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I have been using the research tools on City-Data, but have now decided to start with the forums to see if I can get some firsthand knowledge from the group.
My wife and I are life long Texans. No children, and we both are in our forties. We love Texas, but the extended drought has us concerned about water in the future. I love to fly fish and we take numerous trips a year in search of our perfect, 2nd chapter home.
We would love to move northwest. The states on our short list are 1) Oregon, 2) Washington, 3) Colorado, 4) Idaho, 5) Montana, 6) Wyoming, 7) Utah.
We plan to buy property on a river/stream that is fishable as close to year round as possible. Coming from Texas, I don't know if a place with a HUGE amount of snow and days under 0 degrees is feasible. We would like 4 seasons, a bit more rain, some snow, and a bit cooler than Texas.
We loved Portland, OR and it surrounding areas but have heard the stories of rain for 8 straight months. Don't know if I want to risk seasonal affective disorder.
Recently visited Bozeman, MT and had a great time but am concerned that it might be a little too cold in the winters for us.
We prefer forests and mountains over deserts and plains. We'd like to be in a smaller town that is not longer than a couple hour drive away from a bigger town with airport, medical centers, etc.
I guess overall we are looking for beautiful scenery, friendly people, great fishing and outdoor activities.
The US is a big, big country and I need to get some help in narrowing down where to investigate. Thanks in advance for any information that is provided.
You should look into the Medford/Ashland and Bend areas, both in Oregon. The former is a bit closer to the coast and thus a bit rainier, but both have very nice climates.
Thanks for the response. We drove from Portland to Bend a couple of months ago. Loved the fishing in Bend, but it is a little too "high desert" for us. I have heard good things about Ashland, but have not had the opportunity to visit.
Don't believe the "8 months of rain" story. It's not true. You get 8 months of mostly cloudy weather, but not so much rain.
But Southern Oregon, something along the Rogue River, is a beautiful area.
That makes it worse. I used to live in Portland. Beautiful area but it is cloudy and overcast many months out of the year. Sure there is never really hard rain but the constant drizzle gets to you. Than you get that one day break of sun but kind of depressed knowing that it will only last a day and then 6-7 more days of clouds.
That makes it worse. I used to live in Portland. Beautiful area but it is cloudy and overcast many months out of the year. Sure there is never really hard rain but the constant drizzle gets to you. Than you get that one day break of sun but kind of depressed knowing that it will only last a day and then 6-7 more days of clouds.
The fabled "constant drizzle" may get to you, but that doesn't mean it would to everyone, if it even existed. Clouds never have bothered me, but then I work. When you're inside most days, what does it matter if there're clouds or not. However, the point was that the "8 months of rain" does not exist. At least, not in the implication that it's constant.
If you want to think Southeast instead of Northwest, you should look at the Blue Ridge and Appalachian smaller cities, whoich seem to have everything you want: Knoxville TN, Asheville NC, Roanoke VA are probably the most prominent, though all have diffferent vibes to them. Lots of streams, lakes, mountains and such around this area. Mild winters and warm but not horribly hot and humid summers because you're in or near the mountains. Big airports in Charlotte, Atlanta and DC, depending on where exactly you want to be. Caveat: I don't know the employment situation in these places so you'd have to check that out. But it's a part of the country you should consider for what you want.
Look into the areas around Lewiston, Idaho. Do some research on the fishing in this area and the climate around Lewiston. It may be just what your looking for.
If you are concerned about drought, any interior area is out. Rocky Mountain states from New Mexico to Montana are dry. Most of the Pacific states are dry and drought prone (if not currently in extreme drought) unless you are quite close to the coast.
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