According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 35.9 million people moved between 2012 and 2013. Housing-related reasons were the number one reason followed by family and employment.
What’s not mentioned are those people who visit places and fall in love with a new city, town or countryside and decide to make it permanent. FindYourSpot.com even offers online quizzes and surveys to narrow down the type of place that might turn from vacation destination to your new home. Here are a handful of destinations that a lot of people can’t visit without wanting to stay.
Los Angeles
Beach adventure, Hollywood glam and the love of food culture all combine to create LA’s charm. Film buffs head to Madame Tussauds Hollywood to see their favorite stars in wax, take behind-the-scenes walking tours of movie sets and visit Universal Studios.
For some outdoor fun and sun, try tandem paragliding in Malibu or enjoy the pier in Santa Monica. For a taste of Los Angeles, try a Little Tokyo Food Tasting Tour or stroll through Thai Town for food samples or a leisurely lunch.
For tourists who want to extend their stay or make their visit to LA permanent, Rent.com can help identify short and long-term apartments. Pick from high-rises, properties with pools, cityscape views and beachside rentals.
St. John
The National Park covering most of St. John encompasses beaches and colonial historic sites perfect for a walk through paradise. The island is steeped in nightlife including karaoke bars and open-air jazz concerts while daytime activities include hiking and horseback riding. Watersports and boating are popular on the island, as well as excursions to nearby islands.
Blogs and magazines are rife with stories of tourists and expats who visit St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and never go home. Highly accomplished professionals turned beach bums are frequent transplants to the island. For visitors who don’t want to go home, sites such as Airbnb and Calypso Realty can help locate homes for rent or rooms for longer stays.
Montpelier, Vermont
Ideal for outdoors enthusiasts and those who love local shopping and community, Montpelier is the only U.S. state capital without a McDonald’s. They are also Burger King free. Go on a backcountry ski trip in Mount Mansfield or nearby Sugarbrush. Summer and spring are also popular times to visit for hiking and biking. Locals are dedicated to their small city and protective of their small-town vibe and quiet but active living. Visitors can try Homeaway to find long-term housing to make Montpelier mountain living a year-round adventure.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston appeals to city dwellers looking for a quieter and more attractive quality of life with water views and old antebellum homes. There are plenty of historic tours, or you could venture out at night for a ghost tour or carriage ride. Foodies will feel right at home in this culinary capital with upscale dining mixing sophisticated Southern food with modern flourishes, seafood bars and artisan cocktails.
Take a sabbatical from your life and book a long-term rental through Island Realty, and choose from downtown Charleston to nearby Isle Palms and Sullivan’s Island.
