A friend posted this on FB yesterday and I thought it was interesting to see what everyone had to say!
What are some pros/cons about where you live?
Me: From MA Pros - I am fairly close to both the city and the beach. - Our sports teams are the bomb! - Seasons! New England is really fun throughout the year.
Cons - The cost of living is pretty high around here - As much as I love the seasons, the winters can be really harsh and spring is pretty much non-existent.
There are more that I can't think of right now but just wanted to give an example!
Me: 34 DH: 34 Married 10/28/17 Our TTC Journey
TTC #1 February '18 Team Green turned TeamBlue 10/15/18
TTC #2 January '21 BFP June '21 MMC/Blighted Ovum that led to D&C July '21 Jan '22 - started IF testing BFP Jan '22 MMC/Blighted Ovum that led to D&C Feb '22 BFP May '22
@tessiesmom26 you messed up your pros and cons. Being in MA that means you probably root for the Patriots and they’re just THE WORST. DEFINITELY a con.
I'm from Wisconsin! Pros: -I live in a more rural area but pretty equidistant from both Madison and Milwaukee so I can get "city" whenever I feel the need. Personally I migrate more toward Madison since I lived, went to school, and worked there for a good chunk of time. Sometimes I miss it because it's such a unique atmosphere and there's a little bit of everything and for a "city" it doesn't feel like a city. -There are tons of state parks with amazing outdoor opportunities close by. We do a lot of hiking, fishing, and camping so it's great! -In general people are friendly, you'll get you occasional jerk, but for the most part everyone tends to be mid-west polite. Hold open doors, smile and say good morning, etc. -ALL.THE.CHEESE!!!!! -The Milwaukee Brewers! Love going to Miller Park for a game, they may not be the best, but they sure are fun to cheer on (And at the age of "older than God" Bob Uecker is hands down the best sports announcer to listen to!) -ETA: thought of another Pro: No tollways! After recently driving out to NJ to visit my mom I realized how uncommon it is to not have to pay a toll to use the highway (granted it comes out of taxes, but *shrug* nice to not have to pay each time you use the road)
Cons: - The smell of freshly manured fields are definitely a con these days! Lots of dry heaves and practicing mouth breathing to avoid it. -I do not nor have I even tipped a cow. -No ocean nearby and lake swimming just isn't the same. -Most of my family (aside from siblings) are all out of state. Us "kids" are all still here or close by.
I'm sure I'll think of some more and edit/add later.
ETA: I wasn't born in WI, transplanted here in middle school from NJ, but it's home now and NO WAY would I ever want to go back to NJ. I'd consider moving to another state, maybe South or West, but not East Coast.
BFP 3/21/2020! OMG We're having TWINS! 4/17/2020 -------------------------------- LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby! -------------------------------- Me: 33 | DH: 41 Married: March 2016 TTC #1/IUD out January 2017 PCOS dx January 2018 Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018 BFP 3/10/2018! -------------------------------
TTGP December Siggy Co-Winner: Favorite Moments from Holiday Movies/TV
TTC #1 February '18 Team Green turned TeamBlue 10/15/18
TTC #2 January '21 BFP June '21 MMC/Blighted Ovum that led to D&C July '21 Jan '22 - started IF testing BFP Jan '22 MMC/Blighted Ovum that led to D&C Feb '22 BFP May '22
Pros- - I like being within a short drive of so many different cities. DC, Annapolis and Baltimore are all within a short car ride of where I am. - I can go to the beach, or the mountains, or the city without driving more than a couple hours or less. - I feel like we get pretty true seasons which are nice. - all my family is here
cons- - it’s pretty highly populated and traffic is terrible pretty much everywhere - cost of living in Central Maryland is redonkulous because it’s so close to DC and Baltimore. - it’s far away from Disney World. I don’t fly, so we have to make the 12 hour drive every time we go.
@tessiesmom26 I have to agree with @pink_polkadots... Although I technically live in New England (barely), the MA teams are the WORST!
I moved from very rural part of northeast PA to the NYC metro area (CT suburbs) in 2011 and never looked back!
Pros: - The best of both worlds: a short train ride/drive to NYC but I get to go home every night to my house and yard in a nice, quiet neighborhood - The Long Island Sound (not quite the Atlantic Ocean but still the beach) is very close - Lots of high paying jobs - I'm obsessed with houses and am spoiled with so much "eye candy" here... from gorgeous $50M estates to quaint homes dating back to 1713, there's always so much to look at! - Some of the best schools in the country
Cons: - Because of the aforementioned pros, it is very expensive to live here. The average list price for homes in my town is $1.8M - Winters can be brutal - Traffic is a nightmare
New York transplant to Florida (against my 11-year-old wishes). Been here ever since.
Pros: - No state tax! - Beautiful beaches - Disney, Busch Gardens and Sea World, and Universal Studios are an hour away or less (from me, at least) - Lots of interesting things to do - Publix
Cons: - Every afternoon in the summer it rains. It's also very humid and gross. - Hot as HADES - Snow birds every winter (who don't know how to drive) - 4 seasons are snow bird, hurricane, love bug and hot - Did I mention the heat? Seriously, I don't know why people live here sometimes.
