Thoughts on moving

[fatelk]

I've been giving thought to making a move for a couple years now, and it seems that life has been pushing us in that direction more and more lately. I thought I'd see what kind of thoughts you all had on various regions of the country.

My wife and I have both lived our whole lives in the Pacific Northwest, coming up on the half-century mark in the not-too-distant future. We have four kids, teens and younger. Moving is a big deal, a massive undertaking and not something we take lightly. In fact, the very thought makes me sick to my stomach, I hate the idea that much. For various reasons though, it feels like it's the right thing to do at this time. We're considering Idaho and South Dakota at this time. There's a job opening in Yankton, SD that I'm looking at right now. I have a lot of family within a couple hours of there, which would be nice.

We're open to other options, but the left and east coast are out for us. I don't think we'd care to live in the South or Northeast either. I also need to find the right job. My wife has some health issues so at this time we're a single income family and can't afford much of a pay decrease. Industrial operations and maintenance is where my experience is, chemicals and electronics. Right now I have an easy job that I'm comfortable with, seniority and lots of time off, easy commute and flexible hours, 20 years worth of friends and contacts in the company and the industry. Yeah, hard to give up in many ways, but it is time. We also love the Northwest, the coast and the mountains, but the insane politics have taken over here completely now, as well as a high cost of living. I'm not so sure it's the best area to raise our kids anymore.

I'm just looking for some general thoughts, pros and cons on different regions. Anyone near Yankton?

[Winger Ed.]

Sounds like you'll be moving to South Dakota.

[Idaho45guy]

I hear you. I grew up in the Northwest, though on the other side of the state. I have lived in Iowa, about three hours from the Yankton area. I have also lived in Arizona, Tennessee, California, Boise, ID, Whidbey Island, WA, and Kauai, HI.

My folks are retired and winter at their home in Yuma, AZ. I just spent two weeks on vacation down in Yuma and seriously considered moving there.

Now, I have lived a fair number of places in the US and the absolute worst, most miserable, cursed place I have ever lived was in Iowa. There are some very fine folks in Iowa. Probably at least a dozen or so. But their culture, their weather, their ecosystems, are just the most awful I've ever experienced.

The culture... Lots of moderate to Socialist thinking out there, largely due to union influence and agriculture. They live off of government subsidies and are very comfortable with Uncle Sam taking care of them. So, they are moderate in views of gun control, taxes, personal freedoms, etc. Elmer Fudd was an Iowan, guaranteed. If you are not from there, they are very tribalistic and will stab you in the back or spread false rumors about you.

Weirdest thing I ever saw was how nice and sweet those people appeared to be, and then witness them say absolute lies about you and then stab you in the back. Just awful. My neighbors told people I was a drug dealer because I drove a new Nissan Sentra. My wife was a lesbian because she hung out with a woman with short hair. Just the most ignorant people I have ever encountered. Except for Hawaiians. Hawaiians are darker and fatter Iowans, lol.

The weather. Lordy, the weather is something to behold. If you thought the wet and overcast mild weather on the Westside of Washington is bad (which it is) then you have not idea what you are in for with the weather in the Yankton area. In the Winter, it is cold. Bone-chilling cold down in the negative temps. And with the wind, it can be deadly cold for weeks.

In the summer, you get temps mostly in the 80's, a few days in the 90's. The record high was in 1936 at 116 degrees. But it's not the heat that hits you, it's the humidity. The humidity is just awful. It might not be as bad up in Yankton, which is showing around 80% humidity, but I remember doing roof work in Iowa in July in 98 degree weather and 98% humidity. Had to take one of the guys on our crew to the ER. Just awful, stifling weather.

And don't forget the tornados. Nothing like having your home, possessions, and family ripped away from you in minutes seemingly randomly.

https://www.homefacts.com/tornadoes/South-Dakota/Yankton-County/Yankton.html#:~:text=Yankton%2C%20SD%20is%20a%20Ve ry%20High%20Risk%20area,has%20occured%20within%203 0%20miles%20of%20the%20location.

Yankton, SD is a Very High Risk area for tornados. According to records, the largest tornado in the Yankton area was an F4 in 1965 that caused 53 injuries and 4 deaths. *Tornado risk is calculated from the destruction path that has occured within 30 miles of the location.

Now, if you find a place in the country that seems too good to be true; acreage, nice house, big shop, not too far on gravel, under $200k... Like this one...

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/44575-Chris-Rd-Mission-Hill-SD-57046/306637183_zpid/

Then you better do a search of the area for hog confinement facilities. You get one of those within a few miles of your place, and in the summer, when the wind blows the right direction, it can ruin your life. And even in there isn't one in the area, the homeowner may have gotten word from his cousin in the the county Planning & Zoning board, that a new facility is being planned a quarter mile away and is going to sell ASAP before his home value plummets.

Seems Yankton has seen a huge surge in the number of hog confinements being built in the region...

https://www.keloland.com/news/eye-on-keloland/hog-confinements-in-yankton-county/

Yeah, of all the places in the US, that area in Yankton and in 500 miles around it, is just not attractive at all after having lived there for several years.

