If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

In answering this question, I’ll be talking not about the edifice, but the location.

Being British, I shall start with weather 😉 Having become intolerant of heat and having never become immune to cold, I’d seek somewhere with a temperate climate. A place without extremes of either heat or cold, but also not crazily wet or dry.

My preference would be for a town or city with plentiful amenities. Ideally I’d live centrally, although anywhere within reasonably level walking distance of the centre would suffice. I’d prefer not to live on a busy main road, ‘cos I’d like to have cats, and I’d rather they be allowed unfettered outdoor access.

In a place there’s a bit of public greenery, even if it’s only a pocket park – providing an option for strolling, and with somewhere to sit and catch the sun. Close to water would be perfect. In ideal circumstances, the seaside or coast, but a river, lake, canal; even a trickling stream would do at a push 🙂

A well stocked library and/or bookshop would make me happy, and a variety of eateries and drinkeries would be ideal. A lively local community would be a bonus – a balance between the locals being friendly yet not prone to sticking their noses in your business.

Located within convenient and reasonable distance of a larger well-appointed town with cultural spaces – any combination of gallery, theatre, music venue, regular food market, antique fair or brocante, as well as larger shops. A decent road and rail connection would round it off.

I’ve been building a description presuming that where I’d live would be within the borders of the UK. If I were to live overseas, I’d probably select somewhere a bit larger, or maybe just a bit more cosmopolitan – where the locals are used to a foreigner, and it’s not unusual to find people who speak some English. It’s a pity the UK decided to leave the European Union and so made it difficult for their nationals to relocate with ease…

Countries which appeal would include France, Italy and Spain in the Mediterranean, while in Northern Europe, I’ve a decided soft spot for the Netherlands. Much about the Scandinavian countries appeals hugely, as do both Canada and New Zealand – but snowfall and my (lack of) balance do not happy bedfellows make, so only one makes it past the post in that list, and there’s no doubting its significant distance from my daughter and grandchildren would be a massive hurdle.

One notable absentee on my list is the country of my birth and the last place I felt at home – India. Unfortunately, everything from the weather conditions to the political situation, let alone the distance from my family, would rule it out.

Are you living in your preferred place? If so, did you draw up a similar list in order to find it? Do you think anything is missing from my list?

© Debs Carey, 2025

22 thoughts on “If you could live anywhere, where would it be?”

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  1. I’m one of the very fortunate ones for whom the town I’ve lived in for 55 years now just keeps getting better and better. More and more multicultural, friendly and welcoming, small and easy to get around, and not in the U.S. 😊🇨🇦 Of course, it helps to like snow!!

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  2. I miss the seasons and the trees, especially the autumn leaves on the East Coast. At one point I would have picked New England and a small town, but I am also less of a walker now (not by choice!) and still like diversity (of both people and cultures). California is a sticky state and I am not sure my SoCal boy will ever leave. And right now? It’s much better than the rest of the country. However, the US is beginning to feel like Berlin 90 years ago and I am wondering if we are foolish not to leave.

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  3. My true answer would be in a totally self-sufficiently run cabin in the forest on a mountain near a lake in a place that gets snow (but not blizzard white-outs) and has a temperate conditions during the other seasons. Just far enough from basic civilization but well enough hidden that only the people I want to know about the place can find it.

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  5. Your list and mine are similar. I think I would love most of the places you listed. If I wanted to live in Europe, I’d pick Scandinavia, Spain, or the Netherlands.

    In North America, I’d pick Canada—partly because America, but also because Canada seems lovely for many reasons. That said, I do love where I live in the US. The only other place I’d consider here would be San Diego, mostly for the weather.

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  6. Autumn, I nearly didn’t post this (I’d written it quite some time ago and stuck it in the post bank). If I was you and the US was home, I’d feel California would be a good state to be in. My sister’s family (now including my mother) live in Missouri and it looked for a while as if the orange one had his eyes on St Louis for his next military occupation.

    I am sorry that you feel so uncomfortable in your home. I remember how it felt after Britain voted for Brexit as I just couldn’t see how I could be happy here again. It did settle down, but the right wing have started their shenanigans again and I’m starting to feel unhappy again. Sigh.

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  7. Deb, you’re describing the sort of place Himself would love. Every time he sees somewhere like that on a YouTube channel, or in a film or TV programme, he sighs. Initially it’s because he knew I’d not cope. I like the idea, but I get cabin fever. Since our recent health struggles, he’s realised that being close to civilization is necessary.

