Northern NY vs Vermont vs New Hampshire vs Northern Maine vs Idaho/Montana vs Canada (fit in)
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I know it's a long comparison and there are a lot of these types of posts here and other websites which I'm reading just as a quick first note.
I will add some research links here later as there may be others doing a similar comparison search.
There are the stereotypes of these places and the realities and things have changed quickly in the past few years.
I've read a lot of threads but some are 5-10 years old so it's difficult to gauge an area as each person's experience varies.
I'm looking into relocating to somewhere in the mountainous Northeast USA, Canada or similar places out West.
Here's the list of areas I'm considering:
Northern New York (Albany area, Adirondacks region)
Vermont
New Hampshire
Northern Maine (Northern mountain area West to East)
Idaho
Montana
Canada
I chose these places primarily for the colder climate, mountains with lakes and am focusing on small towns/villages and not major urban areas.
My main concern is finding a place that isn't too extreme in any political direction and culture and has a good public library and some sort of civic minded community if that even exists anymore.
I've read many threads and conflicting reports. You have the usual views that if you're not born there then you don't belong there, etc.
From a quick read it sounds like finding work in Vermont will be difficult due to less jobs there as that's how they do things there and that's ok. Most of it sounds very liberal as compared to parts of New Hampshire. Some people made jokes they skipped over VT and NH and ended up in Maine. For those who are independent, moderate or just prefer some peace I wonder if there is such a place, at least a small town or county, that is or tries to be more or less "balanced" between the USA political duopoly extremes and focuses on common sense.
I'm not interested in going into places telling them how they should change, but rather learn about the history of each place and see where I might "fit in the best" and work with what's there as no place is perfect. Obviously in big cities you can get lost in the crowd versus not completely fitting in with some small rural area and there are more jobs in the NJ/NYC/CT greater metro area for example but I'm looking to get out of that area's sphere of influence.
I'm a truck driver and my job is in demand everywhere partially due to lack of drivers but also due to companies not paying enough so I have a higher chance finding a job in most places.
I won't be stealing housing from anyone if that's a concern especially in the current market as I can live in the truck/hotel and eventually find/build something like a tiny home, off grid place, trailer, rv, etc if local codes allow that as I prefer to live quietly spending my time hiking and reading when not working.
My profile and post history has a few more details and I'm doing my own research here, on Quora, Gmaps, etc.
Minimum goals
- Good public library, a location with individual rooms for quiet work even better
- A USPS office with Poboxes
- At least one grocery store in the area
- Climate controlled self-storage facility
- A Park & Ride lot for travel by transit out of the area
- Access to mountains and lakes for hiking
- A gym with showers In short: a small town/village with basic services and access to nature
Canada... on a work visa or immigration? I am under impression both are tough.
I dunno how many criteria they meet, but I'd check Old Town Maine and Glens Falls NY. Maybe Brattlebro, VT.
For Idaho / Montana: Post Falls or Rathdrum ID or maybe Mountain Home or Burley. Helena MT.
Most of the places I mentioned are above village size but you might have to go that level to get all your requests. But look at satellite towns to these places if you want.
I just noticed Elizabethtown NY. Might be a option worth exploring. I probably went thru a few times long ago but have no memories. Hiking directly from town might be available. At 1100 people it might not have the amenities you want but mentioning anyways for being what I consider village sized..
The Plattsburgh area across Lake Champlain from VT appears to be a happy medium
Just to add, there is Amtrak service to the area including villages such as Rouses Point by the Canadian border and Port Kent to the north and south of Plattsburgh, respectively. https://www.amtrak.com/adirondack-train
Rouses Point is also a NYPA customer. Meaning, it has lower electric rates. Same for Plattsburgh.
Politically independent
Amazing access to Mountain Ranges in both United States and Canada
Good climate for snow sports
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