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Best wheeling - where to move?

4K views 38 replies 29 participants last post by  Higher Peaks 
#1 ·
If you retired and wanted to find some of the best wheeling in the lower 48 what city would be your pick BESIDES MOAB. I know that area is tops but give me 5 top choices for wheeling friendly places that have all around appeal. You know, quality of life issues too, safety, good health system, low taxes, but most of all lots of places to wheel within a reasonable drive.

My state sucks for wheeling. We cant even get a park in the middle of a forest because of the closed minded tree huggers and NIMBY idiots. I have a couple of years before retirement and I want to try some of your suggestions out over the next few years.

Thanks!
 
#5 ·
Grand Junction, Colorado. The San Juans (Ouray/Telluride) and Moab are withing EASY driving distance.
 
#7 ·
Yes, take your pick in the 4 corners states. Easy access to the best wheeling and great places to live...
 
#10 ·
If you retired and wanted to find some of the best wheeling in the lower 48 what city would be your pick BESIDES MOAB. I know that area is tops but give me 5 top choices for wheeling friendly places that have all around appeal. You know, quality of life issues too, safety, good health system, low taxes, but most of all lots of places to wheel within a reasonable drive.

My state sucks for wheeling. We cant even get a park in the middle of a forest because of the closed minded tree huggers and NIMBY idiots. I have a couple of years before retirement and I want to try some of your suggestions out over the next few years.

Thanks!
You're taking me with! Love this state...it really is beautiful. But the lack of wheeling options is very disappointing.
 
#15 ·
I'd want to reside in North America... somewheres

40' diesel pusher motorhome & a gypsy life would be my choice.
There is amazing wheeling and adventure all over this county, Canada and Mexico.
Not sure I could relegate myself to just one place. Not even sure I'd want to own a home at that point of my life. Maybe a small condo in a retirement community near family as a "home base".
With a house comes chores, and that would cut into exploring time.
 
#25 ·
All the Californians are moving here due to their taxes. Which means we will follow their path:pullinghair:
 
#29 ·
I would move to Durango, CO tomorrow if I could find a job there. It is a beautiful area with lots of 4x4 trails and hiking trails. I went backpacking in this area every year for 16 years and I fell in love with the area. My 5 year old daughter and 12 year old step son have never been to the mountains so I am taking them on a road trip to Durango next summer. We will drive some trails around Silverton and Ouray.
 
#30 ·
I would not consider Utah, we moved here 10 years ago and it's really not a good place to live. Jeep trails everywhere, some of the best hiking in America, outstanding gun laws - why would you want to come here? Another problem in SW Utah is the lack of traffic and humidity, just awful!
 
#31 ·
Yeah, same with Arizona... You might not even get to wear your long sleeves once for the entire winter. And lots of guns here too. The trails aren't even that nice, full of rocks and crap, see:



Even the moderate trails just suck:

 
#33 ·
Best places to go wheeling:

1. Colorado, beautiful country, along with a Coors in one hand and some high grade weed (smoking dope) in the other. And it's all legal...:happyyes:
With this combination, you will be flying high...:beerdrinking::blunt:
What more can you ask for...:awesome:

2. Arizona, which is very versatile. Desert with rough terrain, river bottoms and beautiful mountains in our high country. Plenty of roads back in the woods, ending at some of our beautiful lakes. I believe that Holly lake is about 12,000 ft. elevation.
These lakes are also great for fishing......:thumb:
 
#34 ·
Best places to go wheeling:

1. Colorado, beautiful country, along with a Coors in one hand and some high grade weed (smoking dope) in the other. And it's all legal...:happyyes:
With this combination, you will be flying high...:beerdrinking::blunt:
What more can you ask for...:awesome:
Just not while driving, please..
 
#36 ·
I've considered moving when I retire. Places I've considered are NW Montana (based on scenery alone), Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, and far west Texas. Here in Texas, of course, we don't enjoy an overabundance of trails like some of the other places. We do, however, enjoy excellent culture, high safety, liberty-focused politics, and NO state income tax. Makes it hard to leave.

Considering taxes, culture, freedom, Jeeping, and lack of influence from west coast politics, if I had to leave Texas, my first choice would be western Wyoming. Tough winters, but lots of scenery and opportunities to wheel. Overwhelming scenery is high on my list.

My next choice would likely be Arizona. Arizona doesn't have the most punitive state income tax, and you could run topless/naked year round in many areas. I spent half of this past December in Phoenix - perfect Jeep weather. Every day was a perfect day for being topless/naked. Some folks never put their tops on in southern AZ. I drove up to Flagstaff and it snowed 4" the day I was there. The dry cold was lovely compared to the Texas coast sauna I endure daily. I could have run around town all day topless/naked with a jacket and hat. And depending on where you live in AZ, you could feel safe, free, and have access to trails, rocks, etc., and not terribly far from Utah (a place I'd also have to consider). If I had an opportunity to work/retire/live in a rural area in the region surrounding Flagstaff, I'd be very tempted to move.
 
#37 ·
I've considered moving when I retire. Places I've considered are NW Montana (based on scenery alone), Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, and far west Texas. Here in Texas, of course, we don't enjoy an overabundance of trails like some of the other places. We do, however, enjoy excellent culture, high safety, liberty-focused politics, and NO state income tax. Makes it hard to leave.

Considering taxes, culture, freedom, Jeeping, and lack of influence from west coast politics, if I had to leave Texas, my first choice would be western Wyoming. Tough winters, but lots of scenery and opportunities to wheel. Overwhelming scenery is high on my list.

My next choice would likely be Arizona. Arizona doesn't have the most punitive state income tax, and you could run topless/naked year round in many areas. I spent half of this past December in Phoenix - perfect Jeep weather. Every day was a perfect day for being topless/naked. Some folks never put their tops on in southern AZ. I drove up to Flagstaff and it snowed 4" the day I was there. The dry cold was lovely compared to the Texas coast sauna I endure daily. I could have run around town all day topless/naked with a jacket and hat. And depending on where you live in AZ, you could feel safe, free, and have access to trails, rocks, etc., and not terribly far from Utah (a place I'd also have to consider). If I had an opportunity to work/retire/live in a rural area in the region surrounding Flagstaff, I'd be very tempted to move.


^^^Flagstaff is beautiful! There are also some very nice area's up on our RIM. We have a cabin in a small town called Overgaard. The elevation up there is about 6,800 ft. It averages about 25 to 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix daytime, and 35 to 45 at night.
There are 150 ft. Ponderosa Pines, with plenty of lakes. Wheeling and fishing daily at it's best!!!!!!
 
#39 ·
Lots of good responses (especially the sarcastic ones) on this post. I plan on retiring in Park City. It's very centrally located to so much: Jeep trails, skiing, hiking, snow shoeing, mountain biking, rafting, camping, etc., plus you're not from from Moab, Yellowstone/Yosemite, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, etc.

Each trip to PC, we're discovering new trails and things to see/do right in our backyard. See ya on the trail.

Pics taken near Sundance over the 4th.
 
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