Durango, Tahoe, Jackson Hole, or elsewhere?

[Flarider]

CDA Idaho.

[motoracer51]

OP:

Given your criteria, have you considered New Hampshire? Totally different region, but man, it checks pretty much all your needs.

No income, or sales tax.
Great education system in both NH and MA.
Boston to fly out of.
TONS of outdoor recreation.
Plenty of water.

[jrh22]

I haven't, but that's an idea. I've enjoyed my time in Maine, but haven't spent any time of consequence in NH. From what I've read and heard from friends, the Boston invasion across the border has been a point of contention for southern NH and the associated cultural issues it brings (both pro and con).

But thank you, I'll spend some time looking into it.

[80skeys]

jrh22: you said you need college grads with skills. What skills in particular do you need? That's going to make a big difference.

[jrh22]

Financial consulting, accounting, investing, etc. Mid level marketing and sales. No rocket scientists, but not Quik-E Mart managers, either.

[DurangoJoe]

Originally Posted by jrh22

Durango, Telluride, Sedona, Jackson, on and on, it's copy and paste from so many with their criticism of how it's changed. Jazzlover, your own identifying line in your posts says it all, "Native Coloradan who has happily left Colorado". That explains it.

Welcome to the City-Data Colorado forums. Needless to say, many grains of salt are needed when searching for objective advice here.

[delta07]

I actually agree with the suggestions to check out WA based on what you are looking for. I noticed your post over in the OR forum as well, although Portland and Vancouver are far cries from small cities. I would consider Spokane, WA as someone else has already suggested. It's very close to Coeur d'Alene, ID and has much of what you desire. I actually have friends who relocated to Spokane from Bend, OR (where I live) and they really love it there. You are also within a day's drive to Montana and Flathead Lake, as well as Pugent Sound for a weekend getaway.

I definitely agree that Colorado probably doesn't have what you are looking for. I love Colorado, it's my home state, but the congestion and population along the Front Range where most decent employment can be found is just too much for us.

[jrh22]

Good suggestion, delta. Thank you.

[NW Crow]

Spokane has about 70 lakes within about 75 miles. Crime and police response to it is the biggest issue.

[ShellKing]

Originally Posted by jrh22

Perhaps a more productive exercise is to reverse the table and simply ask, if you were moving your business, and your goals were:

1. to be outdoors with your family, within 30 minutes of a mountain range
2. in a climate where winter sports are accessible
3. within 45 minutes of a decent sized boating lake
5. have access to a regional airport that has flights to at least 3 hub airports within 1 hour drive
6. in a town that is considered attractive enough for employees to want to live and work there

All within a town less than 50,000 full time residents.

I'm all ears.

Montrose, CO