Thinking of moving...need input!

[Chefdave]

As a Missouri native and a former Colorado resident who really wants to move back to CO...stay in CO!

Cape will have a great cost of living but I can't think of much else it would offer.

I'd pick NH if it was me.

[Geoff Withnell]

I grew up just north of Annapolis. Anne Arundel County (where Annapolis is situated) has good schools and is a good place for a child. It is a fairly high cost of living area, but salaries tend to high also. I live about a hour's drive away now, so I've only been kilted in the area once, two weekends ago at the Maryland RenFair (held just outside of Annapolis). Got nothing but positive comments when we were out and about in the area. Feel free to contact me by pm if you have any specific questions.

Geoff Withnell

[McNulty]

Go where your dreams take you. But remember you can take the boy out of the mountains, however you can never take the mountains out of the boy.
Nulty

[Dirk Skene]

Just remember Cape Girardeau sits on top of the New Madrid fault line

[davedove]

Annapolis is nice, with a lot of history. However, as part of the Baltimore-DC area, the traffic can be awful. The bridge crossing the Chesapeake right next to Annapolis is the only crossing for some distance and traffic can just stop for long periods of time.

My parents live not too far from Cape Girardeau. You'll find most of your typical chain stores and restaurants there. It is also a college town. However, it does have a very rural feel to it. If your used to big city life, you won't find it here.

I can't comment on the other two places.

[Riverkilt]

I'm sorry Ozone....maybe you're different...but whenever this Westerner has been east - once for ten years - I pined for the Big Sky Country...

The homesickness was so bad that I'd stay up to the wee hours waiting for B westerns just to watch the background scenery...and get angry if it was a Southern California movie ranch with round rocks instead of TRUE western scenery...or worse, a soundstage with painted backdrop.

Those wee hour B Westerns kept me going until I could get back west. A cross country drive is always an interesting trip, but headed "home" its a joy.

Given that. My pick would be Annapolis.

Ron

[Tim Little]

As a native Bostonian (now living a bit north of the city), I can't say Peabody would be my first choice of places to live in this area. It wasn't even on my short list when I was looking to buy a house a few years ago, but then again each person's criteria are unique, so I'm not sure what that says. If you're willing to commute a little, you might consider some other towns on the North Shore (Salem, Danvers, etc.) -- all depending on what you're looking for.

I can't say one way or the other about kilt friendliness. My sense is that Peabody's probably no better or worse than any other town in the area.

[Geoff Withnell]

Annapolis is nice, with a lot of history. However, as part of the Baltimore-DC area, the traffic can be awful. The bridge crossing the Chesapeake right next to Annapolis is the only crossing for some distance and traffic can just stop for long periods of time.

My parents live not too far from Cape Girardeau. You'll find most of your typical chain stores and restaurants there. It is also a college town. However, it does have a very rural feel to it. If your used to big city life, you won't find it here.

I can't comment on the other two places.

To be fair Dave, the only times traffic stops because of Bay Bridge traffic is summer weekends, and unless you are going to the Eastern Shore, the stoppage on US Rt 50 is pretty much irrelevant. Annapolis DOES have a very small town feel, you can be in farmland 10 minutes out of town. On the other hand, you have 2 major cities close enough to go to the theater or shows or major shopping with great ease. Best of both worlds! I have also lived in Frederick, where you are, and it has much the same feel.

Geoff Withnell

[Carolina Kiltman]

So, here's the deal. I grew up on the west (left) coast. I have wandered about for the last 7 years in the rocky mountain region. My current job totally sucks, so I have begun looking for a new job. The type of job i do, and what satisfies me professionally is currently only available in a few places: Cape Girardeau, Missouri... Peabody, MA...annapolis, MD.....Bedford, NH. ?

Can't answer the kilt question, but;
I lived close to Annapolis MD, but that was 50 years ago. I had relatives living in Cape G. again 15-20 years since I was there last. Annapolis will be high cost of living. NH & MA (from what I hear) ditto. (And the winters are brutal!) You might also want to consider the colleges (Cape G and U of Md at Annapolis, I don't know about the others.) If your kids can live at home and go to a local University, at least for the first two years then maybe transfer, it can save a bundle! (We put 4 through with only one College prof's salary -- talk about negative cash flow!)

The climate in all four could be a factor. Mo and Md have hot, muggy summers, but the winters are relatively mild, Md more than Mo. NH is ski country. MA also has nasty winters, but the summers are, like NH pleasant.
All will have much higher humidity than you are used to.

I can only wish you the best. I have been there myself, with 4 kids (one pre-school) and an invalid wife. It isn't an easy time for you and your family. My prayers are with you.

Frank

[Blinki]

All will have much higher humidity than you are used to.

Frank

We keep track of the humidity in the air so we won't drown when we breathe.