Eventually moving out of the swamp...

[lucidvisions]

So we've been giving some serious thought on moving out of the swamp called Florida and going back to our roots in the Northwest. I thought I'd try and pick some heads about areas you guys enjoy living, working and playing. Have you found your Utopia, and you willing to tell us about it?

I'm definately steering towards living in a smaller town with more opportunities to get out in the wilderness, experience the seasons and maybe buy some land so I can build a house and studio. So where have you found the place you think is the best in the Northwest (N.Cali, Oregon, Wash., Idaho, Montana) and are you willing to give up your secret? Actual location in regards to economy is not imperitive as most of our sales are wholesale and we travel for sales. All we really need is a UPS location and local gas sales.

I've just met the end of my rope when I walked into the studio today at 7am and it was 98 degrees already with a blanket of humidity. I want a outdoor life style that I can share with my wife, daughter and our two crazy dogs that doesn't consist of 9 months of heat, good ole boys, and tropical insects.

Thanks ahead of time, I just thought that there's so many of you spread out around the northwest I might be able to cut out some research time as to where to think about a future move.

Josh

[the0ther0ne]

I'm loving the White Mnts of NH here in the Northeast...
I got lucky enought to get paid per hour blowin glass on top of Loon mountain for the summer in between my prodo sales and I get to keep the $$ I make off my glass sold up there.
There is also beautiful Mnts, hiking trails, crystal CLEAN rivers for swimming or tubing.Farms for my fresh meat, dairy and veggies (whatever veg I don't have in my garden).
In the winter time we got the snowboarding and snowshoeing. But I'm sure you could find all that in the N.west too! I just love northern new england, so I had to say sumthin about it.
peace and good luck in yer search!!
Dave-RNSGA

[brettodie]

i vote montana in a little town called gardner on the north entrance of yellowstone. or jackson hole wyoming that would be my first choice plus there some real nice gallerys there. both areas have some of the best hiking ive ever done. i might be biased though i spent almost a year living in yellowstone saving to blow glass. ive hiked close to 2000 miles in and around that area absolutly amazing to say the least. plus yellowstone is a no fly zone so you dont even see plane trails over head hardlt ever. just wisjh i could convince my wife thats the place to be ah well a few more years in Dtroit and i hope shell be ready. :) good luck in your search. peace brtt

[mer]

eugene is definitely worth considering. we have a huge glass scene with thousands of lampworkers, local supplies and the eugene glass school. there is a large and supportive community of artists here. the weather is nice if you like it moderate, we only seem to get 2-3 weeks of 90+ days spread out over the summer and maybe one decent snowing a winter.

portland is under 2 hours away when you need the comforts of the city. the coast and the mountains are about the same distance when you need recreation/inspiration.

and hippy chicks, don't forget the hippy chicks....

[willyoung]

Just thought I'd chime in and second the needing to move out of da Swamp thing!!!
I'm living and working in Savannah GA, and it is every bit as humid and nasty here as it is down there.

I work nights..... period.
I dont even try to blow glass in the middle of the day.

LucidVisions
I Feel You Bro!
Your work is great, I'm sure you will do ok wherever you end up!!
Good LUck!

[sunray]

Lots of our 100 local customers are tucked into these little towns from the Canadian Border to Seattle.. Seems each one likes their little secluded place that they live.. Lots of beauty water and mountains..

[Mac Maestro]

I have to drive 8 hours north to get to your 'dirty south.'

[lucidvisions]

We're going back in Sept. to check out eastern WA, and Whitefish, Mt.. Thanks for all the suggestions, keep em coming.

Josh

[Micah Evans]

eastern WA you gotta check out good old Cashmere, Leavenworth, Monitor, Peshastin and Dryden. Those are all in the same wenatchee river valley a stones throw from the Columbia River in one direstion and the Cascade mountains in the other, also Lake Chelan. the seasons are awesome but forest fires are a problem every 5 to 10 years. The other bad thing is the housing crash never really hit there, the prices are still going up not down.

whatever you do stay the fuck away from Spokane, theres just something wrong with those folk. lol.

[Mac Maestro]

Good luck with finding 'home' and everything. I hope you find what you are looking for.

With so few glassblowers in FL, I have to meet you guys before you leave. I may also be able to absorb some of your equipment etc you dont want to move... as I'm trying to open a teaching studio down here. Funny. Been down here for almost 4 years and now I'm starting to feel comfortable.

[lucidvisions]

You're welcome anytime Maestro. The moving plans are just in the planning stages right now. So we're not going anywhere for at least 2 years or so. But I don't want to move again if possible. Sound like you found that Micah, congrats! I know it's gotta feel good to be grounded. What about N.cali and Eastern Oregon?

