What Western State To Retire In?

[Dart368]

For what it's worth - I grew up in NM and now live in rural Northern Colorado. A friend of mine just moved to Arizona from Idaho Falls, ID because his wife couldn't take the winters. I was always impressed with the hunting and fishing opportunities that SE Idaho had - but it did have the cold/snow/long winters that we get here in CO and the wind that we had in eastern NM. I was also surprised on how high the housing costs there which largely was due to the influx of folks (many from CA) that has been previously mentioned. His wife was a nurse, however, so there is some opportunity there.

I wouldn't hesitate to retire in NM, but personally I wouldn't want to be in any of the larger cities that would provide job opportunities for your spouse.
Colorado would probably be last on the list as it seems to be getting very crowded and more and more liberal minded.
WY would be high on the list due to the lack of income tax, fewer people, and hunting opportunity - if you could deal with the climate.
AZ seems very friendly from a climate perspective and hunting opportunity, and reasonable housing prices.

Living in a mountain town with many second homes, I'm convinced that the ideal scenario is splitting time between a mountain home in the summer/fall (WY or ID?), and somewhere more arid in the winter (AZ or NM). Depending on your spouse's job, this could lend well to a travel nursing type career that allows her to bounce back and forth. This is definitely the route I'm interested in going.

Great advice, thank you.

 

[TreeWalking]

Thanks for the replies. So now all of you are making me think that perhaps I should look elsewhere besides the states I mentioned.

I know there will be good and bad in each place. But I also have to look at overall where would be better. Yes, I want good hunting and fishing, but I also need to look at cost of living, housing, job possibilities for my partner, etc.

The Northern states sound like a dream, I am just a little bit scared of the harsh winter climate. Snow is a given and I can deal with a little bit of it. But being buried in several feet of it in my 60's does not sound appealing.

I bought a retirement home in PHX, AZ metro. Great hospitals and docs for old people issues. Sure, is really, really hot from 9am-2am May-September though humidity is not a factor and October - April is quite nice with no need for an ice scraper. People here take summer vacations to Hawaii (80F in July in Hawaii is a great relief and prices are off-season) or you can drive 2 hours up to Flagstaff and see temps usually fall into the 80s for a short break. Or Sedona for 90s. PHX has a very good airport. Economy is growing so housing demand is a buffer for the value of your home over your retirement years. College and pro sports teams. Major concert venues.

My second choice would be WY north of Denver a couple of hours or so. I value being close to a major airport and having access to medical specialists more than when was younger.

 

[LostArra]

Review: The blue-jeaned billionaires ruining Wyoming

In "Billionaire Wilderness," Justin Farrell dissects America's most unequal place — Teton County

www.latimes.com

The west is changing.

 

[wildwilderness]

I've lived all over and hunted even more places. As I think about it, many western hunts are tough for an Old Fart to do solo. So are you looking for the next 10yrs 65-75? because after that most hunters stop hunting.....

The whole point of being retired is that you have TIME! that allows you to travel to hunt places you don't live. I love western hunting, but know that it's not a forever thing. So your " active retirement" phase should definitely include more important factors as cost of living, healthcare, social, family etc.
For me I would love to live on a small farm with a lake, fish, and whitetails, turkeys, ducks I can hunt anytime out the back door. Have the grand kids come and learn how to hunt. While I have the health and energy, and $$ I will travel to hunt elk, sheep, moose, etc. But I know that will come to an end- But I'll still be able to drive my wheelchair out to my blind!!

 

[wytx]

I'm not ready to retire, but looking at ways to work remotely for freedom to travel and move somewhere with more hunt opportunity. Wy high on my list, but thinking splitting time is the best route, I would travel around and also spend some time back in the SE during the winter.
How does the residency work in places like AK or WY if you're splitting time between RV'ing or have a second home somewhere else for half the year?

Wyoming has a exception for "snowbirds".
(1) Retirees/Snowbirds: A person who qualifies as a resident and whose domicile is in Wyoming does not lose residency status if he or she leaves the state as a part of retirement plans, provided that his or her permanent domicile and residence (real property) remains in Wyoming and they are not gone for more than an aggregate of 180 days in a calendar year. The person who leaves Wyoming upon retirement, establishes his or her domicile elsewhere, and returns to Wyoming periodically for recreational purposes loses residency even though he or she may own property in Wyoming. Persons moving to Wyoming to retire must be domiciled in Wyoming for one year to establish residency (see "Domicile" definition).

 

[zion zig zag]

I understand the rules but I also think it's none of the governments concern where I spend 6 months and one day of my year. If I pay taxes, maintain an address, have a drivers license in that state, and don't claim residency in any other state, then I am a resident.

 

[Dart368]

I've lived all over and hunted even more places. As I think about it, many western hunts are tough for an Old Fart to do solo. So are you looking for the next 10yrs 65-75? because after that most hunters stop hunting.....

The whole point of being retired is that you have TIME! that allows you to travel to hunt places you don't live. I love western hunting, but know that it's not a forever thing. So your " active retirement" phase should definitely include more important factors as cost of living, healthcare, social, family etc.
For me I would love to live on a small farm with a lake, fish, and whitetails, turkeys, ducks I can hunt anytime out the back door. Have the grand kids come and learn how to hunt. While I have the health and energy, and $$ I will travel to hunt elk, sheep, moose, etc. But I know that will come to an end- But I'll still be able to drive my wheelchair out to my blind!!

Yes, I will be 65 when I move which I am guessing will give me maybe 7 to 10 years of hunting if I keep myself in shape.

Your post really hit home for me. The important factors and the thought of going out my back door with easy access to even turkeys, ducks and squirrels which will not require hauling 80 to 100 pounds on a pack a mile or two uphill and downhill sounds like a great idea!!!
I could live with that!!!!

 

[Dart368]

Now changing my question...

Where can I hunt in the Western US so I can hunt turkey, ducks and whatever else out of my backyard?