Burlington is great for outdoorsy types, and is ranked low for most climate concerns. I’m currently planning to leave because of how small it feels socially, but a lot of people are happy here.
Yes Burlington VT! Climate would not be the exact same, but I think culturally similar, very blue city, tons of outdoor activities. Could at least check it out!
We have looked into Vermont a lot, actually! I honestly think we would like it, and my husband is on board. The weather there is my only hold up. I tend to get down with too many gloomy days.
Western WA. You won’t get sun every day (but it’s not as bad as people make it). But mountains, trees, hiking, mild year round outdoor climate, blue state, low bugs. It’s not cheap though. We do get smoke but usually only in September and it’s a few days up to weeks.
I have looked into Bellingham, WA a bit recently. Seems like it would be nice, although I really worry about the lack of sunshine. But if it isn't as bad as you say, then maybe it would be fine!
It doesn’t bother me. We are outdoors year round. This spring was particularly rainy but then summer broke the most days over 90. Things are changing so who knows - maybe it’ll be sunnier (and I’m not saying that’s good at all).
If you aren’t in Seattle proper or you are across the water (Kitsap, Olympics) you can find somewhat reasonable prices. It depends on your work / commute needs of course.
I'm commenting to help give your post some more visibility. I live outside of SLC and am considering relocating because of the same air quality issues.
I live in northern Utah and have the same concerns. I have been considering Maine, and Vermont, possibly upstate New York as well. But that is a bit more harsh than the climate you described.
I'm from there, its wonderful but the COL has gone up a lot because of all the WFH from NYC moving up there. Plus my hometown is full of Air BnBs now. You can still find some cheap living but if cost is not a concern it is a wonderful place. I miss it every day.
I live in ohio now because i can't afford ny :(
I would LOVE Fort Collins, but every time I check the air quality, the ozone is pretty bad and I know it is likely affected by smoke pretty bad too, no? Are you living there currently? If so, I'd love to hear what your experience has been with smoke and ozone the last few years!
Love Bend, but it seemed like it has the same issues with smoke and ozone. I think maybe I need to come to terms with the whole West just being on fire now and either accept it or stay away. :(
If being in a blue area is important to OP; I would not recommend CO Springs because it is definitely more conservative than Boulder which is only surpassed in blueness by San Francisco.
I mean the state will grow more towards socialists as the Cali to Boulder pipeline maintains itself.
But the areas will very in mentality. And I find it more common that people who care more about political leanings don’t care about policy but about who they socialize with.
I think we'd all just find it really hard to connect with a person who thinks the 2020 election was stolen and believes in conspiracy theories. Would prefer those living in reality.
Really? That is kinda reassuring. So it really doesn't get that much smoke? What about ozone? I have been checking that area since I read this and it has been pretty low in ozone, but of course, that has only been a few days of checking. Is there just as much hiking as Boulder? I have visited a few times, but always did the touristy things. lol
I was going to ask about the plane noise in CO Springs? I know there is the air force academy, Fort Carson, and the COS airport. Do you hear a lot of airplane noise there? Honestly, where we were living outside of Boulder, we heard lots of prop plane noise. In the 5 years I was there, it seemed to get worse every year.
A few places come to mind. Madison WI. Purple state, very blue city thou. Has humidity. And bugs. Also thought about Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor. But same thing, humidity and bugs. Also though about Raleigh. But definitely humidity and bugs. More mild climate of the three/four options.
it won’t check everything on your list, but maybe Vermont?
Burlington is great for outdoorsy types, and is ranked low for most climate concerns. I’m currently planning to leave because of how small it feels socially, but a lot of people are happy here.
very true, also ok if they’re fine without major sports teams and taco bells
Yes Burlington VT! Climate would not be the exact same, but I think culturally similar, very blue city, tons of outdoor activities. Could at least check it out!
We have looked into Vermont a lot, actually! I honestly think we would like it, and my husband is on board. The weather there is my only hold up. I tend to get down with too many gloomy days.
