Choose the state to live...
 

Okay friends....I am trying to decide where I want to plant our roots. My wife and I are from Northern Utah. Last year we packed up all the animals and headed to Knoxville Tennessee.

We loved the green, trees, plentiful moisture, and mild winters. However I missed my elk hunting, mountains, and the ability to ride my horse to the top of the mountain and have views (to thick there). So we moved back to Utah.

I am looking for somewhere that I can get a house in the trees for the privacy....enough water annually for the hay (but not raining all the time)...mild winters (don't mind snow, just want short)....early spring...mild summers...and mountains!

It's a lot to ask for...and maybe not even possible in that combination, but I figured I would ask everyone here and get some opinions.

Areas we are thinking...Missoula Montana area, Middle Oregon, Pullman/Moscow Idaho area, and ????

Your input would be tremendously appreciated!

Do you need to work? That might be a major factor in where you end up.

White Mountains of Arizona.
Sits on the largest aquifer in the state.
6000 feet elevation =/- depending upon where you end up.
Lots of National Forest.

Sounds like New Mexico or arizona

Check out KY and in the future WV for elk hunting.

Uh there is nothing mild nor short about winters in Missoula or Pullman areas.

Middle Oregon can be a bugger, it just depends on the year and where exactly.

Ted

Job isn't a concern. I understand Pullman/Moscow and Missoula areas there is nothing short about their winters. Those areas I might just put up with a longer winter.

No on Kentucky. No Mountains. Just like East Tennessee where we were at. I need the mountains we have here out in the west.

Never thought about Arizona. Hay is pretty expensive out there though.

Grow your own. Lots of it grown in AZ.

BTW: the elk will graze at your doorstep....

I would consider northern Calif to Washington.

I would expect the west to get drier in most places.

If I had to pick from the places you mention, I think I would be looking towards Idaho. There is a lot of variation in Idaho and I have spent some time in the northern part, up towards Sandpoint. I'm told some of the more southern parts are more moderate in climate and I'm told there are some really good areas for agriculture, too. Plus, Idaho seems to be a place where those leaning towards a prepper lifestyle seem to get along better with big brother, though only going from what I've read.

All that said, I do appreciate the more rural parts of TN. Wouldn't live in any of the big cities but out away from them, we love it.

All the best in your search! Hope you find just the right place for you.

Texas is my favorite but not even close to what you are looking for. In the east part where I am from there are lots of trees but only hills and no mountains at all. Plenty of water and hay but hot summers. Mild winters but sometimes can be harsh (for me anyway). 60 degrees in Jan and snow late Apr.

I just wanted to ask why you didn't like KY. I thought it was beautiful there last time I was there.

Loved KY and TN. We lived in the country....just outside Lenoir City.

I am really leaning to parts of Idaho. Going to spend the summer doing a few trips.

Anyone here from Oregon?

I am in Oregon. From your description I would want to be in NE Oregon. Area north and east from LaGrande to Enterprise/Joseph, Idaho, Washington border. Mountains, elk, less rain than Western Oregon. Central Oregon is too dry. Southern and Southeastern Oregon too flat and/or too cold....James

My advice is to stay as far away from Kalifornia as you can. We are from a small town in Utah and moved to Kalifornia for federal jobs. There are good people there but between the gangs and libs you will find yourself sneaking out of your home with your guns to go to the range (ask how I know) as your neighbors will call the police if they see a gun. If you love to hunt and freedom you will fill like you are living in a glass house there. We got out as soon as we could after retirement and moved to Idaho. Back to rural america and freedom loving Americans.

I'm not from Oregon but do have a number of friends there. Oregon is a very beautiful state. But they tend towards the whole state being a huge homeowner's association. I'm sure there are some methods to avoid the constant government involvement into as many aspects of it's citizen's lives as it can, but I would personally find that tiring. Maybe if you want everything they want, it wouldn't be bad at all. (?) I'm sure others can give more personal experience.

Personally I would not consider anywhere but TN. Like Bellyman says no big cities but here in the country perfect. We have miles of trails and logging roads to drive UTV's or ride a horse if we were so inclined. Weather is usually great and neighbors are wonderful.

