does anyone here live in any of these following states:

Kentucky

Illinois

Tennessee

Virginia

Alabama

New Mexico

Maine

i am really tired of living in California and paying insane prices for living to live in a small apartment and have my horses at an incredibly expensive boarding facility that is only expensive because it is in San Diego. I have one year left of school before I'm a special Ed teacher for mild moderate for k-12 and I just need a change. I want to live somewhere else. The idea of living my entire life in the town I was born in scares me. (I know some people love it but I can't) 45 states have agreements with California that basically say "if you get a teaching credential in California you also satisfy the requirements necessary to teach in this state too" and those states are among them. 

Virginia says it it has an incredibly high cost of living compared to other parts of the country.

Any tips or insight or anything is greatly appreciated.

Move to Kentucky!

1: Horses

2: Fried chicken

3: Horses

Ummm just come to texas!!!!

I live in the most Southern part of Ohio so it's pretty much Kentucky.

Can confirm it is pretty cheap to live around here but there are hardly any jobs in my area.

I live in California too Overture, and I agree. The cost of living in this state is outrageous. It's one of the most expensive states to live in. I eventually want to move also...

I don't live in or really know anything about those states, I'm sorry! Is there any reason you've chosen those ones specifically? No matter what you do, I wish you luck! I absolutely understand your feeling of not wanting to stay in one place your whole life! I've always wanted to move, and live somewhere new, and do something different. Even if I come back, I want to say I lived somewhere else at some point in my life.

To answer a question you didn't ask:

I've spent my entire life in Nebraska, and Omaha is amazing as far as oppourtunities and cost of living. A lot of people have called us recession-proof, and it's really trendy in Omaha. It's a big enough city to have everything and then some (about a million people in the metro area), but small enough to still be cool and not have traffic jams. So, not one of the states you mentioned, but I have to advokate for it!

We have tons of outdoor space and lakes and the river, we have an amazing zoo that is often named the best in the country, and tons and tons of super cool restaurants and entertainment districts. Plus I'm here! :P.

As far as cost, Joel and I now own our house, but spent a lot of time in apartments and we spent ~$750 for a really nice one bedroom apartment (with a cat and dog), and most houses rent for about $1000. Owning is also super affordable, if you're into that sort of thing. Horses here are not cheap, but I spent between $250 - $450 per month per horse boarding horses depending on thre place I was at and the amenities. You can find some really amazing self-service-type outdoor places, or full-service runs for $250-ish, and then obviously go all the way up to $650/month if you want your horses to eat gold dust. But I spent $360 for a stall with outdoor run access, grain and hay, and daily turn out with Brooks. It just kind of depends on what you do as far as that goes. Jumping places are higher western places are lower, unless they're high end performance horse places, etc.

ETA: Links!

http://www.visitomaha.com

http://www.experiencebenson.com (our "home" entertainment district)

http://www.oldmarket.com

http://www.midtowncrossing.com

http://www.omahazoo.com

With aza pay the extra fee and get certified in Texas!

North central Texas is hopin in cow ponies

Pretty much any of those except Illinois. It was legit voted the worst state in the country.

I don't live in any of those states... But if you move to Maine.. expect terrible winter weather.  Lots and lots of snow...  I would say come to Connecticut, but the cost of living here is expensive too :P

I lieft Connecticut for Missouri! xD
All of my family is back there though. Nice state, but pretty expensive like Amberellie mentioned.
School happened and just decided to stick around here in the midwest. Lots of horses out this way too!

I live at the NC/VA line, depending on what area you live in the prices here are reasonable. Nothing over the top expensive, unless you get into the "cities" then it's pricey. I live out in the country, and I can't really complain. Good luck on whatever you choose!

