Where Should I Live? 14 Factors When Deciding the Best Place to Live

http://www.moneycrashers.com/where-should-i-live-decide-best-places/

by David Quilty

5 Comments

Home is where the heart is, but what if your heart doesn't know where it should be?

From low crime rates to a great education system, there are many variables to consider when choosing that perfect place that you and your family can call home.

To help you make this important decision, I've provided an analysis of the most important factors to help you find a home that suits the needs of you and your family.

How to Choose a Place to Live

Begin by determining what is most important to you and your family. If you're single, living in a bustling city might be an ideal choice for your next home. If you have a family, on the other hand, a small town offers amenities that your kids will love.

Moving from Los Angeles to a small town in New Mexico gives me a unique perspective, since I've experienced both life in the big city and the slower pace of rural, small-town America. I did a lot of research before I decided where I wanted to move. Here are some of the tips that helped me the most when I was choosing a place to live.

1. Affordability

No matter what your pay grade is, living comfortably and within your means should be your first concern. Affordability includes more than just housing expenses; the prices for consumable goods, like groceries, vary greatly from town to town. The price of gasoline, utility services including electric and water, and taxes, also varies.

When I moved from California to New Mexico, my expenses dropped like a rock overnight. My rent was cut in half, and I now spend a lot less money on groceries, gas, and utility bills. Because I'm a freelancer, my income stayed about the same, so I felt like I had received a big raise! Affordability has since become my top priority whenever I think about moving to a new locale.

2. Taxes

Did you know that there are five states that have no sales taxes? That's right: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon don't collect sales tax for retail sales and some services. In addition, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming don't collect individual income taxes.

These are important factors to consider when choosing a place to live. The Tax Foundation measures the state-local tax burden, which calculates the percentage of income that taxpayers pay for state and local taxes. Their latest report, from 2009, states that citizens of New Jersey pay the most taxes, while Alaska's residents pay the least taxes. In addition, 40 states provide property tax credits or homestead exemptions that can provide homeowners with some additional tax relief. Consider local sales tax, income tax, and tax credits and exemptions when you're looking for the perfect place to live.

3. Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities vary from state to state and city to city, so spend some time researching the job markets in different areas of the country. Start by analyzing quality employment opportunities within your industry, then determine where the highest concentration of these jobs are located.

Do you want to be an investment banker? You'll need to live in a big city, like New York or Boston. Are you a teacher? Your options will expand considerably since education is sought after in just about any city or town.

Income levels for jobs can vary greatly from state to state. Salary.com lets you compare pay rates for various careers across the country. Salaries are often based on where the job is located. For example, a marketing manager job might come with a large salary in San Diego, but the cost of living is very high in Southern California. Do your research before you move, and ideally, find a job before you relocate.

4. Real Estate Value

Since buying a home is the single largest investment you will probably ever make, you need to seriously consider this factor. With real estate in a constant state of flux, it's important to research current home prices, the length of time homes are for sale, the resale values of homes, and probable long-term value estimates.

In addition, carefully review local housing price trends. Websites like Zillow.com and Trulia.com can help you gain a grasp of the local real estate market. Do you have the opportunity to buy a home in an area where prices are at an all-time high, perhaps representing a bubble? Is the local town or city in the process of being further developed and therefore may become more attractive to future home buyers?

5. Crime Rates and Statistics

No one wants to live in a high-crime area, but that doesn't mean that everyone can live in a Utopian society where crime never happens. By researching the crime rates and statistics for various areas, you can learn more about the safety of a town or neighborhood.

If you have already decided where you want to live, stop by the local police stations to discuss your new neighborhood. The police will be happy to discuss any concerns you have about the area. You can also check out Crime Reports, which lets you review crime statistics for different neighborhoods.

Keep in mind that just because an area is safe today does not guarantee that it will be safe in the future. The long-term stability for a neighborhood can be a determining factor in how safe your surroundings are. Also, consider the future development of a particular location as you narrow down your choices.

6. Proximity to Family and Friends

Do you have a large extended family? Do you spend the holidays with your family and friends? These are important factors to consider when choosing where to live.

