Well, as the title states, I'm looking for a new place to live. If COVID was beneficial in anyway, it has allowed me to work completely remote. So I can literally live anywhere in the CONTIGUOUS US. So, no Alaska, unfortunately.

Here's what I'm looking for.

I want to be close to town... so no remote cabins in the middle of montana (although I would love that.)
I need fast internet, so that's a major consideration.
Mrs. Surfrunner loves to MTB, Hike, and Ski... so we would love to be around those.
Mountains over desert.
We have kids, so that's another consideration.. we want them to actually have friends.

Our state considerations are Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah. We're open to others, but that's really where we want to be.

We have a BE35, and a C185 with backcountry mods.

We would love to live with the plane, but we're realistic. So hangar space at a nearby airport if we can't have the plane (at least the 185) on the property.

We're not afraid to build, so land works.


Well, BCP. Now you know my struggle, help me find a place to live.

McCall. Coeur d'Alene. Outside Missoula.

I was in your shoes and gave up looking for what I actually wanted, though I had the ridiculous constraint of living on a lake. Made that part happen at least.

If you have adequate resources at your disposal, the aforementioned towns would be awesome.

Take a close look at Salmon, ID

I live in Heber City, UT, Salmon looks to me what Heber was likely 30 years ago

I grew up in Missoula, it's a great place to live as long as you bring your own job and bring your own money, because both are in short supply. Sounds like you are able to do that. Stevensville and Hamilton had hangers available a few years ago, both are worth checking out.

I've got to throw Santa Fe New Mexico out there. My favorite city in the world, awesome food, and a good airport. New Mexico did go bat shit crazy during Covid so there is that, but I refused to play their games and they didn't kick me out (although walking down the streets I looked like Moses parting the Red Sea as everyone scattered-hilarious). I've made some great business owner friends there. There are so many great aspects about Santa Fe and the area.

Another place I looked very seriously at not far from Santa Fe is Los Alamos. Even toured some homes. Like zero crime. Brilliant people so I'm sure awesome schools. Up in the mountains. Short drive to Santa Fe. And a crazy cool airport although the hangars look very run down. Didn't explore if a new hangar could be built cause there isn't any close by fishing so I'm not going to buy there, at least not for now.

I'd throw Durango Colorado in the mix as well, another great small town that unfortunately is growing like crazy, and with a lot of the wrong kind of people (you know, from that state further west) that will ultimately kill its charm. My assistant lives and works from there. Excellent food. Two nearby airports, good flyfishing, and a steam train that runs trough town, what more could you ask for. No idea about the schools.

Good luck.

NH

West coast is pretty, but going down the tube if you’re not a millionaire or part of government

Sandpoint ID is also nice. If I were a citizen I’d choose somewhere in Northern ID. Lots of Snow for snowmobiling. Lots of water for boats and float planes. Four seasons. Lots of traditional values and people who will stand up for them.

Pinecone wrote:Sandpoint ID is also nice. If I were a citizen I’d choose somewhere in Northern ID. Lots of Snow for snowmobiling. Lots of water for boats and float planes. Four seasons. Lots of traditional values and people who will stand up for them.

You just perfectly described Northern Michigan and the UP.

Kurt

Montana is full. I hear North Dakota is nice.

MTV

Marquette, Michigan.....water, snow, open spaces...Northern Michigan University is there so the Liberal thought is well developed...but contained. Good school options both public and private....this town has a great vibe

Re MQT...the big airport really is big....KI Sawyer In first life, now owned by the City...hangers are available and you have 10,200 feet of concrete.....some neat grass near bay and float flying....yeah

Canada . Immigrate to Canada .

mtv wrote:Montana is full. I hear North Dakota is nice.

MTV

I was just gonna say that......
John

I chose Spokane, Washington. The Idaho backcountry is very close. Spokane is a large enough city to have everything. There are no state income taxes in Washington. I have a home and a hangar on a turf runway for sale. It is about 103
miles from Moose Creek. We have been there 4 times this summer.

To big of a town for me, but given your criteria it seems to check all the boxes and close to everything you described.

Congrats! Should be a blast!

flyer wrote:I chose Spokane, Washington. The Idaho backcountry is very close. Spokane is a large enough city to have everything. There are no state income taxes in Washington. I have a home and a hangar on a turf runway for sale. It is about 103
miles from Moose Creek. We have been there 4 times this summer.

Paul's place is awesome and I agree, Spokane is a good spot!

Hood River OR

This is happening 2 miles from my 40 acres. Right off the main road to Pebble Creek Ski area. The property was sold by a long time farmer who aged out and his kids didn't want to work that hard. I bought 5 acres from him in the mid '80s for the outrageous (what it seemed at the time) sum of 5 K an acre. What I like about this area is it's in the boonies, but just 10 minutes from a major N/S interstate, and another 20 from any big box store you would ever need, and another E/W interstate. Phase 1 of this development was selling 5 acre lots for 100K, they sold so quickly Phase 2 came into being, with a slight price increase.

Curious about the "contiguous" requirement. I also work remotely, have for nearly 20 years. Alaska was only eliminated because of my wife's weird need for a minimum amount of sunlight in winter.

flyer wrote:......There are no state income taxes in Washington........

So far-- unfortunately the politicans are working on correcting that oversight.