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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 2, 2021 19:34:49 GMT -5
So I'm flirting with moving next summer (RTH is certainly helping fuel that fire) and already starting to narrow down areas in the US that I wouldn't mind calling home some day. One of the big things for me is getting back to a smaller town. I grew up in a pretty small farm town sandwiched between two 50,000-100,000 cities but the world was a pretty small place growing up. Anyway, the biggest thing in my search is finding places a good distance from bigger cities.
So I took every city that was over 115,000 people (I have been to a couple that size and they are very reasonable in short bursts, the retain some of the small town charm anyway) and I drew a 50mi radius (red circles) around each one to see what that left me with.
One of the things I took away on this little project was how many people actually live in Southern California and the metropolitan areas of Texas and Arizona...I had no idea that many people lived in Arizona of all places! Florida and the East Coast I had a pretty good idea. I didn't know they were that jam packed until I really started putting names to the places. There were about 20 cities I didn't include because they already overlapped some of the densely populated areas, it just became redundant.
I live between the Chicago and Grand Rapids and while not within the 50mi radius of either, it doesn't take long in either direction to notice how much busier these areas are. The blue circles are rough areas that I'll be honing in on hopefully. I think they all hold there own appeal. I can vouch for the 3 locations east of the Mississippi, as I've had multiple trips to those areas. Same goes for a handful of the ones out west. Many of them I don't know much about other than a quick internet picture search. If anyone wants to put there two cents in I'd love to hear it and if you don't want out of state strangers you should definitely talk down on it I wanted to check on population change trends (roughly) to have a good idea what the flow of people already looks like and there are certainly some surprises there as well. I keep hearing about the mass exodus of California, but the map doesn't seem to agree with that (I know it's just one tool, but it's still interesting). Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and North Dakota of all places, see growth in some regions. Pipeline jobs, maybe? Here's the link for those interested.
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 2, 2021 19:46:17 GMT -5
Ambitious. What kind of climate are you looking for? That would help narrow it down. Also, do you want to be able to find rocks?
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 2, 2021 20:12:01 GMT -5
Well I'll be darned...the biggest blue circle there on the map has me pretty much dead center! LOL
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 2, 2021 20:22:56 GMT -5
Ambitious. What kind of climate are you looking for? That would help narrow it down. Also, do you want to be able to find rocks? The ones I left on the map are all (I think) reasonably within my range. I got rid of half dozen in the Arizona/NM/Southern Colorado area, as well as the Ozarks and SE Missouri. The heat in those areas is oppressive. The more rain and the more diverse geology the better.
And yes, factoring in where to find rocks is definitely part of the equation lol
That northern Cali, Southern Oregon is interesting because of the abundance of shoreline that I'm used to. Most of those in the NW I've never experienced. I've always deep down wanted to move to Seattle or Portland, or had in the past anyway. Tthere is a certain appeal, but that whole area seems to have lost it's mind (or so the media would have me believe), so I think I'll avoid them for now lol
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 2, 2021 20:25:52 GMT -5
It just means you are living the good life
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 2, 2021 20:27:55 GMT -5
It just means you are living the good life
Yep! I like the fact that we factor square miles per person rather than people per square mile!
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 3, 2021 11:29:25 GMT -5
Red circles mean "no way?" I'm in the far NW of the cluster of red circles in the Phoenix valley. Due to my Mom, who just turned 91 being in the Phoenix area and our criteria being within a 1 hr drive of her, I think this was the best area for us. Summer did get hot for awhile, but mostly low humidity and pretty close to significantly cooler places when we need a break. The far NW AZ spot is a decent one, I like Kingman. Needles is gorgeous, but it is unfortunately in CA, I will leave it at that. I have passed through Vegas more than a few times, I stress passed through. Prescott and up to Flagstaff is really nice too. You should explore those areas. The Idaho side of the OR/ID border is appealing, many nice little towns within reach of Boise or Ontario OR and the best hounding in the nation. The west coast blue circle is a great area other than being CA and OR, the wifes closest cousin has a horse ranch a hour or two north of the bay area, beautiful and some interesting hounding. Central Oregon is growing, and not gracefully. If you pick oregon I would stay North and east of Madras. Good luck with your move, we just hit the 1 year from our move from the NW and I think we're just starting to settle in.
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 434
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Post by hypodactylus on Nov 3, 2021 13:49:04 GMT -5
If rain is one of your criteria, you will probably want to avoid Utah and Arizona. If interesting geology is what you are looking for, you will probably want to check out Utah and Arizona. 😁
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 3, 2021 14:28:49 GMT -5
hypodactylus absolutely fell in love with Utah, had my spinning my head when I went thru on a trip years back. I know there is land to be had everywhere and I would love to explore it Rockoonz Thanks for the feedback, I was looking at the Kennewick area as a possibility. If I did that OR/CA border it would likely be near Mt. Shasta or on the coast in one of those smaller towns. Really enjoyed the Flagstaff area when I rolled thru there years ago, wish I could have seen more. At the time I didn't even know AZ had mountains!
