relate to a degree,being born in New Jersey, whose gun laws, perhaps, are even more perverse than New York's. Fortunately for me,my Mom and Dad,restaurant owners in the Catskills,bought a diner in Fort Pierce,Florida in 1950 and we all escaped to freedom.

That was fortuitous and I silently thank my parents,now long passed away, of making that life changing move.

Keep up your spirits. You are a strong guy as we see, and your future will be bright. Keep us posted when the good things start to happen!

[erkman]

I live right at the bottom of a mountain range in a sleepy little valley in a rural county in NE Alabama on land my family has owned and lived on since the Civil War Ended. I have ancestors who lived in this valley before Alabama even became a state. Currently I am living in a house my grandfather built with his own hands in 1955 that sits in front of the house he was raised in and built by his father around 1890.

My dad has a house ¼ mile down the road that is next to our own private 200 yard rifle range along with several hundred acres of mountain land literally out my back door than I can hunt and wander around on. Don’t really have much reason to move anywhere else at the current place in time.

[DammitBoy]

You're making me jealous erkman!

[Shinbone]

No kidding. Some of these guys are so fortunate.

[bigtubby]

Really enjoyed all the stories and how proud people are of where they live and rightfully so.

I was born in Northern Calif. parents moved to Vegas in 1963 and I have been here since. I have thought about leaving but I don't like to shovel snow or swat bugs flying or crawling. Wouldn't mind a place with a little less sun although the winters here are nice. My wife's family and mine are all here and my brother and I have a business so I can't really bail on him. Maybe another 10 years and we can look around for a retirement place.

[talldragon]

Originally Posted by bergmen

The rest of the world just doesn't realize that the best of California (95%) is NOT in San Francisco, Los Angeles or Sacramento. I wouldn't live anywhere else on earth.

Originally Posted by archigos

I've been here my whole life so far .... Make no mistake about it. I want to escape NY in the worst way, and escape really is the only term for it. I love the climate and the landscape, but the politics are horrific. I do some behind-the-scenes politically-related work and the additional exposure is even more disheartening - some of the more disgusting things never make their way to the news. The thought of living here and paying taxes to this corrupt machine causes me such emotional pain that it sometimes manifests itself as physical discomfort..... I often see people post on this forum that its NY residents' fault for living in NY, and that's pretty hard for me to read on The High Road. I didn't choose to live here, I was born here, and I've been kept here originally by my need for a job and now by my commitment to my wife - and I have no shame for this.....Don't think less of me because I'm from NYS, and don't tell me its my fault. I am every bit as committed to RKBA as most anyone on THR. I am dying to escape this state, but have reasons that I can't just yet. While I'm stuck here, I am doing everything in my power to fight for our rights. I have no shame for continuously facing oppression, and I'm proud of how I handle it.

Thanks go to bergman for the Northern California comments and archigos (post #108) for the sentiments about his home in NYS. It closely mirrors how I feel about my home here in the Sierra Nevada foothills. I couldn't have said it better .

After my Dad finished his tour during Vietnam, he moved us out of the Sacramento Valley where I was born and to much better climes in the hills; away from the smog, congestion and city attitudes that are so pervasive there. Cool, fresh pine and fir scented air....gotta have it .
Taught my brother and I to shoot at around ten. Hunting and fishing a few years later.
I am 43 now; I love where I live and after all, someone has to stay here and fight for what rights we have left.
There are some great places here to hunt, fish, camp and go four-wheelin' as well as some good ranges (indoor and outdoor). Most are a little drive, but that's fine by me.
Rural areas here are predominantly pro-2a. I know very few people who do not own a firearm of some type and know how to use it.
My job will keep me here for the foreseeable future. I will be reevaluating that further down the line; as in the next 5 yrs or so.
Entire family is here as well as my MIL, who is starting to need us around a lot more as time goes on.

[4v50 Gary]

I am where I am because I am in school. Professional student is I.