Married 4/12/13 TTC since 6/13 Diagnosed w/ PCOS 4/9/15 - R/E recommended lifestyle change BFP 4/10/16 - DS born 12/16/2016 SURPRISE! BFP 3/8/18
I was born in MN but moved to WI. I am in a suburb of Madison.
pros: there are sooooooo many things to do in Madison! we have so much fun every summer and even winter but do tend to stay home more in winter.
Actually living outside of Madison is amazing because you miss so the city madness and only have to go into it when you want to
it is beautiful
lots of state parks, and trails. We are a huge biking family and there is no shortage of riding
so many music venues and concerts which I LOVE or only an hr drive to Milwaukee for even more options.
Cheede curds!!
fish fry!!
really all the food, there is sooooooo much good food here!!
the farmers market and anything down in the square.
i absolutely LOVE living here and consider it home. I left and went TX and couldn’t move back fast enough, Where I’m from in MN is trashy so I don’t miss it one bit.
cons: it is the most expensive county in WI, so it is expensive to live here and the employers don’t always match with their pay. It can be tough to live here
I have to disagree with people being nice, there are a lot of jerks here. Entitlement, people thinking they are better than everyone. I technically work retail as a grocery manager and am pierced and tattooed so I see a lot of people every day and catch a lot of judgement. But there are also some really amazing people here.
crime lately, and a lot of protests since we are the capital city
winter!!! But the kids love it so I have to get over it lol
i think a lot to do with Madison and WI in general is flawed and backwards, but no where is perfect and over all this is where I like to be.
Pros: -No harsh winters -We're about 45 minutes from Alabama beaches -Mobile is absolutely gorgeous. The downtown area is juuust big enough to have a little something for everyone, but not so big that you get lost or overwhelmed or feel unsafe. -Cost of living is low -We live in a community in North Mobile County that has one of the top ten best public school systems in Alabama. I'm excited about my kids attending. -MARDI GRAS! (Mobile is the birthplace, not Nola... look it up.) -College football... I mean, SEC is king, y'all. It's just a fact. -Conecuh Sausage... Fellow Bama moms- can I get an AMEN?!
Cons: -Humidity -Critters -LOTS of rain during the summer. LOTS. -Mobile is a very racial divided city. Racial bias runs deep and it's basically bred into you down here. It sucks. -Rednecks -Everyone assuming you're a stupid, racist redneck because you're from here.
@ashkee05 That's interesting on the differing opinions on people. I suppose it really is dependent on your area. Granted, I also don't work retail, so I'm sure you get to see the "cream of the crop" so to speak on a regular basis I do recall certain areas of Madison where people seemed to have some stuck up/entitlement issues. I was mainly thinking of our recent trip out east and the huge difference in people from around where I live vs the majority of people we encountered. We tend to hold doors open at the store, or smile at people and I had one lady inform me she wasn't an invalid (for holding the door), another guy look at me like I was crazy and ask, "what are you doing?". We were constantly cut off in stores practically pushed out of the way. At one point while shopping MH said "Excuse me miss, I'm trying to get through" when someone blocked an aisle and they moved FURTHER into the aisle to be more in the way and just scowled. Another person scolded her kid for smiling and waving back at DSD when we were at the Statue of Liberty. It was just really bizarre and like we were in the twilight zone It seemed too continuous to think it was a fluke or just based on the area of NJ we were in lol
BFP 3/21/2020! OMG We're having TWINS! 4/17/2020 -------------------------------- LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby! -------------------------------- Me: 33 | DH: 41 Married: March 2016 TTC #1/IUD out January 2017 PCOS dx January 2018 Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018 BFP 3/10/2018! -------------------------------
TTGP December Siggy Co-Winner: Favorite Moments from Holiday Movies/TV
WV (eastern panhandle) transplanted from va beach originally.
pros: -lots of opportunities to go hiking, camping, scenic drives within a relatively short driving distance. -close to several major cities like dc, baltimore, pittsburg, and philly so a day or weekend trip is nbd. -feels like we get a good assortment of the seasons, without being too extreme. -my living room windows overlook some of the appalachian mountains. -we frequently pass through harpers ferry (where the shenandoah and potomac rivers converge) and thomas jefferson once wrote (of harpers ferry) that “This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic.” -we’re 15 minutes away from the most haunted town in america! (shepherdstown, wv)
cons: -way too far from the beach. -we are very close to one of the epicenters of the opioid epidemic. -i wish my immediate town had better dining out options; most of it is chain restaurants and fast food places. -way too far from the beach.
