The spouse and I are looking to retire. But where? Obviously not in CA, where it takes an ounce of gold to buy a carton of milk. Marco could wait 8 years and be miserable at the job he's in, but time is more precious than $$$.

So ... some possibilities: we hate heat, so the South and Southwest are out. Humidity? ACK! We don't like snow, but would put up with it. We will miss our Pacific view, but a lake view would be nice. My husband loves to sail.

We also have gorgeous mountain views, but I'd rather look at Marco any day. We would also need a community that was open to a omniracial family.

We don't like flat, so Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakota's etc. are out.

AND we hate earthquakes.

Someone on another list suggested Humbolt Co., but I'm terrified of the Triple Junction. That's three plates grinding together, with at least one subducting under the American Plate. Am I right?

HELP! Suggestions, anyone?

Waaaahhhh. We like California. Sob.

What to do?

We want to take the equity we have in this house, buy a much less expensive home, and retire on the income.

Tell us where you live and why we should move there! Donna in CO? Beth? Anybody?

Where is it cheap, in the countryside (or on lakeside), liberal (in a healthy sense) and fun?

Cathryn