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Hello! Relocation Advice Request from someone who hopes to become a regular here.

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Hello! Relocation Advice Request from someone who hopes to become a regular here.

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Old Aug 26th, 2022, 09:05 PM
  #21  
 
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"As I said earlier, the reason is also topographical. Living in a conservative area of the state means land that looks more like Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas and I'm looking for mountains, trees, lakes, rivers, etc.,"

Which is specifically why I mentioned southern Oregon. Lots of mountains, lots of forests. rivers, lakes, sea coast, agriculture -- and no desert in the mix. Maybe read up a bit on the State of Jefferson. In CA that would include - Siskiyou, Trinity, Del Norte and Modoc Counties. In OR - Curry, Jackson, Klamath, and (I think) Josephine counties. These are in general conservative/libertarian/independent minded areas with amazing outdoors activities, amazing scenery, and many many small towns -- no big cities at all but easy access to other areas via I-5 and 101,
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Old Aug 26th, 2022, 09:14 PM
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. . . AND small airports in Medford and Redding that have mainline service for traveling elsewhere)
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 08:06 AM
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So you've ruled out Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Vermont... wow. That's a lot of gorgeous country that you eliminated.

It sounds like you want to live in one of the southern states back east. Sounds like you are already pretty committed to that to me. You need a really small town even there to make sure there isn't any marijuana, homeless people, or liberals.
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 08:53 AM
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I think the problem is a lot of your desires are contradictory in terms of climate. And politically, you mention not liking certain pollution etc in WV but often lack of regulations or concern about the environment and local rivers, etc goes with conservative politics, in my observation. If you love WV so much, I don't understand the comment about terrible roads, I go there up to a half dozen times a year for hiking etc in the good parks and also to go skiing. I was not a fan, but think one thing you have to give Bob Byrd credit for is he got a lot of money for some outstanding WV highways, so I just don't understand your comment at all about roads, I find them a pleasure to drive on. Have you driven I68 or the Bob Byrd Highway (which I use to go east if skiing at Snowshoe) or other parts of the Appalachian Highway System? Even route 219 south is pretty decent and route 33 to Elkins is really nice.

I imagine real estate is pretty cheap there compared to a lot of these places, also. I don't like small towns so can't recommend one in particular but you aren't that far for roadtrips to a lot of the state or Virginia.

I am surprised about your marijuana comments re Minneapolis. But this sounds like an urban problem. I just never pictured that city as a big place for that (not doubting it just surprised). I mean I just can't imagine you'd have to worry about smelling marijuana if you lived out in the country, that's all.

I think WV is very central also and would fit a lot of your requirements so surprised you rules it out. I don't know how to measure humidity, the only places I think of that really not being a problem are out West. Even about 2500 seems fairly humid to me in these Eastern mountain states. Not as much as places like Florida or more ground level Eastern Midatlantic, sure, but I've been hiking in WV at parks around 3000' elevation in July, and it was humid enough for me, but I guess not as bad as DC, sure. I don't think you can avoid that without going West though.

I don't get the hating winter thing as I love winter, what's not to like, but I love skiing. But I just find it so much more relaxing as you don't have to worry about yard work constantly, I do hate heat/humidity, and just like staying in and being cozy around the fireplace at night. I mean if you were housebound like Alaska or something, I could see it or up north where it never gets light but even in WV with climate change, the winters have been getting too mild for my taste and it is really taking a toll on the ski industry. I drove to/from Snowshoe all last winter with no problems. Vermont was pretty mild last winter also.
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 09:32 AM
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Seems to be this is a shotgun approach which needs a lot more refinement. If you want to live off the grid what difference does it make if it is liberal or conservative? A couple of things you have not mention is local medical facilities and state tax structure. Depending on your financial resources the state tax code can have a big impact. Colorado has nearly endless possibilities of small towns where you can retreat without a lot of interaction but Durango is not one of them. Durango is one of our largest tourist attractions between Mesa Verde and the Silvertown Durango railroad.