Pros - So many awesome local resturants with amazing food - There are so many fun festivals in the summer time - Sports and tailgating - Cost of living is low compared to other areas in the country -Lake Michigan
Cons - Winter
Me: 28 DH: 29 Married: August 2014 TTC #1 Since March 2015 Diagnosed with PCOS March 2016 SA results normal April 2016 3 rounds clomid + trigger + TI = BFN 3 rounds clomid + trigger + IUI = BFN Uterine polyp removed July 2017 Round 1 IVF January 2018
@lurvleybunchococonuts see the only other places I’ve been is MN and TX. And well TX is TX I think that says it all and MN is so much like WI. There are definitely a lot of nice people but I certainly see both sides of it in Madison in full force lol
West Coast representing! I live in Northern CA and love it here!
Pros: The weather is really mild so it never gets any higher that the low 70s in the summer and never much colder than the 40s in the winter. We are surrounded by redwood trees and very open beaches which, due to the secluded nature of Norther CA, aren’t ever very crowded!
Cons: They call it the “lost coast” up here so we are pretty far from any major cities making cost of living pretty high. Also the cost of fuel is incredibly high.
I grew up in Wahiawa but we just bought our house last year in Royal Kunia. We love it.
Pros: -The food here is amazing! -It's a beautiful place to live -Great weather year round -Beaches galore, closest one is about 15min away and I can see the ocean from our guest bedroom upstairs
Cons -Traffic -High cost of living (new national study says a 65k salary is low here) -Travel is extra expensive since we gotta cross the ocean
Both of our families live here and we will never move away.
@lurvleybunchococonuts I love going to the market at the capitol in Madison! We go there every time we visit my Aunt and Uncle!
Infertility Journey (in spoiler because it's way too long and child/loss mentioned)
Married: 08/09/2013; TTC #2 Me: 31, possible PCOS and Septate Uterus (Septum removed in November 2017) DH: 31, MFI (Low Count and Low Motility) July 2017 - IUI #1 - Letrozole 2.5 mg, no trigger, Prometrium 100 mg 2x a day - BFN August 2017 - IUI #2 - Letrozole 2.5 mg, no trigger, Prometrium 100 mg 2x a day - BFN September 2017 - IUI #3 - Letrozole 2.5 mg, no trigger, Prometrium 100 mg 2x a day - BFN November 2017 - Uterine Septum removed December 2017 - IVF Consultation January 2018 - IVF #1 - Retrieval 1/24 - 2 Day 3 embryos (1 transferred fresh, 1 frozen) and 2 Day 5 embryos frozen February 2018 - Fresh Transfer - Transfer 1/27 (1 day 3 embryo) - BFN March 2018 - FET #1 - Transfer 3/2 (1 day 5 embryo) - BFP! 1st beta (10dp5dt) - 101; 2nd beta (17dp5dt) - 3061! Due 11/18/2018 March 2018 - Remaining embryos lost in malfunction.
October 8, 2018 - Son born at 34 weeks and a day due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Spent 13 days in the NICU.
June 2019 - IVF #2 - Cancelled - Cyst on Ovary July 2019 - IVF #2 Take 2 - Retrieval 8/1 - 5 Day 5 embryos frozen August 2019 - FET #1 - Cancelled - No Trilaminar Lining September 2019 - FET #1 - Transfer 9/25 (1 day 5 embryo) - Chemical Pregnancy - 1st beta (9dp5dt): 110; 2nd beta (14dp5dt): 357; 3rd beta (16dp5dt): 188; 4th beta (23dp5dt): 7 November 2019 - FET #2 - Transfer 11/6 (1 day 5 embryo) - BFN December 2019 - FET #3 - Transfer 12/11 (1 day 5 embryo) - BFP! - 1st beta (8dp5dt): 102; 2nd beta (15dp5dt): 2636! Due 08/28/2020
August 13, 2020 - Son born at 37 weeks an 6 days due to failed BPP (Gestational Diabetes).
I live in a medium sized city (pop 250,000) in North Carolina. I grew up here, but lived in Chicago and DC in my twenties before moving back
pros:
- everything is a ten minute drive and rarely is there a long wait for anything - I love the weather, especially the hot summers and beautiful springs - lots of fantastic universities in this area and around the state - halfway between the beach and the mountains - relatively low cost of living - NC has the best barbecue
cons:
- pro sports are 1.5h away at least - miss the walk ability and public transportation and big airports of a major metro - also miss the diverse food scene of a big city, and even though I wouldn’t get to experience it much a bigger arts and culture scene
@CopperBoom86 Amen, hallelujuah, and everything else. I love me some Conecuh sausage.
I'm originally from Dothan and now living outside Montgomery, AL
Pros: -Everyone is super friendly. - Conecuh sausage -Fairly mild winters -Cost of living is low -SEC football. War Eagle!!
Cons: -Summer is basically the 7th circle of hell. -Crime rate is high in Montgomery. - People think if you are from this state you are a racist, bigot, and generally stupid as hell. -There are two seasons: Comfortable and temperate or hotter than hell even the Devil won't come here.
I've lived around Dallas, TX my entire life except for the 1 year I spent living in Montana with DH.
