Looking for my own Mystery, Alaska (condo, how much, townhomes)

[Mr_Klister]

Having recently gotten back into ice hockey (as a player - yes, at 60 years old!), my search criteria for my next hometown now includes - a local hockey culture. No, I'm not talking about mixing it up with former NHL or college players, just having fun in the local no-check beer league. Maybe a place with local pond hockey or backyard rinks.


The above criteria would be in addition to the other desirable things on my list:
- local open space/public land, with lots and lots of hiking and XC ski trails
- a liberal-friendly vibe; an attitude of tolerance, respect, and civility

- generally quiet, peaceful; a place where you can hike without hearing gunfire all the time
- a place that's affordable for my budget (house/condo prices under $150k)


My criteria obviously eliminates places in the South, and I'm really sick of the West, so I'm looking at areas like Marquette, Petoskey, Wausau, Duluth, or ??? I've only recently started to consider places further east (Goshen, MA, perhaps?).


Those of you who play hockey (or used to play) will know exactly what kind of hockey culture I'm looking for. For those who've never played, the movie (Mystery, Alaska) provides some clues. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions, or recommendations (especially about, say, Duluth vs. Marquette), I'd be glad for the info.

[ckhthankgod]

Plattsburgh and even Ithaca in NY are a couple of areas that would fit. Perhaps small college towns such as Potsdam and Canton also in NY(both are minutes away from each other in the same county) may also work, among others. College and HS Hockey is big in all of those areas and much of Upstate NY, to be honest. Same in terms of NHL and AHL Hockey, as there are 5 teams between the 2 leagues in that portion of the state(Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Binghamton).

[NW Crow]

Stevens Point WI has an average home price of around $150,000, 56% Democratic vote in recent national election and adult hockey http://www.google.com/url?q=https://...cBdVhkdIiLMreC


Grand Rapids MN meets similar criteria. Other places probably do too. Liberal politically might be somewhat less common than the affordable housing and hockey in the northwoods but some mill towns and mining towns will have a Democratic heritage.

[TCHP]

Cicely Alaska, perhaps.

Too bad you're tired of Crowderado. Colo Spgs has one of the largest hockey tournaments in the western US and has a fairly large underground hockey vibe. Three local rinks all support drop in hockey leagues. The central and western parts of town definetly have a liberal slant and even the more conservative areas are still very live and let live. Parks, trails, hiking, and open space abound. There is a local golf course that converts to cross country skiing in the winter.

However, snow is not always reliable in through out the winter. A house for $150k is going to be a stretch. There are some $150k townhomes around the city, but not always in the best areas.

[Mr_Klister]

Thanks, folks, for the suggestions in NY, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. So many places look like a good fit. As for Colorado, I'm actually in a sort of hockey heaven right where I'm at, with Evergreen Lake just five and a half miles down the road. And, I've recently been playing in a very fun, low-key "lunch league," down in the Littleton area.


But it's not the Midwest. I can't find words to describe this. It's over-crowded, much too dry for my tastes, and it will never feel like home, no matter how much I try to make it so.


Thanks again, friends, much appreciated!