And I don't understand your issue with marijuana. If it is just a question of you smelling the usage, then that could be real hit or miss situation. We live the edge of the Denver metro area and have never smell it anywhere or even in the downtown area. I am sure it is there but it doesn't bother us as we move about. And the governor is gay married to another male so that may not be to your liking either. The more I think about it, Colorado is probably not a good fit for you either.

PS Given all that you have written, I fail to understand how a cruise would appeal to you given the strong, crowded, social emphasis on a cruise.

Last edited by fmpden; Aug 27th, 2022 at 09:43 AM.
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by janisj
"As I said earlier, the reason is also topographical. Living in a conservative area of the state means land that looks more like Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas and I'm looking for mountains, trees, lakes, rivers, etc.,"

Which is specifically why I mentioned southern Oregon. Lots of mountains, lots of forests. rivers, lakes, sea coast, agriculture -- and no desert in the mix. Maybe read up a bit on the State of Jefferson. In CA that would include - Siskiyou, Trinity, Del Norte and Modoc Counties. In OR - Curry, Jackson, Klamath, and (I think) Josephine counties. These are in general conservative/libertarian/independent minded areas with amazing outdoors activities, amazing scenery, and many many small towns -- no big cities at all but easy access to other areas via I-5 and 101,
janisj is right on about southern and some of central Oregon being conservative. I live in northern Klamath county Oregon. There are at least 3 TRUMP 2024 flags or banners flying within 2 miles of home. When I travel far from home, I quite often take an Amtrak train and then rent a car to make a loop. In May, I took the train to Sacramento and then flew from there to Chicago where I took 2 more Amtrak trains to get to Harrisburg PA. My roots are in north central PA in a county that has voted Republican in every election since Lincoln.
Since you like West Virginia, check out Greene County PA which borders WV on 2 sides and is just far enough from Pittsburgh. If you want to be south of the Mason-Dixon Line, check out eastern Tennessee close to Dollywood.
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 10:01 AM
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Unfortunately, I don't think Ferndale, CA would work for you. There is a very strong pro-marijuana culture in Humboldt County and many of its residents are employed in the marijuana industry. Voters tend to swing more liberal than conservative.
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by janisj
Maybe read up a bit on the State of Jefferson. In CA that would include - Siskiyou, Trinity, Del Norte and Modoc Counties. In OR - Curry, Jackson, Klamath, and (I think) Josephine counties. These are in general conservative/libertarian/independent minded areas with amazing outdoors activities, amazing scenery, and many many small towns -- no big cities at all but easy access to other areas via I-5 and 101,
People used to call that part of southern Oregon (southern Douglas and Josephine counties, Rogue Valley etc.) "Little Dixie," partly because it was initially settled by a lot of people from the south (Georgia and Mississippi pine forest loggers et al) and there are apocryphal stories about how close Oregon came to joining the Confederacy. (The north of Oregon was settled by "State of Mainers" hence the name of the biggest city.)

There's also a proposed State of Lincoln that embraces northern Idaho and eastern Washington. The proponents use the same language as the Jefferson people in Oregon.

It makes me chuckle because one of my ancestors was involved in trying to establish the State of Franklin in what is now western North Carolina and Tennessee. They thought using his name would curry favor with Ben Franklin, who at the time was the ambassador to France. He demurred in a classic double-speak letter to the instigators. The would-be founders, including my ancestor (whose surname was Franklin, a distant nephew of Ben's) ended up as a drinking society in some bar in the never-to-be state.
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 10:44 AM
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Are you considering weather? While New Hampshire is a fine state (considered a 'swing state' politically, their license plate motto is "Live Free Or Die")... winters are long and brutal. I don't know of anyone who would choose to move to a New England state for retirement unless they already live there.

I agree if you aren't going to live in a city and are out in the countryside somewhere, or ever further if you go "off grid", I don't see why marijuana use seems to be so high on your list of negatives.