If extended family and friends are important to you, choose a place either within driving distance or within a reasonable distance by plane. Otherwise, you'll constantly feel torn, and likely spend all of your vacation time and energy shuttling back and forth to visit friends and family.

7. Climate

Like to ski all winter long? Maybe southern Arizona isn't the place that you should call home. Not a fan of humidity? You may want to avoid settling in Florida any time soon.

I grew up in New England and swore that I would one day escape to a warmer climate; I hated winter that much. I knew that I would be more comfortable in dry, hot climates, so my entire adult life I have lived in California and New Mexico, away from snow, bugs, and humidity.

The climate plays a large role in our lives as it impacts our hobbies, behavior, and sometimes even our jobs. Living in the climate in which you are most comfortable contributes to your mental health, so choose wisely!

8. Education System

A good education is essential to setting up children to better handle the rest of their lives, so the importance of good schools cannot be overstated.

My parents chose the town where we lived because of the public school system's reputation. I have friends who moved from California to the Midwest so their kids could go to better schools.

Nonprofit websites like GreatSchools are a great source for parents looking for the ideal schools for their children. The quality of the public schools factors into your finances, too, since tuition for a private school can be extremely expensive.

9. Culture

If you crave constant cultural stimulation, you definitely want to choose a place that has a lot of cultural offerings. When I lived in Los Angeles, I could see concerts, operas, sports teams, plays, and musicals all the time. I took full advantage of Los Angeles' cultural scene when I lived there, but I've become less active over the years. Now that I live in New Mexico, the options for cultural experiences are much more limited, but that is OK with my new lifestyle.

Many people need to be near their favorite team, or a vibrant music scene or the theater. If you have a favorite hobby or recreational activity, make sure that you can continue to pursue these interests in your new home. Finally, if you enjoy being around a specific religious or ethnic community with your same beliefs and interests, this should be a factor in where you choose to live.

10. Commute Time and Public Transportation Options

The explosive growth of the suburbs surrounding metropolitan areas have made commuting times in many areas unbearable. A recently released report from Swedenindicates that long-distance commuters actually have an increased risk of divorce. The length of time it takes to get to work can be a determining factor in the decision to move to a new locale.

I commuted in Los Angeles for years and you couldn't pay me enough money to do it again. If you have a family, commuting can also drastically reduce the amount of time you spend at home. With gas prices rising and commute times becoming longer, utilizing public transportation options like light rail, train, or bus can be an inexpensive, time-saving way for you and your family to get around – and cut the cost of commuting to work. It can also help your kids get around when you're not home to drive them. A good public transportation system is a major plus when choosing a place to live.

11. Food Options

If you're a foodie, you may want to try to find a place to live near the ocean or near a metropolitan city center. Grocery store fare, while plentiful, doesn't replace the quality of fresh food from the ocean or fresh produce from the farmers' market. If eating locally and sustainably is important to you, consider whether you can pursue this lifestyle in your new home.

For me, the ability to grow my own food year-round with ahome vegetable garden is a determining factor for choosing where to live. I don't want to shut my garden down from October to April. However, if trying new, diverse cuisines is one of your passions, a bigger metropolitan area is going to offer more choices than small-town America.

12. Town or City Size

If you enjoy a friendly wave from everyone you pass while driving to the post office, then a smaller town is definitely for you. If you wish to remain relatively anonymous, a larger town or a big city is better suited to your personality.

I grew up in a smaller-sized town, moved to Los Angeles, and now I live in a rural town, so I have experienced both ends of the spectrum. I sometimes miss the anonymity of living in a big city, but I also like going to my favorite small-town diner where my waitress always knows my usual order.

13. Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare facilities are important at any stage in life, but they are especially relevant if you have children or if you are nearing retirement age. Easy access to good healthcare can increase your quality of life exponentially, so be on the lookout for towns and cities with good hospitals and medical schools. Often, there will be a correlation between cities and the quality of the healthcare.

14. Proximity to an Airport

If you travel a lot, you may need to live within close proximity of an airport. If you live more than an hour away from the closest airport, traveling to and from the airport can become very time-consuming and expensive. If you spend a healthy amount of time traveling, definitely consider the distance to the airport.

