Researching the place to spend the remainder of your days takes effort. This isn’t the short list, but it is a list of sorts. I’ve eliminated some spots from the list because the price of land is too dear, the climate doesn’t appeal enough or for a number of reasons, they didn’t make the cut. There are places such as Minden, NV that are on the list but I’ve been there enough that it doesn’t need to be added to the search routine. The same could be said of Lake City, but I’m going to be in the neighborhood, thus it’s back on the check-out list.
Questa, New Mexico
Happy Jack, Arizona
Pine, Arizona
Show Low, Arizona
South Fork, Colorado
Lake City, Colorado
All these places have real potential, but as we all age, we need to have medical care a reasonable distance from the ranch. The closest hospital to Happy Jack is Flagstaff, AZ. All of these locations have similar issues. The answer is not to get sick…or old.
You’ll note that all of the black sites have altitude, dry air and are located in communities where being armed is not a problem. They also have places where you can wet a canoe. Each has the potential of a large enough plot of land to serve my general needs for privacy, security, space for a nice workshop and quiet.
None of them are located in ‘progressive’ areas.
None of them are populated by inner city people.
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| Blue Ridge Reservoir, near Happy Jack |
Happy Jack, Arizona is featured today on Virtual Mirage. It’s located equidistantly between Flagstaff, Winslow (where you can stand on the corner) and Camp Verde. Land is not expensive and its up on the Mogollon Rim (pronounced Mog-ee-own Rim). There are a lot of deer, elk, bear, lions, foxes, lynx and bobcat and so forth. As far as I know there aren’t any wolves, but with the forrest service re-populating wolves, who knows how long that will remain the case?
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| Happy Jack |
42.3 % of Arizona belongs to the federal government. Another high percentage is made up of Indian reservations. Arizona grew up differently than Texas did, flat land with sections being given to homesteaders. (USGOV owns 1.8% of the land in Texas, distributed through 13 National Parks). So the vibe is different in the west than it is in the plains states. All of the western states have that same characteristic. California is 47.7% USGOV land and Nevada is 81.1% owned by the people, which is to say, USGOV.
The Happy Jack area is forested by ponderosa pines, pinion pines and cedars. The lots are almost all 5 acres, with more land available to those with the bankroll and the ambition to tend it.
Excellent! Will be following this with much interest. Utah has some delightful rocky, sandy places as well.
You just like Questa because there are snow bunnies nearby and good food in Taos, and I don't blame you. I used to live around there, and so did blogger buddy Solaratov, for a time, after he got back from Vietnam. But not at the same time. He's got some interesting stories about that time I'll have to tell you later.
Happy Jack is not too far from my old stomping grounds in Sedona. Lovely area.
I think you could be a happy Jack in Happy Jack. Looks like the kind of place that serenity and dreams are made of. American places have such lovely names.
Happy Jack looks nice and if you get miserable you can always while away the time making jokes about the name, "Hey, welcome to Not So Happy Jack," etc.
I've never been out west. It's somewhere I'd love to visit before my bones start to creak in noticeable fashion.
Just stop growing old LL. Old age sucks.
And Happy Jack is a lovely place, though Show Low has a WalMart.
Purty. 🙂 And I guess we're dogfood over here in Texas… sigh
Happy Jack offers some interesting and affordable options.
Correct on both counts.
Texas is a long drive from grandkids.
It's all about serenity.
Both Show low and Pine would be better choices as far as services like healthcare are concerned…both are nice areas, though Show low can be a little sparse on trees.
bobbookworm
Have you queried the author Larry Correia? He's from Utah, and just bought a new place away from what he's used to. (Look for him on FB, he posted pictures) Maybe a long shot, but his search for his new place might hold some leads for you.
AZ is too dry…but also too affordable to not consider. I want to go to the Pacific Northwest. Greener. You can still have and buy guns (its all relative). Seattle and Portland (and Salem, and Tacoma, and Eugene…) are building destructive Socialist paradises that will not be able to sustain themselves. Spokane? Coeur d'Alene?
Spokane and Coeur d'Alene are too far from grandchildren. And before you have a grundle of grandchildren, those decisions are easier. North Idaho and Eastern Washington are both nice areas.
I'll check that out. Thanks!
There is a way to abruptly keep from getting older… but that's a last resort.
After 20 years in Phoenix Az we bailed and moved to the southern Oregon coast…low population density…mild climate…prop taxes not bad for Oregon…still effected by the moonbats at the state level but not too badly…land more expensive than AZ but some bargains if you are patient…water and game abundant…you're welcome any time.
bobbookworm
The place that speaks to you of home, and is close enough that the grandkids can visit more often than not, will show up the minute you quit looking.
First priority is water. Your own supply under your control is best. The Alamosa area (San Luis Valley) is a prime example of where not to buy.
I did see a satellite view and there was snow. That could mean water in the ground for your needs. My step mother lived in Camp Verde for about 20 years and I wouldn't pick it because of the heat.
Come live with me in Post Falls. Coeur d' Alene is getting too crowded, but then Post Falls is growing like crazy. Spokane is quickly going downhill.
I know that drill… Don't do it.
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