Seeking more relocation info for the West Coast (sales, houses)

[snaketotem]

We are looking to make a life change and move to a different community. We are seeking an area with four seasons, not too hot in the summer, snow in the winter, higher elevation is fine. We are looking for a forward-thinking, "green" community, wisely managing growth, with good environmental policies and healthy air and water. We need access to healthy, local, organic foods, alternative mediciden, and a moderate quantity of arts and entertainment. Outdoor cafes, some class and style and good public transportation, with bike and pedestrian friendly roads would be a plus. Population size at a max of roughly 50,000. We're self-employed so the job scene isn't critical but we would like to purchase a home for a reasonable amount ($300K max), not at hugely inflated values. We're liberal, childfree and prefer a community that is open-minded with lots of recreation and great surrounding wilderness. Is there any place in the Western United States that offers the majority of things on our list?

[mariatherese]

i am also looking for all of those things! i have been looking into portland, oregon. but i am curious as to what responses you will get for this thread, hope it helps me, too...

[210]

Boerne Texas sounds like your ideal location. Give it a look. However, I can't gurantee snow every year.

[.gif]

boulder, colorado would be perfect for you if not for the high home prices and large population (100k). check out broomfield or lafayette which are just outside boulder. housing prices are less and there are less people.

[mariatherese]

i loved boulder!!! but sadly, i am not mooving back, as the cost of living is too high for me. but its a great, great place!

[organic mama]

If you wanna great Cultural/GREEN state to live in ..It's Oregon!!!!
I lived in Portland for awhile, but the houses in any BIG city are pricey...then we moved out to Sandy, Oregon. It's booming now too, but a great place to live. Eugene Oregon is a great place. Smaller than Portland and is well known for it's culture. IT's a Hippie, College town with Lots of Organics and alternative health.

[tiffela74]

I love Sandy, Oregon. AT least I did a few years ago!! All those trees,the mountain view, the crisp air, sigh. love it. Except for the traffic through town on ski weekends. lol
Do you know the Glass Doctor?
Tiffany

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by snaketotem

We are looking to make a life change and move to a different community. We are seeking an area with four seasons, not too hot in the summer, snow in the winter, higher elevation is fine. We are looking for a forward-thinking, "green" community, wisely managing growth, with good environmental policies and healthy air and water. We need access to healthy, local, organic foods, alternative mediciden, and a moderate quantity of arts and entertainment. Outdoor cafes, some class and style and good public transportation, with bike and pedestrian friendly roads would be a plus. Population size at a max of roughly 50,000. We're self-employed so the job scene isn't critical but we would like to purchase a home for a reasonable amount ($300K max), not at hugely inflated values. We're liberal, childfree and prefer a community that is open-minded with lots of recreation and great surrounding wilderness. Is there any place in the Western United States that offers the majority of things on our list?

Other than the Western US, you just described Burlington, VT.

Unless you're up in the mountains, no place that I know of along the west coast gets much snow in winter. Unless you go east of the mountains (Spokane, WA comes to mind), but then you've got a more conservative and less liberal outlook in the communities, and not much in the way of arts, outdoor cafes, etc.

[snaketotem]

Originally Posted by snaketotem

We are looking to make a life change and move to a different community. We are seeking an area with four seasons, not too hot in the summer, snow in the winter, higher elevation is fine. We are looking for a forward-thinking, "green" community, wisely managing growth, with good environmental policies and healthy air and water. We need access to healthy, local, organic foods, alternative medicine, and a moderate quantity of arts and entertainment. Outdoor cafes, some class and style and good public transportation, with bike and pedestrian friendly roads would be a plus. Population size at a max of roughly 50,000. We're self-employed so the job scene isn't critical but we would like to purchase a home for a reasonable amount ($300K max), not at hugely inflated values. We're liberal, childfree and prefer a community that is open-minded with lots of recreation and great surrounding wilderness. Is there any place in the Western United States that offers the majority of things on our list?

I wanted to activate this post again, because we are still seeking the list and place above. Any other suggestions?

[CHEWY12]

Snaketotem
Check out the Bend Or. area. I lived out there for a couple of years and thought it was pretty nice. You get all 4 seasons with none to excess.
Any where from Madras to the north or LaPine to the south along Hwy 97
you should be able to find something that you can afford housing wise.
Just a note on taxes. Upside. no state sales tax and low vehicle reg. cost .
Down side. self employment tax a little high (some one has to pick up the slack) The area has just about everything you have on your wish list.
Best of Luck to You.