OregonMaule wrote:Oregon is terrible, rains all the time, full of liberals, high taxes. Don't look here.

i guess that puts cali. out of the running?

The more I travel, the more "good places to live" I see.

The Texas hill country fits WELL into this category!!
And I like the Texas attitude toward gun control!!

If greater Seattle pulls a "Colorado", I'm likely to pull up stakes and move there.
If Texas secedes, I'm headed there, too!

lc

PS I lived in SAT during my teens, so I know a bit about it.....

If greater Seattle pulls a "Colorado"

Some notable backlash: 2 of the state legislators who voted for the new gun control measures just very recently lost their recall elections--a first for Colorado. When the will of the people is ignored, the people seem to take offense!

Cary

Montana is now full. I've heard North Dakota is nice.....

MTV

MTV,

I'm LMAO!

Does North Dakota really exist? I know South Dakota does, been there. But in over a half century I've never even met someone from North Dakota.

Yep Barnstormer.......Hear Tell North Dakota has more Oil than Texas..............and there's a pretty girl behind every tree :

My preferred retirement location will probably be in my Scout! Hopefully!

GumpAir wrote:Admit it Kenny, you're a Mina Nevada kinda guy!!!!!!



Gump

HaHa....... Gump, you got me pegged!

Trouble is every time I drove thru there I didn't have time to stop and take in the local atmosphere, it is on my "to do" list though.
Do I need to know anything out of the ordinary before stopping there? What to see or do -or- what 'not' to see and do!

You know... you ended up in Dayton after living in H-town and Mina. I can prolly learn from that and start my searching from there.

OregonMaule wrote:Oregon is terrible, rains all the time, full of liberals, high taxes. Don't look here.

So.... In other words, Its just like California, just wetter!


Hey Bighorn,.....

There ain't no stinkin trees in North Dakota!!!
Too dang cold Too!

S-12Flyer,

Grand Junction is on the radar. Last summer we stopped for lunch there and visited the Vietnam War Memorial. We didn't have enough time to hang out in town but we did take the scenic drive over Grand Mesa before heading back East on US HWY 50. The contrast between evergreen alpine forest, lakes and aspens, to the desert to the West really appeals to me. Moab was awesome! A little too touristy for us though.

Everyone I've talked to says the cost of living in Colorado is fairly high so I'm weighing this one carefully. What are your observations?

Bighorn wrote:Is there any place online that one could find a vacation house at a airport so you could visit the area for a week to see if you would like it?

Yes. VRBO - Vacation Rental By Owner

http://www.vrbo.com/

Cost of living in Colorado varies a lot by the "where" in Colorado. Even within any given city, there are pockets of out-priced homes which in a different part of town would be much less expensive. But in general terms, Colorado isn't any worse than many other places, nothing like southern California, for instance. And certainly there are parts of the country where the cost of living is less--but then, some of those places aren't where I'd want to retire!

Cary

I agree with Cary, and stay from the 'Peoples Republic of Boulder,' they also don't like airplanes, they wonder why pilots are leaving the town airport. Lots of stay-at-home mothers who like to harass local pilots, too.

Grand Junction has lots of attributes, unfortunately including an 'Natzi' airport manager, so people there are keeping their planes at Mack, and other friendly spots.

mtv wrote:Montana is now full. I've heard North Dakota is nice.....

MTV

Yep, Williston is a beautiful place.

Rezrider wrote:
In my opinion New Mexico is way underrated and worth a look.

Rezrider you are onto something there! We spent a couple of days in Santa Fe back in February and have also stayed on Kirkland AFB August a year ago. More recently I cut thru NE New Mexico on a solo motorcycle trek, stopping at Capulin National Volcano Monument.
The August trip also took us up to Farmington before going further North. Beautiful country! Santa Fe is an artsy/quirky kinda place.

When we travel we have the mindset of, "would this be a good place to settle down?" Each of those places above appealed to us but one cannot taste the local flavor in just a short stay. We ask people, "what's it like here." The responses are as varied as the individuals giving them.

There are two acquaintances I have from the four corners area, one from Farmington, the other from the rez in AZ. Both say it's a beautiful area. However, when I told my Navajo friend we were considering the area for retirement she reminded me why she had left..... 'not only to go to college but to get away from the alcoholism and drugs'. She also said it would be difficult for an 'outsider' moving in to be accepted by the locals. I enjoy the openness of our discussions and she sees my 'natural curiosity' as just that, someone wanting to learn more about something not fully understood. Yet, she explained that the outsiders are seen as a source for the negative things entering the area.

In no way do I mean to draw attention to a negative view. But I would like enlightenment from more those who know.
I try to have no prejudice toward anyone and would relish the opportunity to learn more about the culture there.

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Folks,

When this road trip comes together I will be taking photos & notes along the way and posting a 'trip report' with my findings.
As noted before, this trip will be but the first of several to scout out prospective new digs.
Hopefully we can meet some new friends and learn some things we didn't know we needed to know!
Mostly though,..... Lets meet some of you!

Kenny

If the SW appeals to you. For sure don't overlook parts of NM. When I decided to get off the same ole interstate hwy, I'd cut through NM on some of the 2 lane roads. I was in awe of some of the areas I've passed through.

And now that I think more about it. Nevada down right sux!!! I wouldn't want to work there! Wouldn't want to live there! And sure the heck wouldn't want to play there! It's just a baron wasteland that looks like the moon. Heck, I don't think jackrabbits live there!

