Most Appropriate Western State

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by daydreamin71

Thank you all for the great suggestions! I've started poking around on the Utah forum and am already thinking "ok, when can we go for a visit?" Looks like it may be a good idea to fly into SLC, spend some time there, then drive up to Spokane-CDA by way of Boise? At least that's what looks good on a map.

See if you can ziz-zag from Boise over to Missoula and Bozeman, MT, as well as other scenic western Montana towns, before finishing up in Spokana. I think Route 12 takes one from Idaho and into Montana.

[DJKirkland]

Originally Posted by daydreamin71

Thank you all for the great suggestions! I've started poking around on the Utah forum and am already thinking "ok, when can we go for a visit?" Looks like it may be a good idea to fly into SLC, spend some time there, then drive up to Spokane-CDA by way of Boise? At least that's what looks good on a map.

That would be a good bet. The drive from Boise north to CDA is a long one but beautiful so at least you won't be bored!

[pw72]

Yes, the interstate system does not serve Idaho to Montana very well, except for I-15, a route that starts in California and ends at the Montana border with Canada. (of course, I-90 visits Idaho for a "cup of coffee" in the panhandle.)

However, Boise only offers direct interstate access to Salt Lake and Portland/Seattle.

[Wazzu_MLS]

I would also suggest Boise and Spokane. I have family in both those cities and visit often, they would be perfect for you. Boise has great foothills for hiking and horses.

I live in between those cities, in Pullman, WA, and if you are looking for a small town, we have the number one ranked hospital in WA for patient satisfaction (I work there)

[Kar54]

Originally Posted by daydreamin71

I am trying to narrow down what may be the most appropriate western state for our family, and hope folks here will have some suggestions (or tell me if what I'm looking for is impossible)!

Important:
Access to health care (within ~30 min drive both as a consumer and a healthcare professional)
Access to big game hunting
Access to hiking and horse trails
Single family home on at least 1 acre, for $200,000 or less, if possible
Proximity to mountains/hills
Mostly widely type of fuel used for heating - natural gas is preferred. We use oil and wood now and would like to get back to natural gas.
Mountain views, of course

Not Important:
Schools for kids
Major shopping
Snow and cold doesn't bother us, and we're used to driving in it
Doesn't matter to us whether the state has income tax or not - I believe they will get their money one way or another, through income tax or property tax, etc.


We have been trying to compare New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho and Montana and are working to make visits to all of them. Of course they are all huge states, so any help we can get in focusing in our search is most appreciated

Colorado Springs may be a good consideration. A major drawback just a year ago would have been the economy. It now appears on the rebound and according to a news report this morning, COS is growing at a stronger rate than the state/national averages. It has just about everything you're looking for in a self-contained metro of around 700,000. And if you ever need exceptional health care, exceptional shopping, or a great night on the town, Denver is just 65 miles north. I didn’t think I’d like living here when I moved in 1999, but I love it and haven’t looked back.