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Hello west coasters! What smaller NW cities/less congested desirable states similar to the PNW with 4 seasons? We need more open land, SUN, closer access to mountains ideally in our backyard like to ski/hike from our front door, alpine lakes, rivers, less traffic/congestion. This is what is important to us. We live minimally and whatever we do, we do with gusto! Ideally only need to be two hours or so from an urban area, not required though. How far east do we need to go for more sun/less grey in ID and MT? Should we consider any part of CO?
We are self employed PNW natives and our goal is to creative passive income, build a business in real estate and retire comfortably.
*outdoor recreation for active lifestyles (skiing, snowmobiling, mtn biking, backpacking/hiking, running, jet skiing, paddleboarding/kayaking, camping) We love the PNW but need more sun & less grey. Think Bellingham/Bend/Bozeman vibes?
*less congestion/traffic/people
*availability of water, we need an area with water acess that isn't being tapped by a huge population/corp. (this is a must)
*access to freshwater lakes, alpine lakes, and rivers
*Rocky Mtn states similar to WA/PNW with sun? We still need rain but not the constant grey/rain in WA most of the year.
*Good air quality
*Good soil for gardening
*Open spaces/forrests (wild life vs tons of neighbors and trails not crowded)
*Dog friendly
*Within about an hour or so for investing properties
We are excited to relocate and be more centrally located. It begins and ends with the zest you possess!
Cheers!
Based on what you've said already, I would rule Colorado out. There's very little true desert here, but a fair part of the state is semi-arid (think the rain shadow of the Cascades). It's hard to garden here, too. Most places have a fairly short growing season and spring hailstorms are common.
Based on what you've said already, I would rule Colorado out. There's very little true desert here, but a fair part of the state is semi-arid (think the rain shadow of the Cascades). It's hard to garden here, too. Most places have a fairly short growing season and spring hailstorms are common.
Thanks for confirming that! I do love to visit and am looking forward to more often once we are closer. Any other suggestions?
What about the part of Washington just over the mountains from Seattle? I'm thinking of Wenatchee and surrounding towns. You're still right next to the mountains with great outdoor recreation options, have plenty of water from the Columbia River, are two hours from Seattle, and it's much sunnier and drier there with great gardening potential. And it's an up-and-coming area with, I would think, good investment options.
You can find mountains farther east and southeast, but it gets more arid and harder to grow things. Keep going east and you run out of mountains. Keep going south and you run out of water.
What about the part of Washington just over the mountains from Seattle? I'm thinking of Wenatchee and surrounding towns. You're still right next to the mountains with great outdoor recreation options, have plenty of water from the Columbia River, are two hours from Seattle, and it's much sunnier and drier there with great gardening potential. And it's an up-and-coming area with, I would think, good investment options.
You can find mountains farther east and southeast, but it gets more arid and harder to grow things. Keep going east and you run out of mountains. Keep going south and you run out of water.
We are wanting to relocate out of WA. Any suggestions?
Sorry, I didn't see anything in your OP that precluded California except your mention of Rocky Mountain states. California is a big state and has places that meet all of your criteria. Most of the Rocky Mountain states are pretty dry. But sorry I can't help you.
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