You guys sure make glad I live in the middle of nowhere. Most of the homes in my development are at least 40 feet apart, but in my case, my nearest neighbor is about 300-feet away. My home is situated in the middle of 5.5 acres, and overlooking more than 2,000 acres of woodlands. We see various forms of wildlife on a daily basis, lots of birds, hawks, an occasional bald eagle, deer, wild turkey, squirrels, rabbits, an occasional raccoon, opossum and at least once or twice a year, a black bear will wander through our place looking for a mate.

Because the house is a football field length from the nearest neighbor, I can play music as loud as I wish, which to be honest, is never all that loud. Carol can beat the Hell out of me and the neighbors wouldn't hear me screaming.

Granted, you have to get in a car to go grocery shopping as the nearest grocery store is 5 miles away. Same for the pharmacies, music store, department stores, etc.., all just 5 miles away. It's 6 miles to the nearest restaurant that has live music, which is mostly too loud for my preference and pretty much hard rock after 10 p.m.. Because I worked the senior circuit, I had no trouble finding all the work I could handle within 15 to 20 minutes drive time of home. The latest count was approximately 35 nursing homes, retirement communities and assisted living/rehab centers.

When I constructed our home, I decided to build a rancher, mainly because I knew there would come a day when we would need everything on one floor. Though my family room and office is in the basement, I added a chair lift to take me to the lower level safely. I also built a very large patio and covered deck, for those days when I just wanted to be outdoors and enjoying the sunshine, sights and sounds first hand.

When Carol and I first got married, we lived in an apartment in northern Baltimore County just a few blocks from the Baltimore City line. After living where I am, I seriously doubt that I could ever live in an apartment, town home or condo under any circumstances. NO WAY JOSE! Just too many people living too close to me, too confining, too many restrictions - NEVER AGAIN! I've been living in the sticks for 48 years now, I love drinking ice cold water pumped from my 600-foot deep well, no city sewage to pay for (1000 gallon septic tank), pure air and no sirens blaring in the middle of the night. Yep, it's real peaceful here in the middle of nowhere.

While I was typing this, our electricity went out, so I had to go outside and fire up our emergency generator so I would have supplemental oxygen available. This is one of our wintertime visitors.

Gary

Donny ... I used to go to Camp Drum during my US Army Reserves days ... the branches on the trees grew facing South because the wind was always blowing from the North ...

I just got off the phone with my sister in NY, who is also my mortgage holder for the house that I rent to my daughter. We've started the ball rolling. There are two very attractive options that are available almost immediately, so it's time to get my mindset ready for a gulp ... "move" ... hard to say (type) the word, but it's time!
Things could actually happen at the beginning of June. YIKES!

Good thing SZ travels well ...
Your first assignment will be to find a place that makes humongous waffles for the Three Amigos ...

You should try Watertown NY in December/January Brrrr

Good luck on the Move Dave...I know you'll make it work for you.

I have to add my two cents to ease my conscience.

I have lived in New York State most of my life. There are many problems here. Horrible weather, especially in the winter. I ran outside to do some yard work today because the next week is going to consist of highs in the forties and fifties (yes forties). I remember many a Memorial Day celebration where winter coats were needed. Taxes are among the highest in the country. Having said that, the overall cost of living is still low.

I don't know your political views Dave, but Cuomo and the Democratic controlled state legislature are working daily to restrict the freedom of individuals. This is as true during the current crisis as it is all the time. Just my opinion for what it is worth and I will leave it there.

I went to the finger lakes (Seneca) for the first time last year and was not impressed. It looked like a small resort area that was dropped into an extremely rural environment. My wife and I were shocked by how remote the area was and we live in a county that has only 135,000 people in a large land area. Beautiful-yes. Quiet-yes. Opportunity for unlimited job prospects-not so much. And, for the most part, you can same the same thing about all of upstate New York.

There, I said my piece. Best of luck whatever you decide. If you do decide to go, having family will help for sure.

thats how i moved back to ohio from florida. got the diagnoses sept 06 moved furniture to ohio apt oct 06 went back to florida to finish up some jobs. returned to ohio in jan 07. thats how quick it happened. it seem like it was meant to happen the way everything fell in place. also think that if it dont work for you, move back. good luck

See what you started Dave !
I went to Camp Drum a few times with the National Guard. Cold nights in June but bueatiful days. Thats when I visited the Finger Lake region and it was bueatiful Also went to Lake George about 10 times for Americade Bike Week. Loved it and didn't want to ride when I got back to NJ. Also did a wine tour along th Hudson just before we movd to SC. I like upstate NY a lot. Taxes and all the other BS are why we left NJ too. No perfect place.
Gary I was at your place once and its beautiful (Except for the driveway wow! ) and it didn't seem that remote to me. I could be very happy in a situation like that. Having a Bourbon on your back deck overlooking that big yard is a pretty nice view. Enjoy yourself.
Where ever you go there's gives and takes, nothings perfect.
If your daughter can hook you up with a good deal its sounds promising and you have supportive family nearby. AND nothing is forever. Good Luck !

You are all welcome to your opinions, but my sweet sister lives in a Mayberry-like community where their small, mom & pop (literally) book store is among the biggest enterprises in town. They are also the buckwheat capitol of NY, and buckwheat pancakes are the absolute best up there. Life is slower ... lake time is very much like quarantine time, but with better views. It's honestly the only place I ever vacationed that I come home refreshed, and not exhausted.
This may happen in 2 stages - my nephew has an empty house in Newtown PA (right near my other sister, and my parents) that I can rent for less than 1/2 what I pay now, while my daughter and her husband scour the real estate logs for the perfect place for the three of us. I just need a studio and a bedroom - my Kelly is a fabulous cook, so she can have the kitchen, and I'll mooch. Looking brighter all the time!