Considering a Move to Another State

[arjay]

I think you’ll find Wyoming the closest to what you want with Montana coming in 2nd.What you will also find is a disappearing level of up to date medical care and jobs that mostly pay very low wages.It’s a trade off.It might be a better plan to save and invest every nickel and retire early to someplace like that,but stay close to a reasonably large city where you can still get first rate medical care (which you will need as you age)

 

[BigBill]

I wish I figured out money isn’t everything sooner if your not happy living there. I love vermont but it’s becoming too anti now.

 

[5-Shot]

ContinentalOP has already made a pretty good pitch for Tennessee. Let me add to it. I moved to Sevier County, Tennessee 17 years ago from Bend, Oregon. It was a great decision. This area ticks all your boxes. You might expect this place to be hot and humid, and compared to Bend I guess it is, but you can live at elevation here and mitigate the heat pretty well. The airplane people figure 1000 feet of elevation gain is worth about 3.5 degrees temperature.

Other than that, it's very "RED" here. Lots of national forests and National Parks. Gun club in Gatlinburg and an indoor range at Buds. Tons of lakes and moonshiners still haunt the mountains.

What more could you ask?

 

[zeke]

Been using zillow to scope out West Virginia. The winters here are starting to hurt, especially when it stays below zero for 2 weeks and dropping down to -20 to -30's at night. Wouldn't mind a state with winter that didn't last 1/2 the year, and didn't stay in the 90's + during summer.

 

[zeke]

Heck, you just described where I live. Come to Adams County, PA.

And don't forget the blue crab specials!

 

[Ziggy2525]

Not moving, but if I was, my vote would be St. George, UT. At least today. It’s a little bigger than the OP is looking for, but has good services (medical, etc). Decent climate. Also has a good supply of water - senior water rights comes up as an issue out west. Nice range outside of town.

It seems like so many people are migrating inland from the west coast there’s no guarantee how things will be 10 years down the road.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

I haven't read all the replies, so if I repeat, sorry.
I have been thinking about moving to Montana or Wyoming.
Unfortunately so have many others, especially from the large cities that saw civil unrest this past summer. Montana real estate prices are going up by the minute. I would bet all the states the op mentioned have the same thing going on..

 

[bigwheelzip]

Some of the characteristics on our punch list are:
- Conservative attitudes and government policies, friendly people
- Climate: No scorching hot or humid summers, cold and snowy winters are fine
- Recreation: Outdoor interests, public land access (not leased only), a good gun club nearby
- Density: Towns with 2000 – 20,000 people, no big cities, looking for single family housing with an acre or two of land
- Medical services: Not a huge concern now, with age the needs will be more likely

The post by rwsmith made me think of this area gated neighborhood called "The Cliffs Valley".
Great community on the north end of our town, it is high up on the escarpment of the Blue Ridge, the elevation bringing cooler and dryer climate. Ticks all your boxes.

This is available:

48 Mountain Oak Lane - CVA-H-077 | The Cliffs | Private Luxury Communities In South and North Carolina

 

[dockmurgw]

Looks like your interests are focused on the Western states, and I have no knowledge of anything out there. But I would like to offer my opinion on the subject. EVERY STATE has areas that span the political spectrum, so you can be surrounded by like minded people anywhere you go. Try not to get to hung up on taxes, unless you want to be part of the mass migration, like a herd of wildebeest's marching across the Serengeti to the one waterhole available...because the waterhole will not last. Make sure you research crime rates, some of the states that are so popular now with people relocating do not score well on that. For peace and quiet and stability in your surroundings, look for areas with a stable or even dropping population, if not that nice view across the street will be condo's in a couple years. To me NORTHERN New England...Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine...meet all of your wishes.These states are sparsely populated, consistently score the 3 lowest state crime rates in the country, vast areas of National Forests and private land all open to hunting and outdoor pursuits, all constitutional carry and the most liberal gun laws in the country, gorgeous summers, cold snowy winters but you said you were OK with that...buy a snowmobile and cruise the thousands of miles of the state trail systems. And being smaller states, its a day trip to anything you could possibly want, from world class health care to a day at the ocean. Homes with acreage are common, my village home sits on a 10 acre lot...even have my own shooting range. To me, nothing beats Northern New England.

 

[johngalt]

Wisconsin.

summers are mild, winters are cold and snowy. Gun friendly, people are nice. It is conservative outside of Madison and Milwaukee. You are a short drive from the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester MN, which is the best hospital in the world.