Josh

[Robert Mickelsen]

I've just met the end of my rope when I walked into the studio today at 7am and it was 98 degrees already with a blanket of humidity. I want a outdoor life style that I can share with my wife, daughter and our two crazy dogs that doesn't consist of 9 months of heat, good ole boys, and tropical insects.
Heat? It may have been 98 in the morning, but this afternoon it is around 75 because of afternoon rain. Good old boys? You should live where I do... in Mims... which stands for Momma Is My Sister. McCain signs are everywhere and my Obama sign needs a guard dog. Tropical insects... that's what barbeques are for!

Seriously... best of luck to you.

- RAM

[lucidvisions]

Thanks RAM, just out of curiousity...what keeps you in FL? I know you've lived in some beautiful places that put "the swamp" to shame. Maybe you know something we don't? Besides BBQ'd insects?

Josh

[Micah Evans]

he found a hot Wife to go along with the weather:D

[seadal]

Texas. Dallas or Austin. Glass scene is blowing up in Texas right now. Its still hot and kinda humid. Lots of good old boys. Housing market is stable. Ect ect ect

[The Lorax]

i wish there was somewhere to live in america that was 60 - 85 degrees year round and not expensive as hell like Hawaii

[Bryan]

hey maestro we should get together one time your in south east fl (miami). Have two stations set up.... and RAM it hilarious anytime i refer to when i went up to mims. I always clarify Mims, FL bc no one has ever heard of it. Also it definitly gets way more southern the more north you go from south, fl. The mosquitos are killer here thats my complaint....

[Jupiter]

Ill just add in Hawaii cause I love it here! Sure oxy prices are ridiculous (over 100$ for a tank fill) and you have to ship all your supplies out here.

People spend money on art when they are on vacation. We have vacationers all year long, the slow season is still busy. Your guys art in particular would go over extremely well. glass anthiriums and heleconias would sell like hot cakes for whatever price.

It almost never hits 90 and the humidity isnt too bad depending where you are. if you dont like the weather you drive for 30 minutes and youll find a totally different climate (we have every climate zone found on earth except for sahara desert and glaciers). Bugs can be annoying in places but nothing near the stories ive heard of florida. no snakes either.

weve got our own version of rednecks. but they can usually be defeated with a smile and a "howzit". And Obama was raised here, this state is crazy for him.

Any where you go im sure youll be successful. im from the pacific northwest originally and love it up there other than the long gray winter. one thing you will find there though is just about more glass makers per capita than anywhere else in the states. In hawaii there is probably only a couple hundred in the whole state.

Aloha Jupiter

[Ben Burton Glass]

Hey Jup!!!

Don't be giving away all our secrets!! LOL!!!

The 808 is a great place to be, except for the paradise tax that encompasses our entire existance here...

Aloha!

[bc]

i wish there was somewhere to live in america that was 60 - 85 degrees year round and not expensive as hell like Hawaii

There is................it's called san diego. A lil pricy but not near hawaii. GOod luck with your search.

[Robert Mickelsen]

Thanks RAM, just out of curiousity...what keeps you in FL? I know you've lived in some beautiful places that put "the swamp" to shame. Maybe you know something we don't? Besides BBQ'd insects?

Josh
Like anyplace else, Florida has its pros and cons. I have raised a family here so I have roots. But the outdoor life here is pretty good. Sure, it's hot, but the rain cools it off, you take siestas in the afternoon, and plan your activities for morning and evening when it is not so hot. The fishing here is top-notch and year round. The outdoor life in Florida is all about the water so boats are key. We have kayaks which are inexpensive and very "green".

My best gallery is in Boca Raton so there is a market here. I have learned to work in the heat and it does not bother me.

Now cold weather... I hate that. I will take the heat anyday over the freezing cold of anywhere north of Georgia in the winter. Florida in winter is the best place in the country except maybe Hawaii.

Speaking of Hawaii... I grew up there, own property there, and still have family and friends there. But I don't live there because of the ridiculous expense, limited market (tourists are cheap and have lousy taste), and overcrowding. It is paradise lost in my opinion. At least where I live in Florida living is cheap and we are out in the country away from the idiot masses of south Florida.

But please don't move here, ok? :tongue2:

- RAM

[lucidvisions]

No worries RAM, I'm not going in any deeper into the swamp. Thanks for the well wishes from everyone. We'll find our perfect place.

I seem to remember a past post that I haven't found on the "Search" that had a site listed that you answered a bunch of personalized questions on where would be the perfect place to move and it would come up with a list of areas that fit your criteria. Anyone remember that?

Josh

[gypsea]

there is a book called "the places rated almanac" that lists all major cities in the us, and ranks them according to multiple criteria, demographics, income, costs of living, crime, weather, proximity to areas of attraction/interest, etc.

i was in the midst of reading it and deciding where to go when i met eddie & stayed..........home is where the heart is.

[lucidvisions]

Thanks Gypsea! I'll check it out.

Josh