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Have you looked into Evergreen, CO? It’s a Denver suburb but it’s actually in the mountains. A little pricey though. Also I highly suggest looking into the Dillion/Frisco/Silverthorne area. It’s kinda reminiscent of what you find in the PNW https://goo.gl/maps/w1MfvENP7wg5a8r76
Not yet. Are you a native of CO? We are going to visit possibly next month. What areas would you recommend? What about the Western Slope area although we would prefer to be IN the mountains or less than an hour away.
Since you mentioned Colorado, I would suggest Breckenridge, Aspen, Vail areas. It's very beautiful in the summer and winter months for all these areas. You also mentioned Durango, I've never been there but it is a good option as well. I would add Telluride which is in close proximity with Durango. Hope this helps.
I hear nothing but good things about Telluride. My friends live in Leadville, which is a pretty small mining town in the mountains, though not what you're looking for. Its about a 45 minute? drive from i70 to wherever you need to get to. I have another friend that lives in Ogden,UT . while not immediately what you're looking for either, its just a thought.
I think I'd be careful with moving to Idaho. That poor state is obviously going to be overrun with population growth and development. Colorado is another one. NM is very dry. Nevada seems out for you also. It's a shame your not up to moving to Maine. It fits some of your needs but yeah on the other side of the country.
Since you mentioned Colorado, I would suggest Breckenridge, Aspen, Vail areas. It's very beautiful in the summer and winter months for all these areas. You also mentioned Durango, I've never been there but it is a good option as well. I would add Telluride which is in close proximity with Durango. Hope this helps.
Thanks, sounds like we need to explore the whole state!
I think I'd be careful with moving to Idaho. That poor state is obviously going to be overrun with population growth and development. Colorado is another one. NM is very dry. Nevada seems out for you also. It's a shame your not up to moving to Maine. It fits some of your needs but yeah on the other side of the country.
Yes it's bad. Any places in CO you can think of? We love MT but same issues there. Any other areas in the NE I should consider? Hope to consider it in the future maybe even part time.
If you are from Washington, why not an area north of Spokane, or to the east of Walla Walla (Dayton?). Both areas have water and mountains. There is skiing in both locations, along with hiking, hunting and fishing. Walla Walla has great growing conditions for gardening, etc. I'm sure you can find a small town with mountain views, green grass, rivers or lakes, right in your own backyard.
Bend / Bozeman "vibe" - of today (lots of restaurants, breweries, events, etc.) - generally goes with pretty big / crowded and much much more expensive than it used to be. The places that are ever are going to be fully like that are generally the places well along to that. It is a lot about location and acceptable access to major populations for customers by road or plane.
It would help to set a population size range. Under 5k, 20k, 50k, over 50k are very different and the number of choices vary.
And have a real estate price range. Of course buying / selling land parcels under $100k in lower level areas or houses under 300k is very different than some resort areas where much of the action is in a much higher range, into the millions to tens of millions.
You might like Kalispell / Whitefish area for "alpine" (most reachable at ski resort or peak of summer and less so otherwise) but not "sun" in winter. The latitude is a big part of this issue.
Hailey Idaho or further up Sun Valley might work for some. Summit County CO. Park City to Heber UT. Steamboat Springs CO is a mid-sized option. Near Cedar City UT might be a lesser known option that might work for some. Expect plenty of competition most places.
Durango to Telluride is 111 miles and over 2 hours on best days and is sometimes impossible for brief periods in winter due to pass closures.
The main local ski resort is Purgatory. If you want lush green into alpine, you'd want areas north, northeast or way east of Durango as opposed to south or generally west, though northwest might work for some. Gardening? Think starter greenhouses and short maturation crops and generally not crops that need lots of sunrays / days. Frost free period is among the briefest in country. But some stuff can be done on good enough land (not just anywhere) with right knowledge, investment, effort.
In terms of size & vibe, Flagstaff is somewhat comparable. More sun and a little alpine with plenty of sub-alpine forest and some small lakes.
Living year round in high snow country is different than just visiting. Know how much winter you can take. 4 months, 6...
Last edited by NW Crow; 09-13-2021 at 10:52 PM..
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