Getting Out of Blue Area

April 9, 2002 | Henrietta

[Henrietta]

My family and I currently reside in a blue zone, and want to move to a red zone. Prompting this desire is the realization that when the balloon goes up, we are more vulnerable in a large urban area.

To that end, we would like to move to a more rural area, maybe someplace where we could have some property and be more self-sufficient. We'd like to stay in the West. We'd like to move someplace with low taxes, lenient gun laws, and good quality of life. Schools are not an issue. Don't laugh, but we like to cook and might be happy if there were a nice grocery store within 30 or 40 miles of the homestead.

FReepers out West, anyone have any ideas? The communists here in Moscow on the Willamette are just getting to be unbearable.

[Henrietta]

Calling all FReepers for advice and comment!

[Frohickey]

I can't help you there, but if you could relay the contacts and information that you get, I would greatly appreciate it.

I, too, live in the Blue Area, in the bastion of evil liberalism, the San Francisko Bay Area of the People's Republik of Kalifornia.

[firewalk]

Can't help other than to bump. I'm looking to get out of NJ.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Your profile indicates Oregon. Head east until you run into Idaho and I think you will be happy.

[Myrddin]

I moved from CA to ID. My state income tax dropped from 9.3% to 7.8% on all earnings over $40K. State sales tax dropped from 7.75% to 5%. Property taxes TRIPLED from $1200 annually on a house valued at $240K to $3400 on a house valued at $180K. You can buy just about anything you like in the area of firearms...including class III. It is a shall issue state. A CCW permit requires fingerprints, a photo, answering the same questions found on a Form 4473 and a 90 wait. You can take your firearm purchases home immediately.

You should probably have a look at Nevada as well. Many CA residents head there to dodge the state income tax at retirement. Firearms laws are almost as lenient as ID.

[ibbryn]

I'm in the same boat. I'm thinking about the northwest corner of Nevada, but really haven't done too much reasearch.

Nevada seems to have the type of state government I want (small, legislators meeting only - I think it is 6 weeks out of the year, no state income tax). Gun laws are great (my litmus test for how much the govt wants to putz around in your private business).

I like Los Angeles type weather (all lovely, all the time) so I've crossed off Oregan and Washington as too wet and cold. Texas and New Mexico too close to the border.

Any comments?

[KineticKitty]

I am watching your thread, because "we" are also looking to buy a house/homestead also, with about the same requirements. We've lived all over the U.S. and abroad. And so far we are looking into a few states. Here is ours, with the most desired coming first.

Alaska

Montana

Maine (not exactly red I believe)

Northern Idaho (you'd be surprised!)

North Dakota

Well this list goes on and on.... Good luck in your search!

[The Duke]

The family and I went to north/central Arkansas a couple of years ago for vacation - I was really taken with the natural beauty of the place as well as it's remoteness. Lot's of little 'Mayberry's' dot the landscape, but no major cities at all.

[RippleFire]

BUMP

[PrivateIdaho]

There's a picture of my North Idaho hometown on my profile page. Lots of rural areas, everything from a few acres outside of town to Randy Weaver cabins way back in the hills. You can live in a pretty remote area and still be only a half-hour from super markets and malls and an hour from Spokane.

I'd give North Idaho quality of life an "A+" (if you like the outdoors), gun laws an "A" (relatively speaking), and taxes "C" (income tax and 5% sales tax)

[I still care]

My friend lived in Moscow for a while, on the Idaho side. She described it as a rather strange place. You are too close to a university. You need to get away from that.

[PrivateIdaho]

My friend lived in Moscow for a while, on the Idaho side. She described it as a rather strange place

Yep, stay to the North of Moscow. Lots of granola eatin', hairy legged women and purse carryin' girly men around the University. But I spent six years in Moscow and it's not too bad, alot less liberal than most Universities.

[DakotaGator]

You might want to consider South Dakota. No state income tax. Right to Work state. Shall Issue state. Very low population density. Good infrastructure. And good Internet connectivity.

[Ward Smythe]

There's a picture of my North Idaho hometown on my profile page.

Coeur d' Alene is beautiful. I was there in 1987 and have been hoping (trying) to get back for another visit ever since.

[The Old Hoosier]

You ought to move away from North Bend, Ore. to South Bend, Ind. and help us elect a Republican to the House this fall (it's a swing district and he's favored to win).

[Redrivergal]

I live in Fargo, ND; have lived in Wichita, KS., Galveston, Tx., Denver, Co., Princeton, Minn. I am very happy here, crime rate is, I think, the lowest in the nation; there are many gun owners here because of the prolific hunting scenario. I know you said schools weren't an issue, but for those for whom it is, lay aside the fact that any public school as a system is awful, Fargo does have the best compared to most of the nation. We also have Catholic and Lutheran grade and high schools, 3 colleges, one of which is a Lutheran college. The people are very friendly, willing to help each other out, etc. The only minus that I have is the winter season, of course, but others love the change of seasons. Our spring and fall is beautiful. Some complain about the flatness, which is true and is what you see traveling across the interstate. However, there are quite a few areas that are truly gorgeous, with rolling hills which are colorful. In spite of having 3 Democrats from ND, the population is more conservative and many of us can't figure out how they keep getting reelected. My guess is that we are hard working people who don't like politics, as a general hypothesis anyway, and so don't bother to pay close attention. These bozos from ND campaign as conservative democrats which fools many.

[goo goo g'joob]

...and for a timely (4/15) reply

NO STATE INCOME TAX

TEXAS

[KC_for_Freedom]

Moving this summer to Alabama, home of SEC football and warmer weather. Looking forward to bisquits and gravy at breakfast. For information on this area here is a Link to My South

[Squantos]

My paradise is a secret........my county taxes (no state or city) last year were about 250 dollars (+/-) on 12 acres. My closest town of 2400 is 6 miles down the road (nice bike ride). Now the down side for scenery seeking dwellers....... A sea of grass, plains etc etc......

Its so flat here that you can stand on a 5 gallon bucket with a pair of binoculars and see the back of your own head !

Gun laws are very good, CHL is alive and well ......for now. Weather threats here are high winds 8 out of 7 days a week, tornados, range fires and the suprise 22 inches of snow now and then drifting to a few feet thanks to the aforementioned winds.............For the most part weather is nice and calm except in spring and winter.

Crime ? our county jail has 12 cells with 2 of em occupied, 12 man force for county and 3 city PD troops. One high School, and elementry school, 2 choke and puke stop and go stores for 24 hour gas (for auto too), hardware stores are two in number, 3 resturants and the highschool gym exercise room is open 24 & 7 for those who need their health club nautilas & life cycle ,stair climber thingies ..........Easy days, trusting innocent community with lots of truck guns and dogs. !

Hope you find your utopia......I have !...........Stay Safe !

[Sword_of_Gideon]

and help us elect a Republican to the House this fall (it's a swing district and he's favored to win

I think an even more profitable thing would be to start a grass roots movement to impeach that moron in the governor's office. All that old windbag knows is the typical democratic scare tactics. Because of his lack of financial stewardship & leadership, he now want to dramatically raise our taxes..... all the while spewing his fear tactic speech of "I'm going to have to cut education if you don't give me the tax increase.... etc". What a moron... I can not believe that some of the more conservative press here in Indiana aren't tearing this idiot apart, not to mention that our Republican congressmen are not fighting back as well.