[dverna]

Why are you moving? What are you trying to leave? Seems you have a good job and tenure, friends and family.

Most people would feel blessed but you want the BBG...Bigger, Better Deal. Identify what that is or you may regret it.

Old Finnish saying...."Be careful what you wish for...you may get it"

[remy3424]

If you come to SD, prepare for cold winters, yep you get extremes. It you don't like the weather, no worries, it will be different in a day or 2. For activities, I hope you like to fish and hunt....can't see leaving the midwest. Idaho, is being overly dramatic, he doesn't make friends easily.

[Teddy (punchie)]

I'm not saying don't move but I'm saying is the same as Dverna.

Family, schools, work, Safety, and sounds like your looking. If you have a job you hate it is rough. For years I was put through BS at work and for years I sat and watched them step over me for high paying job. 7 mile commute to work and I did my job and union did very little. Some of the things I dealt now I would have a mayor law suit and still can if I would press the issue.

Now I have years above most 3 from the top work as a worker and lead the group into all kinds for extra work. I make sure everyone is treated fair, union grievance person and vicepres. Head Custodian worked and unGodly amount of OT last few years setting pension. Health was bad a few years ago too much heavy lifting back trouble.
I have to watch and stretch often and on meds.

Last year they offered me head custodian over three buildings, it's not fair to the union or fair to the workers for me to have taking that job. Too many hours of drama and no time to fix and take care of the small things, and find work to do (things that need attention) and get done in a timely fashion.

Make a list of pros and cons.

Family can be a big one. Safety, Job, Church and play time things you enjoy are others to look at. Travel time to and from work, even a half hour is rough if you work 10-12 hours. I'm blesses I travel 1 mile to work, I have almost no complaints, 1200 students 120 support staff and all kinds or sports. I'm lucky if I hear 3-5 complaints in a year. I make good money, health care is the huge plus, retirement is great plan these are the reason I took all the BS for all those years. I have very little pressure from the top. I work hard and ask my people to stay busy. I explain to them that I can help you or baby set you and walk around with a clipboard. Up to you.

Hope I enlighten your thinking of how rough it can be to hate your job. I pray you find comfort in what you looking into.

Be Safe!!

Teddy

[reloader28]

I hear you. I grew up in the Northwest, though on the other side of the state. I have lived in Iowa, about three hours from the Yankton area. I have also lived in Arizona, Tennessee, California, Boise, ID, Whidbey Island, WA, and Kauai, HI.

My folks are retired and winter at their home in Yuma, AZ. I just spent two weeks on vacation down in Yuma and seriously considered moving there.

Now, I have lived a fair number of places in the US and the absolute worst, most miserable, cursed place I have ever lived was in Iowa. There are some very fine folks in Iowa. Probably at least a dozen or so. But their culture, their weather, their ecosystems, are just the most awful I've ever experienced.

The culture... Lots of moderate to Socialist thinking out there, largely due to union influence and agriculture. They live off of government subsidies and are very comfortable with Uncle Sam taking care of them. So, they are moderate in views of gun control, taxes, personal freedoms, etc. Elmer Fudd was an Iowan, guaranteed. If you are not from there, they are very tribalistic and will stab you in the back or spread false rumors about you.

Weirdest thing I ever saw was how nice and sweet those people appeared to be, and then witness them say absolute lies about you and then stab you in the back. Just awful. My neighbors told people I was a drug dealer because I drove a new Nissan Sentra. My wife was a lesbian because she hung out with a woman with short hair. Just the most ignorant people I have ever encountered. Except for Hawaiians. Hawaiians are darker and fatter Iowans, lol.

The weather. Lordy, the weather is something to behold. If you thought the wet and overcast mild weather on the Westside of Washington is bad (which it is) then you have not idea what you are in for with the weather in the Yankton area. In the Winter, it is cold. Bone-chilling cold down in the negative temps. And with the wind, it can be deadly cold for weeks.

In the summer, you get temps mostly in the 80's, a few days in the 90's. The record high was in 1936 at 116 degrees. But it's not the heat that hits you, it's the humidity. The humidity is just awful. It might not be as bad up in Yankton, which is showing around 80% humidity, but I remember doing roof work in Iowa in July in 98 degree weather and 98% humidity. Had to take one of the guys on our crew to the ER. Just awful, stifling weather.

And don't forget the tornados. Nothing like having your home, possessions, and family ripped away from you in minutes seemingly randomly.

https://www.homefacts.com/tornadoes/South-Dakota/Yankton-County/Yankton.html#:~:text=Yankton%2C%20SD%20is%20a%20Ve ry%20High%20Risk%20area,has%20occured%20within%203 0%20miles%20of%20the%20location.

Yankton, SD is a Very High Risk area for tornados. According to records, the largest tornado in the Yankton area was an F4 in 1965 that caused 53 injuries and 4 deaths. *Tornado risk is calculated from the destruction path that has occured within 30 miles of the location.

Now, if you find a place in the country that seems too good to be true; acreage, nice house, big shop, not too far on gravel, under $200k... Like this one...