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  8. Aw Kari, I love how we love the so many of the same things ❤ The geography and geology of the US really appeals to me as a photographer, and the (largely) friendly and welcoming nature of the people is attractive too. Hopefully, that time will return. I've not been to Canada, but would have problems with the snow, although absolutely everything else is high up my list of desirables.

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  9. Yes, I feel fortunate that my health holds but the reality at 66 is that just about anything could come up so the practical side of me knows complete isolation isn’t the best plan!

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  10. I like where I live now in Edmonds, a sweet small city on the sea just north of Seattle. I’ve read that the perfect location is on a hill looking down on a body of water, any kind of water. I can’t see the sea from my house, but I can see it if I walk a few steps down the street. An absolute requirement for me is the ability to take a walk starting at my front door. The climate here is mild–almost no snow in winter and summers where you can get along without an air conditioner.

    My family members live on both coasts of the US. Fortunately, my sister, one daughter, and one grandson live near me.

    I’m glad to have lived in more than one country. Living in the Philippines and then in Vanuatu and living among a large expat community was stimulating, fascinating, and fun. And Vanuatu has an absolutely perfect climate. Perfect weather every day.

    The path ahead for the United States does not look good. We’re already living with an authoritarian president who tries to limit free speech and who delights in throwing his critics in jail. The harm he does to our country will not be limited to the United States, so rather than flee, we Americans should stay and fight. Besides, I’m to old to start over.

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  11. Yes, I know I’m fortunate that the practical and pragmatic living choice is one I’d (probably) have made anyway, but wish Himself hadn’t had to go through the past few months to have the sense of that imposed on him.

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  12. Nicki, I agree with the perfect location having a view of water, although I’ve not had that since I was a child. Like you, I am glad to have had the experience of life overseas. Not that I’d want to move to any of the countries we lived in, but am hugely grateful for what those experiences taught me.

    For a few months now we’ve looked with a degree of horror at the US. Unfortunately we now not only seem to have our own return of right wing activists, but a YouGov poll is suggesting that the party which represents them is well placed to lead at the next election. When you consider that they currently only have 5, that is quite some suggested turn-round. If it were to happen, I’m not sure how I’d feel about continuing to live here, although deciding to move away from my daughter and grandchildren would be simply horrendous. I so hope it doesn’t happen and that enough of my fellow Brits will fight back too.

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  13. I like living in a city that’s walkable and has access to culture. While I would like a better climate I’m pretty happy with my choice. That being said I could probably live in London. My problem with Europe is that I feel like I’m always surrounded by smokers…

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  14. Gosh, how interesting LA – I’d not noticed the disparity, but it’s been a long time since I last visited the US so it’s possible things have changed significantly on the smoking front.

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  16. I’ve not noticed little gatherings of smokers outside cafes and pubs in our new town, and that was certainly something which was prevalent in previous towns we’ve lived in. At our last two apartments, our bedroom was close to the main entrance and the smoke used to drift in when we opened our windows. One aspect I liked about this apartment was the bedroom is at the back, far away from the main entrance. That said, I don’t believe any residents smoke as I neither smell it nor see any debris outside (and it is a smoke free building).

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  17. It took some trial and error, but yes, I’m living in a place that checks off most of the boxes that are important to me. Having said that, when we retire, I’d like to live someplace a little more secluded, preferably on or within close proximity to Lake Michigan or Lake Superior.

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  18. Mark, being on or near water seems to be popular. If I were able to find a lovely big lake, I’d be very happy, as it would eliminate the salt air rotting my car aspect of living on the coast.

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  19. Such a great question, triggering lots of things to consider….my impulse reaction would be to get out of the UK and live somewhere warmer/hot as I think I could probably adapt to heat more than colder temps 🔆
    I think having a view, whether its water, countryside, mountains….a beautiful landscape to lose myself in each time I look out the window or sit in the garden would be ideal, but like you, I wouldn’t want to be too far away from some life and soul and amenities.
    I’m really not sure where I’d pick of the top of my head…..culture and day to day living would also need to feel comfortable too. I’ve only ever lived in the UK so almost everywhere seems like a nicer option lol 😊

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  20. Cherryl, thank you 🙂 It’s a question I’ve pondered at various stages of my life, and I’ll admit that my answer has slightly differed each decade. Now there’s more practical & pragmatic aspects in there, but the other stuff has largely stayed the same.

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  21. Yes, it’s very likely to evolve over time, we change, we grow, priorities shift etc. Maybe one place isn’t going to be perfect for a lifetime – we flow with the journey!! 😊✨

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  22. True, you never know how a country is going to change. So many crazy swings at the moment, so we have to learn to go with the flow.

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