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We've been in Alaska for 13 years & likewise retired. So we sold our house, got rid of a lot of our stuff & came back down to the lower 48. We too, like you, needed to find our new spot.
We have a cottage that we built 20+ years ago in New Mexico, so that was our interim spot.
We meanwhile decided upon what conditions we wanted for a new place. For us it was groomed skate ski trails, downhill skiing without the glitz, camping/backpacking/hiking opportunities, small, friendly town, historic buildings.
Once we clarified our desires, it was much easier to narrow down our search. However, we plan to check out a few places, sort of gypsy-style. Heck- we finally have the time & pension.
We are now renting, instead of looking to buy, renting a tiny $600/month house while we check out small town Montana. For next year we are going to try a small town with all those amenities on our list in Colorado, to be closer to our get-away cabin in the mountains of NM. Then... who knows!?
So my suggestion to you, virtuousman, is to start with a list of your favorite amenities, your wishlist for a location, as that worked so well for us. City-Data folks helped us immensely to narrow down our searches. Great, knowledgeable folks.
Good luck!
Can I ask how you happen to find the house you are currently renting for $600?
Since you live in the vicinity would you know of any long term (say a month) lodging? Hotels, motels, etc? I need a place to stay to kind of get the lay of the land. I am considering staying for awhile out at the Wind Cave national park but has a 14 day limit.
The following Motels are some of the better known chains that are located in Hot Springs. I believe all of them welcome extended stay customers, but you will have to call them to find out their rates.
America's Best Value; 608 745 4292. My Brother-in-law and his wife stayed here and were pleased with what they had to offer.
Best Western; 608 745 4292. They have a very good reputation
Super 8; 608 745 3888. I have stayed here several times and was happy with them.
There are a handful of independant "Mom & Pop motels in town which I can get the phone numbers for, but I know absolutely nothing about any of them.
We looked at the online newspaper at rentals & craigslist. We went online to all the realtors in the town & looked at their long-term rentals, where we found this one.
We're in Red Lodge, one of the friendliest towns, with lots of volunteer opportunities & everything on our wish list, including the old historic architecture. We even passed up on small $450 rental houses, since ours has a basement & shed for our storage.
About $800 in Park County, WY, the NW corner. Other Wyoming counties would be very similar.
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