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I think Coeur d'Alene, ID would be a better fit. Green year-round, fair amount of rain/sunshine/cold winters, pleasant summers, low crime, low cost of living, and the city is about 50k people.
Doesn't it get real cold there, though? The OP mentioned not wanting single-digit temps, although I imagine it doesn't get lower than the 'teens often.
Doesn't it get real cold there, though? The OP mentioned not wanting single-digit temps, although I imagine it doesn't get lower than the 'teens often.
It can get cold--but, it is slightly warmer than Spokane, WA ( a major city just 30 miles west. ) They could hit single-digits in the winter time, but they are moderated by mountains around the city and single-digits temps even late at night in the winter are rare. January is their coldest month and they are usually between about 25-40 day and night--that is the norm in Jan.
I think they will be around freezing ( 32F ) most of the winter, but very pleasant summers.
Tahlequah, a town of about 17,000 in eastern Oklahoma, was named by True West Magazine as one of the top ten "True Western Towns" coming in ahead of Lincoln, NM, The Dalles, OR, or Dodge City KS.
It is in the heart of "Green Country," occasional heavy rains, great canoeing and kayaking, low cost of living, good University, an hour out of the Tulsa Metro area, close to the only Hard Rock Casino in the midwest, and home to my people--the Cherokee.
Al it has an average low in the winter of about 35 (occasionally it dips into the teens) and highs in the upper 80's (avg) with occasional temps hitting the low 100's (makes the cool spring fed Illinois River nice to have close by). Tornadoes are near the Oklahoma average, with the last major one in 1973.
and I think most wouldn't describe Flagstaff as a "small town" either.
O.P.: what parameters would you describe as a "small town" either in population or size?
Flagstaff Az is more of a tourist town and rather expensive to live there. Ive lived there too (yes, Ive moved around a lot).
My sis used to live in Couer D'alene Idaho for many years and describes it as paradise. If I remember correctly, its not too small and not too big. Though Ive never been there, sis describes it quite vividly. And the summers were quite pleasant.
Some more suggestions:
Bend, OR
Ashland, OR
Grants Pass, OR
Ellensburg, WA
Couer d'Alene, ID
Ketchum, ID
Moscow, ID
Yreka, CA
Shasta Village, CA
Garberville, CA (herbal capital of the USA)
Ukiah, CA
Willits, CA
Kelseyville, CA
Grass Valley, CA
Sonora, CA
Paso Robles, CA
Heck, all kinds of towns in CA... bring loads of cash.
Ely, NV
Cedar City, UT
Grand Junction, CO
Cortez, CO
I'm worn out.... there are a lot of possible places and most of them are either very expensive or are too isolated with not much to do or they have some difficult weather you have to cope with. for the most part, you get what you pay for. Ellensburg, WA, is a lovely little college town within 2 hours of Seattle, but it's extremely windy and has very cold gray winters. Summers? Beautiful. Prices? Quite affordable. Tradeoffs.
Location: Approximately 50 miles from Missoula MT/38 yrs full time after 4 yrs part time
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skylar0201
I think Coeur d'Alene, ID would be a better fit. Green year-round, fair amount of rain/sunshine/cold winters, pleasant summers, low crime, low cost of living, and the city is about 50k people.
Some corrections:......................................
Cost of living: 4.53% higher than the National Average
Population: Current estimate: 42,222.
Current unemployment rate is approx 9.5%
Both property crime and violent crime rates are above the U.S. national average: 6/3 & 4/3 respectively.
Some corrections:......................................
Cost of living: 4.53% higher than the National Average
Population: Current estimate: 42,222.
Current unemployment rate is approx 9.5%
Both property crime and violent crime rates are above the U.S. national average: 6/3 & 4/3 respectively.
Sorry...............................
Uhm, where you getting your source? if you're going by Sperling's data, I don't trust them for a few reasons:
First, where I lived previously before Portland, the crime rate in the other city was MUCH, MUCH worse--all areas of the city, as compared to Portland, but it listed Portland as being worse.
Secondly, the unemployment data that Sperling's lists Portland, a few other cities I have found out, is not accurate either. I don't know how often they update their data, but they need to correct it. Current unemployment in Portland in Feb 2010 city results is at 15.6%--not the 10.4% it listed it at--those are ongoing claims, not including those who have ran out of benefits or stopped looking. Omaha, NE is another city it is off. Omaha's unemployment according to Sperling is still listed at 4.7%. Try closer to about 3 or 3.5% as of Jan 2010. Sperling's data is getting older and they aren't updating it.
Third, what I have found out--and this would work for any city or town, is call the chamber of commerce, get a relocation packet, and get ones from other cities about the same size as one you're considering--in the same region where one is considering moving to. It is MUCH more reliable doing it that way than looking up stats online that are not updated or have multiple sources.
When I said that Couer d'Alene had roughly 50k people, I was including any small towns around it, and recent boom of population of California transplants moving there ( Idaho as a whole is the #1 state CA transplants are relocating to. AAA, and DMV offices are providing this information ) so if Couer d'Alene had 42,222 in 2008 or 2009, along with daily commuters that go back & forth between there and Spokane, WA--a mere 20 min drive away, that figure is surely a lot closer to 50k than you might think. We'll get a better estimate when the 2010 census #'s are released this year.
Not saying you're wrong on all your info, just saying that there is more than one source that you should check.
Prescott, AZ? Not desert but is dry. Lots of ponderosa pines. Mostly sunny days, can get snow but not huge amounts. Nice town with big grassy town square surrounding the old courthouse. I love Prescott (pronounced like "press-kit").
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