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/44575-Chris-Rd-Mission-Hill-SD-57046/306637183_zpid/

Then you better do a search of the area for hog confinement facilities. You get one of those within a few miles of your place, and in the summer, when the wind blows the right direction, it can ruin your life. And even in there isn't one in the area, the homeowner may have gotten word from his cousin in the the county Planning & Zoning board, that a new facility is being planned a quarter mile away and is going to sell ASAP before his home value plummets.

Seems Yankton has seen a huge surge in the number of hog confinements being built in the region...

https://www.keloland.com/news/eye-on-keloland/hog-confinements-in-yankton-county/

Yeah, of all the places in the US, that area in Yankton and in 500 miles around it, is just not attractive at all after having lived there for several years.

So are you saying you might not move back???lol

[Shuz]

I have lived from northern Maine to eastern Washington and from Texas to Iowa, and I think the weather and people in far eastern Washington can't be beat.Most folks here are real conservative, however our politics are driven by those liberal fools in King county and Thurston county..Therefore if I was younger, I d move to northern Idaho or western Montana. Same weather just not the liberal outlook.

[rbuck351]

We moved from SE Washington to Alaska in 1983 because of politics and relatives. I retired in 2016 and we moved to western Montana because of weather. We really like it here but I'm retired so I have a decent income. The only issue in the small towns is the lack of decent paying jobs. All the industries are in the few larger cities. I would highly recommend MT if you can find a decent job here.
We still have one dem senator that needs to go. We replaced the dem governor and got a very conservative republican that has been doing the right things. We considered Idaho as well but found the place we liked in Mt. Suggesting to the wife that we move again would get me fired not that I would even consider it.

[Battis]

My wife and I just had the same discussion (well, it finally calmed down to a discussion) a few days ago. We live in MA, but it's a good part of the state, on the NH border. I don't like the politics - even with a so-called Republican governor. The gun laws suck but I have all the guns I want. The house is paid off and worth alot more than what we paid in 1983. I want to go to northern NH, or South Dakota. She doesn't want to go as far as I do - family, friends, etc. She's afraid we'll move way up north and I'll croak, leaving her alone. Good point. I am in God's On Deck circle.
Bottom line - I think we're staying put.

[gpidaho]

Idaho is my home and always will be. It's a beautiful state and gun friendly as any state in the union. That said, I was surprised and impressed on my visit to South Dakota at the beauty there. Spearfish canyon and the Black Hills are something to see. If ever I had to move from home it would be to South Dakota. Before you get serious about moving here or there check the prices of real estate. What with all the LoCal folks moving up here prices have gone out of sight. Gp

[Shuz]

We moved from SE Washington to Alaska in 1983 because of politics and relatives. I retired in 2016 and we moved to western Montana because of weather. We really like it here but I'm retired so I have a decent income. The only issue in the small towns is the lack of decent paying jobs. All the industries are in the few larger cities. I would highly recommend MT if you can find a decent job here.
We still have one dem senator that needs to go. We replaced the dem governor and got a very conservative republican that has been doing the right things. We considered Idaho as well but found the place we liked in Mt. Suggesting to the wife that we move again would get me fired not that I would even consider it.

rbuck351--How ironic, you moved to a town that's name means "I have found it"!

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I've been retired (the 2nd time) for 16 years now, and moved twice, both times within Oregon. You're right about the politics--very bad, especially right now with the big push for anti-gun legislation. But, there's that old saying, "Better the devil you know than the one you don't." Even after 7 tries they haven't been able to push through a sales tax, and if you live rurally the property taxes still aren't bad. Is gasoline and food higher than other places? I'm thinking probably not, especially without having to pay sales tax. I think your job situation, as you've described it, would be enough to keep me here at least until retirement. Anyway, hate to see you go....if and when it happens don't forget your friends on the CB Forum.

DG

[fatelk]

Why are you moving? What are you trying to leave? Seems you have a good job and tenure, friends and family.

Most people would feel blessed but you want the BBG...Bigger, Better Deal. Identify what that is or you may regret it.

Old Finnish saying...."Be careful what you wish for...you may get it"

You've got me wrong on that. I was identifying the good things we have here, but there are reasons we're considering a move, and it's definitely not for anything bigger or better. My needs in life are simple. I drive a truck that I bought used 20 years ago, and am fine with it. Our house is modest, and we like it. We've never had any kind of need for fancy cars or houses, or any of the "finer things in life". We live modestly and are comfortable with that.

My job is good, in many ways. It was a HECK of a lot better a few short years ago. My company of nearly two decades, a big multi-national corporation that lives in the big industry world, was great to work for. They had large-industry benefits and mindset, hired the best people and took care of them. Several years ago they bought a smaller U.S. corporation (still huge in the U.S.), kept them as a separate, owned company, and gave about half of their U.S. operation (including us) to them to run under their banner. Wow, what a culture shock! They live in the retail world, and treat their people accordingly. Our benefits went from great to lousy. Cost of insurance for my family increased dramatically, for less coverage. My take-home is less than it was 3 years ago, and my wage has increased. And now my boss, a great guy who is awesome to work for, is retiring, and I have some serious worries about who will replace him.

