Since members here are from all over the US, Canada and many other countries, I wonder if a one-stop spot for people to list areas they are familiar with would be helpful?

Also, in many folks profiles I see towns/cities that I have never heard of.
I have looked up these locations occasionally to find out “oh, that is a suburb of Chicago” or suburb of Detroit or on the border of this state, etc....
Maybe a short line on what city you are close to would help?

Many people have relocated many times. There certainly is a wealth of knowledge to be tapped.

I will start and try not to make this a biography.

I grew up in very rural eastern Maine. We visit every summer and I stay aware of everything going on there. This is the eastern most county in the country, 2 hours east of Bangor Maine on the Canadian border. If anyone is considering vacationing in Maine & is willing to travel 3 or 4 hours north of the traditional coastal spots – you will see a different side of Maine. From the most quaint, tiny fishing towns on the coast to some of the most undeveloped inland lakes.

I have family in Harrison/Naples in southern Maine as well – Sebago/Long lake area. I know the area some, but I am not an expert. The Sebago lake region is considered a suburb of Portland. Very beautiful area.

The admiral is from Rome New York, considered central New York. Rome is right beside Utica and 40 minutes east of Albany. We lived there for two years and are very familiar with the area as her parents live there and we visit. Rome is in close proximity to a few nice lakes and has some scenic areas to the north.

We spent three years in Grand Forks North Dakota. That was many years ago so I am sure some things have changed. It is a fair bet that the weather and people are the same.
Freezing cold in the winter, but has some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Most recently we lived in Tampa Florida for 11 years. We are very familiar with all activities/attractions in the Tampa Bay area. The longer we are away, our familiarity will fade, but we stay in contact with many friends there. Gorgeous winters, hot/humid summers. If you vacation or move there, I highly recommend doing so between the fall and spring.

Recently we moved to Thurmont Maryland. It is a small town about an hour north of Washington D.C. I work in Rockville Maryland which is just north of the D.C., outside the beltway. We are still learning about this area – Thurmont is very rural, but close enough to D.C. to enjoy everything in there in day trips.

That is it for me. I have traveled to a few spots around the country, but not knowledgeable on those areas.

Maybe this thread could help someone on company travel, vacationing or contemplating a move? Also, it may help someone if they would rather PM a member vs. a public post?

OK, your turn if you like

I live in the desert of SE Washington State.

Yup, it's not like what most people picture when they think of WA...you know, the big trees, lots of rain, cloudy, gloomy, webs growing between your toes. Weather more suited for ducks than people. That's what most people think all of WA is like.

In the areas west of the Cascade Mountains it's mostly desert climate. Where we live (Tri Cities of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland) we get 300 days of sunshine a year, moderate 40° temps in the winter, hot 100°+ temps in the summer. Very low precip, very few cloudy days and EXCELLENT BOATING.

We're about 3.5 hours SE of Seattle, 4 hours E of Portland, OR, 2 hours to skiing & snowboarding, 2 hours to whitewater rafting and jet boat trips, some of the best salmon fishing you'll find anywhere, Excellent Boating, and the bird hunting isn't too bad.

We have no real mountains in our back yard but they're only 2 hours away in almost any direction, it's 5 hours to the ocean beaches of OR & WA.

Oh, and did I mention the boating isn't too bad! The only downside is the water's always so rough and too cold to swim in.

Born in Australia.
lived New Zealand 10 years
Lived in Australia 15 years
Lived Bougainville Island 1 year
Lived OK Tedi 1 year
Lived China 1 year
Lived Algeria 1 year
Lived Germany 1 year
Lived Houston Texas 1 year
Lived Sth CA 20 years
Want to anything about these places, drop me a PM.

Mark

Born and raised in suburban Seattle, Washington (the wet side of the state GFC refers to...)

Lived 7 years in NYC, 15 years Northeast New Jersey, 2 years in Bucks County, PA, and now live in the Siskious of southern Oregon.

Next!

Born in Wichita, KS, moved to Kansas City when I was two (46 years ago). Never left except for college.

Don't everyone ping me at once.

Lived in Tucson Arizona most of my life. Tucson is in the southern end of the state, an hour's drive from the border with Mexico. Now living in Phoenix Arizona, which is near, well, Phoenix!

Kelly

Grand Rapids, MI for 18 yrs
Phoenix for 14 yrs
Orlando for 2 yrs
Cleveland for 9 yrs

Cadillac, MI for 10 years
West Lafayette, IN for 8 years
Southwest burbs of Chicago for 12 years (college and after)
Grand Rapids, MI for 5 years...we will always own a home in Michigan

I did a TON of traveling in college for athletics. Have been to all 50 states and many countries.

Was born, and still live in Southwest Michigan; not far from Wet Doggg.

Spent nearly a year at Keesler AFB (Biloxi, Ms) when I was on AD for the ANG.

Once, I spent almost a year in Tomah, Ws. for work. Also, I have traveled in the US extensively throughout the 35 years I worked, so I at least have been to many of the major metropolitan areas.

My son lives in Lake Mary, Fl, near Orlando, and we visit him a few times a year, so we're getting to know that area.

Been to the Caribbean islands on cruise ships several times, sometimes visiting the same islands several times. While that does not make me an expert in any of those areas, I can at least find them on a map.

born raised Volga Ia 19 yrs
Vietnam 10 months
Fort Carson Co 14 Mo.
Colorado Springs 2 yrs.
Denver 5 yrs
Castro Valley, Ca. 3 Yrs
Long Beach Ca. 6 Yrs
Hayward, Ca 3 years
Livermore Ca 7 Yrs
Conway Ar. 2 yrs (that was a brain f*rt!)
Livermore, Ca. 19 + ( still here)

Wow....haven't really thought about it before. Most of the moves were with the X. The admiral & I will be married 29 yrs Valentine's.....have only moved 3 times.

Born in Rochester, NY
Lived in Victor, NY for 24 years
Lived in Canton, NY for 2 years while attending college
Lived in Orono, ME for 3 years while attending college
Now living in Lancaster, PA for the past 15 years

I hope to retire in VA or NC.

(don't add up the years as they are more than my real age but pretty close to my Wii Fit age)

Western PA till college
Gainesville Fla for a few years
Central Mass for the remainder, and if I die here I'll kill myself...

Mutt, I feel for ya

I still live in the same small central Massachusetts town I was born and brought up in. Being a long time resident in a small community has it's advantages, but the winters are getting old. So, if anyone needs info about here, I could probably help.

I've been in North Chicagoland for my entire life. Happy to help anyone with questions about this area.

I'm pretty knowledgeable about NH and the lakes region of Maine, in general.

I can offer good driving route advice for the east coast from Portland Maine to Cape May NJ.

I can offer experienced traveler advice to anyone traveling to Korea, Japan, China, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Melbourne Australia, and most of Europe.

I'm really familiar with the all the roller coasters at 6 Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ.