Thinking about leaving Alaska in the future....need ideas.

[Sprefix]

The Sweety and I are thinking of leaving Alaska in the future. Could be some time, but I've had the thought of Utah in the back of my mind. I've never been there. She likes some heat and lakes for a fast Jet-ski and I like some snow for my Ski-Doo Mountain Sled. Gotta be able to ride my Harley too. As long as we are in, at, or near those conditions (snow, heat, and water), all will be good. We are getting a camp trailer soon, and can't wait to use it. We are 40 and 43 with no kids and want to get a plan going soon(NOT FOR KIDS). A friend of mine matriculated from there (Utah) about four years ago. Looks like a conversation with him to be had over a few beers while fishing in his creek. I'm originally from South Dakota and have been in Alaska for 23 years. We are looking for a change. I can transfer with my job just about anywhere. I'd really appreciate input from members across the country as to where you would go to find the before mentioned. We like the country and are not into cities or suburbs. Please show pics of your piece of Heaven to support your destination ideas. Thanks.....Sprefix
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[Kanewpadle]

Don't know much about Utah but I sure like central Oregon. Clear and sunny most of the summer and plenty of places to ride a motorcycle, quads, or snowmobiles.

Here are a few pics of Bend, Oregon. Bend is quite populated but you don't have to live in town.

 

[Dashriprock]

Some heat and some snow. Colorado (and Utah) will be tough to beat for that combo. 300 days of sunshine here and world-class snow for your sled, too.

Visit both -- the lifestyles are a bit different, but both states are real gems for outdoor activity and quality of life.

But if I personally were in your shoes, I'd be outta here and over the state line into Wyoming!

 

[Iggy]

Wyoming don't amount to much. That's the best part of it.

Wyoming's Official State Travel Website - Wyoming Travel and Tourism

 

[feralmerril]

sprefex, we have this thread going on quad rideing here. http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/198603-just-couple-pictures-our-last-quad-ride.html I started out in wisconsin, done 40 years in california and choose to retire here. Lake powell is big for jet sking. Elevation is the big factor here. I dont like the heat. We live at 6,000 ft. It`s tolerable in summer but we get winter too. We can go down the road 45 miles to the heat in st. george or casino`s at mesquite nevada another 1/2 hour. Usualy another 20 degrees hotter than here in cedar city. Than again, we are at the edge of higher mountains behind us and I can be up to 9 to 10 thousand feet in a half hour. Los vegas is less than 3 hours down the road. Out of town it`s mostly BLM land all over. Our town is big on shakespeare festivals, plays and summer olympic`s. Never go to any of that stuff. We live near zion, cedar breaks and bryce canyon national parks. Utah has both CCW and open carry, tax`s aint bad for us retired.
Our area is colorfull in all aspects, country, the people, cowboys, indians and some poligamists, rodeo`s etc.

 

[rags]

Ask Sip. I think he's left there too.

rags

 

[truckemup97]

If I were relocating, I'd be very tempted to move somewhere near feralmerril. I love that part of the country, and Cedar City has four tolerable seasons. I'd have to find a place a few miles out of town, though.

 

[feralmerril]

Right now they are giveing house`s away here.

 

[jack the toad]

Thinking about leaving Alaska in the future....need ideas. Thanks.....Sprefix__________________

First thing that comes to mind involves taking hostages... otherwise I'd just buy a bus ticket. just kidding
Seriously though, it's been a long time since I've traveled anywhere but Colorado would appeal to me and prolly fit what you've mentioned.
And although I like Okla. (born Okie so don't know any better) I can't recommend it.

 

[kraigwy]

I left Wyoming for Alaska in '72, didn't take long before I realized everything I went to Alaska for was better in Wyoming.

I retired in 1994 and moved back to Wyoming, never looked back.

 

[williamlayton]

I like the high deserts---I just don't want to live there.
Parts of AZ and NM are good---I just don't want to live there.
West Texas can be good & hot and cold with no snow to speak of.
Western Col. sounds like your place--maybe Flagstaff area.
W Va. is real good.
I will take Houston---but I like punishment---I can travel anywhere I don't want to live---and then come home.
I don't like snow, don't want to deal with it or cold.
I would find a hotter spot if I was going to move. I don't want to be anywhere at Christmas time that you can't play golf in shorts.
Thanks for asking.
Blessings

 

[feralmerril]

Trust me. A winter in flagstaff probley isnt much different than alaska.