That's my job situation in a nutshell. There are many positives, but it's been going downhill. Geographic location is a similar mix. We love the Northwest, but are growing concerned whether it's the best place for our kids to grow up and settle in. We're about an hour from Portland, and I think most everyone has heard of Portland. Our rural, agricultural county isn't bad, but it is changing. Property taxes are crazy. House prices are insane; our house is worth double what we paid a few years ago. We could make out very well moving to somewhere with cheaper housing. I could buy a decent house in South Dakota with just the equity we have in our place here.


If you come to SD, prepare for cold winters, yep you get extremes. It you don't like the weather, no worries, it will be different in a day or 2. For activities, I hope you like to fish and hunt....can't see leaving the midwest.
I am worried about the cold. My wife has never spent any time at all in her life anywhere colder than here, where we see temperatures below freezing a few times in the winter, and very rarely any snow. My kids would probably like the snow, for a while at least. It's a novelty here, but I expect it would get old real fast. As to hunting and fishing, I used to hunt when I was younger, until one day I realized that It just wasn't my thing. I didn't enjoy it, so I quit. If you see me hunting ever in the future, it would mean that something went terribly wrong and my family was starving. Nothing against hunting; it's just not for me.

The draw to South Dakota is simply that it appears to be a bit more conservative place to live, with a lower cost of living, and closer to family. We have no family in this area at all, and not a lot of friends. COVID has distanced us even further. Yankton is less than two hours from a whole bunch of family, numerous cousins around the same age, aunts, uncles, and Grandma on the farm. There's something to be said for that, for the kids at least.

There was a beautiful piece of property a ways south of us, what was left of the farm I grew up on, that my dad had mentioned many times in the past would "probably be your inheritance". We went out there every time we were in the area. The kids roamed in the woods and played in the creek just like I did when I was a kid. My wife and I would dream about someday building a house and retiring there. The day after my dad passed away last year, my mom let it be known that she was selling it. She didn't need the money, though she got a lot more for it that I expected, far more than I could have ever afforded. Her reason for selling it was because Oregon is evil, and she doesn't want us to live here. She genuinely believes that in due course the powers that be here will round up and forcibly re-educate or execute all non-woke Oregonians, and she wants to do anything she can to force us to move. OK, that's a big point for NOT moving. Frankly it's absurd and makes me angry, but she does mean well.

Now I've laid out all the dirty laundry and family goofiness for the world to see on the open internet....

[Idaho45guy]

If you come to SD, prepare for cold winters, yep you get extremes. It you don't like the weather, no worries, it will be different in a day or 2. For activities, I hope you like to fish and hunt....can't see leaving the midwest. Idaho, is being overly dramatic, he doesn't make friends easily.

Fishing and hunting? Iowa is a joke. You have big deer, but you have to have grown up there in order to get permission from a farmer to hunt his land, and they are figuring out that they can charge big money to get to the big bucks. Same with pheasant. If you enjoy fishing largely brown and smelly rivers and lakes due to all of the pesticides used on the corn fields, then go for it. I ate a fish I caught in Iowa, once. Once. Tasted like mud and hog feces.

Sure, there are some great trout streams over in Northeast Iowa, but the majority of state is gross water.

Closure of public beaches is common due to massive E. Coli outbreaks...

https://iowastartingline.com/2019/08/15/iowa-water-crisis-worsening-major-beach-closed-due-to-blue-green-algae/

And just like all the rest of the passive-aggressive Iowans I encountered, you go straight for the personal attacks rather than try to discuss facts.

I moved there from a small farming town in Idaho, with two small kids and a wife that grew up in Iowa. Our kids were in the local public school in Idaho, in a town of 1100. They loved it. We loved it. We had a ton of friends and hosted parties at our place all the time. When we left, they threw us a party at the town park, since there were too many people for a yard.

We arrived in Eldora, IA, a small farming town of around 3000. I worked in Des Moines as an insurance claims rep. I was supposed to work from home, as promised when I accepted the job, but when I got there, they said they re-structured and the position was gone. I had to commute 50 miles one way in the Chevy 2wd pickup I brought with me from Idaho. I discovered that was not working, so bought a new Nissan Sentra.

Soon, the kids started having issues. They were being bullied by the local kids in school because they were outsiders. My wife and I went in and spoke with the teachers. We were told it was no big deal for our kids to be bullied, since they were from out of town, and foul language was just to be expected since the parents were all white trash NASCAR fans.

We had to pull our kids out of school and enroll them in a private Christian school, it got so bad.

Seriously, Iowa is like a weird Twilight-Zone area where outsiders are not welcome and the residents are in a serious state of denial of reality. You really have to live there to fully experience it.

[Burnt Fingers]

I was born in Idaho and spent 18 years there. Follow that with 9 years in eastern Washington, then 25 years in Oregon.

For me heaven is North Texas. Sure it gets hot during the summer, but that's why we have AC. The cost of living is much less here than it was in Multnomah county, the people are friendlier, the food is better, and it's beautiful here.

If you want the hills and pine trees look in the Tyler Texas area.

