Sometime in the early 90s when I was in my early 20s and living with my parents still I tried to figure out my future.  Nothing's changed twenty years later. I'm STILL trying to figure out my future:)  But back then I contemplated moving away from southern Ohio and striking out completely on my own.  I never did and I'd be lying if I didn't sometimes experience a twinge of regret for not.  I think the pull of family and, at the time, The Amish Cook herself, was too strong.  Those are people I wanted to be close to.  And, I reasoned, I got to travel so much for my job that I could live here in Ohio and still have my restless exploration urges quenched.  Still, I seriously contemplating moving.  I went so far as to request "welcome new resident packets" from the cities of Portland, Maine and Richmond, Virginia.  If was going to move to a new city and start from scratch those were the two at the top of my list.
Portland, Maine:Â Â Really, the whole state of Maine is appealing to me. I think I figured Portland would be my pick because it has all the amenities of a big city and it's close to an even bigger city (Boston). Â Maine has rugged mountains,but also soft sandy beaches that are pleasantly warm during the summer (Old Orchard Beach). Â I'm a big fan of Bangor, Maine, and some of the isolated fishing villages along the coast (Machias and Lubec), but those seemed a bit isolated, although I do have a hermit streak. Â It was also close (relatively) to Canada and French Quebec, which I love. Â I envisioned weekend trips to Quebec City. Â In the end, Portland just seemed to have everything I could have wanted as a 22-year-old. Â What they didn't have were any Amish (at the time), so ultimately that option fizzled.
Richmond, Virginia: Â Has a lot of what made Portland so appealing, just maybe a bit warmer. Â There's the southern flair of the food, the Civil War history, a very pleasant climate, close to DC (not sure if that is a good thing or bad!) and within easy reach of the beach. I love the ocean and that is one thing Ohio lacks.
Oxnard, California: Â My brother lived in Los Angeles for a time in the early and mid-90s and I'd fly out there once or twice a year to visit. Â We had such fun on those visits. Â Some days, though, he wouldn't be able to take off work, so I would just explore the area on my own. Â Los Angeles on the traffic alone would keep me from considering it, but I would always find myself motoring up the Pacific Coast Highway through Santa Monica and Malibu and ending up in Oxnard. Â I never heard much about Oxnard and maybe there's a reason, but it just always seemed like such a pleasant place.
Wichita, Kansas: Â Okay, I know this sounds insane since the first three choices all had oceans with easy reach....but there is something about Kansas...a pull that this state exerts on me that keeps me coming back. Â I love Dodge City, Hays, Colby and Salina, some of those smaller prairie cities, but I guess I worried I'd be too lonely and isolated...there is a "big city" streak to balance out my hermit tendencies and Wichita is this surprisingly metropolitan city that rises out of the prairie like a glittering Oasis. Â People are genuinely friendly out here and concerned about one another's well-being. It's like a giant family and business is honest, done on a handshake.
Venice, Florida: Â I realize this isn't generally a place for the young, it's for the shuffleboard set. Â But my grandparents lived here for a time and part of me thought if I like warm weather and beaches so much why not really do it and just move to Florida! Â Bonus: the Amish settlement in Pinecraft is just 30 minutes away!
Margie
It would be Holmes County, OH for sure. Either in the Walnut Creek, Farmerstown, or Charm area. Just the peacefulness is amazing. And to be close to our Amish friends is indescribable.
Kevin
Margie - Interesting. I do love that area. Love, love, love it...Charm would be my pick there. I guess I was thinking more in terms of the "whole package." (beach, mountains, city amenities) If I were going to move to a new area and I was just choosing because of the Amish ambiance my vote, I think, would still go to Adams County...but, yea, I don't blame you for saying Holmes...it is a special place!
Barb
My five places:
Williamsburg VIrginia, you have the Revolution and the Civil War, endless history and beauty.
Kennebunkport Maine, the ocean and beauty, have a small log home along the ocean.
Plymoth Massachusetts, the history, sea-faring town and Plimoth Plantation.
San Diego California, gorgeous, beachy, Old San Diego.
Somewhere that has a huge Amish community. ,
Kevin
Good choices, Barb...very similar to my list!
Betsy
Cornwall UK. Outstanding beauty.
Kevin
Interesting...yes, if the list were expanded to include places outside the States, that'd be tough...I love St. John's, Newfoundland...anyplace in Maritime Canada...I've not been to Cornwall,UK
Pam
Goodyear Arizona ......360 days of sunshine a year
Key West
Chicago
Washington DC
Edisto Island South Carolina
Kevin
Pam, really, really nice list...Edisto and Key West would make my Top 10! - Kevin
Bonnie
Betsy, please let me move to Cornwall, too! It was number one on my list, closely followed by Savannah, GA.
Kevin
I do love Savannah....
Heather
I uprooted myself more than 15 years ago from the east coast to Washington State. Puyallup to be exact. I can't imagine living anywhere else. I leave for just a few days and I can't wait to get back home. This is my "dream" home town. I'm retiring soon and thinking of moving to a warmer and sunnier part of the country....and I honestly can't see myself doing it. However, if I did move, my first place would be Tombstone AZ Next would be San Diego. San Juan Islands WA comes in third. Long Beach WA would have to rank up there as well. As to the 4th? Hmm....will have to think on that one.
Christine Whitton
I like your pick of Venice, Fl. It's one of my favorite places. We spent the winter there one year after hurricane Charlie damaged our place in Punta Gorda. Wonderful walking & biking trails, the beach, great restaurants, and close to Sarasota. Wish I knew somewhere around here (Indiana) where I could get eggs as good as ones from a Amish place in Sarasota!
Tiffanie of Truly Skrumptious
My number one pick would be Cannon Beach, Oregon. I love the beach, green forests and mountains and have many family and friends there. It's where I met my closest friend, and through her, my husband. Lots of lovely memories. And near my hometown of Portland for all of the big city stuff I miss. Next choice would be County Meath, Ireland for the culture, beauty and friendships we already have from me living there as a missionary twenty years ago. After that? Definitely NOT another HOT place! Maybe Montana, or Minnesota or Wisconsin? I've spent more time thinking of places I might live overseas than here, like Austria, The Lake District in England (Beatrix Potter's home), Sweden, etc.
Michelle
YAY... Cannon Beach is my number one beach spot if I'm headed for the beach or for a seaside hike. I love it there!
Kevin
Well, now, I'll have to check out this Cannon Beach...I've only been to Portland once (loved it there), but didn't make it to Canon Beach!
ValerieR
So many choices.....
I think coastal Maine, Martha's Vineyard, Nags Head, Crescent Bay (California), Ocean Shores or Ilwaco (Washington).
Michelle
I moved away from my East Coast hometown immediately after college and have loved every experience it has led to. Having the chance to live in central Virginia, Washington DC, Cape Cod, Marbella, Spain and now Portland, OR has provided me fantastic opportunities to explore.
But my top 5.... (sticking with the US only):
-Portland, OR (my current hometown, this has been the only place I have lived longer then 3 years, if you don't count childhood and college)
-Burlington, VT
-Sperryville, VA (the entrance to Shenendoah National Park)
-Asheville, NC (actually I have not been here, but I think I'd like it from what I've heard)
-Rhododendron, OR (this is in the woods, alongside Mount Hood)
and at any given moment I'd love to live in Le Marais in Paris or countryside in England...
Connie Coberley
: Northern Minnesota
GULF coast Texas
Northern California
OK those are my US choices Now, if I could choose anyplace in the world?
HANDS DOWN, I'd go for Falmouth, Cornwall UK
Ballydehob Co. Cork, Ireland
Galway Bay Ireland