The next best mountain towns to live in

x10003q wrote

 Reno, Carson City

I scoped out Reno a few years ago specifically as a place to live because of low taxes, cheap housing (they got hammered in the crash) and, well, Tahoe. The place made my girlfriend cry. Literally. You don't want to live around a bunch of casinos. Trust me. And, its all dirt. Just, dirt, dirt, dirt. Carson City is like a cheap version of all that, but, more dirt.

you'd love it!  bunch of psycho white guys with guns.  

Wilmington NY!

Where are you moving to nepa?

What about Rochester Vermont? That's where RASTA is creating their back country skiing glades and mountain biking trails. I imagine it's not far from a handful of northern Vt. ski areas too.

I'd like to spend some time in Terrace BC. There are new lines waiting to be explored within touring distance from the Shames ski area.

Spokane Washington might be alright.

Benny Profane wrote

x10003q wrote

 Reno, Carson City

I scoped out Reno a few years ago specifically as a place to live because of low taxes, cheap housing (they got hammered in the crash) and, well, Tahoe. The place made my girlfriend cry. Literally. You don't want to live around a bunch of casinos. Trust me. And, its all dirt. Just, dirt, dirt, dirt. Carson City is like a cheap version of all that, but, more dirt.

I guess i didn't mind the desert dirt everywhere. I visited the foothills just west of Reno and enjoyed the views and the drive to the ski areas was simple. If you look south of CC in the Carson Valley, you might be able to find some  greenery that might work for you. The key is the Tahoe skiing without the California taxes.
http://visitcarsonvalley.org/

raisingarizona wrote

Where are you moving to nepa?

We're moving to a more central location in the Wenatchee Valley at a much lower elevation... half-way between Mission and Stevens.  I'm working on a life-styled based business plan focused on producing food for my wife and I.  I'm trying to position myself so I can work minimally during the winter, and fund my snow habit with farm proceeds.

Dude you are my hero.

Harvey wrote

Dude you are my hero.

I'll chime in having just run through a few of these regions on a cross-country trip....

Sandpoint seems like an interesting spot. We stayed in Kellogg at the base of Silver Mtn. and was really impressed with the size of the mountain. Not overly developed and some legit terrain (300", 2200', 1600 acres). But the town of Kellogg was crap. Really depressed. But Sandpoint is nearby and perhaps that nicer. But again, the mountain was the real deal. And lots of mountain biking---even had the chairs running for biking until like 630p.

Almost took a job in Ogden years ago. Being so close to Snowbasin was REALLY tempting.....but other posters were right....Ogden is a snooze. The town is flat, everything looks the same, I thought exactly that---"I'm going to poke my eyes out if I lived here". The lure of the skiing wasn't enough to uproot the family.

Just drove through Driggs as well...views are amazing, town seemed ok. And despite it's proximity to the mountains I thought was fairly flat/rolling. Granted, if you're a road biker you'll probably go bonkers riding the same 2 roads to get anywhere close to 60+ miles without going for KOM points. And you'd have to be a regular Targhee skier...I don't know how folks can go over the pass on a daily basis!

We squirted up to Big Sky just to check it out....awesome in size. But no town or true village to speak of. Wife wanted to go back in winter which shocked me.

Also stopped in Jackson last week, which despite its ridiculous cost, left us again wondering how we could possibly make a go of it there. Just an awesome area. Been about 10 years since we were last there and we're already trying to find another excuse to go back.

 

Jackson is crazy expensive.  Most locals have been priced out and live over the pass in Victor or Driggs.

That picture kicks ass.  I have to get to JH.

Move to North Creek before the average home price tops 60k and is bigger than 15x72 with wheels.

Omg you are such a debbie downer!

SIAWOL wrote

I'll chime in having just run through a few of these regions on a cross-country trip....

Sandpoint seems like an interesting spot. We stayed in Kellogg at the base of Silver Mtn. and was really impressed with the size of the mountain. Not overly developed and some legit terrain (300", 2200', 1600 acres). But the town of Kellogg was crap. Really depressed. But Sandpoint is nearby and perhaps that nicer. But again, the mountain was the real deal. And lots of mountain biking---even had the chairs running for biking until like 630p.

Almost took a job in Ogden years ago. Being so close to Snowbasin was REALLY tempting.....but other posters were right....Ogden is a snooze. The town is flat, everything looks the same, I thought exactly that---"I'm going to poke my eyes out if I lived here". The lure of the skiing wasn't enough to uproot the family.

Just drove through Driggs as well...views are amazing, town seemed ok. And despite it's proximity to the mountains I thought was fairly flat/rolling. Granted, if you're a road biker you'll probably go bonkers riding the same 2 roads to get anywhere close to 60+ miles without going for KOM points. And you'd have to be a regular Targhee skier...I don't know how folks can go over the pass on a daily basis!

We squirted up to Big Sky just to check it out....awesome in size. But no town or true village to speak of. Wife wanted to go back in winter which shocked me.

Also stopped in Jackson last week, which despite its ridiculous cost, left us again wondering how we could possibly make a go of it there. Just an awesome area. Been about 10 years since we were last there and we're already trying to find another excuse to go back.

You're right. Driggs is not much. Don't move there. Struggle over in Jackson trying to live with the rich and avoiding crowds, year round. It's cooler. Driggs is not worth it. Stay away. Targhee gets no snow, and is flat as hell, and always has lift lines, if you find a parking space. It's really expensive, too. Both housing and lift tickets. Ridiculous. And there's no t shirt shops. Where are you going to buy your coffee mugs?

SIAWOL wrote

I'll chime in having just run through a few of these regions on a cross-country trip....

[snip]

We squirted up to Big Sky just to check it out....awesome in size. But no town or true village to speak of. Wife wanted to go back in winter which shocked me.

Have you ever skied at Bridger?  It's where the folks who live in Bozeman ski.  20 minutes from downtown Bozeman.  Non-profit so relatively inexpensive.  2000 acres, including the Ridge that is very much for experts only.

I know a couple who retired to Big Sky.  Enjoy the community a lot.  But once they started having medical issues the lack of hospital facilities has been an issue.  An ambulance ride to Bozeman takes a while.

Boyne is spending $150 million on improvements.  Calling it the Big Sky 2025 plan.  Replacing the Challenger double and Lone Peak triple recently was just the beginning of lift improvements.

http://bigsky2025.com

That's another issue up in mountain towns for old folks. Medical care. You're going to need it, sooner or later, and it may be an hour to a good doctor, emergency or not.

Then, to be a little more morbid, whatcha gonna do if you blow out your knee living up there. I mean, literally, what are you going to do all day?

Functional knees are really key to a good life.

"Benny Profane wrote

Then, to be a little more morbid, whatcha gonna do if you blow out your knee living up there. I mean, literally, what are you going to do all day?

Go to coffee shop. Read books. Surf internet. Play cards. Drink. Smoke pot. Physical therapy. Go paddling. Go on scenic drives.

Really not too different than what I would do if my knee blew out and I was living in the burbs.

I've never skied Schweitzer but have been through Sandpoint in the summer several times over the last 25 years.  Seems to still have the feel of a "real" place, if that can be quantified. That lake is beautiful.

My ideal town needs access to good, somewhat reliable whitewater paddling too. Makes the pickings even more slim.

Benny Profane wrote

 whatcha gonna do if you blow out your knee living up there.

Get a new one, you'd be surprised the number of geezers skiing on artificial knees and hips. I knew a guy who bump skied at 85 on two artificial knees. He's gone now - died in his sleep after a long day of skiing K-mart.