Possibly leaving Montana

[aks]

I never thought I would ever consider leaving Montana but I may have to. Long story short, wife's dad is in Oklahoma, and we may need to be a bit closer as... well... his days may be limited.
I can not live in a flatland state, mountains and wilderness is my place in this world.
I've been looking at places that would possibly work.

Grand Junction, CO
St. George, Utah
Tucson, AZ
Santa Fe, NM

Mountains, wilderness, hunting, hiking, backpacking and blue collar work.

Looking for opinions from people who currently or have lived in these places and if there are any other recommendations?

Hopefully I can stay in Montana but I'm looking at options.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Not NM, not anywhere in NM. I had a friend who lived in Grand Junction, he loved it. Like you he had family health issues and had to move.

 

[ODB]

Can you move him to Montana? We are in a similar (kinda) situation and I think when the time comes we will move my dad out here to Idaho from SC.

 

[Westslope406]

I agree, move him to Montana and let him see mountains and great scenery Montana has to offer here in the final stage.
My dad is from OK and raised me here in MT and nothing entices him to OK besides 75% reduction in housing prices.

 

[Dust Rider]

You can take care of family business and always move back.
Do you own a house here and have kids?
No kids and no house, it’s easy to pack up and go.

 

[wildwilderness]

What’s the thought process? those areas aren’t necessarily close to Oklahoma….

If you don’t live close, as in a couple hours or less I don’t see the reason to move? Might as well stay in Montana

That said I lived in GJT 10 years and liked it. St George is also nice but a bit hotter in summer and warmer in winter been there many times. Tucson is way too hot and desert for me, and I have never been to Santa Fe.

 

[Burnsie]

It doesn't seem like the places you listed are all that much more closer to Oklahoma. Definitely closer than Montana but not like any of them are going to allow you to "quickly" get to Oklahoma. How fast do you want to be able to get there?

 

[Irish Miner]

I lived in Grand Junction over thirty years ago. Loved the terrain and area, but haven't been there in ages. I'm sure its grown.

My daughter lives in Saint George. The place is booming, growth wise. I personally cant stand the winding streets down there, drives me crazy. Yes, hot summers and really nice winters with only an occasional skiff of snow. Daughter doesn't mind it.

Like others have said, these places still seem a bit far from Oklahoma..

 

[MuleyFever]

I couldn't live in St George in the summer. I hate when the wife wants to go down there for something. Winter it's nice. UT sucks for hunting opportunity compared to CO.

 

[Sled]

I never thought I would ever consider leaving Montana but I may have to. Long story short, wife's dad is in Oklahoma, and we may need to be a bit closer as... well... his days may be limited.
I can not live in a flatland state, mountains and wilderness is my place in this world.
I've been looking at places that would possibly work.

Grand Junction, CO
St. George, Utah
Tucson, AZ
Santa Fe, NM

Mountains, wilderness, hunting, hiking, backpacking and blue collar work.

Looking for opinions from people who currently or have lived in these places and if there are any other recommendations?

Hopefully I can stay in Montana but I'm looking at options.

Grand junction or st george would be the only two on that list I could consider and those might be a stretch for me. I like smaller towns nearby.

 

[PNWGATOR]

FWIW Oklahoma offers INCREDIBLE hunting and fishing opportunities and has some absolutely incredible people. Don’t knock it until you try it.

 

[butcherboy]

Closest to OK would be Santa Fe or GJ. Santa Fe is very ritzy and really expensive. Very liberal and a lot of celebrities live there and other rich socialite’s. My vote would be for GC and this is from a native New Mexican. CO is similar to NM in politics since the front range governs all the policy while the farmers and ranchers are pushed out. NM is governed by the Rio Grande corridor while the ranchers and farmers are pushed out. I would see about moving him to Montana first.

 

[ProRoad]

Only one of those listed is a true Red State, Utah, but St. George is too hot. Cooler up here in Cedar City. Airport not as convenient as those listed I guess so maybe that is the concern?

 

[LongWayAround]

Since you listed several places that I wouldn't call "close" to Oklahoma, I might suggest Rapid City, SD.

Not really wilderness around, but plenty of outdoors and blue collar work.

If I had to pick from your list, I would say Grand Junction... but I think I would sweat my balls off there.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Colorado Springs.

 

[kingfisher]

Wife and I lived in the Flathead. We took full advantage of the area and the state, and we were in love with the lifestyle. We had a badass house in a cool town. I worked hard to make in roads for jobs in Montana. We left when my kids were born so they could be closer to my father who got sick. We regret leaving Montana. Parents continue to do what they want, lifestyle wise. Wife and I are both healthcare professionals, and we don't have influence on how Dad lives his life or takes care of himself. He simply doesn't listen. Ultimately he does what he wants. He is not healthier or likely to make healthier choices because we live in the same town. It's nice to have the kids close to my parents, and they do love the kids. But, we are surprised that my parents chose to spend time doing certain things over time with the kids. Ultimately, people live the lives they need to live for themselves. My parents live the life that interest them the most. We should have done the same. It was a mistake to move closer to my parents. If they valued the grandkids the most, they would have moved closer. If my dad valued his health the most, he would have asked for my advice, or moved closer. The biggest concern is that our kids will be raised away from the culture of the mountains. The culture here in the Midwest, sucks in comparison. We felt Montana would have been the best place for them to be raised. We still feel that way and I am looking for a way to get back now. We hope to be back in a year or two. If my parents want to follow, then great.

 

[aks]

Thank you everyone for the replys. Montana is home and I'm not sure anyplace could compare.
We're still working it out, wife's dad won't leave Oklahoma but the wife wants to be closer to him. I won't leave mountains. So we're weiging options on compromise.
Nothing is set, I'm just looking at possible options. Thank you again and keep the responses coming.

 

[thegrouse]

Have you looked at Flagstaff? Right on I40 mountains, seasons and seems like a nice town every time I have been

 

[TxxAgg]

Eastern OK and Western Arkansas aren’t flat. They offer a lot of hiking and hunting.

 

[Blurry1]

Thank you everyone for the replys. Montana is home and I'm not sure anyplace could compare.
We're still working it out, wife's dad won't leave Oklahoma but the wife wants to be closer to him. I won't leave mountains. So we're weiging options on compromise.
Nothing is set, I'm just looking at possible options. Thank you again and keep the responses coming.

Wife and I had a marriage clause that said if either one of us wants to move to a state without a treeline divorce was on the table.