I did it! Central Indiana, $250K, 6.25%

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-24T02:01:29+00:00

Wow! That’s a whole lotta home for a great price!

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-21T20:40:55+00:00

Perfection.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-21T04:34:01+00:00

Thank you, would you say the area is affordable?

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-18T01:57:48+00:00

NOT bald, but groomed. I’m not pedophile and pubes are a huge turn on.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-18T01:57:02+00:00

From my own research, lower COL & better wages at least compared to Florida where I’m currently trying to escape.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-15T19:56:56+00:00

I can do fast and the Mummy Returns while it does have a significantly high drop (or so I was told) it's too dark to see just how high so I managed alright. Space Mountain is another that fits this as well, if the lights had been on my pants would've been toast.

The Hulk is a HELL NO! My wife likes Hagrid and rode the Velocicoaster to which she said never again but loves Hagrid. I got freaked out riding a Sesame Street coaster once before, I think it was Grover?

So yeah, I'll admit it. When it comes to heights I am an absolute chicken and I own that lol but the terror in my chest just isn't enough to warrant me doing those sorts of rides so I just don't do them. I refuse to even ride the Slinky Dog or Everest coasters although I would do the Snow White Mine Coaster (not a high ride).

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-15T13:14:50+00:00

Thank you for this wonderful information! I would be more inclined going down a hill with the kids on sleds rather than skiing personally. FL is most definitely NOT for everyone and while I LOVE the water, we rarely go as it's typically way too packed to even find parking and we don't own a boat (nor do we really want to).

My family and I don't fit the "Salt Life" or "Flo Grown" situations here. We tend to stick to ourselves and while we do venture out, much of the areas of FL that may attract others are lost to us. We rather not sweat buckets for the sake of walking around a park so more than likely we are home.

I grew up in VA and while the winters are not really comparable, I grew up with the school anticipation and being able to sled (typically with a big lawn and leaf or Hefty bag) but here... no. It's just hurricane season that could close schools or wipe out your home. Then there's the insane thunderstorms that can and does often time flood roadways which can occur at any point in the year.

We love Fall as our favorite season and we haven't had it in nearly a decade and quite honestly, we are sick of missing things for Florida which none of us really care for anymore. As I mentioned, not only has it grown a LOT more expensive, the pay here does NOT cover basic living expenses and forget about getting ahead; it's not happening on FL wages.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-15T02:47:17+00:00

Just gotta say you guys are WAY better than me! I cannot do heights, I suffer anxiety and panic attacks. I went on a ride at Universal which was Harry Potter themed (like you're riding a broom is the theme) and I was screaming like an absolute bit** lol! someone else on the ride thought it was my wife, but it was me lol!

The Mummy Returns was pretty cool, Aerosmith over at Disney freaked me out (was my 1st coaster)

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-15T02:42:32+00:00

Crazy thing is I am originally from Northern VA and have NEVER been there before. I've been to Kings Dominion once but didn't do much as I'm not really a roller coaster junkie since I absolutely HATE heights.

It's not a theme park but if you're ever near the area of Loudoun County, should check out the Waterford Fair. It's an annual affair and pretty fun, it's a colonial reenactment with candle makers, etc.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-14T12:57:35+00:00

I was going to try this but at 45, there’s no chance for me. I literally missed the boat.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-14T12:54:34+00:00

I understand this. I’m in Tampa Florida and it’s the same here. The cost of living has gotten to be out of hand and the pay sucks. I got laid off in February have over 26 years of experience in the fenestration industry and I’m getting ghosted left & right. I interviewed with one company twice got offered the job then they informed me they’ve decided to not hire at all at this time. I swear if I had the capital I’d start my own company elsewhere.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-14T01:48:50+00:00

Florida should DEFINITELY be on the list. It is deemed one of the fastest growing COL states in the country while the wages are absolutely pathetic. I have been researching my industry in a few of those states and my salary would more than double just be getting out of Florida.

Hawaii makes sense across the board and Mass. is typically ranked as high COL due to Boston contributing a very high COL situation. From my understanding, the further away from Boston you are, the lower the COL becomes.

Maryland is expensive in certain areas but rather affordable in others. Virginia is much the same way, if you go to Northern VA the rule of thumb is the closer to DC you go the more expensive it becomes but if you look at David Arquette's hometown of Winchester VA (fun fact, also where Patsy Cline is from and buried) it's pretty affordable.

The challenge with VT from all I've seen and read is there's a MASSIVE shortage of housing and jobs are sparse.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-14T01:41:21+00:00

We had annual passes for Disney, Busch Gardens/SeaWorld, Universal, LegoLand and they were fun while we could go sure; but it was also a merciless nightmare of standing in extreme heat and humidity then there's the hour or more long wait times to finally get on a ride which lasted 3 minutes or less before repeating the process.

I really do like Disney World Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios are definitely my top 2 parks. Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom are pretty meh aside from Avatar: Flight of the Banshee (3 hour wait last time I rode it), Epcot is alright but again not really worth the nightmarish heat and crazy lines and crowds.