............Cody Wyoming would be a great place to live.........not quite in the mountains , but mountains in all directions including Yellowstone .
.............Red Lodge , Mt. is "in" the mountains and a beautiful place to live ! Plus , you have a short trip north to I90 and major retail stores when needed . , fordy

I second northern AZ or NM. Hay isn't expensive in AZ if you buy by the semi load or go in w/ someone else. We resell in NM and it's 6.75/3string bale for alfalfa/little grass 110lb bales in the phx valley. We resell in NM at 14-18 depending on the quality. Missoula is definitely a no go as far as mild winters go. Land is CRAZY expensive as well. I lived in MT for 26 yrs and have a daughter in Missoula and aunt/grandma in the Mission valley still. Gorgeous but PRICEY!! NM land is cheap even farther up north and there are many areas that have great water access. We are about as far south as we can get w/o falling into Mexico (30 miles from the border) and have great wells (1 residential and 1 commercial) and land is super cheap but you're going to be feeding hay year round.

Oregon is great, but it rains WAY too much ;) That aside, winters are mild, it's gorgeous and lots of open space still. Pricewise, I'd look in NM outside of ABQ, or north of Phoenix, Prescott Valley (camp verde, prescott etc)

As a side note, we own 240 acres (ranch subdivision that is empty) in the mountains near Ramah, NM. Rural, Mountains (7500 feet) Winters can be SNOWY, but short lived. There's a lot of land available up there...including part of what we own ;)

Ton of great responses! Thank you! I think Idaho may be the winning ticket. Those who live in Tennessee....you just don't know mountains until you have been out here!

Have seen 'em. :) Almost moved to Sandpoint 20 years ago. But family keeps us more towards the east. And since I don't fly, being here makes it possible for us to get to almost any of the family (1200 miles apart) within a day's drive. And we feel like that's important right now. Who knows what the future will bring, though. Idaho is a great place!

Best of luck!

Oregon as a whole is beautiful. Only on the western half does it rain to much. Not all of Oregon is a homeowners association. I agree north eastern sounds like it would work best. I'm native Oregonian and currently live in Central Oregon.

One thing that bothers me lately about Idaho, Oregon, and Montana is all the seismic activity and the thought of super volcano lol! How many of you worry about that?

DW and I just bought 8 acres with home and water in Idaho. Not even remotely worried about yellowstone as from what I have read if it goes most of the world would go. Heck, I'm still waiting for Kalifornia to slide into the ocean:grin:

OK my 2 cents. I'm in Tn and love it. Homestead sets on 231 acres plenty of ridges to ride, beautiful views, quiet,private,secluded, tons of wildlife, mild winters, I'm in middle Tn between Nashville and Knoxville. Love it. Not elk but thats ok with me. KY is nice to.

I live in Idaho and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Good places to visit but always glad to come home.

I have seen it snow in June in Moscow, Idaho. Not usual, but still. The Walla Walla, WA area is very nice too. The Blue and Wallowa Mountains are nearby.

Also, there is a "banana belt" in the northwestern part of Montana...The Thompson Falls and Plains area. Very nice there.

Amen to that! I've been in the "mountains" of SW VA for the last 20 years, and while it's not bad, it's nothing like the Rockies or even the Cascades of home. The Blue Ridge and especially the Smokies are impressive in their own right, but they certainly aren't the Rockies or even the Cascades. I often tell people here that if it ain't got snow in July, it ain't a mountain!

I almost ache when I think about North Central Washington. I really want to find something in Chelan or Okanogan county. Absolutely beautiful up there with just the right mix of everything. 300 days of sun, mountains to the west, desert to the east, a big ol' river, cheap electricity, close to snow capped mountains, ski resorts, etc...

If it weren't for my SO, I'd have been there years ago when I lost my business and only other reason to stay in VA.

Choose the state to live...
 

Honestly fly out to San Francisco And rent a van. Drive north till you find summer temps you like then fine tune the weather by driving east and west till you find what you like.