[FLINTNFIRE]

Ah the discussion on sales tax , well in the years I have worked at my employer no one has moved to Oregon for less taxes , but a lot have moved from Oregon to Washington for tax savings , may have a sales tax but the income tax hits them harder they all say .

As to the debate about the counties around the sound and their influence there is no doubt , but look at Spokane and around the tri cities at the voting there , just about the same now .

I like the area I live in , hate the politics , and the continual buildup of the cities as they decide a hour drive is nothing to what they were used to .

Only you can decide if the area and the move is worth it .

[Idaho45guy]

I love the area I grew up in, but it is deteriorating like most places where Californians are flooding into. Median income is under $30k, but the average home price is $330k. That's not right.

Californians have moved in and bought up all the land and homes. Guess how many homes are on the market in my hometown? Town of 25,000.

Twelve. Guess how many are single family stick-built homes for under $300k? Zero. How many are for sale in the same size town in Washington 8 miles away? Forty-two. When I moved back here from Arizona in 2012, I couldn't find a house I could afford, which was $130k or less. I ended up buying a house in a small town in Washington 15 miles away. Six months after buying it, Washington started passing anti-gun laws and has become even more anti-gun with each election.

My girlfriend and I were thinking about getting married and we both make about $55k a year. Even with both of our incomes, we couldn't afford to buy a home in Idaho. It's crazy.

So we are looking at Arizona. I initially said no way would I live in Yuma, since the summers are unbearably hot, and I have my brother and parents in North Idaho, sister in Southern Idaho, and kids/grandkids over in the Seattle area. Everyone is within a day's drive.

But, my folks are about to go year-round living in Yuma, and this was my dad's reasoning. First, the Idaho house has increased in value so much lately that their property taxes are more than the mortgage on their Arizona house. Idaho house is approaching $1 million in value. Property has been in the family for four generations, but none of the kids can afford to inherit it.

Second, the weather just needs a different perspective. My stepdad is very susceptible to the cold. If it gets below 50 degrees, he has to wear gloves and bundle up. He pointed out that where we live now, you have 4 months of nice weather. June, July, August, and September. But, most of the second half of July and first half of August is extremely smoky from wildfires, so maybe a good three months of being able to enjoy the outdoors without bitter cold or rain or snow.

The other 9 months, it is mostly dreary gray skies, cold, windy, rainy, or snowy. This was my view on my way to work a week ago...

280779

In Yuma, my dad said it gets really hot for about 3 months. July, August, and September. During those months, it will get well over 100 nearly every day. Temps of 118 to 120 are not uncommon. He said he has talked with his neighbors that are year-round residents and they said they just get up earlier in the day to exercise or do yard work, or whatever needs to be done outside. They stay in the house with the AC on, or sit out on the patio with the misters on and a fan and it's not too bad.

So, he said do you want 9 months of beautiful, sunny weather in Arizona, or 9 months of crappy, depressing weather in the Northwest?

It was an interesting way to look at it.

[dverna]

Fatelk,

All families have goofiness...lol.

As to dealing with winter, it can be very difficult for some folks so bear that in mind. I was born in Canada and live in Northern MI and do not mind it at all. But I am not “normal”...lol. Two years ago we had 18” of snow in two days in the middle of April!

Good luck with finding the right place to call home.

[Edward]

You've got me wrong on that. I was identifying the good things we have here, but there are reasons we're considering a move, and it's definitely not for anything bigger or better. My needs in life are simple. I drive a truck that I bought used 20 years ago, and am fine with it. Our house is modest, and we like it. We've never had any kind of need for fancy cars or houses, or any of the "finer things in life". We live modestly and are comfortable with that.

My job is good, in many ways. It was a HECK of a lot better a few short years ago. My company of nearly two decades, a big multi-national corporation that lives in the big industry world, was great to work for. They had large-industry benefits and mindset, hired the best people and took care of them. Several years ago they bought a smaller U.S. corporation (still huge in the U.S.), kept them as a separate, owned company, and gave about half of their U.S. operation (including us) to them to run under their banner. Wow, what a culture shock! They live in the retail world, and treat their people accordingly. Our benefits went from great to lousy. Cost of insurance for my family increased dramatically, for less coverage. My take-home is less than it was 3 years ago, and my wage has increased. And now my boss, a great guy who is awesome to work for, is retiring, and I have some serious worries about who will replace him.

That's my job situation in a nutshell. There are many positives, but it's been going downhill. Geographic location is a similar mix. We love the Northwest, but are growing concerned whether it's the best place for our kids to grow up and settle in. We're about an hour from Portland, and I think most everyone has heard of Portland. Our rural, agricultural county isn't bad, but it is changing. Property taxes are crazy. House prices are insane; our house is worth double what we paid a few years ago. We could make out very well moving to somewhere with cheaper housing. I could buy a decent house in South Dakota with just the equity we have in our place here.


I am worried about the cold. My wife has never spent any time at all in her life anywhere colder than here, where we see temperatures below freezing a few times in the winter, and very rarely any snow. My kids would probably like the snow, for a while at least. It's a novelty here, but I expect it would get old real fast. As to hunting and fishing, I used to hunt when I was younger, until one day I realized that It just wasn't my thing. I didn't enjoy it, so I quit. If you see me hunting ever in the future, it would mean that something went terribly wrong and my family was starving. Nothing against hunting; it's just not for me.

