Western US people, looking for feedback

My wife and I are in the early stages of planning a move "out west". We currently live in one of the lowest cost of living areas of the country but the western part of the US has been calling for a while now. The biggest challenge is picking a place that we won't suddenly feel poor.

So far we've visited San Diego, Portland, Denver and I went to Bozeman.

I liked S.D the most but it's too expensive and half my guns would be illegal there.

The criteria we're looking for. Small to medium size in population, reasonable cost of living, gun laws that won't make me a felon, within 30 mimutes of the mountains. Winters that aren't too brutal. I think this rules out most of Idaho and Montana.

Places on our radar:

-Bend OR. Not too big, not as expensive as other places, close to endless outdoor recreation. Downside, 9% state income tax...ouch.

-Vancouver, WA. Best friend lives there. No state tax. A little farther from the mountains than I would like.

-Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Beauty without the taxes and regulations. Don't know much else about this area.

Places I've heard good things about.

-Northern Arizona?
-Salt Lake City?

We're looking for feedback and suggestions. This Will be a scenario where we sell everthing and only take what we can tow and haul. We'll be starting over somewhere.

 

Northeast Mesa area in AZ checks a lot of those boxes. Northern AZ is really nice, but I prefer to still be close to the metro area for a majority of my lifestyle choices (breweries, sports, etc)

 

My wife and I are looking to move in a few years. Less if she can work from home. I've researched a lot of places but I keep coming back to the Lake Tahoe area, specifically the Nevada side. I LOVE the eastern Sierras so I want to be positioned where I can access it easily and avoid the taxes and the lunatics running my state. So far I'm liking Minden, Gardnerville, Carson City, and Verdi. I have vacationed in the area a lot in the past few years to get a feel but I know living there will be different.

 

Yeah then don’t come to a metro city in Colorado. State is turning blue and cost of living and traffic sucks around the metro areas. But out side of that plenty of beautiful places here in Colorado.

 

I’ve heard a lot of good things about bend Oregon. Lots of people are leaving San Diego for Oregon.

 

That may not be a good thing... But yes, I keep hearing good things about Bend. It's at the top of our list right now.

 

Yeah I ruled out Denver. Too big. Interested in other CO cities though.

 

I don’t know how I feel about this post Paul lol I think you should retract your statement

 

A friend looking for where to live next has visited Bend repeatedly and determined that can work... as long as you stay clear of town. And better if you bring a source of income with you.

Prices in town have skyrocketed (higher than San Diego) but, more importantly, the same circumstances that make it so attractive to visit, make it not a good bet for job security (work is low-paying service jobs; tourism; not much "industry").

Lake Tahoe is beautiful... similar job issues though, I think.

I think northern Arizona is a pretty good idea. Flagstaff is beautiful-- trees and mountains = The West. It's got a bigger economy than the other places out of California you've listed, and the proximity to a major transcontinental freeway, train network, and a university means it's less stagnant than some "small towns", i.e. good coffee; arts and culture; opportunities to interact with others from around the country and world. Plus, an ~ hour from the Grand Canyon and Sedona... a lotta near exploration opportunities. I'd shortlist it, based on your criteria.

Edit: and breweries!

 

Ikr! It was kinda sad writing it. I've been a resident of SoCal my entire life. Leaving will be difficult. Being able to 'wheel 90 minutes from my door! The coast in 30 minutes. The desert in 60... Not to worry Marty! It'll be a few years. Plenty of trail runs to make. Speaking of which, when ya going to show me around Anza?

 

Yeah, @Marty, when you gonna show him around Anza?!!

 

Florida ticks all your boxes, but the mountains.

I’d recco St. Barts cept’ it ain’t cheap. Especially South Coast.

 

Eliminate California.

 

Whew! I was a little worried for a second

Yeah sunny! When are you going to show us around anza
Your a Berrego pro now

 

Verdi 100%!

 

Canadian here - will weigh in although I can't speak to your gun laws at all other than to say I'm slightly envious.

I've spent time in Sedona, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Bend, Sisters, well all over Oregon including the coast every summer, I live on the other side of the border from WA. So I've been all over WA.

