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Question for those living in northern states. What is a

Posted: Sep 13, 2014

fairly cheap northern state to live in? I am wanting a cool to cold climate (no hot/humid summers).

;

Seattle? Always cool, cloudy and rainy. - nm

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Seattle is NOT cheap - nn

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Seattle and Washington State in general is NOT cheap by any means. I lived in Vancouver which is right over the border from Portland, and with all the rain and "gloomy days," all I wanted to do was sleep all the time. My daughter and granddaughter live in Central Michigan and love it. Me -- I'm in Southwest FL and do NOT miss the cold and snow one iota and can live here comfortably on what I make as an MT

I am in SWFL, too - see msg

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I moved from the north to SWFL. I just do as I did when I lived in the north when it was cold--don't go outside unless I need to. Yes, the summers are hot and humid where I am. I lived in Michigan for several years, and there were some pretty brutal summers.

I guess the difference is that living in FL, the summers last longer.

I don't know if there's a perfect climate to suit anyone. I just say stay indoors if you can't take the heat or cold. If you work from home, that is!

What about Detroit? - nm

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I do not think of Detroit as a - nice place to live.

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Kind of blighted, I think. Nasty winters, sweltering summers, horrible social problems.

I am in SW FL, too, and think it is quite nice. Winters are very mild and we have air-conditioning and swimming pools for the rest. If you choose your location well, you can avoid inland heat and enjoy coastal breezes. Year-round gardening and outdoor activities that never involve chipping ice or shoveling snow. Lots of retired folks, not gangs.

I am not sure why you got a dislike, because you are - spot on about Detroit, sadly

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I grew up there, although haven't lived there for 3 decades. I vividly remember the mosquito bites we would suffer from all summer running around outside. The winters weren't any worse than any other northern climate, but recently the winter weather in that area has been brutal.

As to the social situation in Detroit, it is deteriorating day by day. You can get CHEAP property, but you will have to do a lot of rebuilding there. Social services are almost non existent and the city is BROKE. They do not have the tax revenue coming in to support the area that the city is spread out in and the population has been cut by something like half.

It's a sad situation.

Detroit is a mess - Facts are facts

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Not sure why you got a dislike....Detroit is a horrible mess. They've always had their share of crime (like any big city), but they had thriving stores and businesses. Sad.

Anyway, re SWFL, that is correct. Six months out of the year is paradise. We are inland, but on a lake, so we have a beautiful view and a light breeze all winter. We have our windows open those 6 months out of the year and do all sorts of outdoor activities in the winter. We do have a pool under a pool cage, so hanging out in the pool is fine in the summer. We also grill 12 months out of the year.

North - lol

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I used to live in northern MN. You can certainly live cheap in some areas up there. The house we lived in was $20,000, 2 stories, 3 bdrms, basement, HUGE yard, etc. Same house where I live now would cost a whole lot more. But I gotta tell you, heat can go anywhere. For the most part, 80s were summer, a few weeks, but we did have some hot summers where we'd see 100+ for a week at a time. Warning, though, winters are pretty cold, 30 below 0 part of the winter. You have to be ready for stuff like that, stock up groceries, etc just in case you can't get out to the store because of snow or just plain too cold. You get creative on how to get things done. It's also the most beautiful area. I have many, many pictures of the countryside in all seasons because every season can be simply stunning. Southern MN can have hot summers too, but the winters aren't as severe. Colorado is gorgeous, but I don't remember it being very cheap. I think some of the other northern states have cheap areas, but you have to decide whether you can handle the winters. Anything south of that, you're going to have potential for hot summers. Middle of the country can be snowy in winter but over 100 in summer. To get away from that level of heat, you have to go into the frozen states. Sorry to be long on the answer. We've been in lots of places. I really miss the north & would love to go back, but sometimes, the cold is just TOO cold even when you know how to live in it.

Thank you so much for that info. MN is definitely one that is - sm

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at the top of our list of places to go. We love cold winters (yeah, we are weird...lol), so that is no big, but the hot summers are a must not have since I had heat stroke as a kid. I get heat migraines (what I call them). Thank you again!!!

