Best city to live that’s close to the mountains and has sports (college, versus)

[CinderMonkey]

I’m in Jacksonville, FL where I currently live with my family and have been here the past 9 years. I’m finished with college and I’m ready to start a new life. I’ve always admired places near mountains and decided that’s where I want to live.

Florida is nice, but I hate the humidity here and I want to live somewhere that has all four seasons for the most part. Also I prefer mountains over the beach. I want to be close to a major city that has most professional sport teams too, somewhere where I can drive no more than an hour and a half or so to a game (mainly prefer NFL but love NBA and NHL).

I still want to stay driving distance from my family (Jacksonville, FL). I was thinking places like Chattanooga, TN. It’s close to the mountains and also about 2 hours from Nashville for sport events. A little farther than I’d prefer to drive to a game though. It’s also only about a 6 and a half hour drive from Jacksonville.

Can anybody recommend any cities/towns? I’d prefer somewhere more conservative but it’s not a deal-breaker. I kind of stick to myself and do my own things and love to be outdoors. I will also be applying for firefighter positions if that matters.

[bluescreen73]

It's not really easy driving distance from Florida, but how about Colorado Springs? Conservative, essentially right up against Pikes Peak, not humid, and less than an hour from a city with all the major pro sports.

[innovator82]

Sounds like Upstate South Carolina (Greenville/Spartanburg):

-Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
-Under two hours to Charlotte for the Panthers and Hornets
-About 5.5 hours to Jax
-Conservative area
-Four seasons without tons of humidity or a bitterly cold winter

[Frihed89]

Boulder, CO, but who can afford it?

[ckhthankgod]

In terms of Chattanooga, Atlanta I believe is closer than Nashville. So, that is something to consider.

The Upstate SC suggestion is good in that Charlotte and Atlanta are relatively close options.

I’m also thinking maybe places like Winchester VA/the Eastern Panhandle of WV/Hagerstown MD area/vicinity around I-81 and in relation to Washington DC. I believe there is train access from that part of WV into DC, but check in regards to availability of frequency into DC.

[kyle19125]

I would look for a place where you can find varying job options versus just one or two. While a further drive perhaps, consider the Denver area which gives you the mountains and pro teams in all the major sports (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and MLS) and is a three hour nonstop flight to JAX for under $300 roundtrip if you plan ahead. The payscale is liable to be higher too than some of the options mentioned in the South. Focus on places like Loveland, Greeley, Centennial, Castle Rock, Parker, Idaho Springs and Golden which are outlying suburbs that are typically more conservative areas as well.

[Citykid3785]

Greenville (atlanta/Charlotte)
N. Georgia Mountains (atlanta)
Chattanooga (atlanta)

If you are wanting mountains but also driving distance to FL, I really don't see many other choices?

[march2]

Greenville/Spartanburg SC, Chattanooga TN (GA), Hickory NC. Areas north of Atlanta along I-75/I-575 or areas west of Charlotte along I-85/Hwy. 74 and north of Charlotte along I-77/Hwy. 321. These areas come the closest to fitting your criteria. Good luck!

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by Frihed89

Boulder, CO, but who can afford it?

Not only not conservative, but almost aggressively liberal. Not a close drive to FL either, although by plane you could be there in half a day.

[BuffaloHome]

Absolutely Chattanooga. It's surrounded by mountains, literally. One of the poshest suburbs that's also close to downtown is on top of a mountain. And you've got two major league cities within 2 hours that cover all 5 major league sports between the two of them: Nashville (NFL, NHL, MLS) and Atlanta (NFL, MLS, NBA, MLB).