Paints since 6-8-14

I live in Illinois and the state is a joke. Stay away if you're looking a lower cost of living. I know I handful of people from my age (25-ish) up to people in their 50s all looking to move out of the state due to the high taxes. I mean, my city isn't bad in itself even if there's not a whole lot going on ever. I'd just much rather be acoss the river in Missouri. Overall the location isn't too bad, I can take a day trip to St. Louis, Mo or Springfield, Il for some "bigger city" shopping and what not. We went and saw Garth Brooks in Des Moines, IA which was only about 3 and a half hours away. That's one of the benefits to being in the "tri-state" area, you can kind of hop around and get three states worth of stuff haha. I'd avoid Chicago like the plague, I've only been there once but that was enough for me. 

I'm come to Texas! It takes forever to leave. Not that you would ever want too. Plus we have whataburger' that in itself is a huge factor to come ;)

I live on the boarder of IL/IA and I love it. I'l want to leave eventually because this is the town I was born in as well.. It's a small dutch town.. on my Mom's side we have a lot of farmers and they do pretty well. I think most apartments in my area go for around 600-800 plus utilities for one and two bedrooms. It's about an hour drive to the Quad Cities which is nice because there are tons of stores and things to do there. Kentucky and Virginia are beautiful. Visited but never lived there.

Haven't read the whole thread, and also noticed Washington wasn't on the list.  HOWEVER, I would like to mention my area of the state is AQH and Paint city, and we all (for the most part) ride western.  Land is cheap (in comparison), and horse trails are a plenty.  I do not joke.  I grew up in the country and found new trails to ride every weekend.  On top of that we are also the home of 3 different rivers where 2 of them have nice areas to take your horse for swimming (if Jackson is into that. :P).

If you check lists you'll find that our area is pretty "great depression" resiliant.  In 2008-2009 one of our cities made the top 10 of places to live in during the market crash.  It's only a million times better that aside from scientists, the major populus is either farmers or horse people. ☺  In other words... COME BE MY NEIGHBOR! :D

ps. I also found out that my mortgage is like $600 less than a 2 bedroom condo in the greater LA area.  JUST A THOUGHT! :D OH!  And we have 4 seasons! 

Uh... I drove through Tennessee and it was nice. 

My uncle lives in New Mexico and I fell in love with Albuquerque. It's just so BEAUTIFUL out there but I can't comment to the serious stuff like cost of living and all that.

Also, Sam, that is crazy-good. That's about average for what it's like here in Southeast Michigan cost-wise. Equestrian costs vary pretty wildly too. The barn I ride at doesn't seem terribly expensive but the one literally right next door forget it.

Link Tree

Oh my goodness, thank you guys for the responses!!!!

the reasons for these states is there are a list of states that California has reciprocity with as far as teaching credentials go (meaning paper work not more schooling to get my degree transferred) and those states were on the list.

Samantha - those prices for horses are amazing!! Southern California stables with a performance trainer is insane. its $450 a month for a box stall with full service, but I have to do turn outs. And shoes, full show with sliders, is $160 (my farrier is amazing though haha)

i am for sure going to do so much research before I move. And I talked to my parents who sai they would come visit some places with me and if I decide to move help me pay for a real estate agent who specializes in finding people places to rent so I don't have to guess about what is a nice place to live and stuff like that.

Wow, I did not know that about Illinois...I may have to cross that off the list of possiblities!

washington doesn't sound too bad! Fred is from Olympia Washington, so if he came from there, it must be good? :p

alabama is also a big possibility for me since my aunt lives there and I would have someone to stay with. But also, so humid. Like SO humid! 

New Mexico though!!! I've heard it's so pretty haha

guys, this decision is hard and I've taken a three hour science test today I'm so dead. :p

luckily I have two or three years to decide where I want to live. I'm excited though that I'm not stuck in California forever.

(sorry for spelling! On my phone, and like I said...three.hour.science.test.)

-snorts at Trig's Illinois post- 

That state is literally the devil. Horrible taxes. There is nothing in that state. And your baseball team would be the Cubs. Just no.

Or like Move to Australia. It Probably not cheaper. probably hard to find a job. Lacking space for horses unless you go inland

Three... Hour... Science... Test? Oh god.

Link Tree