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My partner and I currently live outside of Burlington, Vermont, and are interested in moving somewhere else in the next few years. I am originally from Oregon and he is from Massachusetts, so we're trying to find somewhere that is more of a "halfway point". We're not really interested in living in any of the states in the middle of the country; we're moreso pulled toward Colorado area or maybe North Carolina (I realize neither of these is technically halfway).
Some places I've looked into:
-Durango, CO
-Asheville, NC
-Boone, NC
Things that are important to us in a place to live:
-close to an airport (preferably a major airport) in order to be able to fly to Oregon/Mass at a relatively affordable price
-mountainous area (we can't live anywhere flat)
-small town/small-town feel
-access to mountain biking, hiking, and skiing opportunities
-dog-friendly
-four seasons
-lakes/ponds that freeze over in winter for skating/ice riding (not the most important)
-near tracks for motorcycle track days (again, not the most important)
I'd love any ideas for places to live that have some of the qualities listed above, and specifically if anyone has any opinions about Durango or Asheville areas.
Durango is closest do your preferences out of those 3 . Boone is maybe an hour or so from the Charlotte airport and has kind of a small town feel , Asheville not so much.
If you weight skiing heavily, up on the benches in Salt Lake City. Some of the best skiing in the world is right there. A major airport with a Delta hub is 20 minutes. I have a number of former Vermont ski friends who relocated and love the place. They span the political spectrum from Bernie fan to Deplorable so it’s cosmopolitan enough.
The problem with Denver is the mountain towns aren’t affordable. To get to affordable, you’re going to be a really big drive to DEN and it’s going to be a weak economy. Salida is a cool place and Monarch is a fun little ski area but it would be tough to earn a living there. DEN is 3 hours if you don’t hit traffic.
Santa Fe is a favorite spot. Ski Santa Fe is another fun small ski area. ABQ is a good airport. The problem is affordability. Housing is expensive there now.
I’ve skied North Carolina. Nope. Not on my list since the skiing is so lousy.
I don't think Boone even has an airport. Asheville has a regional airport with frequent flights to Florida, with other flights to NYC, DC, ATL, and perhaps a few other places. If you need a major airport as a WNC resident, you're going to Charlotte.
Boone is at a much higher elevation than Asheville, with a much smaller feel, and Boone is a real college town.
Why don't you visit the SE this winter and check out the ski slopes. Boone is closest to Beech/sugar Mountain which have the highest elevations.
Beech and Sugar are tiny and have a very short season. Bolton Valley, the little ski area closest to Burlington, is way bigger.
The OP hasn’t said what they do for a living. Most mountain towns are totally reliant on tourism. Unless they have skills that translate well to tourist towns, it can be a hand-to-mouth existence. Chittenden County has much more of an economy and isn’t at all reliant on tourism.
The problem with western mountain towns is the California exodus. Housing prices have been driven up. There’s lots of competition for jobs.
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