The draw to South Dakota is simply that it appears to be a bit more conservative place to live, with a lower cost of living, and closer to family. We have no family in this area at all, and not a lot of friends. COVID has distanced us even further. Yankton is less than two hours from a whole bunch of family, numerous cousins around the same age, aunts, uncles, and Grandma on the farm. There's something to be said for that, for the kids at least.

There was a beautiful piece of property a ways south of us, what was left of the farm I grew up on, that my dad had mentioned many times in the past would "probably be your inheritance". We went out there every time we were in the area. The kids roamed in the woods and played in the creek just like I did when I was a kid. My wife and I would dream about someday building a house and retiring there. The day after my dad passed away last year, my mom let it be known that she was selling it. She didn't need the money, though she got a lot more for it that I expected, far more than I could have ever afforded. Her reason for selling it was because Oregon is evil, and she doesn't want us to live here. She genuinely believes that in due course the powers that be here will round up and forcibly re-educate or execute all non-woke Oregonians, and she wants to do anything she can to force us to move. OK, that's a big point for NOT moving. Frankly it's absurd and makes me angry, but she does mean well.

Now I've laid out all the dirty laundry and family goofiness for the world to see on the open internet....

Might make you angry but moms are usually right and yours for sure knows what's up . Probably been around the block and learned a lot of life's lessons ,admit your wrong thank mom and go for it !!!!!!!!!/Ed

[reddog81]

We arrived in Eldora, IA, a small farming town of around 3000. I worked in Des Moines as an insurance claims rep. I was supposed to work from home, as promised when I accepted the job, but when I got there, they said they re-structured and the position was gone. I had to commute 50 miles one way in the Chevy 2wd pickup I brought with me from Idaho. I discovered that was not working, so bought a new Nissan Sentra.

Soon, the kids started having issues. They were being bullied by the local kids in school because they were outsiders. My wife and I went in and spoke with the teachers. We were told it was no big deal for our kids to be bullied, since they were from out of town, and foul language was just to be expected since the parents were all white trash NASCAR fans.

We had to pull our kids out of school and enroll them in a private Christian school, it got so bad.

Seriously, Iowa is like a weird Twilight-Zone area where outsiders are not welcome and the residents are in a serious state of denial of reality. You really have to live there to fully experience it.

There are many small communities in Iowa that think they are the center of the universe. It’s common for people to have multiple generations that all live in the same small town. If you aren’t from the same podunk town you are at least 2 notches lower on social status than them. These people are so oblivious to the rest of the world it’s amazing. The larger cities in Iowa are generally more welcoming, or at least people won’t go out of their way to make someone feel unwelcome.

[Idaho45guy]

There are many small communities in Iowa that think they are the center of the universe. It’s common for people to have multiple generations that all live in the same small town. If you aren’t from the same podunk town you are at least 2 notches lower on social status than them. These people are so oblivious to the rest of the world it’s amazing. The larger cities in Iowa are generally more welcoming, or at least people won’t go out of their way to make someone feel unwelcome.

Yep. Worked in Des Moines in an insurance company and got along great with co-workers. Worked in Pella at both a convenience store and as a Christian radio DJ and couldn't believe the backstabbing hypocrisy. Lived in Grinnell, Marshalltown, and Eldora over a decade or so and met some great folks. But also saw some pretty messed up behavior and cognitive dissonance and denial of reality on a level I'd never imagined. Mainly Marshalltown and the meat packing plant situation. Crazy.

[Huskerguy]

I've been giving thought to making a move for a couple years now, and it seems that life has been pushing us in that direction more and more lately. I thought I'd see what kind of thoughts you all had on various regions of the country.

My wife and I have both lived our whole lives in the Pacific Northwest, coming up on the half-century mark in the not-too-distant future. We have four kids, teens and younger. Moving is a big deal, a massive undertaking and not something we take lightly. In fact, the very thought makes me sick to my stomach, I hate the idea that much. For various reasons though, it feels like it's the right thing to do at this time. We're considering Idaho and South Dakota at this time. There's a job opening in Yankton, SD that I'm looking at right now. I have a lot of family within a couple hours of there, which would be nice.

We're open to other options, but the left and east coast are out for us. I don't think we'd care to live in the South or Northeast either. I also need to find the right job. My wife has some health issues so at this time we're a single income family and can't afford much of a pay decrease. Industrial operations and maintenance is where my experience is, chemicals and electronics. Right now I have an easy job that I'm comfortable with, seniority and lots of time off, easy commute and flexible hours, 20 years worth of friends and contacts in the company and the industry. Yeah, hard to give up in many ways, but it is time. We also love the Northwest, the coast and the mountains, but the insane politics have taken over here completely now, as well as a high cost of living. I'm not so sure it's the best area to raise our kids anymore.

I'm just looking for some general thoughts, pros and cons on different regions. Anyone near Yankton?


