Byron said:

I find it quite interesting that you live in California and that you have visited so many of the places mentioned in this thread because on the one hand so many people dream of living in California due to a certain reputation the place has ( mostly among those who´ve never been there OR who have visited California for a short time and miss it) and on the other hand so many Californians complain about their place or are still missing something and travel and look for certain things that they can´t seem to find in Cali.
Have you ever thought about settling down somewhere else ? Has any of the places you´ve visited had such a positive, overwhelming impact on you that you thought about going there again and staying there for good?
If so, which place and why ?
And is it possible for regular US citizens to just go to the US Virgin Islands and live and work there ? Why don´t more US citizens just go to Hawaii or St.Thomas or other nice places? I´m asking this because I see so many US tourists in foreign lands who seem to see something in those countries that is missing in the USA. For instance, many people go to Costa Rica and stay there and write about it in their blogs, and it is surely a beautiful place but I think a lot of the things you find there could also be found in the USA or its islands, right?

Has it to do with steady job and family structures and lack of opportunities in other countries?
Or do people only find certain places interesting or beautiful as long as they only see them for a brief period of time?
I´m asking all this because I´m seriously considering a couple of years in some remote place close to the sea, just asking for some input and thoughts.

NEW ZEALAND!

KoolEaze said:

A lot of people (at least in the U.S.) think about moving to Cali because of the weather as well ...I think it was reported once that the Rose Parade was one of the biggest factors in people moving to California from other states, because they would be watching the parade in January while surrounded by cold weather and snow, and the parade would be in sunny, warm California with mountains in the background and people standing around in shorts and t-shirts and sunglasses lol ...

I personally love to travel, so it wouldn't matter to me where I lived...no place on earth would cause me to remain where I am and never visit other states or countries...especially with my obsession for photography and my love of nature. There are still dozens of places within California, though, that I have not visited and need to ...as well as places nearby in Arizona (Sedona , the Grand freakin' Canyon lol).



California absolutely fits who I am, I was instantly drawn to living here the moment I came here as an adult (and I mean that literally lol). I also loved Australia and could live there easily ...it felt a lot like being in the U.S. in many ways, only with more physically fit people, better scenery and bigger spiders lol. Actually so did Germany, but that was back when I was 20 years old lol...

And if I had the money and earned a living that allowed me to work from home in some way, I could easily live in Santorini, because that amazing beauty being around me 24/7 would be heaven on earth. Actually, I can live anywhere and be comfortable, I think...but those places that have an abundance of natural beauty will always feel more "right" in my soul as places to live.



Yep, there are tons of places within the U.S. that could accommodate people who want that type of lifestyle ...it's probably more centered around either a gut "feeling" someone has or some other external aspects beyond scenery (local flavor? Atmosphere? Something "different"?).

I've sometimes imagined what it would be like to pick up and move to Hawaii, make a simpler life for myself, etc, etc. Living in California, though, ain't too shabby lol...



I think it's probably due more to finances, comfort zones and fear, to be honest. Can I imagine me moving to Tahiti, living in some small but cool-looking house near the beach complete with amazing views and tropical breezes? Damn skippy lol. Do I have the money (right now) to do so? Nope. Would it require me to completely leave the comfort zone I've created for myself right now? Definitely. Would there be some fears that would weigh in my mind and possibly keep me from actually pursuing it? Yep.

Plus, I have a daughter, so that would play into things as well ...Good questions, though. I think if you don't have much anchoring you to where you are now (not just you, but all of us) and that is a true desire you have, then it should definitely be investigated. Travel to some places (if possible), see if any of them "speak" to you in some tangible way that makes you feel like living here would be worth the money, leaving your comfort zone and facing your fears.


...
[Edited 5/24/09 8:12am]

Thanks for responding, I am seriously considering that. I was born and raised here in Germany as the son of Turkish immigrants and I like my job, everything is nice and I´m used to living here but somehow I have been feeling this urge to live somewhere else for quite some time now. And now that most of the obstacles are gone,all it takes is a bit of courage and determination.

Again , thanks for the reply.And thanks for creating this amazing thread.
Post more of your pictures on the org, please, or tell me where to see them online.

Paris

The Grand Canyon. No comparison

As the saying goes..."there's no place like home"



Yeah, I know, but it makes my heart go pitter patter.

KoolEaze said:

there are so many places I'd love to go and live at, but FAMILY TIES prevent me from just taking off like that, and WITH a family, that's a huge big thing to do to them.

andykeen said:

Andy! That's a great pic. Welcome back. You rock man! Take care.

july said:

No. No. No. You Rock Man!
Haha Thanks July!!!

My first time in Las Vegas staying at the MGM grand, on the 36 floor of the hotel, the first time I opened the drapes at night. I almost died of awe. I have never seen a view that spectacular!

Thamesmead, South East London

Dayclear said:

If you have the water fountain show at the Bellagio going as well?...Yeah, makes Vegas REALLY look impressive

Antigua







Barbados









Hellenic Republic - Greece

When I was 12 I visited the small village where my dad grew up in Honduras. It's so tiny that it barely registers on any maps. I have no pictures, and there's nothing on google. However, I remember that it was absolutely beautiful there. The blue waters of the caribean on one side, and green mountains on the other.

Since I can't post pictures of San Antonio, I'll post a pic of the Pulapanzak waterfalls in Honduras;


Also very beautiful. I remember swimming in the river upstream from the falls.

PurpleJedi said:

Is this it?

http://travelcentralameri...duras.html

i havent been to a lot of these incredible places you all have posted such great pictures of, but for me i dont think any of them would be as beautiful as my living room with both my smiling happy children waiting to hang out, laugh, talk, and dream together

nakedpianoplayer said:

Awww... Yeah, nothing can replace a loving,warm home

You're a lucky person. And so are your children

Byron said:

No it's not....the San Antonio that I'm referring to is a tiny seaside village (population 472) on the northern coast.

All I could find as far as pictures is this link HERE

The view from my house in New Zealand

ocean said:

Omg

Byron said:

I thought u might like it

ocean said:

Is your old house for sale? lol

Byron said:

No