Considering an adventerous move... Which state or area would you prefer if choosing between CO, WA and OR if?

Question

you valued outdoor fun (like camping, hiking, canoeing, & biking), lots of trees, mountains or at least rolling hills, friendly and polite people (not too snobby), not too much smog, a good economy for a career in home building or remodelling, country/farm areas to live simply and privately and commute into the city for work, winters that are not as cold as Maine, and sunshine more frequently than mostly cloudy? Please mention if you know of an area not listed that comes close to meeting these criteria, but we don't want to live in the Southeast anymore (nice enough but want something new).

Answer 1

If you don't like cloudcover, western Washington and Oregon are out of the question though beautiful. I would try Colorado Springs. It's a bigger city with a lot of outdoor opportunity and it's booming, but housing is not very expensive yet. I'm from Idaho, but I've spent quite a bit of time in all of those states. I would always recommend Idaho first, but Colorado Springs or Fort Collins would be a great place to live. Colorado is a little colder than the Pacific coast, but it's drier so you don't feel it as much. You may want to look into the Coeur d' Alene or Sandpoint area of Idaho though. That's where I would choose over anywhere.

Answer 2

Oregon and Washington west of the Cascade mountains are quite cloudy and rainy in the winter, though not in the summer. East of those mountains it is much drier with far more sunny days all year round. (Pine Mountain in central Oregon even has an astronomical observatory,) Of course, those clear skies in the winter also mean colder temperatures.

In Oregon, I'd draw your attention to the Bend area, which is growing extremely fast, which I imagine is good for builders and remodelers. Also check out the Ashland - Medford - Grants Pass area in southern Oregon, which is also growing fast. It also is warmer than Bend.

One of your other respondents is from Idaho and mentions the northern part of the state. I'd suggest you look at Boise, which is another great area and meets your conditions.

You may be disappointed in your search for a nice little country farm in commuting distance of a city. The northwest is very popular now, and about a million people (literally) have thought of this before you. Such places are available, but they'll cost you a million bucks now.

Answer 3

I grew up and lived in Oregon for the last 25 years and I'll share some of my expertise in that area. I can tell you that there are so many whiners out there that do nothing but complain about the rain in the northwest, but it is not anywhere near as bad as people make it out to be. There is plenty of sun for hiking, boating, canoeing, skiing, biking, campling, etc. The entire state is excellent for these activities.

In very general terms, Oregon is the down-to-earth, environmental, liberal, friendly state. Washington is a little more upscale, expensive, and uptight. Colorado is more of a blend of both. Though they are all Northwest, each is very independent in their identity and consider themselves to be a uniquely situated and ideal.

Some Oregon benefits: no sales tax, no pumping your own gas, not overcrowded, plenty of homesites with acreage close to cities, extremely accepting people, mountains, coasts, and saturday markets - just to throw a few things out there.

Bend, OR is a booming town. Originally a vacation spot it is in central oregon and has awesome outdoor everything with MT. Bachelor in your backyard. Also, eastern and central oregon do not get near the amount of rain that you would on the coast. Downside: It is kinda in the middle of nowhere, 3 hours from Eugene airport (small) and 4-5 to Portland.

Eugene OR is a good choice. Centered in the Willamette valley it's the second largest city and is abumdant with rivers, lakes, hills and mountains. There were 4 lakes within 30 minutes of my house for boating and other recreation and willamette pass ski resort is just 45 minutes away. There are many small towns and farms outside the city (15 minute commute) like Veneta, Pleasant Hill, Creswell, Junction City, that are also booming and would provide plenty of bulding opportunity. You probably won't find as many remodeling jobs as you would on the east coast since new construction is the theme of things. But you could settle in and find a niche. Eugene is also not a crowded city, and it's a quick 90 mile drive to Portland (Oregon's largest city).

If you're looking bigger, you could try living outside of Portland OR. I would look to the West in somewhere like Forest Grove. Or you could live over the border in Camas, WA, a booming area with some country.

For more sun, consider southern Oregon, like Ashland or Medford. They don't have as much snow or mountains, but if that's okay by you then there's plenty of other things to do. You'd be close to Crater Lake, one of earth's most beautiful and astounding sites.

If I were you there's no way I would just randomly choose a place and go live there. Go check it out. Spend 1 week in each state visiting your top 3 cities in those states. You'll find that each state has it's pros and cons based on the type of lifestyle you're looking to live. You may even find that you want to try living for a decade in each state. Yours is a business that certainly can be moved with relative ease. Best of luck in your search for your perfect adventure state!

Answer 4

Colorado. But since you are coming from the southeast, be prepared to a change in climate. The air is thinner and you will get the 4 seasons. But other than that it sounds like the place you are looking for!

Answer 5

We live in NJ, but have had a second home in Breckenridge, Colorado for almost 20 years. We try to get up about three times a year, and miss it when we don't get there.

I can tell you best how I feel about Colorado, by relating the following story:
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A fellow walked into a church in LA and told the priest that he wanted to talk to God. The priest told the guy that they had a phone that would allow him to speak to God, but that it cost $5000! The guy didn't have $5000 so he left.

Then he walked into a church in NYC and told that priest there that he wanted to talk to God. The priest told the guy that they had a phone that would allow him to speak to God, but that it cost $10,000! The guy didn't have $10,000 so he left.

Then the guy walked into a church in Colorado and told that priest that he wanted to talk to God. The priest told him that they had a phone that would allow him to speak to God, and that it only cost $1.00.

The fellow said to the priest that he didn't understand how that was possible, since the call costs $5000 in LA and $10,000 in NYC.

Here it comes - get ready. . . . . . .

The priest responded to him, that in Colorado its only a local call!!
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Colorado is one of the most beautiful parts of our country, and certainly the construction boom all along the Front Range and well into Summit County should keep you emplyed for many years!

I guess you know my vote!

Answer 6

Missoula,Montana. Mountains,surprisingly mild climate for Montana,everyone goes outside,many isolated neighborhoods,not a big city, and friendly people. Don't over look Missoula. It's not what you think when you think of Montana. More and more young people are moving to Missoula.

Answer 7

Colorado. Washington and Oregon get a lot of rain.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Colorado has everything except surfing and we have wind surfing.