Pros - I can pretty much get anything I need/want near by. - Always have access to newest movies, products, etc. - Diversity. So many different cultural areas - Concerts. Pretty much all music acts I'm interested in make a stop here! - Activities. There is SO MUCH to do within a 50 mile radius! - Spring and Fall are amazing.
Cons -Traffic. It blows. - Landscape is definitely lacking - You have to drive 30-60 minutes "get out of the city". - Flights from here are some of the most expensive. Trying to visit family is getting more and more expensive, so it happens less. - Summer heat is ridiculous.
@middleschoolmommy I left Wisconsin in May with my coat on and moved to tx and wanted to die when I landed wearing jeans and a hoodie. I don’t think I went outside all summer unless I absolutely had to the summer I lived in tx. That heat could kill me for real lol
I love reading these. It's so interesting learning about where everyone comes from.
I'm in Auckland, New Zealand.
Pros: -The city is built around two harbours so there are beaches everywhere -so many amazing places to eat out and so much delicious cheap food -lots to do and some great visitor attractions -the weather is really mild in winter and hot in summer. -HEAPS of regional parks with beautiful hiking tracks. -so many family friendly events through out the city and so many of them free or cheap.
Cons: -Housing is really expensive. A basic, in not great condition, 3 bedroom house goes for $1M and it's often damp and badly insulated to boot. -the cost of living is high -traffic is a nightmare because everyone drives, public transport is pretty bad and not really an option for most people. DH commutes takes 3 hours a day at the moment and that's pretty reasonable. -high crime
We're moving south as soon as we can to a city where we can get a lovely home for 300k and with a 5 minute commute for DH but Auckland is where we both grew up so in spite of the cons, we'll miss this place.
I'm so jealous of everyone living near DC with all those amazing historical sights and free museums! I'm dying to visit.
I live in a fairly small town in Central FL. It's surrounded by bigger cities so there's really no small town feel. Pros - 45 minutes from Disney World, which I'm obsessed with. It would be a strong factor if we ever thought about moving. - No snow! I'm originally from here but spent a big chunk of my childhood where there were ice storms every year. It was nbd as a kid but I would never in a million years want to deal with that mess as an adult with sh*t to get done. - My family all live here. Most are 15 minutes away or less. - Beaches and Publix subs. Nuff said.
Cons - The cost of living is pretty high. It's expected to get even higher after what Hurricane Irma did to PR. Lots of people moving here. -The freaking humidity. I can handle heat, but the humidity makes the summer months feel like you've got a heavy, wet, hot blanket wrapped around you. Even our winters are ruined by it. It's a wet cold that cuts right to the bone. And yes, 50 degrees is cold! -Because we're used to mostly nice weather, if it is even slightly overcast outside people forget how to drive. Expect everyone to go 10 below the speed limit. It's horrific. - Even though FL is technically the South, our area doesn't feel that way anymore. Most people who live here aren't from here so the southern hospitality you'd expect is nowhere to be found. My family is southern and has deep roots in Orlando. I love most things about our region (basically everything except the typical garbage @CopperBoom86 mentioned) so I'm glad to be surrounded by people who are more liberal-minded, but you just can't beat that southern sweetness. I have definitely experienced my fair share of grown ass men cutting in front of me to go through a door without then holding it for me (even while huge and pregnant).
@CopperBoom86 I've always been the only Alabama mom, so it's awesome that you are here! I mean you're an Auburn fan so it goes without saying that you're also a genius. It's a pleasure to go through this with you.
I've lived in Texas my whole life (except a brief stint for my Masters in Virginia). Grew up in southern Texas but now live in the DFW area.
Pros - lots of things to do to entertain the kiddos - fairly mild winters - awesome mexican food - home costs (while currently at a peak) are relatively low compared to other major cities - people are friendly for the most part. You get a good southern vibe from most, but not overly so - you can find good public schools if you live in the right neighborhood - Central Market/HEB (best grocery stores ever)
Cons - Dallas can be a bit hoity toity - July and August are really hot. I hate not being able to get out with the stroller for a jog
You Floridians forgot another huge pro to living in FL now... Year round Day Light Saving Time! Not sure what other states do this, but Alabama is considering it and I'm praying it passes.
@CopperBoom86 hasn't passed the Senate yet, and I pray it does NOT! That's definitely a con for me. If we're gonna do it, then do it like Arizona and no daylight savings at all.
Married 4/12/13 TTC since 6/13 Diagnosed w/ PCOS 4/9/15 - R/E recommended lifestyle change BFP 4/10/16 - DS born 12/16/2016 SURPRISE! BFP 3/8/18
@phoenix870509 Nooooo! I LOATHE when it gets dark before I can even make it home from work. Seriously THE WORST. Also, my kid sleeps later on DST because the sun doesn’t rise so early.
@marfi236 I love Cleveland! I call it hometown because I lived there during my more formative years growing up. We celebrate Christmas there since my husband's family still lives there.
