Best rural area(s) to live in terms of weather, outdoor activities, cost-of-living etc. (lake, house)

[nick_3221]

I'm just looking for some ideas of where to move as I cannot stand where I live now. I was thinking northern Michigan and somewhere in east Texas BTW.

[Lily0fthevalley]

Depends on what kind of weather you want. If by Northern Michigan you mean the "UP" (Upper Penninsula) - it gets TONS of snow in the winter. It's also economically depressed. But it's beautiful and there's lots of outdoor stuff to do - fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking. I think Michigan has high taxes, but you'd have to do research on this.

I live in Northeast Minnesota which is very forested and rural. It is pretty similar to the UP, except the economy is better. We get less snow than the UP but it's colder here (about -15 F tonight). Same great outdoor activities. Wages are high (but jobs aren't easy to come by) because this is a union stronghold. Jobs are mostly in mining, other outdoor work like railroads and logging, and tourism. Housing costs are pretty low - an ordinary working class/middle class house rents in the $450 - $650 range. You can buy a livable mobile home for $5000 or a lake housse for millions. I bought a nice fixer for $52,000. Taxes are lower than in MI. This is a Democrat/Farm/Labor area, so republicans can be scorned, although Palin has some popularity. Lifestyle is pretty much live and let live.

If you don't want cold and snow you'll have to look further south. If you can take a hot summer I've always liked rural SE Oklahoma. It's beautiful with low population and lots of outdoor activities. And it's certainly cheap, but I don't know about jobs. Have fun hunting!

[PAhippo]

talk about 2 different climates-no snow/lots of snow.

1st thing is to decide on a life style. If you love golf, tennis, sunbathing, etc ya might want to move to TX.
Skiing, ice skating and/of fishing, sledding, go with MI

[sheena12]

Arkansas. Pretty good weather, inexpensive and realy nice people.

[crazyme4878]

Do you need to look for a job when you move? If so, what is your field? Are you moving with a family so you need good schools? What outdoor actitivities do you like to do? Are you a quiet-sport person or a motorsport person? Do politics play a big role in your life? What cost-of-living range are you comfortable in? Do you prefer cold or heat or an even, moderate temperature for most of the year? And exactly where do you live now, that you "cannot stand"?

Almost everywhere is a nice place to someone. We can give out ideas for years and still not answer your question the well.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by PAhippo

talk about 2 different climates-no snow/lots of snow.

1st thing is to decide on a life style. If you love golf, tennis, sunbathing, etc ya might want to move to TX.
Skiing, ice skating and/of fishing, sledding, go with MI

Nothing like stereotyping. MI has more golf courses than TX, and a LOT more beach. Skiing, and winter sports are only for 3 or 4 months as well.

It all depends on what the OP is looking for and what they mean by "northern" MI. Some people call where I live Northern Michigan, for others that means only the UP.

Do they need a job? Love the outdoors? Need lots of other people around? Nightlife? Ever been to either place? Need lots of water around? Need lots of open space? Without a lot more information nobody can make a suggestion that means squat.

[SD4020]

Need a bit more information. There are several areas that would fit the bill. hobbies weather and other factors should be explained. I'd say Montana, Wyoming or South Dakota would also be nice.

But I like mountains some water and trees. I also love the wide open too...

[picklejuice]

Originally Posted by nick_3221

I'm just looking for some ideas of where to move as I cannot stand where I live now. I was thinking northern Michigan and somewhere in east Texas BTW.

Southeast: Northern Georgia
West: Sunny (Meridian or Star) Idaho.

[SD4020]

Coastal Oregon. Granted there is lots of rain but I like the rain. And it is rare to have any hurricanes. Maybe a storm or two.

[nick_3221]

Sorry about the confusion I worded it wrong, this was originally meant to be a personal opinion question with an explanation.