Where would you choose? (real estate, motorhome, transfer)

[Ilovefall]

I am moving out of Alaska after being here for 5 years now. I do LOVE the state, but the lack of sun in the winter does not like me very well. I had hoped I could get over it better then I have, but the light box treatments aren't working all that well for me or my kids. So here we are at a turning point in our life. We have the choose of transferring within our company to pretty much anywhere in the USA. I would prefer the Pacific Northwest, but am OPEN to any information or ideas from others as to where they would choose and why.

So there is the question: Where and Why would you choose a state to live in other then Alaska if you HAD to move.??

Thank you

[Rainy]

Oregon....

[Blueberry]

I'd go to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in a heartbeat if I could afford it. All of my trips there have been near perfect and the weather/scenery is similar to parts of Alaska. As for animals, I think the greater Yellowstone ecosystem has Alaska beat, hands down. I'd even take this area knowing the threat of a supervolcano.

Other than Jackson Hole, you'll have to drag me kicking and screaming from Alaska.

[Rance]

I think I'd pick that place also. I have not been there since 1978 but it was great.

[mal_flisk]

With money? Monterey CA. I hate CA, but Monterey was pretty enough to impress the hell out of me. Coastal Oregon otherwise.

[RAMFEB31]

Depending on your job specialty, I vote So. Ca. preferably, just above the San Diego or even Irvine area. U get plenty of sunshine and the schools are mostly good. In Irvine, they are top of the nation. And the weather is superb. The down side is too many people, too many cars and much too crowd. But, U have to sacrifice something especially if U have a growing family. Strange, I should give U this advice. I do not like Ca. and I am native. But that is where the choice jobs are.

[FishTAxi]

My brother moved his family to Boise, Idaho from Belfair, Washington a couple of years ago and they love it. They love looking at the weather report from rainy Seattle when the sun is shining in Boise. My sister ended up moving there too last summer from Seattle after she visited and liked what she saw.

I went down last fall and was impressed with Boise. Lots to do! Theres a month in the summer (July) when it can hit 100° but other than that good weather and lots of sunlight. My brother explained it that they were considered part of the Pacific Northwest but with the Midwest sun.

If your kids like to snowboard and skateboard they would love Idaho. I took a motorhome trip all over the state and looked at real estate if you want to know more.

[Las Vegan Cajun]

Here are my choices IF we weren't going to Alaska I would consider: (1) Northern Nevada, (2) Southern Utah & (3) Northern Arizona. All three places have great scenery, not as great as Alaska, but still good. Nevada still has no state income tax, almost as good as being in Alaska, you just don't get paid to live here.

What we have always enoyed about the Southwest is all the different places you can drive to in a day. Just a few hours drive and you're watching a sunset over the Pacific Ocean or you can be in some really nice snow country for those that are into winter sports, my kids are and I'm not. I am into riding a Harley and some of the backroads we ride around here are just stunning with unspolied beauty at every turn.

I like water sports and we have Lake Mead just 30 minutes from where we live, and yes there is still plenty of water in Lake Mead despite the record setting drought we are in right now. Having the boat in a slip ready to go anytime is heaven wating for us anytime we are ready to head out to the lake. Boating is a 12 month activity around here, we don't even know how to winterize our boats because we don't have too. I know that will change when we move to Alaska.

[sun queen]

If you already have a job and resource San Diego is the spot: Beaches every where, fresh seafood, shopping, entertainment, and the weather cannot be beaten. You will also be able to travel other nice places that are not too far off. Sorry to hear you have to leave Alaska, but if sun is what you're looking for Cali. is the place. If you want a whole lot of sun go to Phoenix Arizona. If you can survive the intense summer heat, the winter is very mild. The sun shines pretty much all the time. I am a Phoenician so know. Good luck

[Mother Nature]

Oregon or Montana. You may not get rich, but the quality of life is still good.