Help us find a new home

[Gilaguy23]

The wife suggested this, so why not since were all outdoor enthusiasts right. Grew up in Ca riding dirt bikes, jeeping, atv'ing desert, the Sierras, The Dusy, open lands abound, freedom and more freedom to wander endless acres of forests and deserts. Moved to AZ then NM after I retired and enjoyed the same freedom and beauty to roam in those places. Living the dream we were. We could ride off our place into the wilderness on horses, jeeps, atv,s and get lost for days if we wanted, life was great. Retirement dreams achieved !!!!
Then I opened my mouth, the wife's family is from KY and I gave her my word someday we'd move near them. Well here we are now, like a rats in a cage. I have a deep dislike of the place after a year and she's not far behind at this point. The house is half packed up, a cargo trailer is sitting and were ready to move once we find a new home.
So now its where we ask. Where to have the same life style we had before moving to KY? We pondered going back to AZ or NM and have tried twice now, we miss our friends there. Twice now our hopeful real estate deals fell out of escrow. Its like were being told don't go back there. Ca is not an option, Utah? Co? NV? Id? Been to all of them long ago for short visits. Real estate costs are a factor, we need to find a home with 1/2 acre+ for our animals for $350K give or take. Thoughts, offerings,

 

[Zorba]

Can't help you - Kentucky is where I'd like to move to!

 

[DirtDawg]

When I spotted your username last September, I PM'd a "hello" message without response. Mention of former homes in AZ and NM made me curious whether "Gila" referred to AZ's Gila County (Globe and Payson notably) or NM's Gila NF just a dozen miles or so from my current location. In any case if either AZ or NM remains on your relocation short list, it would be helpful to know what general areas you lived before for those suggesting alternatives for consideration. My own locale is quite rural low population, however $350k budgeted spend for a home on 1/2 acre or more land won't go far. Maybe with a mobile home but most of those typically won't have an included garage if that's a factor. I'm admittedly an exception in these parts, insisting on not parking my several vehicles outside, so bought a 3 year old smallish ~ 1650 sq' house with attached ~1400 sq' garage. We all have our priorities!

I chose this area after 7+ years seasonal time with former 5th wheel in a local park, alongside my best friends, until selling my former 2800 sq' home in Payson and downsizing. I liked Payson as a "Goldilocks compromise" but property taxes and fire insurance on that home were killing me. Here, access to off-pavement trails going up to over 10k' elevation is just a couple miles away, with no need for staging with either my jeeps or SxS.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Can't help you - Kentucky is where I'd like to move to!

Can I ask why? Whats the draw to KY for you?

 

[KennethS]

In any case if either AZ or NM remains on your relocation short list, it would be helpful to know what general areas you lived before for those suggesting alternatives for consideration. My own locale is quite rural low population, however $350k budgeted spend for a home on 1/2 acre or more land won't go far.

Yep. AZ has become stupidly expensive compared to 10 or 15 years ago.

 

[Zorba]

Can I ask why? Whats the draw to KY for you?

My people are from there, I've been there a few times, and it feels like home. I think its beautiful, the folks are friendly, and the small towns are lovely. I'd be fine in Bardstown, E-town, Leitchfield, etc, etc. My paternal grandfather was a coal miner in Evarts during the winter of 1929-30 Harlan county coal wars. I think that's why he subsequently became a Methodist minister - far more conducive to staying alive on multiple levels! I've been there too - lovely country, but I'm not sure I could live there, its still pretty scary!

Only downside: Snow!

 

[Rooscooter]

You have UT, ID and NV on your list. All have gone insane in price and your budget isn't going to get you in I'm afraid unless you are looking for a very rural location. I grew up and have lived in the west (Idaho, WA, Idaho again and now AZ). The migration of people out of CA/WA has made affordability difficult in those states. Rural towns in southern ID could be in that range but the Boise area isn't. Northern NV may be something to look at but even the Reno area is getting expensive.

 

[Gilaguy23]

My people are from there, I've been there a few times, and it feels like home. I think its beautiful, the folks are friendly, and the small towns are lovely. I'd be fine in Bardstown, E-town, Leitchfield, etc, etc. My paternal grandfather was a coal miner in Evarts during the winter of 1929-30 Harlan county coal wars. I think that's why he subsequently became a Methodist minister - far more conducive to staying alive on multiple levels! I've been there too - lovely country, but I'm not sure I could live there, its still pretty scary!

Only downside: Snow!

Family will do it and thats why we came here. Good for you for going home Yes, plenty of coal miners here with some crazy stories and would be cool to make a trip down into one to see first hand how things work. Were just outside of Danville ourselves, kinda off the beaten path but close enough for stores ect. The snow wasnt bad here IMO and both az and Nm had their share but I will say the ice storm we had this year was no joke. I thought everyone was a sissy staying in until trying to walk to the mailbox which is maybe 5 degrees slope down. I just about ended up across the street. You live here you should have some of those steel spiked golf shoes.

