Philosophical ? : non-res moving (permanently) into your neck of the woods-thoughts?

[philos]

I assume many if not most of us on this forum are outdoors types and prefer things quiet and status quo. Thinking of new residents coming into our native states can provoke some pretty strong feelings. There are many reasons for the concerns-real or perceived.

I have seen some rather harsh discussions surrounding Easterners and Californians moving to the Rocky Mtn States. I never realized just how much resentment some folks have toward people from California relocating to the MT, WY ID,CO area until my last trip to MT. Ironically I actually became a bit frustrated by the "touristy" atmosphere in MT and as it turns out a great many of the tourist were from CA. I say ironically as technically I was a tourist-but certainly not with the same agenda in mind as many of the other tourist.

I am an avid outdoorsman from South Carolina and I frequent other states to hunt & fish. It might be in neighboring states-trout fishing in NC and bird hunting in GA or maybe elk hunting in WY. I can't imagine not being able to make these out of state trips on a regular basis and I always try to be a good steward of the land/water-no matter where I am.

It seems there is resentment here locally to as many folks have moved from the Northeast to SC to escape high taxes, harsh winters or too fast a pace of living. I've never really thought too much of it but I have been getting the itch to move in the last few years. Frankly the lists of places I would move to are pretty much all in the Western US. I actually had a game warden make a comment about too many easterners coming in and not leaving. I did not respond but that comment has stayed with me.

I think I know some of the reasons for the resentment-things like hunters shooting at every animal they see and not knowing shooting ranges. Slob hunters and those that always seem to bring the mindset of "that is not how we do it back home"--these are sure fire ways to make enemies quickly.

I fully intend to move-likely next year. Please do not worry though--if I should turn out to be your neighbor-I'll be the best neighbor you could ask for.

I am a very curious person and I wanted to see some feedback from those of you native to the western states. Please share your thoughts here and tell me what you would expect of a non-native coming into your turf.

Thanks

 

[Violent Hippie]

The primary problem I see with Californians or others migrating to states such as ID , CO , or MT is when they move to those places and try to change those places and not assimilate. I see this as a MAJOR issue and have lived through this in my home area just north of Lake Tahoe(Yes it is CA BUT very different from most of the states populous regions). City slickers from San Francisco etc. bought up alot of real estate but imported their San Francisco values there bye changing some of the primary factors that made the place great.I am not a fan of this and am not the type to pursue such endeavors.I move places because I like them. I dont move there to change them. I know my friends that moved from here to ID sure as hell didnt want to turn ID into CA . They were sick of CA and wanted what ID had to offer and they had no problem thriving .My 2 cents .

 

[kodiakfly]

The primary problem I see with Californians or others migrating to states such as ID , CO , or MT is when they move to those places and try to change those places and not assimilate.

Boom. Bingo.

There's more people showing up everywhere. I have to just accept that now. It's when they try to roll into "my" small town and try to bring the big city or their old values and way of life with them. It's like when people go camping and bring TV's, generators, and amenities from home with them...they like the idea of camping but not actually being away from what they really are. People like the idea of small town or living with a mountain view, but in reality they're a progressive city clown who loves concrete, noise and people all around them. They should stay where they are.

If someone moves into a new place because they want to be there and live like those people do, they'll fit in just fine.

 

[Wyatt G]

like what these guy's are saying it's people coming and trying to bring their way of life with them. if they assimilate then there usually isn't any problems, but people don't like 'outsiders' coming to their home and changing it. My parents brought me to Arkansas from California when i was young but we didn't bring California with us.

 

[Rob5589]

It happens both ways. I worked with a guy from NY. One of the biggest A-holes you will ever meet. Another co-worker is/was from TN. Not only an A-hole but does nothing but slam everything about CA, except for his paycheck which he promptly deposits back in TN.

People just want "outsiders" to be cool and respectful of "their" state/home. A little respect can go a long way.

 

[tttoadman]

I understand people want to move to OR to live the hippie Portland dream. OR is a great place to live, and has endless opportunities for all kinds of recreation. What I hate is when people bring their fat California bankrolls up here and drive the cost of real estate up so high that most of us cant afford it.

The biggest ones you here about in the western states is the buying up of the large ranches with river and hunting access. They put a fence around it and invite all of their rich dickhead condescending friends to come and shoot everything. When the Yellowstone river starts encroaching on "their" land and their fancy new house as it has done for millions of years, they throw their money around to try to get legislation to protect their property value and their homes. There is a reason nobody has ever built a house there...dumbass!!