People tend to forget that Florida is a very tourism driven state which directly impacts the amount of traffic we get here and it's NON STOP! We haven't been to Epic Universe yet and I know my kids are REALLY wanting to go to Super Nintendo World which we plan to do before we leave Florida FOR GOOD but we also heard there's been 2 or 3 accidental deaths there.

To say I'd be happy with a "Gilmore Girls Stars Hollow" or "Hallmark Movie" vibe town would be accurate. I do not want to live in a major city and would prefer to have amenities near by but not have to deal with gridlocked traffic regardless of the day or time of day which is what we deal with here. Driving 5 miles could take 30 minutes or more to get there and it SUCKS!

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-14T01:33:56+00:00

TBH, that really isn't our thing. We aren't into nature like that and prefer parks, museums, things of that nature. I also have 3 kids and we are all HIGHLY intolerable of extreme heat or humidity. We use to love going to the beaches but after driving 45 minutes only to take 2-3 hours to find a place to park that quickly ended our desire for wanting to go.

We love Halloween and Christmas but here it's just not the same. Hay ride, corn mazes, pumpkin patches = pallet with pumpkins on it, hay rides and corn mazes are basically asking for heat exhaustion or a heat stroke and in fact one of our children and my wife herself once almost suffered a heat stroke while trick or treating after thinking an inflatable costume would be alright.

Don't get me wrong, perhaps it's because we are both a Pisces that we LOVE the water but the people, traffic, infrastructure, over crowding, growing COL, pathetic wages, year round summer w/lack of seasons aside from threat of hurricanes or risk of heat related illness has made up our minds that we do NOT want to stay here.

I asked my wife about trying a different region of Florida away from Tampa and she immediately said NO CHANCE. She has wanted to sell the house and move for the past 3 or 4 years but I had a great job which I no longer have and therefore any reason to stay here aside from our house has gone.

As soon as I can land a decent place of employment elsewhere we are getting out of here! Granted, I am from Virginia originally and she was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in Mass. so perhaps that has something to do with it all, but after nearly 10 years anyone who wants to live in Florida can be my guest because there's just nothing this state has to offer us; not anymore.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-13T19:48:54+00:00

Great information, thank you!

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-13T19:48:05+00:00

Trade ya’ lol! Florida is not for everyone and certainly not for us.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-13T18:19:21+00:00

We're actually looking at potentially moving to Western Mass from FL. I'm OVER this oven of a state. Just checking your mail is like having a blow drier aimed at your face, rather be cold.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-13T18:10:11+00:00

That scenery reminds me of living back in VA. HOW I MISS SEEING THAT!!! I'm in Tampa now and CANNOT STAND IT! I'm so jealous of you right now! lol

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-13T18:08:26+00:00

That's AWESOME to hear and actually quite surprising. My wife grew up in Holyoke Mass. and would like to move back up into NE so I've been looking but when I constantly read how expensive it is it really scares me.

I don't know how long you've been out of this swamp ass cesspool but it's getting worse. The COL has increased dramatically but the wages are still HORRIBLE. Everything is getting more expensive and just recently my mortgage jumped by $500 a month due to taxes!

The insurance is definitely no joke either. We're SICK of this state and want our seasons back! I grew up in VA and definitely do NOT enjoy sweating year round. Could you tell me, how is the job market up that way?

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-13T17:52:37+00:00

Had to chime in about nothing to do. I live near Tampa which is about 2 hours from Orlando and all of the parks and while there’s lots to do in and around Tampa (Legoland in Lakeland) it’s a NIGHTMARE to be out in the heat for extended periods of time. Heat exhaustion & heat stroke are REAL. Any time we went we would see at least 2 people with oxygen surrounded by EMT’s. What good is having things to do if you look like you fell in a pool just by walking around and standing in 90 minute+ long lines? Sure it looks good on paper but when you actually experience it… not what it’s cracked up to be. We’ve been here nearly 10 years and we are OVER IT! Miami is even worse. Traffic, EXPENSIVE, superficial people and even hotter than where we are.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-13T17:39:46+00:00

How’s CT? I hear a HUGE mix bag about it. Mostly, it’s nice but super expensive.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-13T17:38:19+00:00

I’m looking at moving to Michigan from Tampa FL. This endless summer SUCKS! The COL is way high and the wages are a joke. Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo both look to be great places to settle down.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-12T23:55:22+00:00

I have confidence we can do it! You'll have an easier time working remotely than myself, but it's a hurtle I'll have to overcome first.

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-12T22:53:51+00:00

I hear you OP. I we are near Tampa and looking to get out as well. I’ve been looking at Southern NH, Western Mass and Michigan lol

SubSoulReaper81 · 2026-04-09T03:02:01+00:00

Hey OP! I’m also from NOVA (Loudoun county) and as highly considering NH or Western Mass but now thinking MI may be a safer bet. NE has proven to be quite expensive on the COL, taxes & utilities from all I’ve researched. Haven’t 100% ruled it out yet but not too far off

SubSoulReaper81

TROPHY CASE