To be sure, there are still many nice places in WA/the Puget Sound geographically, to visit.

But for gun owners, the clock is ticking...

They've already succeeded into making even the Ruger 10/22 a 'semi-automatic assault weapon' one must be 21 years old to buy with proof of training...no matter if you already own 5 of them.

They're attempting to end state pre-emption...every city/town will be able to make its own rules.

Ban 'assault weapons' and require registration of currently owned 'assault rifles'

They wanted to make it a FELONY if you travelled with your standard capacity magazine from a match to your home in the firearm (not secured separately).

Mag restrictions, etc etc etc etc.

Take a look at King Co's 'Action Plan':

https://kingcountycantwait.org/actionplan

Add to that Seattle craziness (See 'Seattle is Dying documentary)...sheeple there are dragging down the rest of the state. So many, particularly gun owners, are considering their options for good reason(s).

$.02 worth.
Boss

Our adult son and his family live in Bountiful, Utah. They love it for the job opportunities, great schools, recreational things for the kids (3 boys) and the weather isn't bad. Real estate is scarce right now due to population growth. I wouldn't think twice about relocating in that area.

I like Huntsville. High income jobs there. Surrounding areas are growing and lots of new restaurants and entertainment.

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
I've spent tons of time all over Alabama, with lots of extended family scattered about.

I would chose Utah, for the climate and 21st Century living.

Alabama exists in a time bubble. You either like it or not.

I don't hate it, and it's pretty, but I'd never ever live there.

Alabama is great. We just don't tell anyone. Otherwise they would move here.

Layton no. Syracuse or Kaysville yes.

quote:

Originally posted by ruger357:

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
I've spent tons of time all over Alabama, with lots of extended family scattered about.

I would chose Utah, for the climate and 21st Century living.

Alabama exists in a time bubble. You either like it or not.

I don't hate it, and it's pretty, but I'd never ever live there.

Alabama is great. We just don't tell anyone. Otherwise they would move here.

I spent 18 months in Tuscaloosa, in many ways a different world than CA. I do miss some aspects of living there. Our plan is to retire to Utah.

quote:

Anyway, this is all moot to you apparently. I love Utah. When I try to imagine what other State I'd want to live in over Utah, I can't.

One thing I noticed when looking at colleges with my son is that if you have a Utah permit, carrying at schools is not an issue. The same was not either not true of Montana, Idaho, or Arizona or I had permits accepted there, but not permits from that state, can't remember which. I definitely think Utah has a much more rational approach to school security.

CA used to have a similar law until a few years ago. Damned Dem bastages!

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:

I would chose Utah, for the climate and 21st Century living.

Alabama exists in a time bubble.

You are exactly the type of person whose vocal opinion I love. Spread the word about Alabama, and Huntsville in particular,...PLEASE!

I was born and raised in Washington State, lived there for 50 years mostly around the Puget Sound area. I worked in downtown Seattle for 30 years.

We bailed out in 1999 because the political winds were already evident. I remember back in the 90's I was walking through the Westlake mall on my lunch and this lady with some political signs talking about a "mom in tennis shoes" came up to me and wanted my vote. I talked to her a bit and walked away shaking my head. Got home that night and told the wife the story and also told her if she got elected, it was definitely time to bolt. That lady's name was Patty Murray. There is one inescapable fact: The people in Olympia will control your life whether you like it or not.

Alabama is a beautiful state, driven through there a number of times. But man, it is hot and muggy in the Summer. I don't know anything about Utah but for two things. Lots of Mormons and they elected Mitt Romney.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
We have a six year old son who I'd like to raise away from the nutflakery that is the Seattle area

Good call. There is no way I would put a child through the public school system here in this day and age.

I'm not really interested in living in an urban area anywhere...but Huntsville is a nice city as far as cities go. Some decent outdoorsy opportunities on the outskirts of town, the US Space and Rocket Center is pretty cool, and you're not too far from the CMP South store. I like Alabama...good people, and overall very conservative. Hotter and muggier than hell in the summer, though.

