Looking for somewhere new to live within mainland USA...

So... life has it that we are moving again. All we know is that the Big Island of Hawaii is not our forever home so we are looking at finding somewhere new. I’m originally from England, wife from PNW. We love sunshine, not fans of long gray winters and love the outdoors good life.
Before Hawaii we lived 8,500 ft up in the Rocky Mountains in CO just outside of Denver and really enjoyed the small town, mountain living and great weather.
There’s a good chance we may just move back to CO but I wanted to ask the good people of Tacoma World to let me know about their awesome home towns or places that you feel would be a great place to live...

We are likely going to buy a travel trailer and doing some driving. Likely WA-OR-CA-AZ-NM... We want to really check out some top contenders as we do...

Photo of my truck in Volcano, HI.

 

Moved from Hawai’i to Oregon a few months ago and love it here.

 

We visited Portland just before heading to CO. Cool town.
Is the weather further south or inland any better?

Im thinking we are wanting dryer winters...

 

My buddy moved to southern Oregon from Hawai’i in March. Grants Pass and he loves it down there. I’m outside of Portland by a 25 miles which is close enough for me

 

Hard to beat San Diego if you can afford it, and stand most of the people lol.

You won't really start getting dryer winters in the pac NW until you hit the east sides of the states.

I live in Reno, and we have warm/hot dry summers and cool dry winters with some snow.

 

Depends what you're looking for. Michigan is home for me, but it isn't for everyone. But we have all 4 seasons, massive lakes, lots of woods, lots of natural wonders, etc. No (big) mountains or volcanoes. How much winter you want just depends where in the state you move. But lots to do within the state if you're willing to travel. Housing prices aren't great anywhere, but still probably better than most of the country.

Also, no hurricanes, few tornadoes, no earthquakes, and rarely any wildfires.

 

Try Edmond, OK

 

But then he'd have to live in Okalahoma...

 

I recommend go visit Charleston SC and the surrounding beaches. Also Franklin TN is a nice city. Athens GA isn't bad either. Do some research on what you want to call home. I'm sure some place will check at least most of your boxes.

 

I have zero complaints about moving from upstate NY to North Carolina 20 years ago.

 

My wife loves it down there, we were supposed to go visit San Diego before Hawaii so she could show me the area... I'm still in the dog house cause we didn't... strong contender.

 

Thanks... this is something we are factoring in... we've lived some places where Mother Nature has thrown us some curve balls... have experienced most of the above and definitely don't want to try tornadoes out!

 

Will look it up, thanks

 

They're very rare here. Indiana will get far more than we do. The Lakes are a great resource for us, but also a great source of protection. We don't get as cold as Minnesota, but also not as warm either.

 

Thanks, and you're right, there are a lot of places that would tick a lot of boxes... we haven't been further East than Co. I know diddly squat about the East coast...

 

Lol had to look on the map to confirm exactly where NC was nothing against NC just my poor geography knowledge

 

Try Eastern WA, Wenatchee, Chelan for 200+ days of sunshine.

 

We are likely going to buy a travel trailer and doing some driving. Likely WA-OR-CA-AZ-NM... We want to really check out some top contenders as we do...

Thanks all for your input...

 

We have an Aunt/Uncle and Sister in law in Wenatchee... has it's pro's and cons...

We have been looking at properties for the sister, it's crazy how much the prices have gone up in Wenatchee recently!

 

Santa Fe and Taos. Placitas is between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Land in Placitas is cheap. Looking at buying a plot there to retire in a few years. Or if you want to stay in Albuquerque, Corrales is great.