I currently live in NoVA... Pros: Very family-centric, there's lots of things to do for families in our area Close to DC and all the historic sites Dulles airport, which is one of my favorite ones Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum Diverse and quality schools All four seasons although Winter's usually kind of mild (really cold this year though) Spring is gorgeous Close to the mountains so a good motorcycle ride is not far Close to scenic hikes Close to farms so fresh produce in the summer is awesome VA has reasonable income tax The roads here are decently maintained
Cons: TRAFFIC (which is why I work from home) High cost of living High cost of housing Seasonal allergies
I'm from Northern Ontario in Canada. Pros: -I live in a city that has a ton of lakes in it, so in the summer there are beaches everywhere! And lots of winter activities to do. -it's one of the larger cities in northern Ontario so we we're not really missing out on anything amenity-wise but you definitely still feel surrounded by nature. -90% of our family lives within an hour drive of us.
Cons - 6 months of winter, lots of snow and cold. -Toronto is a 4 hour drive away, so all major sports teams/concerts, etc. require ++ time off of work to attend.
We won't ever be moving.. unless we retire and become those annoying snowbirds you Floridians refer too
I've been trying to get through this thread all week! Finally made it to the end!
I live in a suburb of Denver, CO
Pros: Mountains on one side, plains on the other So many outdoor activities available at your fingertips Large city with all the amenities that come with a large city but with a clean, small city feel One of my favorite things of living here is that we are a purple state so lots of diversity in thinking, politics, ethnicities, etc, and yet it feels like everyone fits in. Solid school system
Cons: Traffic is getting worse each year Very high housing costs January and February can get so cold
Me: 38 DH: 36 Married 8/27/2011 BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012 BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014 BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017 BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
Re: GTKY- Tell us about where you're from!
Pros:
-I live in a more rural area but pretty equidistant from both Madison and Milwaukee so I can get "city" whenever I feel the need. Personally I migrate more toward Madison since I lived, went to school, and worked there for a good chunk of time. Sometimes I miss it because it's such a unique atmosphere and there's a little bit of everything and for a "city" it doesn't feel like a city.
-There are tons of state parks with amazing outdoor opportunities close by. We do a lot of hiking, fishing, and camping so it's great!
-In general people are friendly, you'll get you occasional jerk, but for the most part everyone tends to be mid-west polite. Hold open doors, smile and say good morning, etc.
-ALL.THE.CHEESE!!!!!
-The Milwaukee Brewers! Love going to Miller Park for a game, they may not be the best, but they sure are fun to cheer on (And at the age of "older than God" Bob Uecker is hands down the best sports announcer to listen to!)
-ETA: thought of another Pro: No tollways! After recently driving out to NJ to visit my mom I realized how uncommon it is to not have to pay a toll to use the highway (granted it comes out of taxes, but *shrug* nice to not have to pay each time you use the road)
Cons: -
The smell of freshly manured fields are definitely a con these days! Lots of dry heaves and practicing mouth breathing to avoid it.
-I do not nor have I even tipped a cow.
-No ocean nearby and lake swimming just isn't the same.
-Most of my family (aside from siblings) are all out of state. Us "kids" are all still here or close by.
I'm sure I'll think of some more and edit/add later.
ETA: I wasn't born in WI, transplanted here in middle school from NJ, but it's home now and NO WAY would I ever want to go back to NJ. I'd consider moving to another state, maybe South or West, but not East Coast.
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LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
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Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
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Married 10/28/17
Our TTC Journey
Team Green turned Team Blue 10/15/18
TTC #2 January '21
BFP June '21
MMC/Blighted Ovum that led to D&C July '21
Jan '22 - started IF testing
BFP Jan '22
MMC/Blighted Ovum that led to D&C Feb '22
BFP May '22
Pros-
- I like being within a short drive of so many different cities. DC, Annapolis and Baltimore are all within a short car ride of where I am.
- I can go to the beach, or the mountains, or the city without driving more than a couple hours or less.
- I feel like we get pretty true seasons which are nice.
- all my family is here
cons-
- it’s pretty highly populated and traffic is terrible pretty much everywhere
- cost of living in Central Maryland is redonkulous because it’s so close to DC and Baltimore.
- it’s far away from Disney World. I don’t fly, so we have to make the 12 hour drive every time we go.
I moved from very rural part of northeast PA to the NYC metro area (CT suburbs) in 2011 and never looked back!
Pros:
- The best of both worlds: a short train ride/drive to NYC but I get to go home every night to my house and yard in a nice, quiet neighborhood
- The Long Island Sound (not quite the Atlantic Ocean but still the beach) is very close
- Lots of high paying jobs
- I'm obsessed with houses and am spoiled with so much "eye candy" here... from gorgeous $50M estates to quaint homes dating back to 1713, there's always so much to look at!
- Some of the best schools in the country
Cons:
- Because of the aforementioned pros, it is very expensive to live here. The average list price for homes in my town is $1.8M
- Winters can be brutal
- Traffic is a nightmare
Pros:
- No state tax!
- Beautiful beaches
- Disney, Busch Gardens and Sea World, and Universal Studios are an hour away or less (from me, at least)
- Lots of interesting things to do
- Publix
Cons:
- Every afternoon in the summer it rains. It's also very humid and gross.
