While the current leading thought process has us stuck in CA another 8.5 years (that’s when I hit 20 at my department and can freeze my retirement) I’m solidly in the “never say never” camp.

So I’ve been mentally toying with the idea of where we would want to go if we were to bail out of this cesspool because honestly, I have no idea.

Here is what I know we want...
- in or close to mountains
- 4 actual seasons including some snow
- conservative state, conservative region, likely to remain that way for a long time to come
- would like a small plot of land... a few acres would be good
- cheaper to live than here... if we are stuck in CA for now I’d at least like to move somewhere where my CA dollars will help me initially

Here is what we’d like to avoid...
- regular weather extremes (don’t want a place where it is commonly ungodly cold or super deep in snow)
- no ungodly heat either (current locale has summer average highs at 98 with many consecutive 100+ days every year.... no more of that)
- no tornados or hurricanes

For now, I work in local corrections. If I stay until
I hit 20, I’m open to a career change upon moving. Before then, it’s tougher to see that happening, logistically. I don’t think jail staff make much in most other parts of the country. If we sold our home today, we’d walk away with probably $120k in profit, conservatively.

So, I’m not sure where to look but I know our requirements of no tornados, no hurricanes, no real extreme weather, and conservative governing eliminates a very large swath of our country.... no south or south east, likely no east coast (maybe Vermont? Not sure about the weather), no west coast due to politics, no Texas due to the political trends give it an uncertain long-term future...

So, without knowing much my mind thought of Midwest states, but don’t those get bitter bitter cold and most get tornados?

Idaho is a contender, I think, as is Montana? Wyoming maybe?

I have s buddy who moved to Bulhead a city in Arizona but he was telling me it was 120 all summer, so that’s out. He suggested Flagstaff and some initial research was very promising, especially weather wise, but housing is just as much, if not more, than here. He then suggested Williams, or maybe Prescott, and those look better, particularly Williams. However, a correctional officer there makes about a third what I do now.

What other places should we consider? Is our list too restrictive?

The place you listed sounds like paradise.

Liberals tend to have money. They flock to nice places. They screw them up.

Good luck, but I’d pare down your list to a few “must haves” and work from there.

Just meeting your weather requirements is going to be hard to do. I think ID, MT and WY are going to be too cold and snowy.

western NC - with the exception of Asheville city proper - is like what you say

NC is leaning blue but still has a strong rural base (Trump in '16 but Obama in '12)

very picturesque

https://images.search.yahoo.co...dit.jpg&action=click

just don't vote for any libs if you move there

I will likely be back there one day

plus there are beautiful beaches when you need some salt

https://www.google.com/search?...mgrc=PTtGSVqnOdsZDM:



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North Carolina is pretty close to what you describe (or at least the western part of the state is). You may want to look at/near the Charlotte area.

Are you in City or County Corrections?

And near the other side of the NC border you can find Tenn. and Kentucky.

All would meet your requirements..

Western VA is also nice but our state is more blue than red these days with most of the liberals in NOVA..

I like Idaho better than Montana, but Montana has more elk. Both areas get very cold in the winter. A lot can change in 8 years. Oregon and WA are getting more liberal, but with the Supreme Court on our side the states will be limited to what they can do.

My gut feeling is that those of us behind enemy lines in Cali will see significant improvements in our 2A rights, and possibly other improvements as well.

What's wrong with the south?

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
What's wrong with the south?

Based on the OP's requirements: heat, tornadoes, and lack of snow. Also hurricanes depending on where in the South.

I would second (fourth?) Western NC and TN.

Cedar City, Utah pretty well meets your description. Small college town. Not too far from major shopping in St.George.

It's easy for me to figure out where to move, the Army sends me orders that tell me exactly where to go. As for where I go when I retire, I'm getting closer to that point and I still have no idea. The south is nice though.

East Tennessee. We have lots of carpetbagging liberal assholes flocking here after screwing up their states, so we need all the conservatives we can get.

We do have tornadoes, but so does pretty much everywhere. If you stick to the more mountainous east side of the state the weather is a little more temperate. Still a few hot days, but not bad.

We just moved to (kinda) Eastern North Carolina and love it but we are seriously thinking about Western NC after visiting it a few times. We also lived in Vermont for a while.... the bouts of extremely cold weather doesn’t really sound like what you are looking for.

Move to a red state with weather you like.

You are describing Colorado. Not Denver if the conservative thing is a deal breaker. But maybe Co Springs, or somewhere not far into the mountains. Or perhaps the western slope.

We have four seasons, it snows good, but doesn't blanket the whole winter, summers are great.

Plenty of land outside the city.

not cheap, but cheaper than CA.

relatively safe from environment - no hurricanes or tornadoes. Occasional flood or forest fire though.

My employer tells me if I want a paycheck move to [insert oil patch name].

My former boss bought a rV before he retired and the last few years him and his wife spent most of their vacation time living in it in areas they were considering.

When I retire, I'm seriously considering buying a diesel pusher RV and being full-time for a year. Spend some time living in my top 5 or 6 picks.

quote:

Originally posted by zipriderson:
You are describing Colorado. Not Denver if the conservative thing is a deal breaker. But maybe Co Springs, or somewhere not far into the mountains. Or perhaps the western slope.

OP asked for a conservative state, and likely to remain that way.

His timeline is 8+ years out, I’m sorry to say Colorado will be solid blue by then, or darn close to it.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:

My gut feeling is that those of us behind enemy lines in Cali will see significant improvements in our 2A rights, and possibly other improvements as well.

It’s not just about 2A issues. While that’s important, it’s not the very top of my list. Besides, nearly everywhere is an improvement.

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:
Are you in City or County Corrections?

I work in a county sheriff’s department I. The jail division.

I thought our list might prove a little too restrictive. Sounds like Kentucky/Tennessee/N.C. are places to consider.... possibility of tornados might be the first requirement we’d drop, though I wouldn’t want to go right to the heart of tornado country, wherever that is.

quote:

Originally posted by reloader-1:

quote:

Originally posted by zipriderson:
You are describing Colorado. Not Denver if the conservative thing is a deal breaker. But maybe Co Springs, or somewhere not far into the mountains. Or perhaps the western slope.

OP asked for a conservative state, and likely to remain that way.

His timeline is 8+ years out, I’m sorry to say Colorado will be solid blue by then, or darn close to it.

Yes, that’s the reason I have mentally crossed Colorado off the list, same for Texas.

Of course, with a 8 year timeline things could be drastically different anywhere.