Taxes are high, but tax avoidance doesn't necessarily equal high quality of life.

 

[FlyFish]

I agree. I'm in the White Mts. of New Hampshire and it really does check all of the boxes you listed. Plus, no sales tax, no income tax, constitutional carry, stand your ground, etc., etc. And that's in spite of the state being split roughly 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans. I fear a continuing lilt left with lots of folks moving up from our neighbor to the south, but many of us are working hard to ensure that doesn't happen. I know it's a long way from Washington, but if you're open to that much of a move, we'd love to have you join us.

 

[doublesharp]

Southern Indiana is more like a southern state than most realize. Good climate with 4 seasons, low cost of living, gun freedom and plentiful gun shows. We do have a state tax but rate is middle compared to other states. Very efficient state services, especially bureau of motor vehicles. GOP has controlled all 3 branches of state gov for several years. Many small Ohio river valley towns that fit your description, just stay well south of Indianapolis.

 

[hoosierone]

You might like the Dakotas. Too rural and cold for me but I have several in-laws living there who would never leave. Great place to visit as they say. Just don't head up that way after September unless you like snow.

We lived the the Chicago area when I retired. Bought a nice house on acreage downstate but wife never liked it. We decided to try Indiana and love it. There are tons of medical facilities here and being in poor health it is very convenient.

 

[URIT]

When I lived in the western valley of Phoenix I often felt Show Low, Arizona would be better suited for me and my wife because of the reasons you outlined.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I can't really think of anyplace north of I-10 I'd like to move to. Louisiana pretty much sucks politically and economically but quite honestly I can't think of a place I'd rather live than right here.
At this stage in life all I want is to live in close proximity to medical care, a Rouses, a Costco, the Gulf of Mexico, saltwater marsh, freshwater fishing, the French Quarter and a few gambling houses. French Qarter is about 2 hours away, the rest is within 40 minute radius to destination/boat launch/hunting ponds so I am pretty well set. Don't get me wrong I like to travel but I'm gonna hang around here. Like Charlie said, the Mississippi /Alabama/Florida gulf coasts are a hald day drive when I need a beach fix ans Texas isa the other way so I'm prety well set. The older I get the less it takes to make me happy. The only thing I would change is to get rid of the state income tax-but that is not enough reason for me to leave Louisiana. If I did move from Acadiana, I would move to Old Town Mandeville or Madisonville Louisiana (maybe Covington-but probably not-definitely not Slidell ).

 

[BAM-BAM]

Heck, you just described where I live. Come to Adams County, PA.

There are 3 Pennsylvania..... Filthydelphia, The Burgh ..... and the rest of the state which has more in common with Alabama than our "big cities"!!!!

Adams Co. is too close to Filthydelphia for me..................

We'll be moving from our Burb of the Burgh to a lake in the Laurel Highlands of Pa. on the Eastern Continental Divide....... small town/country living, low taxes and low cost of living , 80% of the county voted for Trump, just an hour from major hospitals ( U of Pitt. Med Center/ Allegheny Health Sys.)...... 6 hours from the Outer Banks of NC. 2 hours from Gettysburg...................

4 seasons, Temps from 0- 90 but generally 20-80. We've had 54" of snow this year but only 19" last year. We could use some more sunny days.... but no threat from hurricanes, earthquakes or wildfires and very little flooding.

We have an acre plus lot on a 200 acre man made lake................... and

within 20 miles of us we'll have lots of state parks, 3 ski resorts,State forests and gamelands , long hiking trails + converted rails to trails; one running from Pittsburgh to DC ( 150 miles Great Allegheny Passage) another hiking trail running 70 miles from Ohiopyle to Johnstown;whitewater rafting and trout fishing.

 

[Capt Steve]

How about Arizona...

Last September we moved from Tucson up to Payson to get away from the heat, HOA, Snow birds etc. Payson hits all the points on OP's wish list. Payson is a little under 20,000 folks, mostly very conservative and Arizona is just about the most gun friendly state I have ever seen. The outdoor recreational opportunities are off of the chart {hunting fishing, camping hiking etc.} Taxes are low and this little town has just about every amenity you could ever want {parks, lakes} and the views of the Mogollon Rim and surrounding mountains are awesome.

