[C320-list] Where should we move to?

[Jane & Ken]

Jeff, you will receive a lot of input, so this site is great for the info you receive.  Ten years ago we decided to relocate.  Had plenty of time and no real restraints.  Travelled from gulf coast to Key West and up to Chessie spending over 18  months thinking how it would be to live in the various areas---we were retired, so work was not an issue.  We tried to become salt water people, but we kept returning to fresh water.  We have lived 10 years on a lake between Texas and Oklahoma--actually, we have enjoyed the sail area for over 20 years.  WE can sail only 25 miles in one direction, but the coves and inlets have been great and we have not visited 1/4 of them.  We have spent three weeks going from place to place in the various coves and still find great places to anchor.
  We sail year around and have a great party group of about 250 sail boats at the marina where we slip.  The Valiant sailboat is built at the marina---not a bad thing
  Lake Texoma is about 60 miles north of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metro area--fresh water,and good repair facility if necessary.
  Cedar Mills Marina is located in Gordonville , Texas (borders Oklahoma) and is an easy drive to work in the metro area.  DO NOT eliminate an area just because we do not have salt water problems.    Ken Cathey,   O'BUOY # 219   (original owner)

Jeffrey Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
  Hi All,

Shelly and I are Looking for some opinions, and I was told this list is
likely to harbor it's share. :)

We currently keep our boat in Newburyport, MA. (USA).

My wife says she's tired of only being able to sail 4-5 mos out of the year.
I have the assignment of finding new cruising grounds and the timeframe is,
and I quote: "I'll put a sign on the house today if we find somewhere we
want to be instead"

Here is the situation/criteria: (no particular order)

1) We're spoiled by the seemingly endless sailing destinations of the New
England Coast, so we need many interesting destinations that can be reached
in the 2-10 day trip variety.
2) We're not retired yet, (and far from wealthy), so we have to work. She's
a pharmacist, I'm an software engineer/electrical engineer.
3) We have two young rugrats (who also like to sail).
4) We need to have a sailing season that is longer than what we currently
have.
5) Lively nightlife, regional culture, low crime rate, etc is also
important.
6) Must have decent quality public Schools.
7) Housing / cost of living should be comparable or less.
8) Even though my wife suggests it from time to time, I'm not ready for a
liveaboard. (No place for the woodshop).. ;)

We did consider taking a year or two to just go cruise, but we waited too
long, and now Amanda's in school.

So...

We're currently looking along the eastern seaboard around the Delaware,
Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia. We're not crazy about being Hurricane
Bait, but would consider the Gulf of Mexico or Florida if it's appealing in
enough other ways.

Without getting into any wars about has the best sailing 'turf', what do
people think of their own cruising grounds?
Pros/cons? 

Thanks, as always!
-Jeff Hare


PS: Orlando, are you coming to the East Coast this summer?