[Blindtlk] Best places to live

[Julie J.]

I think this topic is quite interesting.  The thing that fascinates me the 
most is this concept that there is a best place to live and that somehow 
blindness figures into that equation.   I think individual preferences are a 
much greater predictor of happiness with your living arrangements than some 
survey with scoring based on things that may or may not matter to you.

I live in a very small town, less than 8,000 people.  I am probably the 
happiest I have been in my whole life.  I grew up in a large city of perhaps 
400,000 people and have lived in a tiny town of about 500 people.   There 
have been good points and bad to each.

What I'd suggest to anyone thinking of relocating for whatever reason is to 
list what is really important to you, not what blind people are supposed to 
find important.  Then look at the possibilities that meet your must have's 
and would like to have lists.

I like the ability to walk most everywhere I want to go.  I like fresh air, 
a slow pace, small family owned shops, very low crime and space, lots and 
lots of space.  Things like buses and advanced medical facilities are not 
all that important to me.  If they were, this town would be a misery.

I guess I'm just saying to put more emphasis on what is most important to 
you as a person and less on what someone else has decided should be 
important to you because you're blind.

Julie