 

[Zorba]

Family will do it and thats why we came here. Good for you for going home Yes, plenty of coal miners here with some crazy stories and would be cool to make a trip down into one to see first hand how things work. Were just outside of Danville ourselves, kinda off the beaten path but close enough for stores ect. The snow wasnt bad here IMO and both az and Nm had their share but I will say the ice storm we had this year was no joke. I thought everyone was a sissy staying in until trying to walk to the mailbox which is maybe 5 degrees slope down. I just about ended up across the street. You live here you should have some of those steel spiked golf shoes.

I have a lot of distant relations in Ky, and Indiana as well - but nobody I know, they're all passed on. I had to refresh my memory on the location of Danville - its not that far from Bardstown. Before you blow out of there, go and visit the Abbey of Gethsmani near Bardstown. Special place. And of course - if you haven't seen them, Bardstown has both "My Old Kentucky Home" as well as the state Lincoln Memorial. Mammoth cave state park is near there too.

A funny story about My Old Kentucky Home. When my wife and I were there, it was the first time I'd been there since I was a kid. We were too early in the year for the "Stephen Foster Story" outside play they put on in the summertime, but the house is open all year. The women are all dressed in lovely period costume. I asked one gal "is that a hoop skirt?" When she affirmed that it was indeed, I responded with "That's really cool. I've never tried one, but would like to some day." The look on her face was priceless! It looked like she was in a corset too.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

if you've already lived in NM and you know you liked it and had friends there, I would say go back there. I feel like that's probably your best bet if there are real estate budget concerns.

A healthy social network is a big deal.

Curious what you don't like about Kentucky. I've never lived there, but when I've been it felt culturally and climatically similar to eastern Oklahoma. You may just be more comfortable in a western-states culture and environment.

 

[BDub]

My people are from there, I've been there a few times, and it feels like home. I think its beautiful, the folks are friendly, and the small towns are lovely. I'd be fine in Bardstown, E-town, Leitchfield, etc, etc. My paternal grandfather was a coal miner in Evarts during the winter of 1929-30 Harlan county coal wars. I think that's why he subsequently became a Methodist minister - far more conducive to staying alive on multiple levels! I've been there too - lovely country, but I'm not sure I could live there, its still pretty scary!

Only downside: Snow!

I live in Bowling Green, KY now. I have moved several places (mostly in the South) for work and I have lived in much worse places. The weather here is not terrible, (there are actually 4 seasons) you can expect at least one snow a year with some accumulation. BG is a large enough town there is plenty to do but still not terrible to get around in. Whatever BG lacks is easy enough to find 1hr. away in Nashville. I am less than 4 hrs. from Windrock, Hawk Pride, Land Between the Lakes and there are a few local places to ride here in Rocky Ridge and Blue Holler that I can drive to the trial, wheel and drive home. I'll be retiring in the next year and we are headed back to North Alabama (Florence) although BG reminds me a lot of minus the TN River.

 

[Zorba]

I live in Bowling Green, KY now. I have moved several places (mostly in the South) for work and I have lived in much worse places. The weather here is not terrible, (there are actually 4 seasons) you can expect at least one snow a year with some accumulation. BG is a large enough town there is plenty to do but still not terrible to get around in. Whatever BG lacks is easy enough to find 1hr. away in Nashville. I am less than 4 hrs. from Windrock, Hawk Pride, Land Between the Lakes and there are a few local places to ride here in Rocky Ridge and Blue Holler that I can drive to the trial, wheel and drive home. I'll be retiring in the next year and we are headed back to North Alabama (Florence) although BG reminds me a lot of minus the TN River.

Do they salt the roads in KY?

 

[BDub]

Do they salt the roads in KY?

Here they will put down brine before any solid prediction of snow/ice and there is snow removal equipment. The last snow/ice event we had it took them several days to clear the non-major roads but that was mostly due to the ice accumulation.

 

[06TJ35's]

I heard Utah is really nice also Sedona, Az

 

[Westtown Willy]

 

[John Cooper]

Alabama is full, sorry we just don't have room...........

 

[suicideking]

AZ, NV, or UT is what I'd pick from your list. UT and AZ have some great wheeling. NV has good gambling (I'm a Poker player). Plus if you live maybe 30 min away from Vegas or another well populated area, you can go there for entertainment, food, etc.

I've never lived anywhere but CA. I've always been tempted by NV, though summers are nasty. Probably the same in AZ.

We just moved in July and I'm hoping to stay in our current home as long as possible. Though we have 3 kids. So if the kids move away at some point, or if say only one has grandkids and moves, we would possibly follow.

 

[Apparition]

Based on your requirements, something like this.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/...ssage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

 

[Zorba]

NV has good gambling (I'm a Poker player).

Just remember, a Smith & Wesson beats 4 aces!

 

[KennethS]

I heard Utah is really nice also Sedona, Az

Sedona is nice if you have a million or so.