[AZ PAUL]

Iv lived in Arizona for the last 21 years, born and raised. While I enjoy the gun laws, there are many things I really dislike. I do not enjoy the heat, the crime, and could do without the big city (maybe).

I would love to move somewhere cooler such as San Diego, Iowa (family), Alaska (think I would really like it), and maybe Seattle WA. Leads???

[sammass]

Born in Oakland, visited Idaho and Utah for 8 years while Dad's territory got 'consolidated'. Back to NorCal and graduated HS in '64. Moved again to the Bay Area; USN in San Diego, RVN, and Camp Pendleton. Back to the Bay Area; Moved to Sacramento; Retired. Wife has business here so not going anywhere soon. Kids having kids; so probably not going anywhere anytime.

All that being said with tall mountains and blue ocean, the warm winds and cool breezes, the urban and the rural all within 2 hours, I would just as soon leave California for less roof line and way more elbow room. The brats in the sandbox under the dome downtown and in DC seem to make ill concieved changes on a whim and the rest of us suffer. PITA to deal with. Not much difference between a 'hider' and 'break' in my mind but that is another story. I will expire in California down the road, but it is not the state I remember as a child or now want.

Be Well.

[Johnny Dollar]

I would love to move somewhere cooler such as San Diego, Iowa (family), Alaska (think I would really like it), and maybe Seattle WA. Leads???

Yes:Alaska,Utah,Wyoming,Montana,Northern New Mexico,Iowa.

No. Seattle. The next San Francisco. Stay far away.

Maybe. San Diego. I lived there for 18 months in 1960-1961. Loved it. Had a cheap(then) apartment on the beach in LaJolla. Wonderful climate,great people.

Still cool. But gun laws have changed. Up to SD County Sheriff for permit. Others may be able to offer input on that current situation.

Good luck and good hunting!

[esheato]

Born in the suburbs of Cleveland but ended up in central CA for high school. College wasn't quite in the plans so the USAF took me all over the world. Finally separated and ended up in socal working for CBP....great job, crappy location. Means to an end and all. I'm busting my hump to get a permanent govt. position up in North Dakota with CBP. I've got my fingers crossed....

[dc.fireman]

Born and raised behind the Orange Curtain in SoCal, back when they only had 1 area code, and 2 Marine Corps bases. Dad dragged me kicking and screaming to NoVa. in 1986. I left after HS in 1988, for all of 3 mos. I returned home, jobless, penniless, and a little less idealistic than I had been when I left. Aside from 10 months in OKC, and 3 mos. in Detroit, I've been here ever since - it's getting more crowded by the minute, and when retirement comes along, I'm considering NC, CO, WY, ID, and MT...

[MoreIsLess]

Originally Posted by TennJed

the prettiest women

Apparently you haven't been to Atlanta, GA. I've lived in numerous states and I haven't lived anywhere that has as many good looking women as here in ATL.

Oops, I forgot, this is a gun forum

[MoreIsLess]

Originally Posted by Arkansas Paul

It just don't get any better than sweet tea, southern hospitality and country girls.

Ditto to that. I'm from Indiana originally but have lived in the South (NC, FL, GA) for the last 28 years. People from up north just don't get it when it comes to all the fuss about being from the South (I know I used to be one of them). It's more than a place to live, it's a way of life. I love the south and hope it will always be my home.

We have pretty good gun laws here in GA, lots of pretty women, mild winters, the beaches aren't too far away nor are the mountains. What more need say I.

[Deltaboy]

TX <removed>. Great weather , good jobs and Freedom.

[Kynoch]

I live on the Coast of California in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. There simply is no better weather on Earth. Outstanding jobs and plenty of freedom that's never talked about. I am here originally because my family goes back many generations in this location. I came back after college because of family and because it's simply a gorgeous place to live. I cannot imagine expending my earthly existance in a hellhole (on many levels) like TX. Now that would truly be miserable on a daily, often hourly basis.

I'm also not about to flee. This is my home and I'm here for the duration.