Oregon is a jewel and I think people there are amazing - same with in Washington. You could honestly pick any little town anywhere along the I5 and be close enough to a major city to make travel possible. When you start going into the eastern parts of the two states, you get more of a winter and amazing summers but mobility is the thing. For me, I need access (reasonable) to major airports.

I liked Redmond OR over Bend. Bend can be a bit much in the summers. If you want to be closer to PDX, Forest Grove is nice - have a friend there - and gives you easy access to the coast.

As for WA - I love Whidby/Oak Harbor. Close enough to Bellingham and a short drive to Seattle.

And now the Canadian who shouldn't have an opinion will shut up

 

I'm almost ready. I think we'll start the Banner/Hulksmash build next weekend. Whenever that's up and running, I'll be ready. When will YOU be ready, @Daddy McFly?

 

Why would you want to leave "Gods Country"?

There's a lot of people moving into upstate SC and Western NC, Northern GA. I can understand you wanting to leave Knoxville, too much city for me.

 

Look at Idaho. It checks a lot of boxes.

 

Are you retired, or will need employment? I moved to Arizona, from Massachusetts 19 yrs ago to escape Democratic oppression. I'm retired now. I own a 3 bedroom ranch on 3 acres. Taxes are $400.00 a year. It's a Sportsmans paradise. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

 

Will you be at tundras to Sedona? I'm down there in March for vacation then again in April for the meet up

 

Can you expand on this? Crime, cost, ??

 

Come check out Ventura California, we are really close to the mountains..

 

What’s with the daddy buisness lol
It’s puppy Mcfly

 

I doubt it. Sedona is always a tourist trap. Seen it, hate it. Full of California folks chasing UFO's.

 

Haha you're so right with the UFO chasers lol Off season is good tho

And the meet up is outside Sedona closer to munds Park I think

 

I was born and raised in Vancouver WA but now 30 min north more in the country.
Owning businesses in both Seattle and Portland, I can tell you one thing.
I want to move to Idaho.
WA and OR votes are all won by the big cities - Portland and Seattle.
Not my cup of tea.
Boise, ID is beautiful. And they won’t be taking any of your guns away; most likely ever.

We vacation in Bend regularly. It’s beautiful and becoming the “newer cool” area to go. We are considering a vacation all rental purchase. Can’t comment too much on pricing (other than similar to suburbs of Portland). I’m not sure how you’d make out if another recession hit (if you’re still working, not retired). I always plan for the best, prepare for the worst.

I love White Salmon, WA. Just across the beautiful Columbia River is Hood River - a little bit bigger (but still smaller) town.
You’re an hour from Portland, 3hrs from Coast, 40 min from Mt Hood, 45 min from Mt Adams, 1.25hr from Mt St Helens, minutes away from fishing (if it’s open) minutes away from kick ass hunting.

Guess it depends what you’re after, and what skills you folks have for landing a career.
This was the Coumbia River Gorge drive last weekend

 

Well if you don't want to suddenly feel poor I think that strikes SD off your list almost immediately. I love SD don't get me wrong and can't wait to go visit again hopefully this summer. I was stationed there off and on for 6 years.

I am currently in SW Portland and have lived here since '96. I left for 9 years while I was on active duty though. I have only visited Bend a few times for work so I have no real idea on how it is to live there.

I think a good area for your population size and gun law worries would be just outside of Portland either SW or SE. If you go east maybe Damascus or Sandy. Both are small towns that are close to Mt Hood. Sandy being closer to the Mt....but they do get considerably more snow due to location.
If you go to the West or SW side of Portland any of Hillsboro, Beaverton, Newberg, Forest Grove, Sherwood would be good choices. They are closer to the coastal mountains.
Both of these areas are reasonably close to Portland if needed for a work commute though some would average an hour each way everyday...sometimes more.

What kind of industry would you be looking for career wise? That may help suggest a better choice of cities.

 

Tucson, AZ, doesn't seem to be on your radar, and maybe it should be. Sounds like it fits a lot of what you're looking for. Northern AZ is...empty, and cold, which I personally think is awesome, but not sure about your fit. Utah is also amazing, but I can't really speak to things like cost of living and quality of life - I just visit (as often and as much as I possibly can). Tucson has a lot going for it, I think. Southern AZ has a lot more mountains than I knew about before moving to the state.