I have lived most of my life in Nebraska and Kansas and am now retired in North Central Kansas. Both states made the top 5 WORST states for taxes in Kiplingers. Several years ago, I had a good but not great job teaching at a technical college in NW KS. Got very sick due to a chemical exposure and I had to make some life decisions. Our oldest of two was already gone to college, the second was just a junior and very involved. I dreaded the thought of uprooting my daughter for her senior year so we did not. Best decision we made.

I understand your concern for the state of the state and your job, these things unfortunately happen. I wonder if you would be happy in the cold weather climate. Trust me, it doesn't get better as you get older. Most people "my age" (67) complain more about the cold weather than we use to. Consider that.

Arizona was mentioned, Yuma would be too hot for me but there are many areas of Arizona that are in elevation and are very mild climate wise. I get the itch to move and then I look around at all my stuff, especially reloading and firearm related and think better of it. I am not excited about moving all the lead! ha. But IF I could move, I would consider Tennessee for sure. Taxes are low, some nice rural areas not far from bigger cities. Some of the areas of Arizona would also be on my list. Another free piece of advice, my daughter was looking at Christian Colleges many years ago. She wasn't a fan of cold weather but one college was in Minnesota so we flew up there and visited in January and it was coldest place I had ever been. They had tunnels underground so you didn't have to go outside to get places on campus. She ended up in Arkansas and is still there almost 20 years later. The point is to spend some time at the places you are interested in when it isn't the ideal time of year. Every place has its drawbacks and its near perfect seasons of the year. Also consider what the kids are interested in and how it will affect them. Then consider they won't be home much longer and it will be just the two of you. Ah, the life decisions we are faced with. Best of luck, moving is not fun.

[Markopolo]

the problem with northwest is that you were not Northwest Enough!!! GO North to Alaska...

SD, while being a good state, its completely FLAT. what they call a mountain, most others would call a foothill. and what about the Sheep.... yea, they got frak and frick. but what you need is a real sense of community!!!! some good hunting on many species... them guys there hunt pronghorns, mule deer and some occasional whitetails.. it is the plains... key word being PLAIN.

go North young man, and pick up a homestead of your own.

marko

no part of this post was paid for by any social media group.

[Petrol & Powder]

The problem with living in the conservative part of a liberal state is you are a hostage to the liberals that are in control.

So if you're relocating to escape liberal politics, you have to go to a state that is conservative, not just the conservative part of a liberal state.

Until the idiots took over Virginia, this was an awesome state. As much as I love Virginia, we will never return to our former greatness.

Tennessee has managed to keep their wits and remain logical. West Virginia is normally pretty conservative but they sometimes lean democrat.
East Tennessee is mountainous and very conservative. They have large TVA lakes, access to interstate highways, some urban areas like Knoxville if you need access to services. The weather isn't bad and you can pick how rural you want to be. Tennessee does have a steep sales tax 7% plus whatever the local tax is, so the total is between 8.5% and 9.75%.
Tennessee doesn't tax retirement income and they have relatively low property taxes. The cost of living is fairly low.
Tennessee gasoline tax is 27.4 cents per gallon, which puts them about the middle of the pack.

[bedbugbilly]

It is certainly a hard decision to make for any person to uproot and start over in a new place.

I was born and raised in Michigan - still have a home there but we didn't make it back there last summer because of pandemic - stayed at our place in southern Arizona. I ate mixed emotions about going back to Michigan even for the summer due to the idiot Left Governor and her crooked cronies - but it seems like it is getting that way to a certain extent wherever a person looks.

We love southern Arizona . . . BUT . . like the great state of Texas . . there are so many fleeing the Republic of Kalifornia, Oregon, Washington, etc. and moving here . . . and unfortunately . . . they often bring the same mentality that they ae trying to escape.

I was talking to a fellow the other day who also wants to move from the west coast due to the craziness . . . I told him to wait a few years. With what Biden and his people are allowing at the border . . . I figure it won't be too many years and all the Mexicans and Hondurans, etc. will be in our country and we can all just move to theirs . . clean it up and run it like a true Democracy with a Constitution should be run. Only drawback is that eventually they[ will be wanting to recross the border and move back to "from whence they come".

I feel for you and good luck to you and your family in whatever you decide and just keep the faith that what you are doing is the right thing. Once you decide on a place . . . visit it . . talk with the natives and get a feel for the area . . . then if you decide it's the right move, never look back with regret.

[rbuck351]

Alaska is a really great place to live so long as you are not in the Anchorage area but if you don't like cold forget it. We moved from Walla Walla Wash. in 83 to Nome AK. where you get 9 months of winter and 3 months of spring with a few days of summer spread through the spring. 6 years of that was enough and we moved to the outskirts of Anchorage which was nice for about ten years when they built a huge school in the forest right across the street. Weather in much nicer than Nome and you get about 7/8 months of winter, about 45 days of spring a couple of months of summer some years and another 45 days of fall. 27 years there and the weather and the population boom drove us out. Weather here ranges from a short quite cold (- 20) to quite warm (100 +) but both extremes are short at a week or two. We searched the web for a home in the NW for the last three years before retirement. Yes we found it. Eureka MT. A small town (1200 pop) with about 4000 in a 15 mile or so radius. Very friendly folks, and a very conservative bunch. Our larger cities are more liberal but not bid enough to control the state. We have a progressive income tax topped out at 6.9% but no sales tax. Property tax is less than half what it was in AK. and there are no building codes in Lincoln county. The median income here is under $35,000 which is good for us being retired but not so good if you haven't got one of the few good jobs. Crime here is very low and our schools have not closed for covid. Since we voted out the dem governor, mask mandates are gone, concealed carry without permit starts June 1 and none of the stores we shop at in Eureka require masks. Yep "eureka" we have found it.

