I have been thinking on this for some time now - albeit without my being able to do so for several more years yet.
However, I am interested in reading the thoughts and ideas that others here on IIS have had on the same subject - and have been able to bring to fruition, or like me are hoping that they can in the future - with one of the aims in choosing a new location to call home being the ability to have access to better skies for viewing, AP and getting into amateur (scientific) astronomy.
Currently I live in Melbourne and much as I love it, having grown up here, I'd like to be able to move somewhere else - 'smallish' country town etc with more dark nights, a lot less LP and stable skies.
Other more important considerations have been:
1. The chosen town has to have its own hospital, or there is one in another town relatively close by.
2. Needs to have a secondary school, or one within a 20-30 minute drive, so that I can do relief teaching to help with the financial side of things. I.e. Astro equipment upgrades
3. Should I build or buy? (can't say that I'm overly keen on paying stamp duty)
4. Possibly needs to be close to a train line for trips to Melbourne or other major cities (I'm not confining myself to Victoria, but most of our family is here)
5. Will build an observatory when I get there.
There are a few other things on my list, but over to you guys for your thoughts please.
Paul