MN - lol

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Since you've picked MN & like the cold, you'd probably love the north. Fall is so stunning with all the colors. Winter can be beautiful too when sun shines on ice/snow. We would stock up on frig stuff & just store it on back porch for the season. Nothing ever melted. If you like gardening, the dirt is real good for it. Fast growing season too since there is limited warmth for it. Wild rice is the best ever up there. Watch out for mosquitos in summer if you're anywhere near a swamp (common in the country, less so in town). Went back north for a visit last month & got soooo homesick! I have heat issues too & am trying to work out how far north to go without going too far because I have no tolerance for severe cold either. My son says Hawaii would be perfect for me, but I really don't want to go there. He was there for a short time & loved it but had to come back to the "main" states.

If you are within a mile or so of Lake Superior - sm

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the climate moderates a bit--Minnesota, Wisconsin or Michigan. A little warmer in winter, a little cooler in summer. However, you then can be within the "snowbelt". We have had over a 100 inches of snow many years. The summers are way cooler by the big lake though--most people do not have air conditioning. We love snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, fishing, etc. Best place in the country, as far as I am concerned.

Lake Superior - lol

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I was in Duluth last month among other places. Yes, the weather can certainly change by even a short distance. Spirit Mountain can change things a lot. Most of the city is built on side of small mountain. I took a walk in the area where you can watch ships come in. People were walking, eating outside, a great day. The north shore area is really neat too. The drive along the lake coast is awesome. Went into the reservation to get some wild rice one day. I won't buy the stuff down south that's called "wild rice". I'm spoiled for the northern rice. Were you there when they filmed part of "Iron Will"? Closed up some streets, but I don't think anybody complained. Was cool to watch the movie & say "hey, I've been there!" :)

Duluth--born and raised! - Jewel

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I live in Duluth!! Actually I live over the hill in Hermantown, but it can be considered one in the same. Yes, winters can get brutal, last year was one of those, but after the snow melts and spring and summer come we all tend to forget about the snow and cold. I love it here. There really is no where better in my opinion! It is not the most expensive place to live but it really depends what part of the city you live in. One house in one part of town can cost a lot more than the same house on the other side of town. It is often hard to find jobs as well, much more variety and opportunity down in the Twin Cities.

Hermantown - lol

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Been to Hermantown, husband did some work at a junk yard there for a little while years ago. Had family in Proctor, still some in Duluth West End, various other places farther away from the lake. I liked the area for the most part, but the winters can be brutal. As I age, my tolerance for cold and heat is nearly nonexistent. The cold causes severe pain, the heat causes other troubles. Trying to find options of places where it's not severe on either end, but hubby doesn't want to move anymore, says there is no place on earth that would be perfect. He could be right, but I'm hoping for another move anyway. lol Glad you like the north. I think it's a stunning place, just can't live up there anymore.

I was born and raised in Minnesota (sm) - dln

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...and lived there 'til I was 23 when I packed up and moved to Arizona and haven't looked back! LOL! I know there are people who prefer the cold winters, but I was definitely not one of 'em. Even the summers where I grew up were nasty (muggy and LOTS of bugs, namely mosquitos). I still have lots of friends and family up there and try to visit once a year but will only go in September/October which is a gorgeous time of the year! LOL! I know northern Minnesota is much nicer in the summers than where I used to live (west central Minnesota). I do know the area I used to live in was not very cheap, though... Best of luck to you!!

May not be considered "north" but... - WBT

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I've got a good friend who is from Wyoming who tells me that the summers are nothing like the southern summers. The heat is somehow different than the sticky, muggy heat that there is in the southeast. He tells me that the winters are cold and the wind can be tough at times, but the cost of living is definitely manageable and the crime rate is next to nil.

It is definitely north to me. I am in OK. I consider - sm

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everything above us north:)

how about Maine? - nm

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Oh yeah!! If there is some place in that wonderful state that is - sm

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cheap, I am SO there!

Try Trulia for checking out places in Maine that are for sale! - ETOHPRN

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I put the link below. This is our go-to link, as it is easy to navigate and you can click around in any location that you might be interested in.

I personally would rather live along the coast, as the winters tend to be a little less severe (not by much sometimes though!) than inland. The more southern coast you go, the higher the prices. You can get stuff WICKED cheap up towards Canada "The County" they call it, but it is SPARSE up there. They refer to our state as "The two Maines" because that part of the state often gets little recognition as far as politics and life in general goes. People up there often feel forgotten about, which is kind of sad.