Kenny:

May want to take a look at Albuquerque. I live about 30 minutes south at E98.

It is a small community and doesn't feel like a big town. Yet nice amenities are very close by. Great community here at the airpark too. Best sense of community I have ever experienced.

As you already mentioned, lots of retired military facilities, including the base and the VA. Many military retirees here in Alb.

I grew up in Grand Junction and love it there. So both are good choices.

The weather is certainly warmer here in ABQ. Hard to beat the weather here. Summers are very similar in temperatures to GJ, but the winters are noticeably warmer. And the cost of living is probably a bit cheaper here, but not a great deal of difference. GJ has a lower crime rate and is probably a safer environment, although I have never felt unsafe here. You are going to be closer to the mountains, fishing and hunting in GJ, but all are fairly close to ABQ.

If you were stationed at Kirtland, you probably already know the area pretty well.

It is a great problem to have. Good luck with your search.

Regards, Larry

88H wrote:

May want to take a look at Albuquerque. I live about 30 minutes south at E98....
...If you were stationed at Kirtland, you probably already know the area pretty well.

It is a great problem to have. Good luck with your search.

Regards, Larry

Thanks Larry,
Forgive me if it sounded like I'd been stationed at Kirtland...
...We have stayed there but never was stationed there...sorry.

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58Skylane wrote:
......And now that I think more about it. Nevada down right sux!!! I wouldn't want to work there! Wouldn't want to live there! And sure the heck wouldn't want to play there! It's just a baron wasteland that looks like the moon. Heck, I don't think jackrabbits live there!

You're right 58Skylane,
I just need to get that idea out of my system.

Maybe I should find a way to attend the High Sierra Fly-In 2013.
You know,.... just to put to rest any lingering thoughts of actually wanting to go back and live in that God forsaken Hell hole!

I'd have to drive though, aircraft ownership is in the planning stages.

Cary wrote:Cost of living in Colorado varies a lot by the "where" in Colorado. Even within any given city, there are pockets of out-priced homes which in a different part of town would be much less expensive. But in general terms, Colorado isn't any worse than many other places, nothing like southern California, for instance. And certainly there are parts of the country where the cost of living is less--but then, some of those places aren't where I'd want to retire!

Cary

Cary is correct. C.O.L. varies a lot depending on location. Generally, the western slope is considerably less expensive than the front range.
And we tend to run at a less hurried pace.
Oddly enough the western slope is where the bulk of the front rangers head on weekends.
There are several very nice airports to base out of besides Mack, (my favorite). I live about 5 miles from the Junction airport but make the 20 mile drive to Mack to avoid the politics at Walker Field.
The juxtaposition of Aspen forests and high desert is one of the great things about living here. Moab is a quick 30 minute flight from Mack as well as all the other cool things that Eastern Utah as to offer. Without actually having to LIVE in Eastern Utah.

Ironically, my brother lives in Lakeview AR. and has been extolling the virtues of retiring to N.W. Arkansas. But then he spent the last 25 years living and working for "the government" in the Middle East. I guess that after Bosnia, Croatia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, even Arkansas looks great.

Another major factor to consider in retirement is taxes. Research this before committing to a particular state.

Some states are rated as best, while others are rated worst for retired individuals.

MAU MAU wrote:Another major factor to consider in retirement is taxes. Research this before committing to a particular state.

Some states are rated as best, while others are rated worst for retired individuals.

Not sure if it was already mentioned. But also consider being close to major well regarded medical facilities for the unexpected medical issues.

That's what I like about Boise. There's St Luke's and St Alphonsas which are both excellent facilities from what I heard.

While on this subject. Last I knew is both if them have Life Fliight and trama centers. I believe for $50.00 or $100.00 a year, you can sign up on a joint Life Flight subscription and if you need it and your insurance doesn't pay the Life Flight bill, your covered. And as far as I know they are the only two Life Flight company's in SW Idaho. Good to have for a back up if your an outdoor enthusiast.

My last duty station before retiring was at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque. Throughout my career I had the opportunity to be stationed and deployed all over the world so I was able to sample climates and cultures in many locations. Of all the places I've lived, the high desert is the most comfortable living I've experienced; my home is just east of Albuquerque in the East Mountain area at an elevation of about 6800 feet. There's only about 8 weeks out of the year that are uncomfortably warm, and even then it's nothing like the gulf states or east coast.
My wife and I have also had the same conversation you are having about where we want live out our days. NM has a lot going for it; it isn't crowded, total tax burden is low compared to the rest of the states, e.g. we have a state income tax but property taxes are half or a third of what they are in states like Texas or California (we were rated about 45 out of 50 when I was doing my research before retiring, however this may have changed by now), it is military friendly, and like I mentioned earlier the climate is great. The downside is that it is now a purple state. The governor is a republican but the rest of the state legislature is solidly blue, as are our representatives and senators at the federal level. Illegals can get driver's licenses and we don't have voter ID so our political situation is not likely to improve. The northern part of NM around the Chama area is beautiful, but there are no public airports up there. We too had looked toward western Colorado, but their recent lurch to the left with their idiotic gun laws has me looking for a red state alternative. That two of those lawmakers recently got fired was encouraging though. The nice thing about that area, besides the landscape is that you are in the sweet spot for backcountry flying with destinations in Utah, CO, and Idaho within easy flying distance.
I look forward to your trip report since we are interested in the same things.
NMXWinds