Additional Resources

While the above factors should be considered when choosing the ideal place to live, there are many more factors which will all play a role in your decision-making process. Luckily, there are several websites available to provide additional assistance when conducting your research:

• City-Data. Full of geographical data and statistics on crime, cost of living, climate, hospitals, schools, and air pollution, along with a vast social network with 1,000,000 members, City-Data.com is a great place to start your search for a perfect place to live. The information can seem endless at times and it can take quite a bit of work to find exactly what you are looking for. However, it's a tremendous resource for all sorts of useful data.
• International Living. This site offers a 45-second quiz designed to help you decide where to live overseas.
• Kiplinger's Find Your Best City. Answer eight questions to see five areas in the U.S. that match your individual needs.
• Money's Best Places to Live. Money Magazine compiles a list of the Top 100 places to live each year, and it's a valuable resource for people considering a move.
• NeighborhoodScout. NeighborhoodScout lets you research neighborhoods, real estate, and real estate brokers all over the U.S. The website requires a paid subscription, but if you are serious about finding the ideal place to live, it may be a worthwhile investment.
• Sperling's Best Places. This website has a quiz that asks a series of questions about climate, economy, housing, and education, and then provides you with a list of places to live based on your answers. I took the quiz and was told that my ideal places to live were in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Right on the money!
• WalkScore.com. This site lets you calculate your "Walk Score," designed to help you determine how accessible nearby resources are for a particular address. Enter the address on the website and the site instantly populates with a list including stores, restaurants, coffee shops, book stores, banks, and movie theaters in the immediate area, along with a Walk Score. Rural areas will have a low Walk Score, and indicate that the neighborhood is "Car-Dependent." On the other hand, addresses close to an urban center will have a high Walk Score, with a "Walker's Paradise" rating.
• Which City Fits You Best?. A series of 17 questions will help match your personality to your ideal locale.

Final Word

The reality of choosing a new place to live encompasses an incredibly large series of factors, all competing for your attention. In order to be successful in your search, you must determine what is most important to you and your family, do your homework, and then continue to be vigilant in your search until you find the right place to live. It can be intimidating and frustrating at times, but all that effort is worth it in the end once you are settled in your ideal location. Happy hunting!

Where are you living now and how did you decide to settle there? What are the factors that are most important to you?

(photo credit: Shutterstock)

Published or updated: June 20, 2011
Categories: Family & Home, Lifestyle, Money Management, Real Estate, Spending and Saving, Travel

Reading Better and Faster

Resource: http://english.glendale.cc.ca.us/speed1.html

Reading Better and Faster

by Dennis Doyle

For most people, it is easy to learn to read faster. Your reading rate is often just a matter of habit. But to begin, you may need to try to change some habits and try these tips:
1. Pay attention when you read and read as if it really matters. Most people read in the same way that they watch television, i.e. in an inattentive, passive way. Reading takes effort and you must make the effort. A wise teacher once told me that you can learn anything if you do three things:

PAY ATTENTION

PAY ATTENTION and

PAY ATTENTION.

There are some simple methods that you can use to pay better attention and get more out of your textbook reading time. Different authors call it different things, but many researchers say that you will improve your comprehension if you somehow "preview" the passage before you actually sit down and read every word.

To do a preview you:

take 30 to 60 seconds.
look over the title of the chapter.
look at all the headings, subheadings and marked, italic or dark print.
look at any pictures or illustrations, charts or graphs.
quickly skim over the passage, reading the first and last paragraph and glancing at the first sentence of every other paragraph.
close the book and ask yourself:
---What is the main idea?
---What kind of writing is it?
---What is the author's purpose?
You might not think that you could possibly answer these questions with so little exposure to the material, but if you do the preview correctly, you should have some very good general ideas. If you have a general idea of what the passage is about before you really read it, you will be able to understand and remember the passage better.
When you finally get to the point where you are actually slowly reading the passage, read in a "questioning" manner -as if you were seaching for something. It sometimes helps if you take the heading or title of a chapter and turn it into a question.

For example, if the heading of a section in the text is "The Causes of the Civil War", take that title and switch it into a question like: "What are the causes of the Civil War?". Now you have a goal; something to look for; something to find out. When you are goal-oriented, you are more likely to reach the goal. At least you'll remember one thing about the text which you have just read.