 

[azalea]

From the interests you've mentioned, Wyoming and Utah sound great. (Utah also has a preference for my favorite firearm, the 1911).

I prefer the climate of the Pacific Northwest coast, but that's not going to work for you and your spouses' combined preferences. (But why do I live where its hot and humid much of the year? ... guess that's another story for another day).

I would also add another "thumbs-up" for west/central Oregon.

And -- this is a serious point -- DO be certain to familiarize yourself with your "finalist" state's property taxes and income taxes; and, of course, the firearms laws. California "strikes-out" on each of these points; so I didn't mention it.

 

[feralmerril]

Let me throw in a entirely different fact to consider when anyone relocates. I had a rude awakeing when I retired from lockheed in california and came here with my medical insurance options. The HMOs that I had in california arent available here. That alone costs me $600s a month on my wife!
Everyone loves to bash california. That is one huge state with every possible climate. There are beautifull places in california and belive it or not, a LOT of wilderness mountains and desert. Gun law wise, and political and tax wise it does suck. There is far more to california than san francisco and hollywood!
I have lived in wisconsin, california, wyoming and here in utah. I also lived and worked about 3 months on jobs at a time in lousianna, texas, west virginnia, northern mighigan and oregon, also various areas of california that is huge as 3 or 4 regular sized states in it`s self.
I have found good and bad in evey one of them. I really miss where I was raised in wisconsin, yet when I go back there much more than a week I get bored to death! For me, staying mobile and haveing money to get out on the road is everything.

 

[azalea]

For me, staying mobile and haveing money to get out on the road is everything.

+1 on this, especially for a single person and possibly for a couple as well.

The diversity I've experienced in my travels (mostly business) is a high-value lifetime experience. Places such as The Peak in Hong Kong, the coast of Prince Edward Island, true links golf courses in Scotland, and countless others are not to be missed if one has a chance.

+1 also on your comments on California. CA is "loaded" with beautiful locations (my favorite is probably the Russian River Valley) and the state has a wonderful range of climates to chose from. But CA is unfortunately "100% poison" to a firearms enthusiast. Not a single one of my "upper-end" 1911s would be legal in CA. Thus, CA can never be anything more than a tourist/business trip destination for me.

 

[off road]

I would look for some place in the southwest, where you can live in the valley at the foot of a mountain range. Living at low altitude, you won't have to deal with the cold and heavy snow of the mountains, yet you can pop up into the mountains for off roading or snow fun. If the area has lakes, that will keep the little lady happy.

 

[truckemup97]

For me, staying mobile and haveing money to get out on the road is everything.

Maybe you should have been a truck driver. It works for me, anyway.

 

[feralmerril]

I always wanted to drive truck. In 2000 I had all my points to retire on my night job. I was single so retired january 2000. I retired with the idea of goofing off that summer, going to truck driveing school in the fall and start driveing the first of 2001.
A drunk T-boned me in july. I didnt go to the doctor and had a bump on my knee. A couple months later I got hit with a pulmonary embolism that almost killed me. Doctor said no truck driveing for me and put me on warfarin. Same time dad came down with alzheimers and I had handle him and his affairs and had to live with him for awhile. Then I met my wife and never worked since. I wouldnt have thought it was mathmaticly possible to retire at the time for good, but I have. Outside of flying or possibly finding a nitch in law enforcement, I belive I could have been happy driveing. I set my stepson up with a truck, he screwed up royaly and tried something else. He couldnt stand being away from home, now doesnt have one!
I always have been the happiest moveing, just driveing, rideing a cycle, quad or flying. Maybe its because I could sit down doing what I loved best?

 

[williamlayton]

I also like to drive---driving a truck for a living is a little different than, I wonder where that road goes.
I have been know to drive from houston to Salado and get my brother in law and drive to Llano for BBQ at Cooper's and be home for supper.
Blessings

 

[Pete99004]

The Pacific NW has a lot to offer. Eastern WA/Norther ID. region has couple hundred lakes and rivers to choose from for water sports/activity. Four seasons that are moderate - great skiing and hundreds of miles of logging roads for 4 wheeling or snowmobiling. Many state and federal lands for camping with tons of private camping available if that is what you want. No income taxes in WA - Cost of living here is reasonable and less than many other areas in the west. You should check out the Spokane/Couer d' Alene area - has everything you were looking for in your post.

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