Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Relocation to : Hamilton, MT, Salmon, Idaho, or Cody, WY

These are the towns I'm considering moving to I'm retired military currently in Alaska have two little ones to raise. Good People small town values, hunting, fishing opportunities, and sense of community are important.

Please weigh in if you have any insight on these places .

Thanks Kindly

hunthard, I can give you a little info on Cody. Overall a real nice town, lots of western atmosphere. I think that sales tax is still at 4%. Although the state/counties hit you hard on vehicle license plates(all vehicles), if it has wheels it gets taxed... plenty and yearly. Wyoming has one of the best educational systems in the states. Pleasant weather(for Wy.), but a little windy. And, the area has almost unlimited outdoor activities! Overall, not a bad place to live!! memtb

Back in 2003 when I retired,we looked at Cody, Billings,Red Lodge and a few other places in Mt and WY. I could not sell what I have and replace it with about the same without taking out a considerable sized new mortgage.Not what I need in retirement years.

We did exactly the same thing three or four years ago. House prices there were much, much higher for the same sized house in Georgia.

Salmon or Hamilton - either would be nice. Cody is too touristy.

I live in Cody if you have any questions.

I would look at Idaho falls as another place. Wyoming is nice but every time I driven through their it always been howling wind....

Thanks All for your input . Decisions!

We want a town of 3-10k not to big or too small .

I will say pinedale Wyoming is a neat little town in the winter in the summer time looks like it gets its fair share of tourist. Another place is ashton Idaho it is smaller than what you are looking for but you are not to far from rexburgh and Idaho falls.

Maybe you have reasons for the three towns you listed but if I had unlimited choices I would be moving to Lewistown, Montana.

Hamilton is a nice town. Beautiful setting. Some pretty good public-land hunting. The Bitterroot is too congested for me. A lot of new settlement from outside the area. Losing the feel you/I would epect or want from a small town in Montana.

Cody is also nice, but as a previous poster mentioned, too touristy for me. Too many people and a huge tourist influx in the Spring-Summer-Fall. No thanks.

Can't speak to Salmon.

Given your description, I would look into Sheridan, Wy. Although the population is above your limit, it does not have the congested feel that Cody or Hamilton have. One of the few places I would consider relocating to in Wyoming.

Might also be worth the time to look into Lewistown. Great location. Wonderful outdoor activities. Reasonably convenient to a large city. Maybe consider Dillon also. Another good ag town that is nestled in the midst of good hunting and not overcrowded.

For what it’s worth, I see Salmon, ID, mentioned a lot on various websites regarding good places to retire to. That could be good (must be a good place to retire to if lots of sites think so?) and/or bad (if everybody keeps talking about it it will grow and mebbeso quit being so good). I’ve never been there, but will be retiring in 4 years and wanna land in Montana somewhere.

If you are a fur trade history buff, Pinedale has the Museum of the Mountain Man, and it used to have a Rendezvous every year (dunno if it still does or not).

I’ve only been to Cody once, on a day trip to visit the Buffalo Bill Museum. It’s within easy striking distance of Yellowstone, if you wanna take the kids there or camp, and there are several wildernesses in close proximity if you want to hunt.

Good luck on your hunt for a place to move to!

My wife is from Sheridan and your right its a nice town but just not many trees unless you get creek front property. Sent a PM to Fishn4eyes , I also would like to have a chance to draw a bighorn tag not sure which state would give me the best chance as a resident. Feel free to call me if anybody has some ideas (907)460-0050

Thanks Guys

God Bless

Why do you prefer Lewistown?

I would pick Idaho.. If I ever sell out here, that is where I will go.. Lots of small game, birds, big game, open country. Plus the fishing is something else, warm water, trout, steelhead, and salmon.. It has it all..

One big thing Wyoming has going for it is no state income tax. That's a big deal in retirement.

Everything else here is expensive.. I just came back from Billings.. We do much shopping there.. My wife likes a box wine.. Here in town it is $23/box.. In Casper $17/box and in Billings it was $12.. There are benefits of living in a rural state, but cheap is not one of them..

WyoCoyoteHunter, I Concure!!!!!! memtb

Great location. Easy to get to Billings. Still a small, laid back ag town sitting amongst a few mountain ranges. Good fishing and hunting. Great community.