Fishing, hiking, kayaking should not be activities you enjoy once in a blue moon. If you want to have them as a part of your day-to-day life, consider settling in one of the best outdoor towns in the US. However, finding that perfect spot is not an easy assignment, and that’s why we are here to help you. Check out our list of some of the great nature-friendly locations you can settle in.
Deciding where to live is not easy, as there are plenty of things to consider before you even start thinking about moving to another state. If you are a nature lover, finding one of the best outdoor cities to settle in will probably be a priority.
However, before you get to enjoy skiing, biking, kayaking, hiking, and breathtaking wide-open spaces, set some criteria that will help decide where you should live. To make the whole choosing process easier for you, we created a list of criteria you should consider when picking the next home:
Once you go over all the details, it will be easy to make an educated decision about your next location. Then, after you are completely sure that you picked the right place, it is time to start planning a move. Hire a moving and car shipping company to help you with the heavy lifting while you are organizing the documents and trying to notify everybody about the upcoming adventure.
Tucked away from the bustling lifestyle that Denver offers, this small Colorado community is ideal for people that love hiking and being surrounded by wide-open spaces. Because it has so much to offer, Durango has seen slow population growth in the last few years.
With that in mind, if you are moving out of state in pursuit of different trails that are not far from the town, Durango might be the perfect solution. With approximately 50 local hikes that cover over 115 miles of different trails, hikers will never get bored. That’s why when relocating, one of your essentials should be comfy shoes that will carry you through trails such as:
When you want to take a break from all that walking, there are other things Durango can offer to its residents. For starters, you can have a relaxing trip down the Animas River or have an adrenaline-filled rafting adventure. Durango is also bike-friendly, so don’t forget to bring your motorcycle when you move (of course, if you have one).
According to data from the website Niche, around 55% of people own their homes. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to start using all the known house hunting tips to land property, as there is an option to rent as well.
Furthermore, in Durango, you won’t have to get used to the idea of moving from a house to an apartment. Here the real estate offer is mainly made out of houses, not apartment buildings. That being said, the median home value is $463,700, while the rent is $1,260 per month.
With a population of around 1,720 people, Waitsfield is a definition of a small nature-loving community. It is a well-hidden gem of Vermont, so there won’t be too many tourists all year round, bothering you while you are trying to enjoy wide-open spaces.
Located near the Green Mountains, it provides locals with plenty of outdoor activities, such as:
If you want to see the fantastic scenery and how to catch a wild trout in a Mad River, check out the video below.
If one of the main reasons to move for you is settling in a place where you can fish and enjoy nature, Saratoga in Wyoming is the answer. With plenty of spots on the North Platte River where you can fish, the town is really a dream for all nature lovers.
No matter which time of year you decide to go outside and fish, there will be something to catch. After all, there are more than 4,000 catchable wild trout each mile. An additional bonus is that the river is not crowded, so the fish is up for grabs.
When moving to a big city, you have to constantly think about your safety. Even though safety shouldn’t be forgotten when relocating to a small community, thinking about the crime is somehow less scary. Furthermore, if you decide to move to Saratoga, you’ll settle a household in one of the safest areas in Wyoming. Data from AreaVibes shows that the crime rates in Saratoga are 83% lower than the national average.
If you live in California, have you ever wondered, “Where is the best place to live for outdoor activities?” This state is so diverse, and it offers its residents plenty of different communities, entertainment options, and job opportunities. However, if you are more into a small-time vibe instead of big city living, consider Truckee as your next home.
The community is often overlooked for more glamorous cities in the state. However, this small mountain location should be on your radar because it can offer its residents plenty of different entertainment opportunities. Truckee has it all, from ski slopes to hiking and enjoying breakfast outside to hikes and breathtaking scenery.
This is a multi-sport location. No matter if you want to ski or bike, there will be a path you can take. If you are relocating with pets, and need a place to take them for a run, just go to Meadow Park and enjoy open spaces. Also, you can climb up on Snowshed, Donner Summit, or Blackwall. No matter what you are in a mood for, Truckee can offer you something fun to do.
Ten years ago, Dayton was not the city people know today. Since the General Motors plant shut down, many residents have been stuck looking for employment. Those were not the happiest times for the community. However, locals saw this economic trouble as an opportunity to rebrand and rebuild, making the area incredibly attractive to newcomers.
Nowadays, if you are relocating for work, you can get employed by any outdoor-oriented business in the area. Approximately 50 small companies are involved in this type of business, making Dayton a vibrant community with plenty of outdoor entertainment options.
On top of that, with more than 50 local trails that total over 60 miles of hiking paths, you’ll have a new area to explore each day. Flowy mountain bike roads are also something that attracts newcomers. And don’t worry, there are more than 300 miles of bike lanes for you to enjoy.
Furthermore, since Dayton is home to the Five Rivers MetroParks system, nature lovers will have additional wide open spaces. With 18 parks and around 75 miles of hiking trails, every thrill-seeker will enjoy calling this community home.
If you are pondering how to save money to move, one of the first things you should consider is settling in a spot with an affordable cost of living. That way, your relocation budget won’t get unrealistically huge. That’s why living in Dayton will be a great choice!
Settling here doesn’t mean you have to downsize when relocating since the median home value is $66,800. On top of that, more than a half of residents rent. You’ll be glad to hear that the median rent is only $700 a month.
Where do you move if you love the outdoors is a legit question. Luckily, if you stumble upon Taos, your search might end, especially if you love warm weather. With more than 300 days of sunshine annually, finding a way to enjoy wide-open spaces will be easy.
If you are more of a fan of kayaking and paddling, Taos will provide you with a wide selection of river stretches and lakes you can enjoy. However, if you are not the hugest fan of sunshine, you can enjoy skiing all over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as the winter comes.
With a few public schools, those relocating with kids won’t have to worry about their education. There are not only primary but also middle and high schools. There are also charter and private schools. On top of that, Taos is the home of Dallas-based Southern Methodist University.
Leavenworth’s location couldn’t be more situated for nature lovers. Settled in the middle of the Cascades in Washington State, this Bavarian-themed mountain village offers more than a few adventures.
If you decide to ship your car across the country, you will get to enjoy breathtaking scenery along Highway 2, which is maybe one of the more famous routes in the US. Also, if you are an animal lover, you can stop by Reindeer Farm and play with these lovely creatures. For more water-related adventures, you should check out Wenatchee River. There you can stroll by the water or race towards Leavenworth in the kayak.
Finally, when you want to take a break from all the adventures, there is a festival in mid-May called Maifest. This is a German festival that welcomes spring, meaning there is a lot of dancing, food, and drinks you can enjoy.
Have you finally figured out Which state has the best outdoors and what town you should settle in? If the answer is yes, all you have to do now is hire professional movers to help you relocate. Since you are settling in one of the towns that are home to plenty of wide-open spaces, ensure that you bring the car. That way, you’ll be able to reach even those locations you wouldn’t be able to while being on foot.
With the right company, you can opt for open trailers or top-notch enclosed auto transport. Also, professionals will probably offer you terminal to terminal car shipping and door-to-door auto transport, so use the one that fits your needs better. After all, while the movers are handling your vehicle, you’ll be free to prepare for a new, nature-friendly lifestyle.
