Mall Crawler Truth

[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

No offense. Don't dismiss Middle and Eastern Tn. Not close to all the huge national parks, but numerous lakes, waterfalls, winding roads, forestry trails, GSMtn National Park. Once you make your must-have list, you may find it checks all the boxes. We did.

Reasonably close to eastern Tennessee is West Virginia. Haven't done it, but want to check it out. There are national forests, private off-road, and the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system. Not sure of the ownership and management (can anybody help here?) but it's an extensive system of various rails and road, for horseback, hiking, mountain biking, ATV and 4x4, all with varying levels of difficulty. I gather it covers several towns, promotes the Hatfield-McCoy history, and is a major recreation destination area.

You folks in the greater West, you're definitely blessed with opportunity. Those of us in the Midwest, Great Plains, parts of the South (looking at you, Florida!) and Northeast have to travel some distance or make-do. (But Vermont has Class IV and New Hampshire Class 6 roads, which can provide some off-roading of true merit.)

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[crzyhawk]

I don't know what parts of the UP you visited but snooty has never been a part of any of our many adventures there. We love the UP. Just made a loop around Lake Michigan in October while stopping in Door County, WI on our way up and around the UP before heading back down into the lower pen. You are correct that the UP is quite remote and that is what makes it so awesome along with the people there.
We love TN too for the record as well as all the things in the mountain/desert west. So many amazing places. We were just looking into short trips into Arkansas and Georgia over the weekend for this spring. Just have to understand the local culture everywhere you go. Living in TN I'm sure you can appreciate that.

A lake michigan loop sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[timn]

Cedar city and Montrose would be awesome we spend the summer in Colorado but people from California are trying to ruin it.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Go Pack Go.

LOL, that reminds me, even the Bears are coming here. LOL!

 

[Headsong]

LOL, that reminds me, even the Bears are coming here. LOL!

Actually, thx, Indiana.....you moved the Ill Annoyed politicos to do something!

 

[Q1svt]

Any suggestions on where to move west for great wheeling access, please I’m open ears.

… anywhere, just need to figure out what type of off-roading you like mostly. That’s your base location and all the other type is close by.

As you can see no one wants anyone to come after they came… lol especially the native Indians toward the Americans.

Then there are the BS like comments bring your own water, they all would have die of thirst if America Tax payees money didn’t build things like the Hover Dam.

Not sure what you like … start some road trips to see first hand.

 

[Climber]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

This is my retirement move. I am a low profile, late model boomer. No one wants more people crowding their space, but my individual move won’t change things much.

I have traveled to many places and west is where I want to be. Really like the Montrose area and based on some responses, it looks to be high in the hunt. I also like the Boise / Meridian area.

I will say Cedar City looks nice and checks all of the boxes.

California is great except for the taxes, high cost of living, central Cali has a lot to offer in what I’m looking for.



Suggestions and point/counterpoint from those who have actually lived there are always useful and I appreciate time taken to respond.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

This is my retirement move. I will say Cedar City looks nice and checks all of the boxes. Suggestions and point/counterpoint from those who have actually lived there are always useful and I appreciate time taken to respond.

Before moving to Utah we had been in and around cities for 30+ years. A 35K person town is different, and I was ready for a (much) smaller town experience. But, I wanted access to good healthcare. I didn’t want to be 3+ hours from the nearest airport. I wanted some culture and liveliness. I didn’t want it to be too hot in the summer for too long. I didn’t want a 6-month winter. I wanted easy, quick access to trails, camping, national parks. I’ve found the cost of living in Cedar City about 50% of California. I’ve found the people friendly, welcoming, old-school in a good way. Nature — it’s amazing. Like I said, come visit.

 

[Snacktime]

Central Valley is often overlooked. I really liked Bakersfield the most of all the valley cities, definitely the most friendly. I have done Sacramento, Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield, Tehachapi and San Luis Obispo. Fresno area is the best trails, least amount of trail traffic.

California is expensive but not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. Idaho and Utah are damn near the same price for everything but gas.

 

[crzyhawk]

I can't imagine moving back to the west coast. California especially would not be on my list. Idaho or Montana would be my first choice for a retirement area. Sadly, I doubt a move to the west is in the cards.

 

[chubbs742]

Grew up in MN and also lived in WI. Live in Montrose now. Montrose is great. I'd recommend it if you don't need to find work. If you are moving here to retire, I just have to urge you to consider voting yes to fund our schools. We have so many retirees here that vote no on our school funding increases because they don't have kids, and now the schools are in very rough shape. Anyway, enough of that. Here are pics of us wheeling last week just a few miles north of town on Wave Rd.

 

[TPadden72]

We have so many retirees here that vote no on our school funding increases because they don't have kids

Wrong;, retirees vote no because they already had and paid for raising their kids. Keep your kids off my lawn!

Tom

 

[Climber]

Reasonably close to eastern Tennessee is West Virginia. Haven't done it, but want to check it out. There are national forests, private off-road, and the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system. Not sure of the ownership and management (can anybody help here?) but it's an extensive system of various rails and road, for horseback, hiking, mountain biking, ATV and 4x4, all with varying levels of difficulty. I gather it covers several towns, promotes the Hatfield-McCoy history, and is a major recreation destination area.

You folks in the greater West, you're definitely blessed with opportunity. Those of us in the Midwest, Great Plains, parts of the South (looking at you, Florida!) and Northeast have to travel some distance or make-do. (But Vermont has Class IV and New Hampshire Class 6 roads, which can WV provide some off-roading of true merit.)

Interesting, I always heard that the middle of Wisconsin had some great trails.

Grew up in MN and also lived in WI. Live in Montrose now. Montrose is great. I'd recommend it if you don't need to find work. If you are moving here to retire, I just have to urge you to consider voting yes to fund our schools. We have so many retirees here that vote no on our school funding increases because they don't have kids, and now the schools are in very rough shape. Anyway, enough of that. Here are pics of us wheeling last week just a few miles north of town on Wave Rd.

Grew up in MN and also lived in WI. Live in Montrose now. Montrose is great. I'd recommend it if you don't need to find work. If you are moving here to retire, I just have to urge you to consider voting yes to fund our schools. We have so many retirees here that vote no on our school funding increases because they don't have kids, and now the schools are in very rough shape. Anyway, enough of that. Here are pics of us wheeling last week just a few miles north of town on Wave Rd.

Strong schools = strong communities.

 

[chubbs742]

Strong schools = strong communities.
[/QUOTE]

Right on if you decide to move out here or want some additional info feel free to PM me.

 

[TPadden72]

Strong schools = strong communities.

Words never heard by any realtor anywhere: "We're looking for our retirement property, how strong are the schools and is there a strong Grandparent Teacher Association?"

Tom

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