If you could live anywhere in the world for the metal detecting hobby?

[perdidogringo]

Hi all,

I started metal detecting when I was working and living on the isthmus of Panama, which, in my opinion, is one of the best places in the world to practice our hobby with the incredible history, numerous places to detect both on land and water, and relatively safe to do so. Now I live in Bogota, Colombia but it really isn't a good place to detect considering petty crime is rampant and there is a good chance you'll lose your detector if you pull it out (whether by street thugs or the corrupt police). When I visit the Chicago suburbs (where I am from), I quickly see it is also not a good place to detect (lack of history, ridiculous laws against metal detecting, etc.).

I work in a field that I can pretty much choose where I live for a couple of years at a time and this got me thinking- If you could live (not visit but live) for a couple of years anywhere in the world to practice the hobby, where would you go? Obviously, the place would have to have an abundance of incredible history, but variables like safety (ability to detect) and quality of life are factors, also.

For me, places like:

Panama
Southern United Stated near civil war battlefields (I see all the places NuggetNoggin' has at his disposal and it is hard not to be envious).
Various Florida beaches
England
Italy
Peru
Ecuador
Various Caribbean islands

So where would be your dream place to live to practice the hobby?

 

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[fyrffytr1]

The Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania area for one. Then England and maybe Russia.

 

[CTwoods]

Depends on a persons interests.

I have interest in Colonial America, so any area that had early colonies (in America) would be good for me.

However, as many early colonial artifacts were imported from other countries, especially England, I now find myself following metal detecting find videos from the UK.

 

[bigfoot1]

I would live in the whitehouse,be president and enact laws allowing the hobby unrestricted on all public land(except historical monuments)....first I would make it legal for us to even visit public land.

 

[BigWaveDave]

I would move back to my hometown, Plymouth, MA....
Wait...it's cold and snowing there, so nevermind.

 

[dr-quest]

I would think England would have the best hoard chance ?

 

[Jason in Enid]

England. Definitely England.

 

[Terry Soloman]

The Holy Lands.

 

[RustyGold]

SoCal is the place for me and then Dubai for lost gold!

 

[Plumbata]

Probably southeastern Europe/Balkans. Bulgaria, Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania or Ukraine would all kick arse for the Bronze Age through Roman era artifacts and coins lurking in the dirt. The chance to dig ancient hoards of bronze spears axes and sickles, or pots of ancient Greek silver trumps most other places.

 

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

If not worried about laws? South of France/Spain along the Mediterranean. When not hunting just enjoying the views. Then go inland when the water is cold...old lands.

 

[rtr2006]

bora bora may not find a dang thing, but I'd be really happy.

 

[perdidogringo]

Some really excellent replies! Lots of votes for England and justifiably so...

Plumbata- I used to live in Hungary for 3 years and I'm bummed that I didn't partake in the hobby at that time. I underestimated how much I enjoy the hobby until I moved here where it just isn't practical. I'll be sure that my next destination has more opportunity.

 

[DigIron2]

they find some really nice stuff in Europe.

 

[Joe hunter]

When I was stationed In Germany we used old bomb shelters in the hills for training I wish I could have detected those areas along with many other places I visited in Europe

 

[perdidogringo]

I guess you could pretty much pick out any country in old Europe and find some forest preserves to go hunting (and have a good chance of finding something worthwhile). I wonder what countries in Asia would be good for metal detecting? Japan and anything on the silk road seem like good places.

 

[Trezurehunter]

1. England 2. New England States in U.S. 3. Either of the Carolina's ( My votes are for dreaming purposes only. I live in Illinois, a state rich in history & have made some outstanding finds here. Don't really want to live here anymore other than to metal detect & continue making great finds. )

 

[ctalmadg]

Southern US and Europe

 

[G. I. Digger]

I would love to detect in the battlefields of Gettysburg!

 

[Tejaas]

I wouldn't change a thing - I'd keep digging Texas History.


~Tejaas~