We're getting a little tired of the PA area. Right now, we're thinking about moving in the next five years. Wife likes seasonal change and snow. She feels that holidays should have a seasonally appropriate temperature. Thanksgiving should be sweater weather, Christmas should be cold, and she loves a good snow storm. I do not want more winter. I'm fine with a cold winter, but I would enjoy a more mild, year round temps. Not as hot/humid during the summer, and not as cold (or shorter colder periods) for winter. But, I would be okay with the same type of winter that we have now if my other needs are met, which is better landscape and more hiking/mountain climbing. My wife has always lived in PA, but I have been around the country a bit more. I lived in Florida, which I do not want to do again, and I have lived in AZ. Also I have spent time in Utah, New Mexico, Michigan, Colorado, Nevada, and Texas. I think a good compromise would be the Oregon/Washington area, but I also like the Sedona/Flagstaff area. California is out, as is any other state with strict gun laws. When we move we will both work from home (or my wife will get a part time job doing something she loves to supplement her ebay business). Do any of you have any suggestions?
Go West young man, go West Southern Idaho has a reasonable climate. Not too crowded. New Mexico . Check out the taxes, sometime that can help you decide. http://www.topretirements.com/state/most_tax-friendly_states_for_retirement.html My favorite area would be Klamath Falls Oregon area. Taxes aren't the best though. On the edge of the mountains to the west, big timber & drier as you go east. East side of the Cascades is drier. Alaska is gonna be hard to get me to leave the summers. Snow bird is my goal.
I am also looking at relocating. My main focus is Virginia and with NC as a wild card. Two places that are big right now with people here are the NC/TN mountains. The Mountains of NC/TN/VA give you all four seasons but winter is much milder. In fact, certain towns in the Blue Ridge mountains have been classified with marine temperate climates. The hiking opportunities are some of the best, if not the best, in the country. What I like the most about VA & NC is that you have various terrain - mountains, piedmont, and ocean.
I did 8 years on the western slope of Colorado and would say it is out. Long cold winters and all the California transplants in Colorado have changed it for the worse. I think Oregon or Idaho may fit the bill. A friend lives in Driggs which is on the cold end of southern Idaho. Fantastic trout fishing, grouse hunting is good, and waterfowl hunting can be spectacular all on easily accessible public land. Mostly BLM.
I'm with devilsbrew, sounds like Appalachia to me, wicked awesome motorcycle country also. Personally, I've got to be near the ocean, the source of life on Earth.
I'm heavily leaning towards out west. Haven't thought of Idaho, previously. I need less trees and more mountains. The landscape of the Northeast just seems too overgrown. All you see is trees. I really likes the landscape of Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. I like how a little bit of elevation provided great views with a lot of depth.
I would suggest our area but our seasonal weather is rain or no rain with the possible of rain. Mild and not often snow for Christmas. Our trip down to Oregon was lovely and we quite like the coastal area.
My oldest son is in college in VA near the northern end of Skyline Drive. The whole Shenandoah Valley is spectacular.
My firearms collection would be a problem. And I am more of a mountains person than a rolling hills person. Unless I am missing a joke?
Weather isn't the main deciding factor. I am okay with an equal amount of winter as I have here in PA if my surroundings are more towards my liking. I just can not do more winter (my wife likes upstate New York).
I would love to move to SW Montana (Bozeman), but the winters can be brutal. EDIT: Just checked the Bozeman weather and it looks like a tropical paradise compared to here this week.
I am also a HUGE fan of Montana. But, the winters are too much. I enjoy hiking, climbing, motorcycles, and a bunch of outdoor activities to handle more winter.
Gotta ask- what sort of population center are you looking for? Do you want to move to a city, moderate or small town, or be away from it all? (I consider the last to be 30 miles from a small town).
If I could move anywhere it would probably be the flathead valley in NW Montana. The winters there aren't as bad as the high plains portion of the state. Beautiful country also. Unfortunately over the past decade or so the cost of living there has gone through the roof.
If our family wasn't here in Ohio, I think I would like to give Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, something further west a whirl...
