New guy here .

I presently live in Upstate N.Y. and work as an engineer out of my home and thus could relocate to any of the 50 states. Before I retire, I would like to relocate myself to an area where I would live out my days.

Assuming you love to fly airplanes (which I do), where would YOU choose to live that you feel would afford you the best year- round flying opportunities ? I also like to mountain bike etc. Here in upstate New York we have some relatively long winters, so I would be inclined to avoid the northern states, 53 years of harsh winters is quite enough for me !

I have traveled to quite a few states, but never with a view on the flying opportunities provided by any given locale.

I suppose the ideal location would be relatively affordable from a housing viewpoint, low taxes, have stable real estate market, moderate weather with an environment that is generally ammenable to aviation pursuits (e.g. long flying season). I'm in the market for a plane, most likely it'll be a cub, and I plan on getting my tail wheel endorsement this spring, so I am inclined towards grass strips. A rural area would be fine, but proximity to a larger city would be ideal.

Thanks in advance for any comments or advice you can provide.

Joe

I would live somewhere in Southern Utah/Northern Arizona at an Airpark where I could sleep near the plane. Killer flying and limitless backcountry opportunities.

Summers are a little hot so I would hang out in Colorado, Idaho and Montana as much as possible JUN-AUG. None of these places are too far. An occasional summer trip to Alaska would have to be in the mix.

Now I just need to retire, like that will ever happen with my measely 201K.

Oh yeah............did I mention Lake Powell, the 8th wonder.

Welcome to the site Joe!

Why I would recommend the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania! It meets all your criteria and has at least ONE WEEK less winter than you do!

Actually, I am curious what the guys say because that is a good question.

BTW, we are putting together a nifty little fly-in down here (50PA) May 1-3 and you are welcome!

I would second Southern Utah/Northern Arizona and for the same reasons.

Green Hornet wrote:I would second Southern Utah/Northern Arizona and for the same reasons.

I'll third that. The Army keeps trying to relocate Ft. Rucker out there because in all of the US, that area has the most flyable days per year than anywhere else, but politics keeps stopping them. I think that part of the world met almost all of your criteria. Of course then there is the Caribbean on floats?

joe14580 wrote:New guy here .

I presently live in Upstate N.Y. and work as an engineer out of my home and thus could relocate to any of the 50 states. Before I retire, I would like to relocate myself to an area where I would live out my days.

Assuming you love to fly airplanes (which I do), where would YOU choose to live that you feel would afford you the best year- round flying opportunities ? I also like to mountain bike etc. Here in upstate New York we have some relatively long winters, so I would be inclined to avoid the northern states, 53 years of harsh winters is quite enough for me !

I have traveled to quite a few states, but never with a view on the flying opportunities provided by any given locale.

I suppose the ideal location would be relatively affordable from a housing viewpoint, low taxes, have stable real estate market, moderate weather with an environment that is generally ammenable to aviation pursuits (e.g. long flying season). I'm in the market for a plane, most likely it'll be a cub, and I plan on getting my tail wheel endorsement this spring, so I am inclined towards grass strips. A rural area would be fine, but proximity to a larger city would be ideal.

Thanks in advance for any comments or advice you can provide.

Joe

AZ50 is north of Kingman -Fly and have your hanger/house together. I have a place there .
Another option might be Hurricane Utah .

I like eastern Oregon and it is close to the backcountry of Idaho. The winters would be the only drawback of your list. We have lots of grass strips and places to ride your bike. Boise, ID. is only 75 miles away, and Portland is only 2 hours away in my 182.
Welcome to the forum.

Hey Joe,

Wouldn't think i would catch myself saying this, but N central Tx has been a pretty good deal. Home prices are reasonable (avg 3 bedroom in the 100, 000-150, 000 range). Lots of airparks, plenty with grass strips with reasonable lot prices. i can, if i wanted to, get to the DFW area in less than 30 minutes (by air), but still find plenty of grass strips(once you get to know people) to fly into.

Flying the mountians in NM and CO are 4-5 hours (flying time) so not quite as convenient, but if your retired i guess you would have the time. So far since moving down here i've been out to Raton and Angle fire NM and out to the big bend area in west TX for some back country flying, so it is with in reach.

I loved flying in Alaska, but i have to admit i don't miss the pre-heat 2-step and - 40 flights scraping ice off the inside of the wind screen so i can appreciate the scenery. When it gets below 50 here, everybody freaks out!

Did i mention the homebase (KXBP) 100LL price in 2.32, beats the heck out of the 7.50 or higher i was paying out ont the west coast in Alaska

Having said all that, i'll end up back in Alaska at some point, miss it too much. But, for now it's been a pretty good experience down here in TX and it sounds like it might fit what your looking for.

Chris

Wow, I think about this very topic all of the time. I'm surprised it doesn't come up on the forums more often.

The voices keep telling me to move back to the southwest. I loved the dry weather. The trick is to get to a high enough altitude that the summers are tolerable.

I have additional constraints beyond flying and mtn biking. My eventual destination also cannot infringe on my basic rights or tax me to death. And that's when it starts getting tricky!

Don't forget southern Florida. 360 days of VFR and plenty of big cities. Your kids and grandkids will always look forward to coming to see you (warm weather, beaches and of course Disney World). The "Keys" or an Island hop to the Bahama's. I especially like the Gulf side because it moderates temperatures. There are lots of airparks as well. When you need a break from flying 360 days the other 5 days you can fish or play golf.

In the States, Southern Utah, or maybe southern Tennessee.