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Post by mohs on Nov 3, 2021 14:35:50 GMT -5
Yo Chad!
have you been in that area of Michigan a long time?
don't know anything about New Mexico far as residing there butte I would think it would have many advantages
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Post by Rockindad on Nov 3, 2021 17:28:17 GMT -5
Don’t see it mentioned but could you be happy living somewhere where the prevailing political ideology is contrary to your own beliefs? Just another consideration. While some areas may be subject to change or are “purple” most have been trending one way or the other for a long time.
Just a for instance, when I retire the only thing that could keep me in New York would be if my kids settled here, and I’m already working on them. I’ve had the southwest in my mind for a while now but it couldn’t be anywhere too crowded.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 3, 2021 17:44:51 GMT -5
Don’t see it mentioned but could you be happy living somewhere where the prevailing political ideology is contrary to your own beliefs? Just another consideration. While some areas may be subject to change or are “purple” most have been trending one way or the other for a long time. Just a for instance, when I retire the only thing that could keep me in New York would be if my kids settled here, and I’m already working on them. I’ve had the southwest in my mind for a while now but it couldn’t be anywhere too crowded. Oh absolutely, I'm about as middle as it gets. I'm like a mediator for my family at this point. I didn't explicitly say it but I'm keeping in the back of my mind. I'm pretty easy to get along with, but like you said the world (on paper) seems to be going two directions lately.
NY for example, the northern and even central as well as the rural regions of Vermont and NH had such a different feel then when I'd stop in the cities for a beer.
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Post by Rockindad on Nov 3, 2021 17:49:16 GMT -5
Don’t see it mentioned but could you be happy living somewhere where the prevailing political ideology is contrary to your own beliefs? Just another consideration. While some areas may be subject to change or are “purple” most have been trending one way or the other for a long time. Just a for instance, when I retire the only thing that could keep me in New York would be if my kids settled here, and I’m already working on them. I’ve had the southwest in my mind for a while now but it couldn’t be anywhere too crowded. Oh absolutely, I'm about as middle as it gets. I'm like a mediator for my family at this point. I didn't explicitly say it but I'm keeping in the back of my mind. I'm pretty easy to get along with, but like you said the world (on paper) seems to be going two directions lately.
NY for example, the northern and even central as well as the rural regions of Vermont and NH had such a different feel then when I'd stop in the cities for a beer.
Yep, the problem we have though is having one huge population zone (NYC) that rules the rest of the state. It’s a great place to visit, but for me would be an absolute nightmare to live in.
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 3, 2021 17:49:39 GMT -5
mohs I'm a lifer in Michigan but this SW region only recently. I do like it here, but there is a heavy Chicago influence here for better or worse. Not my cup of tea
I did briefly look in that direction but I know absolutely nothing or anyone in that area. Back burner perhaps.
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Post by mohs on Nov 3, 2021 18:24:37 GMT -5
That important Son Of Beach if you can go move some where that as family or friends RTH is great a source to meet and gather info best.. Ed
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 3, 2021 18:39:48 GMT -5
So I'm learning, very grateful thus far.
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Post by Pat on Nov 3, 2021 19:27:27 GMT -5
I’ve lived in California all my life. It has a lot going for it. However, I don’t currently recommend it.
Houses ridiculously expensive. Drought off and on. Prices rising frequently.
We’ll stay here forever and like it, but I don’t currently recommend that anyone move here. Good luck. It is a big decision.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,175
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Post by RWA3006 on Nov 3, 2021 19:46:24 GMT -5
Now that I'm older and have more experience I can say that factors that would be important to me if I were young and starting over again would be:
population density and potential growth political landscape geology of the area quantity of public land proximity to medical care job availability needs of spouse and kids climate social landscape
My idea of an ideal place is a bit different than most other folks and I have to compromise with wife and that's ok. In my next life I'll know exactly what to do.
Ticaboo, Utah or Lonetree, Wyoming is beaconing. Maybe Jarbridge, Nevada would be nice.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 3, 2021 21:35:56 GMT -5
mohs I'm a lifer in Michigan but this SW region only recently. I do like it here, but there is a heavy Chicago influence here for better or worse. Not my cup of tea
I did briefly look in that direction but I know absolutely nothing or anyone in that area. Back burner perhaps.
There is no such thing as a "good" Chicago influence (except for maybe the food). I know, I was born and raised right outside the city in the near west 'burbs. It used to be tolerable back in the day. Now you just get to be dead.
I fled to Northern AZ (Prescott area) to marry hubby in 2009 and have not regretted one minute (except for maybe the food and my sisters).
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 3, 2021 22:08:42 GMT -5
Now that I'm older and have more experience I can say that factors that would be important to me if I were young and starting over again would be: population density and potential growth political landscape geology of the area quantity of public land proximity to medical care job availability needs of spouse and kids climate social landscape My idea of an ideal place is a bit different than most other folks and I have to compromise with wife and that's ok. In my next life I'll know exactly what to do. Ticaboo, Utah or Lonetree, Wyoming is beaconing. Maybe Jarbridge, Nevada would be nice. It's interesting, those are all factors I'm considering. No family, no kids. I can pick up a job anywhere as long as there is work. I'm a bit of a vagabond, so maybe that helps. Jarbridge is interesting, hmm.
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