Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Northern Utah for retirement

I've lived a number of places, and pretty much liked them all...

West suburbs of Portland, OR about 35 years ago. Dismal winters, great people, glorious spring, summer and fall, access to mountains, beaches, and much more. Probably wouldn't be high on my list of places to move to, but I sure enjoyed the time I spent there.

Minden, NV, about 25 years ago. Right on the east side of the Sierras, and there is a green ribbon about half a mile wide at the base of the mountains. Had a glorious view of the Sierras, a gravel pit to shoot in within a quarter mile, really interesting people. Lots to like. Strong winds in the summer. Dinner and a show at Tahoe was quite affordable. The Walker River was easily accessible.

St. Joseph, in SW Michigan. Garden spot of the midwest. Breezes off Lake Michigan keep it cooler in the summer, though it does get lake effect snow in winter. Plentiful wildlife, and plenty of boating and fishing opportunities. Kids went to a real first class high school and got a great education. It's right across the river from Benton Harbor, which is a bit of a different story.

Now I'm in Layton, UT and I think it's the best place I've lived.

Rocky is right about the water. It is the limiting resource. There have been serious conflicts over water rights. A place with an old well is an advantage, but not a make or break situation. Older wells have rights over newer wells. Some areas in SE Idaho had to quit pumping irrigation water, because older wells many miles away had prior rights, and the aquifer was being depleted.

Good luck with your search. If you're headed out this way, drop me a PM and I will show you around a bit if you like.

You might want to check:
*Vernal. Smallish town, NE corner of the state.
*Tooele. Smallish, but with an Army Depot. Only 20 minutes to the airport, 40 minutes to SLC.
*Smithfield. Small town north of Logan. Don't let them kid you about the climate. It's colder than here, because of the altitude, but I grew up in SE Idaho and I think it is no worse than that, and maybe milder.
*Payson. Mostly a bedroom community south of Provo.
*St. George. Also known as St. Geezer because so many people retire there. Hot for a while in summer, but much milder winters than here. If you're tired of snow, this is your destination.
*Huntsville. Beautiful spot, up in a high valley. Borders Pineview Reservoir. Harsher winters, easy access to shopping in Ogden.

purty dark around my turf......I like it......

Here's a link to a larger night view.

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/images/712129main_8247975848_88635d38a1_o.jpg

Bruce

Thanks Bruce, I like that one better.

Geno

I didn't move here by accident.

Just saying, it's not all cities and ghettoes back east.

I figured the bold part out a long time ago

You're right, it's not ALL bad back there. Matter of fact if things had gone differently I might be in N Arkansas now if my wife would have agreed to moving back east 10-12 years ago. I'd have gone by myself if I'd have gone. Was willing to take a downgrade at work in order to take advantage of the lower cost of living and way more hunting opportunities for deer and turkeys and such (not much in the way of elk, sheep, bison etc there though). But, she put her foot down on staying west of the Rockies to be closer to Mom.

I'd have to have access to a large National Forest though. 5000, 10000 acre parcels of State and Private ( like timber company) hunting lands are called wheat fields and pastures out here. Walk across them in an afternoon of hunting.

Geno

right now......92* in Podunk........8% humidity.........

lickin' my lips & pickin' my nose...........

Hey, Denton, I resemble that.

I'll add that, in addition to the beautiful surrounding geography, St. George has a high concentration of attractive women of all ages, if that kind of "scenery" is important.

Again, just my observation and opinion.

Paul

Even at an advanced age...................


that type of scenery should be important........


always, even for married fellas.

Geno

Right now.....93* in Vacaville...........38% huhmidity

scratchin' my parts and sweating lightly

Ranger Green,

If for some horrible reason you decide to stay in Cali, Modoc county will welcome you and your vote.

Presently 88F after a high around 90F, 13% humidity, and a 14 MPH breeze keeping the skeeters down a bit.

Plenty of public land for recreating, even hunting if you can draw a tag.

I hope you find your dream location. Cali likely isn't it.

Geno