In the world, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

Lawton, OK gets hot in the summer but there is a reason that there are four USAF flying schools within an hour of here (at their speeds). Ft Sill won out big in the BRAC and our housing industry is pretty stable.

T-Hangar at KLAW - $110/mo (with electricity); T-Hangar at 92F - $50/mo (with electricity)
State Aircraft registration is $10/yr if the plane is over 30 years old
Gas at Lawton is a little pricey at 3.94, but it's only 3.30 within 35 miles of here.
Lots of grass strips in the area
Dallas is 3 hours away by car, OKC is 1
Colorado Springs is 4.5 hours away in my 172

Guys,

Thanks very much for the welcome and the (so far) great ideas ! If anyone else has any thoughts please chime in. I have over 11 weeks of vacation in saved up this year and I plan on using some of it to explore the locales mentioned.

It sounds like Utah has a slight lead in terms of vote count and is one of the few of the Western States I haven't visited, so that one is on the list, as well as others.

Airparks have a great deal of appeal to me, but it's not an absolute requirement. In NY there are practically none of them, probably due to the taxes and (over) regulatory environment.

Keep those cards and letters coming.

Sincerely,

Joe

Somewhere around Denver or CO Springs. Lots of sun & what snow they get doesn't really last very long. The house prices have dropped alot also.

Joe,

I've asked myself the very same question many times. With a 40 year career in commercial aviation I've seen just about every square mile of this fabulous nation. Also have had layovers or vacationed in almost every part of our county.

Fact is....I've never found a place that I wanted to live year around. Born and raised in Indiana....lived in Illinois, Kentucy and the last 36 in Missouri. Did a few months in Texas and Arizona when in the Army. Ideally I'd like a summer home in Idaho, winter in Florida, spring and fall in Missouri. Alas....not enought bucks to do all the above, unless we want to live in a motor home. Besides...with five kids and much family in the midwest....what's a guy to do?

But if could be 21 again and chose my life...I think that it would be in Tennessee. A rural mountianous area around Knoxville, Chatanooga or maybe the Nashville area. Moderate seasons....lots of open countryside and beautiful scenery. But for pure flying/camping/backpacking....the Idaho, Utah, northern Arizona area is hard to beat. Just kind of desolate in some places. Idaho is absolutely my first choice for summer living. Trouble being...summer there is too short. Oh and by the way....Texas would be among my last choices.

I am retired, 61 years old and could live anywhere we chose. Just kind of stuck with deep roots in the midwest. No real help here. Just food for thought.

Good luck,

Bob

You know the grass is always greener on the other side of the country. I'm going to try before I buy. I'm going to start in the Idaho, Wyoming area. I'd like to rent a hanger in the area and position the plane out there and do some exploring during a vacation. Maybe learn the area (homes, airstrips, towns, people). Leave it in the rented hanger and take a smoker home to catch up on work then come back out in a few weeks and do some more. If I like what I see I'm closer to a decision if I don't like I reposition the plane and start over. I've got some time before retirement so I'm not ready to commit to the whole cow but I would like to try the milk. BTW these guys and girls on this forum have so much info about these destinations that your never going to be too far away from a friend. If your new digs would cost 200k @ 6% interest (not to mention that you should double that and include taxes, utilities, repair etc.) that's 12K/yr (24K) you could use on hotels, condos, camping, hanger rent, smoker tickets while your in the discovery process before you make a real estate investment. And oh what fun to explore. Even with 11 weeks of vacation I'm not sure you would spend 12k (24K) on travel and lodging. I have traveled by air all over the U.S. and have never failed to find a nice place to stay without prior notice. I think there must be at least three beds for every person in the lower 48. Yep, that's what I'll do. Starting this fall. Yes sir. Goodbye midwest hello Idaho.

Hey Joe,
Where do you live, I am in potsdam. I fly all year long, we have some of the best flying i think is out there if your into skis and floats. We have tons of lakes and backcountry to explore up here. Not a crazy amount of cool strips but there are definitely a bunch. Also most of the flying is at sea level which is an awesome advantage. We also have maine and nh close which have have great bc flying as well.

Mike

SixTwoLeemer and SkyBob have the right idea. If I were you, I'd take a 1-2 week trip to Boise and check out the surrounding area. If you choose the Boise area, your within an hours flight of many great backcountry strips and fun flying through the mountians and desert. I don't think the winters in the Boise area is as bad as NY and the upper Northeast and Midwest states.

Do you mind me asking what town your from? I have some friends that live in Wallkill and have a Beech Sierra based at N45 (Kobelt).

I have lived in a lot of places in my time, in some of the most beautiful crown jewels this nation has to offer and I can tell you that I have yet to find "the" place..

Lived at Lake Powell, BTW.

To borrow a phrase: Home is where the job is mostly. If I won the lottery I guess home would be where my loved ones live.

I dream of short summers in Southeast Alaska and the rest of year somewhere kind of warm with easy access to snow in the higher elevations.

Carson or Smith Valley in Nevada will likely be where I end up one day, soon or not, with season passes at Kirkwood and a plane parked in one of my hay barns

NEVADA! You are a couple of hours to all the great places, Organ, Utah, Idaho, California, Arizona. Lots of sunshine. If you were to choose a rural area, housing can be very affordable, no state income tax.(yet) Nevada is big country and has a lot of good places to fly, so many trips could be local.
We do get a little snow in the higher elevations, good excuse to sit in front of the wood stove and drink beer. Oh yeah!, welcome to BCP.