H&F Related: Do you like where you live?

[emuni04]

Do you like where you live? Do the quantity and quality of trails, parks, and other fitness options factor into your like/dislike?

[Wines Not Whines]

Yes and yes. There are a lot of active people here, a lot of runners, many trails, parks, bike baths, rec leagues and running groups, etc. It's a great place to live if you're active and want to find people with similar interests. (DC area)

[emuni04]

I am 50/50. I live outside of New Orleans (about 45 miles).

I think that the availability of H&F offerings factors into my like/dislike of my region. On the one hand, the weather is great (except for the summer)and that makes running outside pleasant for most of the year. We also have a good local network of 5K's and 10K's.

On the other hand, we lack a decent trail system (any trail system, really) and our current fitness class offerings are far from abundant. I moved from an area with beautiful trails, and I miss them terribly.

[emilyinchile]

Yes and not really. There are several hills to hike relatively near to Santiago, and there's a hill in the middle of the city that's a park with trails you can bike or walk/run up, but since I don't really go on treks this isn't an attraction for me. I do live close to a main running path in the city, which was awesome when I trained for my half, but I rarely use it anymore.

[CallingAllAngels]

It's fine.

I'm feeling restless right now, so that affects my answer. We have a several trails and good areas for running (not so much for biking, but it seems to be improving), but all of them are in places that I don't feel comfortable running from home. So, our town is great! Our neighborhood - not so much.

[cinco]

Jun 3, 2014 12:26:38 GMT -5 emuni04 said:

Do you like where you live? Do the quantity and quality of trails, parks, and other fitness options factor into your like/dislike?

I adore it! We moved here partially because of the things you listed. We had great trails in our old suburb, but we are in outdoor heaven here. We are right next to 4 national parks, and quite a few state parks as well. I could gush on and on, but it might be annoying  

[Brit]

Yes and yes. It is a neat place to live. The summer is kind of intense, but overall there are a lot of great outdoor activities and it is rare for my weekend plans to get rained out.

[shellfish26]

I love the area in which I live, and yes, I would say that the recreational opportunities are a factor. We have lots of parks and trails, but they are all man-made. All of the neighborhoods have walking paths and there are few lakes with trails around them. I am happy to have those opportunities, and I think it really fosters a sense of community. And we have a very active runner/triathlete community. But I think I get bothered sometimes by the "faux nature" thing. Some of my favorite runs were along the seawall in Charleston, and along the beaches in Key West- its just not the same as running around a townhouse development.

[shorewife]

Overall yes. I live at the Jersey shore so there are plenty of swims, road races, tri's, etc. and miles of boardwalk to run. My only complaint is that there isn't much variety for cyclists, and there is so much congestion around here you have to ride really early for safety reasons.

[awick14]

I love where I live. There is many different trails to run/walk/bike. It's a very outdoor friendly place.

[jene]

Yes and yes. Minneapolis/St. Paul is constantly voted one of the healthiest cities and we have a ton of trails, parks, etc as well as winter activities. I love it here.

[lasagnasshole]

Overall, yes.

Positive: Lots of ways to stay active: lots of trails for walking, running, and biking; bikeshare stations are plentiful, a couple of parks provide a nice oasis in the city, several national parks within a short drive, the city pools are free to residents, and the mild winter makes it possible to stay active outside

Negative: I hate the heat and humidity of the summer, gyms tend to be expensive (especially with pools), and the trails are often really crowded

[mrshandy]

Yes, for the most part. I liked Arlington a little better than Springfield as far as running paths go. But Springfield has a few trails and more green space like lakes. Overall, the DC area is great for running and being active. So many great races and groups to join.

[tuggyruns]

YES! Having just sold our first house and bought another one, it was a HUGE factor. There are lots of greenways, bike trails, hiking trails, etc. In less than an hour, you can find plenty of single track trail to appease you. I think we have the best of both worlds- you just have to know where to find them . 

In the middle of a big city that many call "A city in a forest".



3 hours you're at the beach, less than an hour you're in the mountains.