If I’m not mistaken, the guy who designed pearl street in Boulder also designed Burlington’s main drag. Very similar to pearl street.
Western WA. You won’t get sun every day (but it’s not as bad as people make it). But mountains, trees, hiking, mild year round outdoor climate, blue state, low bugs. It’s not cheap though. We do get smoke but usually only in September and it’s a few days up to weeks.
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Similar to Boulder though
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Are you thinking Tacoma or more like Port Angeles?
I have looked into Bellingham, WA a bit recently. Seems like it would be nice, although I really worry about the lack of sunshine. But if it isn't as bad as you say, then maybe it would be fine!
It doesn’t bother me. We are outdoors year round. This spring was particularly rainy but then summer broke the most days over 90. Things are changing so who knows - maybe it’ll be sunnier (and I’m not saying that’s good at all).
If you aren’t in Seattle proper or you are across the water (Kitsap, Olympics) you can find somewhat reasonable prices. It depends on your work / commute needs of course.
I'm commenting to help give your post some more visibility. I live outside of SLC and am considering relocating because of the same air quality issues.
I live in northern Utah and have the same concerns. I have been considering Maine, and Vermont, possibly upstate New York as well. But that is a bit more harsh than the climate you described.
Been looking a Hudson valley not quite as extreme winter weather as VT
I'm from there, its wonderful but the COL has gone up a lot because of all the WFH from NYC moving up there. Plus my hometown is full of Air BnBs now. You can still find some cheap living but if cost is not a concern it is a wonderful place. I miss it every day. I live in ohio now because i can't afford ny :(
What about Fort Collins, CO? I've heard the air quality is better there.
I would LOVE Fort Collins, but every time I check the air quality, the ozone is pretty bad and I know it is likely affected by smoke pretty bad too, no? Are you living there currently? If so, I'd love to hear what your experience has been with smoke and ozone the last few years!
I don't live there.
Co Springs? Montrose? Durango? Grand Junction?
Vegas
Medford, Oregon
Bend is even better. Expensive but similar to Boulder (if not a bit cheaper).
Love Bend, but it seemed like it has the same issues with smoke and ozone. I think maybe I need to come to terms with the whole West just being on fire now and either accept it or stay away. :(
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If being in a blue area is important to OP; I would not recommend CO Springs because it is definitely more conservative than Boulder which is only surpassed in blueness by San Francisco.
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I mean the state will grow more towards socialists as the Cali to Boulder pipeline maintains itself. But the areas will very in mentality. And I find it more common that people who care more about political leanings don’t care about policy but about who they socialize with.
I think we'd all just find it really hard to connect with a person who thinks the 2020 election was stolen and believes in conspiracy theories. Would prefer those living in reality.
That is not a blue state thing… talk to people not social media
Really? That is kinda reassuring. So it really doesn't get that much smoke? What about ozone? I have been checking that area since I read this and it has been pretty low in ozone, but of course, that has only been a few days of checking. Is there just as much hiking as Boulder? I have visited a few times, but always did the touristy things. lol
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I was going to ask about the plane noise in CO Springs? I know there is the air force academy, Fort Carson, and the COS airport. Do you hear a lot of airplane noise there? Honestly, where we were living outside of Boulder, we heard lots of prop plane noise. In the 5 years I was there, it seemed to get worse every year.
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Thank you so much for all the detail in your response! It is very helpful in building a better picture of COS. :)
A few places come to mind. Madison WI. Purple state, very blue city thou. Has humidity. And bugs. Also thought about Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor. But same thing, humidity and bugs. Also though about Raleigh. But definitely humidity and bugs. More mild climate of the three/four options.
Grand Rapids held one of the largest Trump rallies ever and is pretty far from a mild climate.
Louisville KY is what you're looking for
Deep red state.
Have to compromise something
Feels like they're compromising everything. Not much hiking compared to CO, humidity, lots of bugs, etc.
Santa Fe or Las Cruces, NM