Anywhoo, check out the website when you have a chance. It's funsies :)

I put the link below.

This is our go-to link, as it is easy to navigate and you can click around in any location that you might be interested in.

We personally would rather live along the coast, as the winters tend to be a little less severe (not by much sometimes though!) than inland. The more southern coast you go, the higher the prices. You can get stuff WICKED cheap up towards Canada "The County" they call it, but it is SPARSE up there. They refer to our state as "The two Maines" because that part of the state often gets little recognition as far as politics and life in general goes. People up there often feel forgotten about, which is kind of sad.

Anywhoo, check out the website when you have a chance. It's funsies but a wicked time sucker!

Oh, almost forgot. High-speed internet/cable/DSL availability here is spotty at best. If you are interested in a particular place, be sure and check with the listing agent about availability SPECIFICALLY AT THAT RESIDENCE, as half of our town has access, half does not. It is pretty messed up.

:)

Thank you for that info!! - nm

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:)

Oh hey I forgot to ask. What are the summers like there? - sm

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I would think mild (at least no humidity), but just want to make sure. Thanks again!

Summers are a welcome relief from the cold! - ETOHPRN

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Ask anyone here and we will all agree that summers are awesome but fall is THE BEST!

Summers can vary so much by region...much drier and cooler on the coast if you can believe it, fewer bugs (black flies & mosquitoes), nicer breezes, and oh that clean and crisp salt air! Summers inland can be hazy, hot, and humid. It can be 90 in the day and 60 at night, so you can open up the windows at night and cool down the house. There are some stretches (days, not weeks) where the heat and humidity won't go away, but those are few and far between. I think we've run the AC less than 2 weeks total this year.

Summertime strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries all over the place. Lupine, wild roses, black-eyed Susan's EVERYWHERE. Farmer's markets in almost every town it seems. Lots of tourists, lots of campers.

Everyone here loves the fall though. Warm dry days, very crisp nights, NO BUGS and the skies are gorgeous! The foliage, pumpkins, elderberries, wild grapes, and apples rock. Mulled apple cider too! The lakes are gorgeous, as is the coast. Gorgeous goldenrod, wild asters, Queen Anne's Lace flowers make free gorgeous centerpieces!

Lots of hunters in the fall. Lots of fishermen year 'round (saltwater and freshwater).

As you can tell, I'm an outdoors person. :)

You can live on the wicked cheap and still feel like royalty if you are into enjoying the little things in life. Up here, I find "'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free" to be my motto.

Beware of dirt roads and driveways. We have 2 mud seasons--spring and fall, and some roads and driveways become impassable quagmires until they freeze solid or dry out in late spring/early summer. Lots of folks own ATVs who live in such places and park their cars at the end. This is becoming more of a rarity though and mostly found in deep woods camp locations, but even my town has a few sections of dirt roads that everyone knows to avoid when things get really yucky out.

Snow removal can also be a pain in the patootie. Long driveways are awesome for privacy, but you gotta move that snow somehow--either by contracting it out (which can get quite expensive with multiple storms/large Nor'easters) or doing it yourself. Our first year all we had were shovels and we nearly died of heart attacks! Now we have a snow blower and a tractor with a snow blower attachment, so, yeah, snow removal (and let's face it, it doesn't get removed, just piled up!) can be an expensive and laborious factor to consider! Winter starts, oh, in a few days now ;) and will run until Easter. Kid you not, here in central Maine, we usually have snow on the ground come Easter egg hunting time!

:)

Talking of snow, my daughter said years - ago had she been born

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where there was a lot of snow as soon as she got old enough she would have left. Have lived in the south all my life, would not want to be snowed in anywhere, anytime. I have air conditioned home, car so the heat never bothers me, in fact vacationed this past summer in Orlando for a week so went to even hotter scenery. Also spent a week in Myrtle Beach, SC so hot there also except right on the beach you have the breeze from the ocean so nothing really unbearable there. Oh, here in the sunny south we had snow this past year, think it stayed around a day which was fine with me.

I think I would love Maine - wheres_my_job

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I love fall, I love being cozy in the winter (is cozy even possible in the summer), I love being outdoors.

Thanks for sharing your "postcard of Maine" here at MTStars.

10 Least Expensive States to Live in - See Link

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See link below. Some are in cooler climates, some are in warmer climates.

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