#foreveriloveatlanta

[lb2006]

I love where we live - close to beach and mountains. Rural enough, but close to a large city. Excellent for road bike rides, road running, boating, skiing, wake-boarding.

[lb2006]

Jun 3, 2014 12:37:24 GMT -5 CallingAllAngels said:

It's fine.

I'm feeling restless right now, so that affects my answer. We have a several trails and good areas for running (not so much for biking, but it seems to be improving), but all of them are in places that I don't feel comfortable running from home. So, our town is great! Our neighborhood - not so much.

I mean.....i can send you plenty of homes near me for sale

[mrsjthompson]

I don't like where I live, and H&F opportunities (or lack thereof) are only one reason for that. I'm also on the Gulf Coast, so super hot & humid (tomorrow we have a heat index predicted of 100*+)and our idea of running trails here involve 1-mile long sidewalks along high traffic roads that end suddenly. I hate it more than DH does, but we do have a 5 year goal to move to another area.

[Deleted]

Yes. My city places a large amount of importance on recreation. Within the city, we have plenty of biking and running pathways. The city is in the process of putting more protected bike lanes in the downtown core. Despite the fact that mine is a "winter" city, lots of people commute to work via bicycle. According to their website, my city has the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America, so I suppose I'm spoiled, now.

Outside of the city, I am close to fairly quiet, paved, rural (but still near houses, so safe)roads that lead towards the Rockies. These roads are great for biking.

The only thing I'm missing is places to swim in open water. Many of the small lakes in my area are private, only for residents of certain neighbourhoods. So, I don't have easy access to water.

[emuni04]

Jun 3, 2014 13:06:03 GMT -5 jene said:

Yes and yes. Minneapolis/St. Paul is constantly voted one of the healthiest cities and we have a ton of trails, parks, etc as well as winter activities. I love it here.

I love MPLS. I would live there in a heartbeat.

[clseale]

It's OK. There are some really beautiful places where I live. I guess if you were spinning it positive, you could say great weather due to the mild winter, but then there is the horrific summers. There is a very active running, biking, and tri community here, so that's nice. Not a ton of trails (it's decent though), but a lot of routes with sidewalks. We're 10 minutes from the beach. We should take advantage of more things. We've been talking about kayaks for years, and with the rivers & intracoastal, this is a kayakers & boaters dream...we have neither. LOL

Sometimes I also just think that I'm burnt out & restless. It's possible that I'm hard to please right now. I'm reading the responses that are saying "It's great! Close to the beach & mountains" and I laugh...because close to me means within an hour or so...which basically puts me in CA. No other place is actually truly close to both. That also puts us in very HCOL and as far as we could get from all family...so here we sit.

[texassmith]

Well I just moved here last week, but Austin is an extremely active city and I'm looking forward to meeting people that way. I joined a running group on meetup but don't know when I'll get a chance to go to anything since the kids are out of school for the summer.

[rosiebear]

My city has awesome opportunities for health, fitness, and recreation: lakes, parks, hills, forests, trails. Unfortunately, winter is often so brutal it drives a lot of people inside. This last year, only the truly hardcore winter sports lovers were out and about.

[jene]

Jun 3, 2014 13:30:53 GMT -5 emuni04 said:

Jun 3, 2014 13:06:03 GMT -5 jene said:

Yes and yes. Minneapolis/St. Paul is constantly voted one of the healthiest cities and we have a ton of trails, parks, etc as well as winter activities. I love it here.

I love MPLS. I would live there in a heartbeat.

It is amazing. We moved 2 years ago and it's the first place that has felt like home to me.

[jordylee]

Yes and no. I love love love Chicago in the spring/summer/fall. I like just a few blocks from the lakefront path, where I can run for miles and miles and it is gorgeous. I also love that I walk pretty much everywhere. I drive to work in the burbs, but other than that, I walk. In the winter (which lasts about 5-6 months), it blows though. Super windy and gross and freezing cold. Ultimately, I think I would be happiest somewhere with milder temps (Seattle maybe), but I really do like it in Chicago.

