Where Should I Live?

Here's the deal...

I leased the house I own for a year, quit my job, and sold, gave away or stored most of my possessions to pursue a life and love in Colorado. Well... that didn't happen and now I find myself wondering where I would like to live. I also have 3 dogs to consider.

I've looked into Lander, WY, Green Mountain Falls, CO and a couple of towns in Mexico. I've also thought about a big long road trip, but not sure about a single 40 yr. old woman roamin' about alone.

Anyway, I like small towns, cheap dog friendly rent, climbing and mountains.

If anyone knows of a neat town anywhere that I could explore please let me know.

Prescott AZ rules: great climbing nearby, not too big a town, excellent hiking, mountain biking, good eats, friendly people, and nice weather. Flag and Sedona close by, too.

Northern Utah has allot to offer beautiful mountains, great climbing and an endless array of outdoor activity's. There are allot of small towns, and big adventures close by.

Tom Woods wrote:Custer, SD (near the Needles and Mount Rushmore), Spearfish, SD (near Spearfish Canyon), Hulett, WY (near Devils Tower) or Tensleep, WY (near Tensleep Canyon)?

I would totally second that... if not Custer you could look at Lead/Deadwood area. I grew up in Lead, nice area and close to a lot of climbing like spearfish canyon and you're about 45 minutes from needles/rushmore/sylvan.

Anyone got any dirt on Chatanooga. Seems to be cheap housing, good climbing and kayaking....the only thing thats got me is really dont want to go back to humidity after living in colorado. Anyone got any pros/cons?

Tim Kline wrote: I would totally second that... if not Custer you could look at Lead/Deadwood area. I grew up in Lead, nice area and close to a lot of climbing like spearfish canyon and you're about 45 minutes from needles/rushmore/sylvan.

Tim, I'm in Colorado but am originally from Rapid.

I just got on my first needles climb in the South Seas a couple months ago. AWESOME!!!! Can't wait to go back!

Mariposa Ca.

Why mess around with anywhere else, when you can live at the doorstep to heaven (yose)?

EMT wrote:Mariposa Ca. Why mess around with anywhere else, when you can live at the doorstep to heaven (yose)?

She said cheap

Oh! Thank you!

Jason T. - I live in Cleveland, Tn just 30 mins from TWall, Sunset, and more... humidity? Yep, we have it. I'll be happy to give you the dirt on Chattanooga.

So, I'll check out Prescott, AZ, Northern Utah, Custer and Spearfish, SD. Climbed at Ten Sleep a couple of years ago and fell in love with it.

lucaskrajnik wrote: She said cheap

Ok ok it ain't cheap to live in cali. Or at least I'll let ya'll keep thinking that. Of course I always lived out of my van there...

I would just vote for somewhere with mild winters and lots of climbing. If you've got that, you're doing better than most.

At this point, after living a lot of places and extensive traveling, if I could live anywhere in a small town it would be a tossup between Durango CO, Missoula MT, or White Salmon WA. White Salmon would be weakest for climbing, but all are good and also have great whitewater, fly fishing, mountain biking, etc.

Good luck to you.

.... Green Mountain Falls, CO ... ' says it all.

Pine Grove, Colorado

Mike Wysuph wrote: Tim, I'm in Colorado but am originally from Rapid. I just got on my first needles climb in the South Seas a couple months ago. AWESOME!!!! Can't wait to go back!

I go back to the black hills at least once a year for a 4 or 5 day trip. What route did you do in the south seas? You should definitely try waves sometime. It's an easy climb, but a definite classic!

Tom Woods wrote:Custer, SD (near the Needles and Mount Rushmore), Spearfish, SD (near Spearfish Canyon), Hulett, WY (near Devils Tower) or Tensleep, WY (near Tensleep Canyon)?

I agree with Custer or Hill City, SD. I grew up there and often long for the hills (though I'm really happy in Colorado Springs it doesn't fit your criteria of being a small town). I'm suprised by how many people don't know about the incredible climbing in the area. Herb and Jan Conn and John Gill are just a couple of people that really opened up the area. And everything is so accessible. Of course, don't tell anyone.

The problem with the Hills is making a living. The tourist trade reigns supreme so winters are pretty econically depressed. Hill City has a pretty large art trade if you're an artist, but again, that's mainly a summer thing.

Have fun setting course!
Erik

Tim... (I'm not Mike, but) I did Pelican's Dyke this summer. What a fun route. Unfortunately, I ran out of time and didn't get to Waves. Maybe I'll get to it when I go back for Thanksgiving.

Erik Tullberg wrote:Tim... (I'm not Mike, but) I did Pelican's Dyke this summer. What a fun route. Unfortunately, I ran out of time and didn't get to Waves. Maybe I'll get to it when I go back for Thanksgiving.

Don't think I've ever done Pelcan's Dyke... I'll have to look into that one. I really miss the simple life in the hills, but your correct in the fact that it's hard to find a good consistent job up there. I'm an IT Consultant in Denver and I like my job, but to find and IT job up there is nearly impossible, or at least one that pays anything. But the climbing is phenomenal. I grew up in Lead, so Spearfish Canyon was my stomping grounds. But man have they done some wicked stuff up there in the past 15 years. The Blue Sky area has some really cool climbs on it. But if you climb in the canyon, don't forget your stick clip!!

hrmmm, fellas....it's possible that I'll be up there Thanksgiving and/or some other holiday long weekends. It'd be nice to hook up and climb...especially since I'm losing my belayer (wife is having kiddo #2 soon).

I did Boxcars & Airplanes and Sharksbreath. Ran out of time for anything else....fell in love with the climbing the moment I touched it.

I find myself longing for the hills as well! Special place indeed.

Sonora, California
came to mind; seems dog friendly, close to Yosemite (about a 45 minute drive to the gate), not too bad of a drive to the Bay area (2 hours to S.F.), rent pretty cheap ( from what I've heard), and a very cute, and beautiful place. I've never lived there but visited quite a bit, and I loved it! Also, just a couple of minutes next door you have Columbia, Ca, which has a nice old west feel, and a fun place to hang out.

I'm sure there are other quaint towns in the Gold Country that aren't too expensive to live. It's worth checking out.... : )

Mike Wysuph wrote:hrmmm, fellas....it's possible that I'll be up there Thanksgiving and/or some other holiday long weekends. It'd be nice to hook up and climb...especially since I'm losing my belayer (wife if having kiddo #2 soon). I did Boxcars & Airplanes and Sharksbreath. Ran out of time for anything else....fell in love with the climbing the moment I touched it. I find myself longing for the hills as well! Special place indeed.

Haha , I lost my partner 2 years ago to the same thing!!! I probably won't be in the hills during thanksgiving, but if you need somebody to climb with after #2 arrives or even before... let me know. We climb at clear creek and eldo almost every weekend.

William Dacier wrote:Prescott AZ rules: great climbing nearby, not too big a town, excellent hiking, mountain biking, good eats, friendly people, and nice weather. Flag and Sedona close by, too.

I second the Prescott suggestion. Unless you like to ski/ride, ice climb, or participate in any other winter sports. I lived there for a couple years but relocated to Colorado so I could have a real winter again.

--Marc