Comments on: Live Work Dream: Our List of Small, Liveable Western Towns.

By: Rene

Rene — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:43:08 +0000

Becca…yes, we are from Humboldt County, land of the drive-thru trees. I agree, the scenery is stunning. But the reason it’s so stunning is that it’s wet, grey cold and foggy there on the coast, for most of the year. Living under the clouds all year drove me nuts, I have to find somewhere with a real summer. Jim could take it or leave it, but since he would have to hear my continued complaining all year long if we stayed in Humboldt, he would prefer that we live somewhere with weather we both like.

By: Becca

Becca — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:19:24 +0000

Just reading this now–Aren’t you from Redwood territory? Stay there! Prettiest part of the country, if you ask me (I’m from NYC).

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:04:56 +0000

Great to read. Love reading different peoples perspectives on small mountain towns. Did you go through Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington? I moved away from the east coast 12 years ago and have been back quite a bit this year due to family. I went up to Vermont to reacquaint myself and to see if I could ever live there. I think it would be hard for anyone after living west for a long period of time. I did love the Mad River Valley though. great area and close enough to Burlington for a city fix. I have lived in the Jackson Hole area for quite a while and love the Victor/Driggs area. McCall, Idaho is another one to check out too! It takes some compromising wherever you choose and everyone’s choice of paradise is unique to themselves … beautiful, small town, real community with endless outdoor recreational opportunities works for me …

By: Rene

Rene — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:23:20 +0000

Hey Hitek, I was hoping nobody would notice we didn’t have pics of Pie Town. Our old camera died that day. It was a bummer, man.

I think you’ll LOVE the West. Yep, there are places where the only vegetation is a tumbleweed, but it’s not all like that. Just wait!

But yes, the growing season in the northern states is really short. being from California, I took year round fresh produce for granted. Didn’t realize that once you get out of Cali, all of that is a real luxury come winter.

As for the Pacific Northwest, it’s a beautiful, solitary place, but one that I got tired of living in because of the constant drizzle and overcast days.

The Appalachians are definitely pretty, in their own way, and much much different than the western mountains.

We could give the East a chance, if something great came along. Jim’s sister is in upstate New York, and we absolutely loved Vermont. But it would have to be something really spectacular to get us there.

We aren’t planning on stopping anytime soon, just keeping our options open in case we run into the “perfect” place we want to stop. So far we’re planning on being on the road until at least next summer of ‘09, doing workamping here and there to support it.

Thanks for asking!

By: Hitekhomeless (jenn)

Hitekhomeless (jenn) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:16:56 +0000

No pictures of Pie Town? Haven’t they invented photography there yet?

Thanks for the excellent article on the areas out west. I really want to get out there. I have spent all of my life on the east coast except for a few trips out west with the folks in the motor home during my youth. There’s a lot to see and tons of beautiful landscapes. We are heading out there next summer.

I don’t think I could ever live there, though. I imagine it being mostly void of trees, water, and grasses. I know it isn’t all that way, but that’s just the image that come to mind. I know that places like Wyoming aren’t that way, but they are so cold (I am from Florida) and the growing season is so short. I am hoping that Colorado and Oregon will change my perspective of the West. From what I have heard and seen, I wont ever want to leave the Pacific Northwest once I get there.

I think you should give the East coast another chance. Its not as crowded as you might think. There are plenty of wide open spaces here. Its just that none of them are on the coast. The coast is completely inhabited. Next time you are in Florida, try driving 441. However, depending on your perspective, it might be a little depressing.

As far as I am concerned (so far), the Appalachians are about as pretty as it gets. I still have a lot to see though, and they are ant hills compared to the Rockies.

Best of luck on finding “The Place” for you guys. Does this mean that you are already planning on getting off the road?!

By: Rene

Rene — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:30:29 +0000

Oooooh, nice area, Henry. I’m jealous! Ok, if you hear of anything good at a decent price, you know who to contact.

By: Henry Ferguson

Henry Ferguson — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:36:56 +0000

We live in Camp Connell on highway 4 about 8 miles east of Arnold. We do get the 4 seasons. Not that cold in winter but as we are at 5,000 foot elevation we can get a lot of snow. Housing prices in our area and most of Ca have been dropping like a rock.

By: Rene

Rene — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:49:18 +0000

Thanks Susan! Yeah, we’re interested in Colorado, but we would go back to Humboldt in a heartbeat if we could afford the kind of land that we want. I looked at the link to the Inn (know exactly where it’s at), and I think they are smoking CRACK to ask that much money, for a location that is hard to get to, not to mention what gas will cost to get there.

Every time I check out real estate in Humboldt, I am discouraged at the prices that I see.

By: Susan Fox

Susan Fox — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:21:07 +0000

It looks like you’re really interested in Colorado, but I just found this on the Humboldt County Craigslist. It’s for sale and looks pretty nice, so I thought I’d send the link. Sure be nice and warm in the summer.

http://www.klamathriverresortinn.com/

By: Rene

Rene — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:19:08 +0000

Hey Henry, don’t get me wrong, I do love the Sierras, a lot. What town do you live in? I have a crazy aunt that lives in Markleeville too. I’m jealous of your location, as we would love to live there but can’t afford the real estate.

The Sierras are indeed spectacular, and just as beautiful. Trees are bigger there too. We just got used to seeing the toothpicks that pass as trees in the rest of country!

Still though, the mountains in Colorado, in my opinion, just seem more dramatic to me, I don’t know why. Maybe a visit to CA is in order so we can remember what we left behind last year.