- Hot as HADES
- Snow birds every winter (who don't know how to drive)
- 4 seasons are snow bird, hurricane, love bug and hot
- Did I mention the heat? Seriously, I don't know why people live here sometimes.
TTC since 6/13
Diagnosed w/ PCOS 4/9/15 - R/E recommended lifestyle change
BFP 4/10/16 - DS born 12/16/2016
SURPRISE! BFP 3/8/18
pros:
there are sooooooo many things to do in Madison! we have so much fun every summer and even winter but do tend to stay home more in winter.
Actually living outside of Madison is amazing because you miss so the city madness and only have to go into it when you want to
it is beautiful
lots of state parks, and trails. We are a huge biking family and there is no shortage of riding
so many music venues and concerts which I LOVE or only an hr drive to Milwaukee for even more options.
Cheede curds!!
fish fry!!
really all the food, there is sooooooo much good food here!!
the farmers market and anything down in the square.
i absolutely LOVE living here and consider it home. I left and went TX and couldn’t move back fast enough, Where I’m from in MN is trashy so I don’t miss it one bit.
cons:
it is the most expensive county in WI, so it is expensive to live here and the employers don’t always match with their pay. It can be tough to live here
I have to disagree with people being nice, there are a lot of jerks here. Entitlement, people thinking they are better than everyone. I technically work retail as a grocery manager and am pierced and tattooed so I see a lot of people every day and catch a lot of judgement. But there are also some really amazing people here.
crime lately, and a lot of protests since we are the capital city
winter!!! But the kids love it so I have to get over it lol
i think a lot to do with Madison and WI in general is flawed and backwards, but no where is perfect and over all this is where I like to be.
Pros:
-No harsh winters
-We're about 45 minutes from Alabama beaches
-Mobile is absolutely gorgeous. The downtown area is juuust big enough to have a little something for everyone, but not so big that you get lost or overwhelmed or feel unsafe.
-Cost of living is low
-We live in a community in North Mobile County that has one of the top ten best public school systems in Alabama. I'm excited about my kids attending.
-MARDI GRAS! (Mobile is the birthplace, not Nola... look it up.)
-College football... I mean, SEC is king, y'all. It's just a fact.
-Conecuh Sausage... Fellow Bama moms- can I get an AMEN?!
Cons:
-Humidity
-Critters
-LOTS of rain during the summer. LOTS.
-Mobile is a very racial divided city. Racial bias runs deep and it's basically bred into you down here. It sucks.
-Rednecks
-Everyone assuming you're a stupid, racist redneck because you're from here.
I was mainly thinking of our recent trip out east and the huge difference in people from around where I live vs the majority of people we encountered. We tend to hold doors open at the store, or smile at people and I had one lady inform me she wasn't an invalid (for holding the door), another guy look at me like I was crazy and ask, "what are you doing?". We were constantly cut off in stores practically pushed out of the way. At one point while shopping MH said "Excuse me miss, I'm trying to get through" when someone blocked an aisle and they moved FURTHER into the aisle to be more in the way and just scowled. Another person scolded her kid for smiling and waving back at DSD when we were at the Statue of Liberty. It was just really bizarre and like we were in the twilight zone It seemed too continuous to think it was a fluke or just based on the area of NJ we were in lol
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LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
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Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
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pros:
-lots of opportunities to go hiking, camping, scenic drives within a relatively short driving distance.
-close to several major cities like dc, baltimore, pittsburg, and philly so a day or weekend trip is nbd.
-feels like we get a good assortment of the seasons, without being too extreme.
-my living room windows overlook some of the appalachian mountains.
-we frequently pass through harpers ferry (where the shenandoah and potomac rivers converge) and thomas jefferson once wrote (of harpers ferry) that “This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic.”
-we’re 15 minutes away from the most haunted town in america! (shepherdstown, wv)
cons:
-way too far from the beach.
-we are very close to one of the epicenters of the opioid epidemic.
-i wish my immediate town had better dining out options; most of it is chain restaurants and fast food places.
-way too far from the beach.
Pros
- So many awesome local resturants with amazing food
- There are so many fun festivals in the summer time
- Sports and tailgating
- Cost of living is low compared to other areas in the country
-Lake Michigan
Cons
- Winter
Me: 28 DH: 29
Married: August 2014
TTC #1 Since March 2015
Diagnosed with PCOS March 2016
SA results normal April 2016
3 rounds clomid + trigger + TI = BFN
3 rounds clomid + trigger + IUI = BFN
Uterine polyp removed July 2017
Round 1 IVF January 2018
Pros
- low cost of living
- mild winters
- lots of things to keep kids busy (awesome zoo, children's museum)
- it's 10 hours from my MIL
Cons
- high crime
- only 2-3 suburbs with good schools
- lots of rain (which I loved prior to having kids)
- HOT/humid summers
Now that I've made some wonderful friends here, it's going to be hard to ever leave.
