Photo by Erik Drost on Flickr. Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

It is possible (probable? likely?) we will leave the area in a couple/few years. Arizona is hotter than it used to be, and even in these northern latitudes and higher altitudes, it’s hot. And dry. And, where we are, not friendly to certain categories of people that are included in my family.

I dread the idea of moving very far from my family, much of whom is still in this state. But at least one, if not both, of my kids is determined to live somewhere that’s a better match. And it’s important to us to live near the kids. (Rory and I work at home, so we could technically live just about anywhere.)

But, because we don’t have a lot of money, cost of living and cost of housing are big factors in our decisions. We have friends in Cleveland, and it’s right next to a Great Lake, and it seems like they have decent healthcare (Cleveland Clinic?), so that’s one of the places on our list. It’s not the weather we want, nor the exact politics we want. But it does tick a lot of boxes. When I’m feeling broke, I check out the Zillow listings for Cleveland, and swoon over all the houses we can afford.

We’re also considering a move back to Colorado. Or (if we decide to not worry about The Big One) the Pacific Northwest. Or even New England. Or just Flagstaff.

I’d love to consider Scotland. But they may not want us.

Rory and I have even colored in a map of the U.S., marking out the places we won’t live. That helps narrow it down, for sure. I just hope that something happens in the next two or so years to point us in a more specific direction. Maybe one of the kids will get a killer job and that’ll help us make a decision.

In the meantime, we’re mentally trying on all sorts of places for size, and pay attention to what places are like when we travel.

As usual, if you want to support my efforts at this blog, please consider buying your Amazon purchases through this affiliate link where I receive some financial benefit. Or go right to the source and send me money through PayPal. No pressure, though.