We received conformation last night that our home there was destroyed. Many fond memories were made in this house and we will miss her dearly. Fortunately we were insured so all is good there. 95% of the contents can be replaced. I lost all my antlers and my wife lost some of her driftwood pieces that she makes which were the only real irreplaceable items. But time to move on and begin the next adventure to make new memories.
So the point of this post is to ask the following; if you had a chance to start over, where would you move to? Things we want are a nice large home (maybe log), a nice big kitchen, a decent track of land (50+ acres although 100+ would be better), a workshop for my wood working, deer and elk tags available every year or every other year, lots of critters to see (not nesseserily to hunt but to see and photography). Sounds like a unicorn I know but if your going to dream then dream big!
Thanks for listening . . .
Heaven on earth is the Star Valley in Wyoming. Great deer and elk otc for residents, great people and very down to earth, not overrun by liberal ninnies, property values are right, tax structure is great, ski area and all that insanity a short drive north, Yellowstone a little further, great fishing in all directions, big city of salt lake a few hours away.
Load up a site like Zillow with your criteria. Add the word 'log' and 'shop' to your search criteria. That should help you narrow the properties down some. Good luck.
Sorry for your loss. I would go somewhere other than Colorado This state is getting pretty crappy with all the libtards taking over
The calls, texts, emails, and support from friends near and far was overwhelming. Kind of restores my faith in the human race!
Thanks again. . . Rob
That fire sure is eating up a lot of country. Over 96,000 acres now and 5% contained.
We need rain in a bad way up here.
Did you not like the area or are you just looking for other suggestions? I'd say that's a pretty nice area you had and recommend staying in the same general area maybe just look for a new lot that's not torched.
If do not need an hourly job then Flagstaff, AZ, is about Goldilocks for me in the USA if want nature in all directions. Can drive to most Western big game hunts in 12 hours of driving and most of the rest with a 2nd day of driving. You get the 4 seasons yet never that hot for that long or that cold for that long. Phoenix is a 2 hours drive south if did want to warm up in the winter. Good airport in Phoenix and great hospitals. Some big city entertainment there, too.
If need an hourly job out West then I suggest looking to find reasonable growth with new industries represented. Colorado Springs fits that category. Portland and Boise fit the bill but you are on off to the side of the better hunting in the West rather than closer to the middle. Phoenix also fits the bill but it gets really hot.
I split time between Portland and Phoenix but then I am still working for a few years more. When retire, will likely sell both homes and end up buying a place a full day's drive on the other side of our southern border. I will rarely hunt by then and with kids grown can stay with them if want to visit them and the grandkids for a week. I like the culture and vibe of rural Mexico and am a moderate risk taker who likes a bit of adventure.
No I won’t need a job. I am 51 and will be retiring in 3 years. This was our retirement home.
Quinn, I did like the area and loved the house. But the hunting has been declining each year with fewer elk. Mulies are still ok, but getting a tag every 5/6 years is getting old. Although the fire sucked, it provides an opportunity for a reset.
We had a large house as we got lots of company. 4bed/3bath, wife wants large kitchen, garage, and workshop for my woodworking. 100+ ac would be nice for potential hunting out back door and general puttering around the property. Close to BLM and NF would be good to have options.
WY intrigues me because of no state income tax, no tax on retirement/pensions/401k/ira/ or social security. Plus less people and sounds like plentiful tags and animals. I need to verify the tag situation and game population. Not sure what region to look. Star Valley recommended above. Also checking out south central WY west of Larime near Medicine Bow NF. Overwhelmed at the moment.
Any more suggestions appreciated!
Thanks again, Rob
No good recommendation here, except NOT CT!
Good luck in your next chapter.
I think Idaho would be my first choice.
What does your wife want? You can drive to most of your good western states in 12 hours like TreeWalker mentions so you will be taken care of as long as you are in the that region somewhere. 100 acres out west seems to be the equivalent of 1 acre in the east - i.e. the game may be on your land for only part of the year. To me, 20 acres that abuts a NF is worth more than 100 acres with private around it.
Best to find an area that your wife enjoys and feels comfortable retiring to and then invest in a good hunting rig for your play.
Maybe investigate if there are areas in the west that average more rainfall so you won't have the yearly worry about the next wildfire (not sure if this exists).
BTW - Your attitude is refreshing here. Losing the house/belongings would send a lot of us into a tailspin but your perspective is positive and forward-looking. Good lesson.
The wife loves the West like I do. Her wants are a big kitchen and 3/4 bedrooms for our friends and family. High speed internet and movie channels also :)
I agree about the rainfall and instead of looking for a place in the mountains, perhaps foothills or in the valley where fire protection would be easier. You’re right, fires would always be on my mind.
As we get older, good health care not too far away becomes important. Also don’t want her to have to drive too far for shopping/groceries/etc.
Good luck in your search for the next place.
good luck Michael