Dx: PCOS
DS1 born 11/2014
DS2 born 11/2018
3 previous losses
Rainbow baby due 12/2021 - Team Green
Pros: The weather is really mild so it never gets any higher that the low 70s in the summer and never much colder than the 40s in the winter. We are surrounded by redwood trees and very open beaches which, due to the secluded nature of Norther CA, aren’t ever very crowded!
Cons: They call it the “lost coast” up here so we are pretty far from any major cities making cost of living pretty high. Also the cost of fuel is incredibly high.
I grew up in Wahiawa but we just bought our house last year in Royal Kunia. We love it.
Pros:
-The food here is amazing!
-It's a beautiful place to live
-Great weather year round
-Beaches galore, closest one is about 15min away and I can see the ocean from our guest bedroom upstairs
Cons
-Traffic
-High cost of living (new national study says a 65k salary is low here)
-Travel is extra expensive since we gotta cross the ocean
Both of our families live here and we will never move away.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- America's test kitchen
- The Columbus zoo is awesome
- hardly any traffic
Cons:
-the snow!
Pros:
- I love the fall and winter we have
- West Side Market
- Cleveland Metroparks
- Great suburbs within 45 minutes from downtown
Cons:
- Disgusting humidity in the summers
- NFL team sucks (not that it affects me, we're Steelers fans, hubs is from Pittsburgh)
@pink_polkadots and @ginny_203 I agree with you ladies! The Patriots are the worst!
@lurvleybunchococonuts I love going to the market at the capitol in Madison! We go there every time we visit my Aunt and Uncle!
Me: 31, possible PCOS and Septate Uterus (Septum removed in November 2017)
DH: 31, MFI (Low Count and Low Motility)
July 2017 - IUI #1 - Letrozole 2.5 mg, no trigger, Prometrium 100 mg 2x a day - BFN
August 2017 - IUI #2 - Letrozole 2.5 mg, no trigger, Prometrium 100 mg 2x a day - BFN
September 2017 - IUI #3 - Letrozole 2.5 mg, no trigger, Prometrium 100 mg 2x a day - BFN
November 2017 - Uterine Septum removed
December 2017 - IVF Consultation
January 2018 - IVF #1 - Retrieval 1/24 - 2 Day 3 embryos (1 transferred fresh, 1 frozen) and 2 Day 5 embryos frozen
February 2018 - Fresh Transfer - Transfer 1/27 (1 day 3 embryo) - BFN
March 2018 - FET #1 - Transfer 3/2 (1 day 5 embryo) - BFP! 1st beta (10dp5dt) - 101; 2nd beta (17dp5dt) - 3061! Due 11/18/2018
March 2018 - Remaining embryos lost in malfunction.
October 8, 2018 - Son born at 34 weeks and a day due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Spent 13 days in the NICU.
June 2019 - IVF #2 - Cancelled - Cyst on Ovary
July 2019 - IVF #2 Take 2 - Retrieval 8/1 - 5 Day 5 embryos frozen
August 2019 - FET #1 - Cancelled - No Trilaminar Lining
September 2019 - FET #1 - Transfer 9/25 (1 day 5 embryo) - Chemical Pregnancy - 1st beta (9dp5dt): 110; 2nd beta (14dp5dt): 357; 3rd beta (16dp5dt): 188; 4th beta (23dp5dt): 7
November 2019 - FET #2 - Transfer 11/6 (1 day 5 embryo) - BFN
December 2019 - FET #3 - Transfer 12/11 (1 day 5 embryo) - BFP! - 1st beta (8dp5dt): 102; 2nd beta (15dp5dt): 2636! Due 08/28/2020
August 13, 2020 - Son born at 37 weeks an 6 days due to failed BPP (Gestational Diabetes).
pros:
- everything is a ten minute drive and rarely is there a long wait for anything
- I love the weather, especially the hot summers and beautiful springs
- lots of fantastic universities in this area and around the state
- halfway between the beach and the mountains
- relatively low cost of living
- NC has the best barbecue
cons:
- pro sports are 1.5h away at least
- miss the walk ability and public transportation and big airports of a major metro
- also miss the diverse food scene of a big city, and even though I wouldn’t get to experience it much a bigger arts and culture scene
I'm originally from Dothan and now living outside Montgomery, AL
Pros:
-Everyone is super friendly.
- Conecuh sausage
-Fairly mild winters
-Cost of living is low
-SEC football. War Eagle!!
Cons:
-Summer is basically the 7th circle of hell.
-Crime rate is high in Montgomery.
- People think if you are from this state you are a racist, bigot, and generally stupid as hell.
-There are two seasons: Comfortable and temperate or hotter than hell even the Devil won't come here.
Pros
- I can pretty much get anything I need/want near by.
- Always have access to newest movies, products, etc.
- Diversity. So many different cultural areas
- Concerts. Pretty much all music acts I'm interested in make a stop here!
- Activities. There is SO MUCH to do within a 50 mile radius!
- Spring and Fall are amazing.
Cons
-Traffic. It blows.