2. Stop talking to yourself when you read. People talk to themselves in 2 ways, by:

vocalizing, which is the actual moving of your lips as you read, and
subvocalizing, which is talking to yourself in your head as you silently read.
Both of these will slow you down to the point in which you find that you can't read any faster than you can speak. Speech is a relatively slow activity; for most, the average speed is about 250 WPM (words per minute).

Reading should be an activity which involves only the eyes and the brain. Vocalization ties reading to actual speaking. Try to think of reading as if you were looking at a landscape, a panorama of ideas, rather than looking at the rocks at your feet.

3. Read in thought groups. Studies have shown that when we read, our eyes must make small stops along the line. Poor readers make many, many more fixations (eyestops) than good readers. Not only does this slow you down, but it inhibits comprehension because meaning is easier to pull from groups of words rather than from individual words or even single letters. Try to read in phrases of three or four words, especially in complete clauses and prepositional phrases. Your mind may internalize them as if the whole phrase is like one big meaning-rich word.

4. Don't keep re-reading the same phrases. Poor readers habitually read and re-read the same phrase over and over again. This habit of making "regressions" doubles or triples reading time and often does not result in better comprehension. A single careful, attentive reading may not be enough for full comprehension, but is often more effective than constant regressions in the middle of a reading. It is best to work on paying closer attention the first time through. Do a preview first before the careful reading and try the tips I mentioned above. You'll remember better without the rereading.

5. Vary your reading rate to suit the difficulty and type of writing of the text. Poor readers always read at the same slow rate. An efficient reader speeds up for easier material and slows down for the hard. Some things were not meant to be read quickly at all. Legal material and very difficult text should be read slowly. Easier material and magazines and newspapers can be read quickly. Poetry and plays were meant to be performed, and if not acted out, then at least, spoken out loud orally. This obviously will conflict with good speed reading method which forbids vocalization. Religious writings and scripture were originally written to be recited and listened to by an audience which was likely to be intelligent, but illiterate. The "fun" of poetry, plays, or prayer is not really experienced if you "speed read" the text.

(To Next Article) Speed Reading Self-Pacing Methods

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Canvas Overlay LAYER



Download NKS3 brushes.
Gouche Light on Watercolor Paper texture MASK FOLDER for EVERYTHING. Photoshop DEFAULT paper.
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ORGANIZATION

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Skin Tones Tutorial - Painting Heads

7 posts • Page 1 of 1

Skin Tones Tutorial - Painting Heads

http://asingularcreation.com/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=632

and we thank them for their efforts to help our community. I hope you enjoy.












About Ron Lemen:
Ron Lemen is a master painter. He has worked in the entertainment and illustration industry for more than 16 years. Ron and his wife Vanessa are currently teaching an assortment of drawing and painting classes, both traditional and digital, at Studio 2nd Street, and have developed a solid place in the community of Encinitas, participating in a variety of local art events held throughout the year.

Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Twitter Image & Following

RESOURCE: http://www.thetop10blog.com/top-10-ways-to-improve-your-twitter-image-following/

Twitter is the fastest way to develop your brand identity and professional image. We have all heard, not to ‘judge a book by its cover’, but on Twitter ‘ your cover, aka profile, IS judged – and very quickly!

This is why it is important to understand how to make your Twitter page interesting and eye catching.

1. Your Twitter Name

• This little trick really worked for me. Your name is the first thing that people will see on Twitter. Use the name you want to represent your brand.
• For example: When I first started on Twitter I used @lorimcnee, but quickly changed my name to @lorimcneeartist and gained more loyal followers rapidly. It is easier for people to associate me as an artist this way. Also, when people search ‘artist’, my name appears.

2. Profile Picture/Avatar

• Recent studies found that your profile picture is more than just a pretty face.
• Two separate studies concluded that one’s avatar affects how a message is received, and also how individuals interpret it.
• The higher the friendliness and attractiveness of the avatar, the more intimate people are willing to be with strangers.
• It is not a rule, but I suggest using an image of yourself rather than a business logo.

