Utopian world.

[Phil]

I wonder if it is really possible for anyone to find their Utopia? Everywhere has to be a compromise of one sort or another, whether it is availability of work, affordability of housing etc. or, as in Jock's case, plenty of fishing and shooting on the doorstep. I do believe that Scotland where nowhere is more than a short distance from these activities and remote countryside is close at hand ticks a lot of boxes, but then the climate here would no doubt be purgatory for many others who crave warmth and sunshine above all else. Alex's sad story perhaps gives us an insight into what real Utopia is and that is having the companionship of your family around you and the good health to enjoy it. Everything else is relative.

[davedove]

I really don't know if I could ever find my perfect place to live. I have enjoyed visiting many places, but have only lived in two, southern Illinois and Maryland, which really have very similar climates.

Every place has something good and something bad:

The Caribbean - love the sunny days, but look out for those hurricanes.
Colorado Rockies - beautiful scenery, but the snowstorms are massive.
Southern Illinois - wonderful rural pace of life, but not really close to the amenities of the city.
Western Maryland - close to the amenites of Washington and Baltimore, more also has the congestion of them too.

I suppose the only solution is to have homes in several places. Now, if i can just find someone to buy them for me.

[tulloch]

I agree with the saying, "life is not lived by the breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away." I have trouble being comfortable in the high heat & humidity. We now are having the most uncomfortable, (for me), days here in Massachusetts. We have times & places that could be the same as you describe Jock. I love Scotland, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island, the State of Maine. Good company and a nice cup of tea enhance any place.

[Livingston]

Jock, that is a very hard question for me to answer. I've only lived here in the US but in several different states. Each one has its great attactions for me. Colorado has the great mountains; Kansas the wide open plains with wheat fields; Iowa has the open, rolling hills with beautiful fields of corn; Illinois has the same. I've been to Utah with its beautiful canyon lands; New Mexico with its open simple deserts; Arkansas and Missouri with their great lakes and fishing; New York with its great city; Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida. Then I've been to the US Virgin Islands with great ocean views; Hawai'i with its various different beaches, hills, jungles etc. I can find a great reason to live in any of those areas and reasons not to.

For me, utopia would have to start out with something like the mountains of Colorado to tempt me there and then "stumbling" on something new every so often to keep my interest over time. hmmmm....maybe that would be Scotland. First and foremost for me at the time would be a place with a job. After that, I can find everything I would need to make it Utopia.

[Panache]

I have seen all sorts of amazing photos here on XMTS of the wonderful places my fellow X Markers have shared.

I have thought to myself "how grand it would be to live there"

But I am a proud Californian and I love living in a state that offers snow capped mountains, deserts, majestic mountains, beautiful beaches, great cities, quiet small towns, and more.

Perhaps Dorthy said it best:

There is no place like home


Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[mbhandy]

First and foremost for me at the time would be a place with a job. After that, I can find everything I would need to make it Utopia.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I have been to most of the places mentioned above and I can say all have qualities that are great but state of mind and who I am with, or not make Utopia. There is no one place that I know of that have every thing all the time. I could get real Metaphysical but that would be for another forum and I ain't going there right now. (I hope)

MrBill

[davedove]

But I am a proud Californian and I love living in a state that offers snow capped mountains, deserts, majestic mountains, beautiful beaches, great cities, quiet small towns, and more.

... and earthquakes and wildfires.

Every place has its good points and its bad. Home is where you make it.

[caig]

Im with Cessna on this one, although for very different reasons. I have almost 6 weeks ago moved to my flat in Edinburgh, which I have had rented out for some years. This has seen me achieve two ambitions in one go: firstly to live in Scotland, and secondly to wear the kilt all of the time. I have not worn p***s for almost 6 weks now, and it is WONDERFUL. I have no plans at all, ever, to leave Scotland/

[Standard]

Somewhere that combines mountains for bakcpacking, high desert for the beauty and low humidity, oceans for clear waters and beaches, forrested areas for hunting and hiking, lakes for kayaking. Most of all though it would have to include my lovely wife and family. Utopia unfortunately is more a state of mind than an actual state in many cases. Ah, but if it did exist....

[Panache]

Somewhere that combines mountains for bakcpacking, high desert for the beauty and low humidity, oceans for clear waters and beaches, forrested areas for hunting and hiking, lakes for kayaking.

Sounds a bit like California

Of course it would be quite a feat of driving to visit all hose places on the same day!

Cheers

Jamie