[fatelk]

Well, looks like I'll be flying out to SD soon for an in-person interview. It really sounds like the job's mine if I want it. The question is if we really want it.

The location looks great but the job is a little bit of a step down. Financially it looks like it will work out well: lower wage but better benefits to offset that, and I can buy a house there with just the equity I have in my house here.
We hate to leave here, but Oregon is rapidly becoming California. It's heartbreaking to see where this state is going.

The worst part is the timing. This past year has been one of the hardest of my life, with multiple things that I won't get into. I told my wife that this summer was going to be a time for us to recover a bit, relax, spend time as a family, take the kids to the beach, do a little camping. We both feel exhausted and drained of life. I don't know if we have it in us to embark on this kind of thing right now- moving, selling our house, buying another, starting a new job, settling in a new town. I get tired just thinking about it.

[bakerjw]

I grew up in Illinois which is a collapsing state ruled by the overlords in Chicago. Much of it is like Ioway. Flat, muddy rivers. People were decent though.
THEN, I fled to Tennessee!!! Great political climate. Great roads. Clean rivers and lakes for the most part. And good people.

If I were to move from here, it'd be to Montana. Almost exactly like Tennessee except for bigger mountains and friendlier bears.

[35isit]

Try Kentucky. Despite King Andy the Governor our legislature is controlled by the correct side. Plenty of industrial jobs. Even those in Louisville and Lexington our liberal cities you can live in a neighboring city that is conservative. Lots of lakes and public hunting. Most counties have a sportsman club or one nearby.

[farmbif]

sometimes its wise to be careful what you wish for and it may seem the grass is greener somewhere else. is the water drinkable where your thinking of going. will your children adjust without completely turning their lives upside down? just some things I've had to deal with in the past when moving and might be applicable to others.
as far as house availability and cost. it seems houses for sale for regular working folks are few and far between and prices are way up.
the Realtor I met when shopping for the place I'm at now became my friend in addition to realtor and recently he told me if I wanted to sell my place there may never be a better time. I could ask probably double what I paid just a half dozen or so years ago and there will most likely be at least several contracts to buy it, with possible bidding war, within a week of hitting the MLS. that's what he says they are currently experiencing in the real estate world

[bakerjw]

Here in Johnson City, we are seeing the same thing. A good friend sold his house recently and it was under contract in days after going on the market. If it were me, I would put a house up for 10% over appraised value and accept sealed offers for a week. Someone will want it more badly than the others.

[Ed K]

Weather aside, it is my perception that as the years crawl by, the lower 48 states become more and more like each other. How much different will they be in 10, 20 years? For example, as a kid from the northeast traveling to Georgia/Florida I had my mind blown by southern BBQ and learned how to reproduce it long before it was available locally. Now it is everywhere locally (some arguably not as good, some better) as well as authentic Thai, etc, etc. As a teen I in the late 70's traveled to Cali and couldn't believe how much a house cost - now that's the case in Utah, Idaho, Colorado due to the transplants. Even staunchly right-leaning NH has crossed over to the left due to the influx of population along the MA border. So where do you go for clean living, real freedom, affordability, etc.? I'm not sure. And if you do think you have an answer to the question then how long will it stay that way? The rate of change accelerates as the world globalizes, people work remotely, etc.

[waksupi]

Weather aside, it is my perception that as the years crawl by, the lower 48 states become more and more like each other. How much different will they be in 10, 20 years? For example, as a kid from the northeast traveling to Georgia/Florida I had my mind blown by southern BBQ and learned how to reproduce it long before it was available locally. Now it is everywhere locally (some arguably not as good, some better) as well as authentic Thai, etc, etc. As a teen I in the late 70's traveled to Cali and couldn't believe how much a house cost - now that's the case in Utah, Idaho, Colorado due to the transplants. Even staunchly right-leaning NH has crossed over to the left due to the influx of population along the MA border. So where do you go for clean living, real freedom, affordability, etc.? I'm not sure. And if you do think you have an answer to the question then how long will it stay that way? The rate of change accelerates as the world globalizes, people work remotely, etc.

Housing has gotten high in Montana, too. I heard last week median house price in Bozeman is $658,000. Kalispell is not far behind.

[richhodg66]

I'm fortunate to really like where I live, not a native and didn't grow up here, but the Flinthills of Kansas are awesome for a guy like me. That said, the tax burden here is higher than I'd like and we do have some serious weather extremes at times. Not sure where else I'd go, though. Any other place would be a worse compromise for me.