3. Profile/Bio

• The profile is your big branding opportunity to make your unique mark. This is your virtual personality!
• Choose your profile words wisely. This is a great opportunity to brand yourself and/or your business. These few words will say a lot to the world about who and what you are.
• Make it ‘catchy’, this description helps people immediately make the choice to follow you or not.
• Also a custom page is a good way to grab attention.
• Here’s a tip: Once you have chosen your Twitter name and your profile page is complete, add yourself to the free Twitter Directory, WeFollow. This way, you can track your ranking, status and influence on Twitter. I am ranked as one of the most influential people within my niche because I registered.

4. Your Website/blog

• Be sure and add your website or blog to your Twitter profile. Interested tweeters will click on your website link to learn more about you.
• This is now a major branding/image building medium. In past years, a website was thought to be something that you did along with your advertising.
• It has become a major portal and link to the public. As the lines between TV and Internet become blurred, websites will become an even more important part of marketing and branding.

5. What to tweet

• Engage with your followers and don’t focus on selling, but focus on giving. You are here to build valuable, real relationships. By engaging your market you are creating a community around your brand. Sharing photos and videos is a great way to engage your following in conversation.
• Be sure and Pass along good content. Twitter is micro-blogging. Your followers are looking for tweets with value. If they don’t find it, they will either delete you or forget you.

6. Be Sure and Retweet

• Retweets are the way to pass along quality tweets from our fellow Twitter friends.
• The retweet can also be used as a great way to capture the attention of someone in or outside your niche and start a conversation.
• You can use Twitter’s automatic RT button, but I like to manually post my RTs in the update box.
• Also, I generally like to credit the RT at the end of my tweet.
• Just be sure sure to use the RT (for retweet) then space, add @username of the original person who generated the tweet along with the information you are tweeting.
• For example: “Tweet people the way you want to be treated.” RT @username

7. Keep it Simple

• Learn how to abbreviate your tweets. You can use URL shorteners like bit.ly, tinyURL and more.
• Less is more.
• Here’s a complete list of Twitter Acronyms.…and remember, “You are what you tweet.”

8. Be a Good Follower

• Ask yourself if you want to actively engage with your followers, or do you want to follow everyone back? Decide what works best for you.
• It is nice to reach out to your friends and followers…
• For example: Tony, thanks for having me guest post on @TheTop10Blog
• Don’t forget the little guy as your following grows. They helped you get to where you are – and they are loyal. I always do my best to thank my followers because I truly appreciate them!
• It is also good to reach out to some of the bigger Twitter names. These tweeters have a lot of experience and if they RT you, it helps with your own Twitter influence.

9. Consider Using #Hashtags

• #Hashtags help you target your specific niche or interest and provide real-time tracking of Twitter.
• For example: “Tweet others the way you want to be tweeted.” #quote
• Using the #hashtag symbol in front of the keyword, ‘quote’ will help my tweet be seen by anyone searching for the hashtag #quote.
• Just be careful not to use more than 2-3 hashtags or you might be considered a spammer to your followers.
• @Mashable has a great article, HOW TO: Get the Most Out of Twitter #Hashtags

10. When to Tweet for Impact

• One of Twitter’s most popular personalities, @GuyKawasaki states, “I find it’s worth repeating important tweets up to 4 times in about 18 hours. Typically, that would be evening, late evening, next morning and then the afternoon. Hopefully, that will catch the different audiences. But that’s enough; I don’t want to turn anyone off.”
• Guy generally pre-schedules his tweets 8 hours apart at 7pm PST. 3am PST, 11am PST, and 7pm PST…
• The more you use Twitter, the more comfortable you will be with your own tweeting schedule that works for you!

The above information is to use as a guideline to help you get the most out of your Twitter experience. If you would like to find out more about reaching a wider audience on Twitter then please check out How to Reach Beyond Your Niche on Twitter.

Oh, and one more thing: “You are what you tweet!”

Happy Tweeting!

Lori

Big thank you from me to Lori for putting together a super Twitter Top 10. Please do share any other tips that you may have with the rest of us.

Many thanks for visiting The Top 10 Blog. If you have enjoyed this post please share it with the world using the options below and to your left. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

The Country Boys Documentary PBS Frontline

Awesome series.

Watch The Country Boys Part One on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlNJDy_bZDE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Tech Specs on Car Tires