Where to live and learn??

[MatthewM]

Hello Everyone,

I have been interested in sailing, and in the ocean in general for most of my life. I think this has something to do with the fact that I have only seen the ocean a handful of times.

My wife and I have decided to move someplace where we can learn about sailing, and the seas in general. We are in our twenties and have no real constraints on where we could move. We have some money saved up but would like to have the option to work as well.

In a nutshell here is what we are looking for:

-Place to live on or very near the ocean.
-Opportunities to learn about sailing, fishing, and the ocean through work or another way.
-No constraints on where we live.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Matthew

[craigimass]

Wow, lots of possibilities........

You must have SOME ties that bind....family or other matter.
Love of hot weather - hate of humid hot weather, etc.....

Being an easterner myself, I can speak for New England.....
Of course, Rhode Island and the Cape and SE Mass are all famous for sailing and other Ocean stuff - Woods Hole marine, etc.

Hmm, work? That could be a little tougher, although fishing is still popular in various places on the cape and some other ports. Also, there are the cold winters......a big negative for a LOT of people.

Lots of boat building stuff around also, but the economy is bad now so that stuff is probably slow.

The Chesapeake Bay would probably be high on a lot of lists. Milder weather, lots of options including many which are close to population centers for work, etc.

From there, I would skip south to the west coast of Florida......Tampa Bay and below - Charlotte, etc. - pretty nice weather!

The only west coast area I have been to is the Bay Area...yeah, top notch in the weather, sailing and life style end of things...but expensive to live, and I'm not sure about the work...in terms of actually relating to the water.

I'm sure many of the others can chime in - about Texas, etc. and some other spots I have never been to.

Other benefits of all the areas i mentioned are big airports and highways nearby for easy-in, easy-out when you do have to travel elsewhere.

Cost of living might be a big thing too. But that can really vary depending on your exact life style. For instance, we have a cottage on Aquidneck Island (Newport RI is on that Island) and there is a manufactured home park (not trailers.....just prefab houses) there where I saw houses advertised for 50-60K. Heck, you are on the same island and within a 1/2 mile of million plus dollar homes. The water is still the same......

So, if you can adapt.....you can live most anywhere.

[MatthewM]

Craigimass,

Thanks for the response. As far as ties, we have family in the Midwest, but that won't keep us from moving somewhere. We have been living in Alaska for a couple of years now, so were used to being a long distance from them.

As far as weather concerns, we might prefer something on the opposite end of the spectrum from -40 winters, and hoping for a few days that hit 70 in the summer. We aren't really all that tied to the continental U.S either. Although it may be the best bet for ease of travel and finances.

Thanks again, and hope to hear more advice,

Matthew

[alwheeler98]

I don't know if you have your heart set on salt water, but if you have family in the Midwest, you may want to consider one of the states bordering the Great Lakes. I grew up in Michigan and now regret I didn't take full advantage while living there, and northern Michigan is beautiful.

That being said, I am a New England sailor and love that I am so close to the ocean.

Either place will NOT provide 12 months of great sailing weather, but you really enjoy every opportunity you get.

[nolatom]

Lots of good year-round sailing in New Orleans, with the Gulf close by (well, sometimes too close, but that's another topic).

[craigimass]

Originally Posted by MatthewM

Craigimass,
hoping for a few days that hit 70 in the summer. We aren't really all that tied to the continental U.S either. Although it may be the best bet for ease of travel and finances.
Matthew

We certainly get 70's and 80's all summer - and well into the fall in coastal RI due to the influence of the warm water. Water temp in the bays can be 70+ degrees, especially in the shallower beach areas.

Here are some typical scenes from the RI coast.
Another advantage....or disadvantage depending on your point of view - is that everything is pretty compact. That means no really long drives to get to most places. Not like Reno to Vegas or anything.

[Sailormann]

Vancouver or Seattle would be good...

[craigimass]

Vancouver is beautiful. Free health insurance too......can make a big difference if you intend to raise a family or have any health issues.

Also, it is near skiing and lots of other stuff.

[Fstbttms]

Don't come to California! The weather sucks, the year-round sailing conditions are terrible and the women are ugly!

[capttb]

Yeah ! And Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego are out too, I had to put a sweatshirt and windbreaker on in 15 kts yesterday! No biting insects, no hurricanes, and the water don't freeze in the winter ! Women are just as ugly as up north but they got tans in the winter !