Top 5 Tuesday: Home Edition...

This week I have the honor of guest blogging over at Tearing Up Houses.  The gracious and lovely Kelly thought so much of Top 5 Tuesday that she suggested I share it with her readers.  So, upon her suggestion--a good one, I might add--this week I'm featuring the top 5 places I'd love to live.  It seems an appropriate subject to piggyback off of last week's dreams of future jobs.  I mean, what good is being a backup-dancing runway model who teaches college lit and blogs on the side if you have to do it in a location you hate?  Right?

So, without further prattle on my part, I give you this week's Top 5 Tuesday:  Home Edition!

5)  London



This one used to be at the top of my list, but a lot has changed since high school--finding out it's gloomy there as a rule sort of put a damper on plans for Oxford.  Being solar powered, I need my sunshine.  The thought of waking up to fog-coated streets and buildings older than my entire native country is romantic.  And having the world's largest Ferris wheel can't hurt!  Don't even get me started on the accents!  I could listen to a native Londoner read from the phone book and I'd be content, no matter the climate. 

4)  Toronto



There's something charming about Canada.  I haven't quite put my finger on what it is, but it's sort of akin to that kid in the neighborhood who you know is just different enough from you that you'd get along great.  Maybe he wears bright yellow velcro shoes and smells a little like a pine tree every day, but he's charming!  But Canada is a big country, and picking a place within it to call home is almost as difficult as picking a place in the U.S., but my money is on Toronto.  They've got great nightlife, culture, that CN tower dealy, and, like the rest of the nation, healthcare.  That's a huge draw for someone without health insurance. *points at self*  Plus, I hear it's a really diverse city that's friendly towards the gay population.  I'm always okay with that.

3)  Chicago



But Justin, you might say, don't you already LIVE in Chicago?  Well, sort of.  See, although we visit fairly often, we're still about 50 miles away.  Honestly, I live in a cornfield next to a Wal Mart.  It's a good hour to where we like to be.  If I could live in the city, though, I'd be there in a flash.  They've got Wrigley Field, Comiskey (don't get me started), Boystown, the Magnificent Mile, and the best pizza you've ever had!  And that's not even mentioning the museums and parks and great places to people watch--OH!  And Nookie's Tree, my personal favorite restaurant.  I could go on and on!  And here you sit wondering what two places I could possibly love more than Chicago!

2)  San Diego



If you'd really like to know how I feel about San Diego, start by clicking [here].  I just got back from spending two weeks in this place in July.  Anyone who regularly reads my blog is probably going, "Oh, gawd!  Not this again!"  Well, this again.  I would move here in a heartbeat, because San Diego is the most beautiful place I've ever been.  The people are friendly; the weather is perfect; the bay is gorgeous; the ocean is close enough to drive to; and the city is just chock full of things to do.  Want food?  Little Italy.  Want a great view?  Anywhere--but the best view is from the top of the Hyatt.  Want nightlife?  Gaslamp District.  Ghosts?  Old Town.  Adventure?  How about a harbor tour?  And palm trees, palm trees, palm trees.  It's so perfect there, even the bums smile.  They've got great public transportation and even better destinations!  I can't say with enough emphasis how much I would recommend living here!  It's my favorite place I've ever been.

"But Justin, there's one more on your list," you say.  "How can that be your favorite if there's something else at number one?"  Well...

1)  Anywhere with the boy



Crappy apartment in the Bronx?  Fine.  High rise in Montreal?  Okay.  Flat in China?  Bring it on.  As long as Robb is there with me, any place feels like home.  It's a funny thing, finding someone who feels like home.  We always tell each other before a big move that we can deal with anything and make any place feel like home as long as we're together.  I know, it's sappy.  I know, you're probably going to send me a carpet cleaning bill from barfing up breakfast.  But it's true!  I would live in Alaska for him if that's where he wanted to go.  And I know he'd do the same for me!  Anywhere on earth is home, as long as I'm with the boy.

And there you have it.  My Top 5 Tuesday list of the places I'd most like to live.  Join us next week when who knows what will happen!  Top 5 flavors of pancakes?  Maybe.  Top 5 country songs to play backwards?  Who knows?  As always, I'm happy to take suggestions for list ideas.  Thanks for reading, and have a lovely week!

Out