I've never been to NW UT or the SLC area, but I've spent a good amount of time in the southern half of the state. UT is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It does get hot, but it's a dry heat, which IMO is far more bearable than humidity. Geographically UT has a little bit of everything....forests, mountains, canyons, rivers. I found the people to be very friendly and also generally conservative (although that was to be expected as I was in rural areas).

Were it up to me, I'd pick UT just because of the proximity to a wide variety of outdoor stuff that I enjoy...but AL is a good place too.

I was stationed at the Arsenal for three years in the mid-90s; lived in Huntsville. Overall nice place. Lots to do - besides what others have said, there is also the Tennessee River for recreation. I bought my Beretta 92FS at Larry's.

And yes, it can get quite hot/muggy in the prime of summer. Also, be aware of the potential for tornadoes in that area of the country. Nice airport with easy in/out.

It's gotten bigger, as several DoD organizations have consolidated onto Redstone Arsenal, e.g., Army Materiel Command.

Northern Utah is nice and red. I don't particularly care for winters anymore since I gave up skiing. If you do ski or do other winter sports Layton would be a very nice place for you to settle down. If you like to hike, you're 30 minutes away from some spectacular areas. As far as your wife driving in snow, there are probably six days a year where it would be better for her to stay home. The rest of the time she'll see plowed streets.

Oh we did just had a windstorm that raised some hell. 90 - 100 mph gusts coming out of the canyons will get your attention. We have about one of those a year, give or take.

Politics aside, IMHO, as others have indicated, the summers in the south can't be understated. If you've lived in WA all your life and never experienced a July/Aug. in the south, it can be a MAJOR adjustment. Constant sweat/perspiration, glasses fog up when you walk outside an AC building (where you'll be spending most of your time), etc. etc. etc.

You'll also need to take your windshield bug removal skills to the next level. And of course the snakes and everything else.

If you're willing to tolerate the politics longer, you could look at areas outside of Seattle. Can you work remotely? Or some driving and/or ferries gets you to some considerably better places.

$.02 worth.

Boss

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:. . . And yes, it can get quite hot/muggy in the prime of summer. Also, be aware of the potential for tornadoes in that area of the country. Nice airport with easy in/out.. . .

You can have a hot muggy summer anywhere, anytime of the year. Just start your dishwasher on a pots 'n pans cycle, half way through open the door and stick your head in. It will feel just like my summer times in Florida, Alabama, New Orleans.

Take your wife and spend a weekend in both places, get a feel for the area, a lot easier to see if a place feels right if you go there..

quote:

You can have a hot muggy summer anywhere, anytime of the year. Just start your dishwasher on a pots 'n pans cycle, half way through open the door and stick your head in. It will feel just like my summer times in Florida, Alabama, New Orleans.

This is not completely true.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Take your wife and spend a weekend in both places, get a feel for the area, a lot easier to see if a place feels right if you go there..

Good idea. I would to Layton in the winter and Huntsville in the summer.

I have lived in WA, liked it a lot. Moving to the south might be a problem due to the heat and humidity. I would highly recommend spending some time in AL before moving there.

Utah, having low humidity, would be much easier to live in. Cold winters there feel no colder than wet Washington.

Also think about what Trump is doing, and the Supreme court. When RBG is replaced, many 2A friendly cases will make it to the SC. Most likely these will be far reaching, and will push back most of the draconian state laws being enacted.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
I like Huntsville. I go down there for training from time to time. Huntsville proper shares its own set of big city problems. Nothing out of what is “ordinary” for a metro area. But in 20 minutes, you can be in a rural area and on your own. Lots of fun stuff to do. NASA has a large standing there.

It’s hot and humid in the summer. A little bad weather in the winter.

You’re about 2.5 hours to Birmingham and Nashville.

I like Huntsville and enjoy my time down there. I have friends that live there and they seem to like it.

And little times of snow. And when it does everything pretty much shuts down so no reason to be out.