[lb2006]

Jun 3, 2014 13:34:17 GMT -5 clseale said:

It's OK. There are some really beautiful places where I live. I guess if you were spinning it positive, you could say great weather due to the mild winter, but then there is the horrific summers. There is a very active running, biking, and tri community here, so that's nice. Not a ton of trails (it's decent though), but a lot of routes with sidewalks. We're 10 minutes from the beach. We should take advantage of more things. We've been talking about kayaks for years, and with the rivers & intracoastal, this is a kayakers & boaters dream...we have neither. LOL

Sometimes I also just think that I'm burnt out & restless. It's possible that I'm hard to please right now. I'm reading the responses that are saying "It's great! Close to the beach & mountains" and I laugh...because close to me means within an hour or so...which basically puts me in CA. No other place is actually truly close to both. That also puts us in very HCOL and as far as we could get from all family...so here we sit.

we're about 1-1.5 from the mountains and 3 from the beach, so that is close to me.  A day trip for mountains and a definite weekender for the beach.

Although i did drive to the beach for a work event, just to speak at the event & turn around and come right back home the same night.  I don't recommend doing that.

[schitzengiggles]

Yes, I LOVE LOVE LOVE where I am (suburb of Minneapolis). And the trails, parks, lakes, etc. absolutely factor in to that.
As was mentioned above, Minneapolis and surrounding area is always in the top for fittest/healthiest type categories in magazines and such. There is a reason for that and I think all the great outdoor fitness options are a huge part of it.

[breezy8407]

Jun 3, 2014 13:30:53 GMT -5 emuni04 said:

Jun 3, 2014 13:06:03 GMT -5 jene said:

Yes and yes. Minneapolis/St. Paul is constantly voted one of the healthiest cities and we have a ton of trails, parks, etc as well as winter activities. I love it here.

I love MPLS. I would live there in a heartbeat.

Join us!

[breezy8407]

I do.

I get annoyed at winter, but there are still things to do and people here embrace it. Maybe my opinion is skewed as to just how active people are because I work in the fitness industry, but it's a very fit community.

There was some talk about bikes in the skyway system the other day. That got me to laugh, but the bike commuting community is growing and is powerful.

[itsme]

My area is OK. Lots to do if you're into outdoor stuff (my husband is not). There's plenty of hiking, lakes, beaches, and mountains. My community has running/walking/biking paths and within 5 miles there's hiking and bike trails in the hills. I'm in CA and live up against a mountain range. It takes about 30 mins to get to the cute little town up there.  Tehre's a lot of hiking trails up there that I have yet to try out.  We're close to other bigger mountain communities as well. The beach is about a 1.5 hour drive but only that long because of all the lights we hit trying to get there.

[clseale]

Jun 3, 2014 13:56:05 GMT -5 lb2006 said:

Jun 3, 2014 13:34:17 GMT -5 clseale said:

It's OK. There are some really beautiful places where I live. I guess if you were spinning it positive, you could say great weather due to the mild winter, but then there is the horrific summers. There is a very active running, biking, and tri community here, so that's nice. Not a ton of trails (it's decent though), but a lot of routes with sidewalks. We're 10 minutes from the beach. We should take advantage of more things. We've been talking about kayaks for years, and with the rivers & intracoastal, this is a kayakers & boaters dream...we have neither. LOL

Sometimes I also just think that I'm burnt out & restless. It's possible that I'm hard to please right now. I'm reading the responses that are saying "It's great! Close to the beach & mountains" and I laugh...because close to me means within an hour or so...which basically puts me in CA. No other place is actually truly close to both. That also puts us in very HCOL and as far as we could get from all family...so here we sit.

we're about 1-1.5 from the mountains and 3 from the beach, so that is close to me.  A day trip for mountains and a definite weekender for the beach.

Although i did drive to the beach for a work event, just to speak at the event & turn around and come right back home the same night.  I don't recommend doing that.

Yes, you are one of the people I was talking about when I said I might just be difficult to please. LOL You feel like it's close to both, but in my mind, that's not close to anything. (Although definitely close enough to mountains.) I want to be a day trip to each, or just be really close to one...which is partly why I am where I am. Like I said, I'm just in a hard to please phase with where I live.