Have you thought about Texas?
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 10:49 AM
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I don't get the hating winter thing as I love winter, what's not to like,

Let's see now...
Being snowed in
Shoveling snow
Sanding your driveway or dirt road
Getting your car stuck in a ditch
Power outages
Trees down
Chopping firewood
Black ice
Slipping on ice
...I could go on. But that's why I moved from Vermont out to Seattle many years ago
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 11:02 AM
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There is a paper plant and chemical plant in Kingsport, TN - that is probably want you are talking about smelling - and they do! If you think Butler would work for you then I really think you should consider the surrounding areas to Washington Co TN. Lots of rural area but close enough to get to some shops and other cultural things you might like. Good luck!
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 11:28 AM
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"My" Aunt Polly was incredibly young until her early 90s. When my late husband and I discussed our retirement plans with her, she said, "What you want to do can change with age. What you are actually able to do can also."

For now, while you are able, I suggest Maryland. Because it is America in miniature it is a more practical choice now. It has 4 airports; a cruise line out of Baltimore, world class health care, and almost everything else you want. All this reasonably distant from mountains, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. Treating people with respect is more important to most of the people I know. Good luck.
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 11:29 AM
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Can you spend time in some places to see for yourself?

That would always be my advice in any situation (relocation, retirement, expat, etc.) ... pick the top place you are considering and go live there for one month. Even that is a short time but gives you a more realistic viewpoint. If that doesn't feel right, visit another couple areas. Put some "boots on the ground" research into it.

I have lived in six USA states and regularly vacationed in Mexico and Hawaii. I would never move and "retire" anywhere I had not spent some significant time to see how I feel about the place on a day-to-day basis.


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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 01:03 PM
  #34  
 
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Since you like West Virginia so much you should check out Lewisburg. It's described as one of the coolest towns in America and an arts community of 4,000. https://www.smliv.com/travel/lewisburg-west-virginia/
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 01:19 PM
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When I googled "states with the biggest drug problem" West Virgina popped up as #2 just sayin' you might want to research a little more beyond a whiff of pot smoke.
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Old Aug 27th, 2022, 10:18 PM
  #36  
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I just wanted to thank everyone for all of their advice and suggestions! I've certainly received more input than I could have hoped for! I've got enough to keep me busy researching for awhile longer. Thank you, again!
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Old Aug 28th, 2022, 07:33 AM
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I was just in Tennessee for my daughter's wedding in the Great Smoky Mountains! It does get very humid in the summer and some areas, like Pigeon Forge would be too touristy for you. But being from Maryville area, you probably know that already.
We live in central Virginia. I think the western side of Virginia might fit the bill for you. There are many rural areas and small towns that would still be within 200 miles of a Target or Costco. Northern Virginia is very liberal but the rest of Virginia is a mixed bag of Republicans and Democrats. I have always thought of Staunton Virginia as a cute town. It is just west of I-81.
Weather wise, it gets humid in Virginia in the summer but the winters are fairly mild, getting more snow the more west you go.
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Old Aug 28th, 2022, 10:11 AM
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Girlonthego. I love Staunton Virginia. It is a lovely place.
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Old Aug 28th, 2022, 01:52 PM
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Great thread. Hope is it helpful. My advice is more about the strategic planning as many have mentioned above. Instead of thinking about other people's politics or smoking habits or religion as the first line for making such a big decision.

The usual advice for researching 'retirement' locations includes: distance to general health care, transportation to the nearest hospital, taxation structure and property cost and values. Since you want to build your own home (assuming you mean with help), then look at general contractors in the area, the price of land, serious stuff like is there infrastructure in place for water/sewer or do you need to dig a well and put in a septic tank/system.

Pondering the question I guess my best advice is to think more about yourself and what you need for a good life, and a little less about what other people might be doing right or wrong in your book.

kindly, suze

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Old Aug 28th, 2022, 02:14 PM
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suze that is a lot of great advice!
On pot smoking, I don't care what people do, but I hate the smell of pot. I found walking around San Diego with my daughter, it was everywhere. I am also an ex cigarette smoker so I hate smoke too. LOL

willowjane, my girls both went to school out western VA and loved it. (Virginia Tech and James Madison). So, we drove up and down 81 for quite a few years. We drove through Staunton one time and I said this is the cutest town, sort of old school and reminded me of some small towns in NJ back in the day when I grew up there.
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