Yes this is a sore subject for me as well. I am hoping the 9.0 biggie hits sooner than later to make OR less appealing.

 

[LostArra]

I remember the bumper stickers: "Don't Californicate Oregon" and "Don't Let Texans Californicate Colorado"

 

[Kevin Dill]

Money changes everything without exception. I think.

 

[elkyinzer]

This is not a new phenomenon, it's basically ingrained in our humanity. Let me in, then shut the door so all the other sonsabitches can't get in. Just look at the enthusiasm Trump generates for building the great Wall of Texas. I too hope we can preserve the culture of WY-ID-MT but truth be told, there's nothing that can be done short of succession that will do so...the very things that make these states great will be their own undoing.

 

[Murdy]

What I hate is when people bring their fat California bankrolls up here and drive the cost of real estate up so high that most of us cant afford it.

Yep, that's my main complaint. For me it was northern Wisconsin, and people coming up from Milwaukee and Chicago, buying up 40s of essentially swamp land, and posting them.

Were all Americans first, and people have been moving around for years. Some change is inevitable. When the population grows, some smart business man is going to take advantage of the situation and build things--like restaurants and strip malls--and it will change the community the same ways it did when WalMart moved to the edge of many towns and pretty much gutted the local main street. This will happen whether it's outsiders moving in, natural population growth, or an economic boom (think western North Dakota). I don't think succession would fix the problem; my home town is a lot different than it was 40 years ago, and it isn't the sort of place that a lot of people want to move to (it does have a nice WalMart though).

 

[2ski]

A lot of Californians I know that moved to MT like to tell you how great Cali(its always Cali) is. I don't get why you don't live back in Cali then, if its so great. Anywhere I go, when I tell people I'm from MT, they want to talk about MT, but I don't say "Hi I'm from MT, now let me tell you how great it is."

 

[5MilesBack]

It's not unlike what's going on in our country as a whole. The country was founded on certain principles and a Constitution was written and adopted. Then we get millions upon millions of people that just don't like those principles and ideologies and want to change them. Then why the heck did you come here in the first place?

Colorado is a perfect example. It used to be a very conservative state with great ideologies and principles. Our population has absolutely exploded since the early 90's with a bunch of liberals that just couldn't leave things alone. We just weren't like CA enough so they had to change things. Now we're a liberal hotbed with liberal leadership and liberal policies.

However, much more importantly.......we're now a state so crowded that you can barely attempt to get where you're going.....or trying to go. And then IF you get there, you can barely get home. I used to drive up to DIA and pick people up that were visiting. Now......they're on their own. They can fly into the Springs or rent a car, but I'm NOT driving to Denver. The traffic is bad enough here.......makes me want to never leave the house, or move to a cave.

The states themselves aren't the problem.........people are the problem. And the more problems you put into one place, the bigger those problems become. It doesn't matter what time of year I drive around......I see more out of state license plates than I do CO plates.

 

[LostArra]

The Sioux and other tribes were thinking the same thing when they saw the railroad built and all those covered wagons in the 1860's.

 

[5MilesBack]

The Sioux and other tribes were thinking the same thing when they saw the railroad built and all those covered wagons in the 1860's.

Yep. Only difference now is I think we have enough people to fight back and actually reverse this course of destruction we're on.

It's like the water situation out here. We didn't have enough water for the population we had. So what do they do........they just keep issuing more and more development permits to double and triple the population when we didn't have enough water before. Mindboggling.

 

[IdahoElk]

Yep. Only difference now is I think we have enough people to fight back and actually reverse this course of destruction we're on.

It's like the water situation out here. We didn't have enough water for the population we had. So what do they do........they just keep issuing more and more development permits to double and triple the population when we didn't have enough water before. Mindboggling.

They are doing the exact same thing in the valley where I live BUT they're double dipping us by jacking up our water usage rates while collecting $$ for building permits and taxes all the while complaining the water is running out.
Greed,pure and simple.

 

[The John]

I understand people want to move to OR to live the hippie Portland dream. OR is a great place to live, and has endless opportunities for all kinds of recreation. What I hate is when people bring their fat California bankrolls up here and drive the cost of real estate up so high that most of us cant afford it.