We are right at 5,000' at the foot of the Mogollon Rim {7,700'}. We get chamber of commerce weather about 9 days out of 10. We had a huge snow storm the end of January that dumped 2' of heavy wet snow but that is a once every 5 years or so event. Winters are mild with a couple of inches of snow about 6 times a winter.

Summers too are mild with temps in the mid 80's, most folks don't have/need ac but a swamp cooler works great on the few low 90 degree days we get. Payson has Home Depot, Walmart, Ace hardware and tractor supply and if you need anything else it is an hour down to Mesa, Phoenix etc. There is a VA clinic about a mile from our house.

We have been overwhelmed by the small town friendliness with neighbors helping each other on a daily basis. Summers bring weekend traffic but it is easy to avoid. We picked up a nice little house, 1,400 square feet on .57 ac that is heavily treed with huge pines, Oak and juniper and lots of privacy for $362,000. If you think of Arizona as being a target you'll find Payson at the bulls eye about half way between Flagstaff and Phoenix.

We have never been happier and after just 5 months we cannot imagine ever leaving our new home. Works for us!

 

[dockmurgw]

There are 3 Pennsylvania..... Filthydelphia, The Burgh ..... and the rest of the state which has more in common with Alabama than our "big cities"!!!!

Adams Co. is too close to Filthydelphia for me..................

We'll be moving from our Burb of the Burgh to a lake in the Laurel Highlands of Pa. on the Eastern Continental Divide....... small town/country living, low taxes and low cost of living , 80% of the county voted for Trump, just an hour from major hospitals ( U of Pitt. Med Center/ Allegheny Health Sys.)...... 6 hours from the Outer Banks of NC. 2 hours from Gettysburg...................

4 seasons, Temps from 0- 90 but generally 20-80. We've had 54" of snow this year but only 19" last year. We could use some more sunny days.... but no threat from hurricanes, earthquakes or wildfires and very little flooding.

We have an acre plus lot on a 200 acre man made lake................... and

within 20 miles of us we'll have lots of state parks, 3 ski resorts,State forests and gamelands , long hiking trails + converted rails to trails; one running from Pittsburgh to DC ( 150 miles Great Allegheny Passage) another hiking trail running 70 miles from Ohiopyle to Johnstown;whitewater rafting and trout fishing.

Completely unrelated, but I had to make a business trip to Pittsburgh several years ago. Gorgeous brown stones, walk to everything, and there's a beautiful church there, cant remember the name. I have been to worse places.

 

[BC38]

I can appreciate your feelings Krogen. I made a job transfer and left the People's Republic of Puget Sound for the RIGHT side of Washington 7-1/2 years ago. If I hadn't had two kids in school I'd have moved 20-30 miles farther east into N Idaho myself.

Spokane Valley schools are ranked as some of the best in the state (in a state ranked 7th in the country) whereas N Idaho schools are ranked poorly (in a state ranked 33rd in the country). So for the sake of my kids, N Idaho wasn't an option.

However I may still end up there now that my youngest is about to graduate high school, especially after I retire in a couple of years. The prospect of moving again is something that almost makes me sick at my stomach, but then so does the direction our state is headed.

It has changed dramatically for the worse in the 35 years I've lived here - especially in the area of gun rights in the last 5 or 6 years. And it is looking like there may be even more of the same, and possibly even worse, restrictions coming out of Olympia in the near future.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I can't really think of anyplace north of I-10 I'd like to move to. Louisiana pretty much sucks politically and economically but quite honestly I can't think of a place I'd rather live than right here.
At this stage in life all I want is to live in close proximity to medical care, a Rouses, a Costco, the Gulf of Mexico, saltwater marsh, freshwater fishing, the French Quarter and a few gambling houses. French Qarter is about 2 hours away, the rest is within 40 minute radius to destination/boat launch/hunting ponds so I am pretty well set. Don't get me wrong I like to travel but I'm gonna hang around here. Like Charlie said, the Mississippi /Alabama/Florida gulf coasts are a hald day drive when I need a beach fix ans Texas isa the other way so I'm prety well set. The older I get the less it takes to make me happy. The only thing I would change is to get rid of the state income tax-but that is not enough reason for me to leave Louisiana. If I did move from Acadiana, I would move to Old Town Mandeville or Madisonville Louisiana (maybe Covington-but probably not-definitely not Slidell ).

Going to Rouse's tomorrow in Slidell, and the gun show, and Louisiana Wine Warehouse for cheap booze.