- Landscape is definitely lacking
- You have to drive 30-60 minutes "get out of the city".
- Flights from here are some of the most expensive. Trying to visit family is getting more and more expensive, so it happens less.
- Summer heat is ridiculous.
I'm in Auckland, New Zealand.
Pros:
-The city is built around two harbours so there are beaches everywhere
-so many amazing places to eat out and so much delicious cheap food
-lots to do and some great visitor attractions
-the weather is really mild in winter and hot in summer.
-HEAPS of regional parks with beautiful hiking tracks.
-so many family friendly events through out the city and so many of them free or cheap.
Cons:
-Housing is really expensive. A basic, in not great condition, 3 bedroom house goes for $1M and it's often damp and badly insulated to boot.
-the cost of living is high
-traffic is a nightmare because everyone drives, public transport is pretty bad and not really an option for most people. DH commutes takes 3 hours a day at the moment and that's pretty reasonable.
-high crime
We're moving south as soon as we can to a city where we can get a lovely home for 300k and with a 5 minute commute for DH but Auckland is where we both grew up so in spite of the cons, we'll miss this place.
I live in a fairly small town in Central FL. It's surrounded by bigger cities so there's really no small town feel.
Pros
- 45 minutes from Disney World, which I'm obsessed with. It would be a strong factor if we ever thought about moving.
- No snow! I'm originally from here but spent a big chunk of my childhood where there were ice storms every year. It was nbd as a kid but I would never in a million years want to deal with that mess as an adult with sh*t to get done.
- My family all live here. Most are 15 minutes away or less.
- Beaches and Publix subs. Nuff said.
Cons
- The cost of living is pretty high. It's expected to get even higher after what Hurricane Irma did to PR. Lots of people moving here.
-The freaking humidity. I can handle heat, but the humidity makes the summer months feel like you've got a heavy, wet, hot blanket wrapped around you. Even our winters are ruined by it. It's a wet cold that cuts right to the bone. And yes, 50 degrees is cold!
-Because we're used to mostly nice weather, if it is even slightly overcast outside people forget how to drive. Expect everyone to go 10 below the speed limit. It's horrific.
- Even though FL is technically the South, our area doesn't feel that way anymore. Most people who live here aren't from here so the southern hospitality you'd expect is nowhere to be found. My family is southern and has deep roots in Orlando. I love most things about our region (basically everything except the typical garbage @CopperBoom86 mentioned) so I'm glad to be surrounded by people who are more liberal-minded, but you just can't beat that southern sweetness. I have definitely experienced my fair share of grown ass men cutting in front of me to go through a door without then holding it for me (even while huge and pregnant).
Yuusssss! In my last BMB, there was only one other Alabama mom and she was a Bama fan. Boo!
Edit: to add gif, which was a PITA.
Pros
- lots of things to do to entertain the kiddos
- fairly mild winters
- awesome mexican food
- home costs (while currently at a peak) are relatively low compared to other major cities
- people are friendly for the most part. You get a good southern vibe from most, but not overly so
- you can find good public schools if you live in the right neighborhood
- Central Market/HEB (best grocery stores ever)
Cons
- Dallas can be a bit hoity toity
- July and August are really hot. I hate not being able to get out with the stroller for a jog
TTC since 6/13
Diagnosed w/ PCOS 4/9/15 - R/E recommended lifestyle change
BFP 4/10/16 - DS born 12/16/2016
SURPRISE! BFP 3/8/18
I currently live in NoVA...
Pros:
Very family-centric, there's lots of things to do for families in our area
Close to DC and all the historic sites
Dulles airport, which is one of my favorite ones
Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum
Diverse and quality schools
All four seasons although Winter's usually kind of mild (really cold this year though)
Spring is gorgeous
Close to the mountains so a good motorcycle ride is not far
Close to scenic hikes
Close to farms so fresh produce in the summer is awesome
VA has reasonable income tax
The roads here are decently maintained
Cons:
TRAFFIC (which is why I work from home)
High cost of living
High cost of housing
Seasonal allergies
Pros:
-I live in a city that has a ton of lakes in it, so in the summer there are beaches everywhere! And lots of winter activities to do.
-it's one of the larger cities in northern Ontario so we we're not really missing out on anything amenity-wise but you definitely still feel surrounded by nature.
-90% of our family lives within an hour drive of us.
Cons
- 6 months of winter, lots of snow and cold.
-Toronto is a 4 hour drive away, so all major sports teams/concerts, etc. require ++ time off of work to attend.
We won't ever be moving.. unless we retire and become those annoying snowbirds you Floridians refer too
I live in a suburb of Denver, CO
Pros:
Mountains on one side, plains on the other
So many outdoor activities available at your fingertips
Large city with all the amenities that come with a large city but with a clean, small city feel
One of my favorite things of living here is that we are a purple state so lots of diversity in thinking, politics, ethnicities, etc, and yet it feels like everyone fits in.
Solid school system
Cons:
Traffic is getting worse each year
Very high housing costs
January and February can get so cold
Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018