Road Trip to find a new place to live and work

[nctacoma]

Greetings,

We, Misa and Colin, have just begun a multi-month road trip with the goal of finding a new home in the mountains where we can live, work, and recreate.

We would love to find a small town with a community feel, where people know each other, there is lots of snow in the winter and warm weather in the summer, and affordable land to stretch out on. We plan to buy property wherever we end up and build a small house.
Colin has a background in outdoor education and carpentry, but is not stuck in either of these fields. (I can't ever see myself working inside all of the time, but I am always open to new opportunities.)
Misa has a background in ESL & elementary education, writing children's literature, and Japanese-English translation.

We left our home in early March and have been traveling for the past few weeks. We stopped in North Carolina, Arkansas, New Mexico, and are currently in Arizona.

Our next stop is Baja for some surfing and beach time. We are waiting out the cold until we can head into the Rockies and the Northwest to begin our search in earnest.
We are traveling in our 2008 Toyota Tundra with our dog Tucker. The truck has all the necessary travel goodies and is carrying many of our recreational toys.

We would love to use this forum as a source for travel information, networking, and meeting new people. It seems so many members live in great places and have traveled to so many amazing places. We are very open to suggestions of places to check out and explore.
We will post updates as we go along, if there is interest, and hopefully solicit information as we travel.
So, Expo community, please give us suggestions for where we should ultimately end up! We are both very excited with this journey and have been having a blast so far on our trip. We look forward to finding out what happens next!

 

[1leglance]

If you can hang in Arizona till the Overland Expo it would be well worth your time.
Not only will you get fresh info on Baja, but you will meet a ton of people who either live in areas you want to or share your desires and have thoughts.
Welcome and keep us updated with pics & stories.

 

[Johnston]

You need to check out Hood River.
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&...MHJDUtQPM8bGMBg&ved=0CFwQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=733
It's probably on you list to check out already. I'll be at Expo if you want more info. If not PM me when you're in the northwest and I'll show you around.

 

[shortbus4x4]

I am partial to the NW-OR, WA, ID. I really like CDA in the ID panhandle. But there is lots of pretty country to choose from up there.

 

[bowzer]

Just starting construction in central Id. Leaving Chicago. Cant wait.

 

[greentruck]

I attended a conference in Boise, Idaho a couple of years back. The wife came along and saw more of the town. We both really enjoyed our visit. It's a small city, but cozy enough it didn't turn me off -- and I hate anonymous, oppressive cities.

Grand Junction, Colorado is really just a big town, at least the way I see it. Smaller than Boise, it has the same access to almost unlimited countryside, mountains, and deserts.

Good luck in your travels.

 

[Home Skillet]

You need to check out Hood River.
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&...MHJDUtQPM8bGMBg&ved=0CFwQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=733
It's probably on you list to check out already. I'll be at Expo if you want more info. If not PM me when you're in the northwest and I'll show you around.

Tad? I can't believe I found you on expedition portal! It's Eric Davis. Are you an overlander too? I will have to PM you and we can talk.

As far as places for you guys to check out, I agree that Hood River is one to see. On your way you should also stop by Bend, Oregon. Sounds like we have all that your looking for and more.

Home Skillet

 

[mph]

Don't visit Park City, Utah. We have only gotten 400 inches of snow thus far and mtn. biking is epic in some regards. SLC is right down the road from us. Plus, you are a few hours to the southern Utah desert. Outstanding country!!!!

Just teasing though...If you come this way; let me know. BTW; I have been an elementary school teacher here the past 10 years. Great district!!! I have spent many days in other mountain towns as well...aspen, sun valley, jhole, steamboat, creste butte, snowmass, vail, breckenridge, etc. PC has many advantages! But, no place is perfect.

 

[pattro]

You need to check out Hood River.
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&...MHJDUtQPM8bGMBg&ved=0CFwQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=733
It's probably on you list to check out already. I'll be at Expo if you want more info. If not PM me when you're in the northwest and I'll show you around.

If I could live in any small town Hood River IS IT! It's nice, small, in Oregon, great fresh produce if your into that, kite boarding/wind surfing... CANT BEAT IT!

 

[nctacoma]

Hi everyone,

We just are heading out of Baja. We had a really good time, although we didn't spend as much time as we had planned upon there. We seemed to hit a patch of poor weather. It dumped rain on us for a day and a half and turned all of the roads we were on into a mess. I couldn't believe we had to use 4wd to get up the road out of Punta Baja. In the valleys, all the silt got washed down into the road and had the consistency of snot. Traction would be great one minute and then we would be going up the hill sideways the next. It was a fun adventure to say the least. We spent some time in Punta Baja, Punta Cabra, and the wine region south of Tecate. Some highlights were camping in the Bibayoff winery and their shower(see picture) The
water was 68 degrees coming out of the ground so it was like a lukewarm shower to us. The waves and wind weren't cooperating so I didn't find the great surfing that I was expecting but that is ok.

We have hood river, Bend, Cda/Spokane, and Park city area on our list. Park city might be out of our price range as we would love to find about 15+ acres to eventually start a small hobby farm upon.

Our next plan is to head through California with an exploratory mission to the area around Mammoth lakes and then poke a bit around Yosemite on our xc-ski's and continue north.
Any suggestions of small towns or areas around Mammoth lakes?


Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[outinthewoods]

My vote is for Durango Colorado :victory:

I'm rather fond of it here...

 

[ibex101]

Places to work

With your wifes education you guys should look at a school called Wasatch academy. Its located in mt.pleasant Utah. They have a ton of international kids so her ESL would be great. They pay for your housing and the people there are very cool. The worlds best kite boarding is very close as well. Pm for me a place to stay if you ever get in this way.

 

[JCMatthews]

With your wifes education you guys should look at a school called Wasatch academy. Its located in mt.pleasant Utah. They have a ton of international kids so her ESL would be great. They pay for your housing and the people there are very cool. The worlds best kite boarding is very close as well. Pm for me a place to stay if you ever get in this way.

X2 Mt. Pleasant is a beatuiful small town with a lot to offer close to Utah Valley and the Wasatch front, at the base of the Manti La Sals, it would be a great place.

 

[High Center]

My vote is for Durango Colorado :victory:

I'm rather fond of it here...

Second that. Was there this fall- very cool place.

 

[mph]

Many places on the outskirts of PC that might fit your bill.

Hi everyone,

We just are heading out of Baja. We had a really good time, although we didn't spend as much time as we had planned upon there. We seemed to hit a patch of poor weather. It dumped rain on us for a day and a half and turned all of the roads we were on into a mess. I couldn't believe we had to use 4wd to get up the road out of Punta Baja. In the valleys, all the silt got washed down into the road and had the consistency of snot. Traction would be great one minute and then we would be going up the hill sideways the next. It was a fun adventure to say the least. We spent some time in Punta Baja, Punta Cabra, and the wine region south of Tecate. Some highlights were camping in the Bibayoff winery and their shower(see picture) The
water was 68 degrees coming out of the ground so it was like a lukewarm shower to us. The waves and wind weren't cooperating so I didn't find the great surfing that I was expecting but that is ok.

We have hood river, Bend, Cda/Spokane, and Park city area on our list. Park city might be out of our price range as we would love to find about 15+ acres to eventually start a small hobby farm upon.

Our next plan is to head through California with an exploratory mission to the area around Mammoth lakes and then poke a bit around Yosemite on our xc-ski's and continue north.
Any suggestions of small towns or areas around Mammoth lakes?


Thanks for any suggestions.