The biggest ones you here about in the western states is the buying up of the large ranches with river and hunting access. They put a fence around it and invite all of their rich dickhead condescending friends to come and shoot everything. When the Yellowstone river starts encroaching on "their" land and their fancy new house as it has done for millions of years, they throw their money around to try to get legislation to protect their property value and their homes. There is a reason nobody has ever built a house there...dumbass!!

Yes this is a sore subject for me as well. I am hoping the 9.0 biggie hits sooner than later to make OR less appealing.

I remember the bumper stickers: "Don't Californicate Oregon" and "Don't Let Texans Californicate Colorado"

I think it was Tom Mcall that said, "you are welcome to visit, but please dont stay".

Edit: I found the quote:
"We want you to visit our State of Excitement often. Come again and again. But for heaven's sake, don't move here to live. Or if you do have to move in to live, don't tell any of your neighbors where you are going." (1971)

I think that Californians are viewed differently per Toadmans perspective and others who have touched on changing the culture.

 

[Matt W.]

The biggest gripe I have is as follows. Non Resident X visits an area and thinks it great so they want to move. Then Non Resident X moves to said area and starts complaining about all of the "right wing" politics, guns and hunters and seeks to "liberalize" the area and get rid of the guns and hunters. These folks bug the tar out of me........

Those that I welcome move because they embrace and love the culture and want to be a part of it, NOT change it.. Just my 2 cents..

 

[Ray]

Growing up in a military and transient civil service family I've been a moving in NR at least 10 times. We did not last 6 months in Del Norte county CA before we fled to Curry county OR. I seldom admit that I once lived in CA. The last time I was a moving in NR was 1982. I still travel NR hunt and fish when I get time to visit family in the L48.

Based on my experience I think everyone should move three or four times while they are kids. Stay for three to four years and get to know the new area. It builds character. Gets your mind exposed to the differences of place and people. Helps you understand your nation. In my travels as a child I met thousands of other kids that had never been out of the town and they asked me all kinds of questions about where I came from. The fact that I could tell them stories about several places I had lived boggled their mind.

This lifestyle would smooth out many of the issues we experience as a nation with the "this is how we do it in CA, MT, NY" stuff being forced upon places that are not CA, MT, or NY.

Working in the tourism industry in AK in the 1980's I learned that most people have no understanding of the nature of the Earth and people's relationship to it. People that spend their lives surrounded by asphalt, concrete, and brick have little fundamental understanding of Earth and how it functions. Weekends camping is a good start, but if you really want to get some reality go spend a decade moving your camp through some small rural towns a few years apart. You'll find your nation, and maybe your soul.

 

[The John]

People that spend their lives surrounded by asphalt, concrete, and brick have little fundamental understanding of Earth and how it functions. Weekends camping is a good start, but if you really want to get some reality go spend a decade moving your camp through some small rural towns a few years apart. You'll find your nation, and maybe your soul.

Very well said!

 

[2ski]

I don't know if I would say people should move as kids, but I would say people need to go to college more than a distance away from home than is doable for a weekend trip. Get out of your "circle" and explore and learn. If you can afford it go out of state. Open your eyes to more of the world. And it doesn't just mean knowing our relationship with the Earth. Expose yourself to other views and opinions and cultures(of other states). Learn that different opinions don't make bad people. Just because we think we know what's right, doesn't mean we are right. Even those of us in MT. It's just that CA people are wrong more than any other state. HAHA

I remember when I went to college at Pacific Lutheran University, it really exposed me to some other views and opinions. We had great conversations, didn't always agree, but we respected each other and agreed to disagree sometimes. Or we listened and changed our minds and didn't think it made us look weak. Because we had to grow outside of what we were comfortable with our entire lives. I have a buddy that was arrested for protesting a G8 summit in Italy and lives a pretty nomadic life now. Someone I wouldn't come in contact with in life now. But we both learned from each other back then.

The antidote that comes to mine which is not a major philosophical change, but a change nonetheless....Before college, I would've agreed with people that bitched about serving yogurt at school. If I had gone to school in Bozeman or Missoula, that opinion would have changed a lot later in life than 18. Silly now. But my mom sent me a care package of cookies and put newspapers around them. I was reading the letters to the editor and the schools in Great Falls Montana were debating on whether to serve yogurt as an option.(Why would you ever serve healthy things at school and not just mac and cheese and pizza) People were bitching and bitching about it in the letters. So I showed them to my friends and we had a good laugh. This was at a college in the late 90's, that had a vegetarian option for every meal and that was new to me at first, but it made sense when I challenged my views a little.