I left the urban environment years ago. I've lived in a few different rural areas, and any of them is a much more peaceful place than any city. It only takes a trip to Houston to reinforce my belief that humans can create crappy places and life in those places is rarely pleasant.
Come to my little corner of Joisey - it's lovely here. At night you can hear the coyotes and owls and during the day you can watch the eagles soar. Plenty of places to hunt, hike, ride, shoot and fish (and play golf). Lots of forests, mountains, lakes and farms. And nice, good like-minded people!
If I had my druthers I'd move to the mountains of North Central PA. Plenty of trout streams, deer, bear, turkey, rabbits, grouse. Our gun laws are pretty decent if that's possible. I would probably love Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, places like that, but I'm familiar with PA and I definitely know that I love the Northern tier...........
I have a painting over my bed, of a cottage on a lake, complete with it's own pier, and a lovely West facing view for watching sunsets. I don't know where it is, but I like to dream of living there... Though most places like that I probably can't afford.
Is there a place left where you run the rat race instead of it running you?
It's called retirement. Or maybe some version of self-employment where you decide how much you're going to work. I have no idea what that is; most guys who start a business end up working more, sacrificing their paychecks to make sure workers get paid, and generally walk into a rougher rat race. I don't think there's enough money in Uber, Lyft or AirBnB ("the gig economy") to make a living.
As for where, we seem to be going into a rough time with Democrats everywhere, and some of the Republicans, swearing to enact more useless gun control and take away more freedoms. In Florida, we're in recount hell until Broward gets enough New York transplants to go completely dark blue. Then the Red candidates will never win another election. Georgia looks to be really close. Apologies to Chickenmom, but Joisey is a non-starter for their gun laws. North Carolina has its problems with the "half backs"; Texas and Colorado have their problems with the refugees from Califruitopia.
Every area of the country has its problems with refugees from blue states making their new home states just like where they fled from.
Having been born and grown up in the Lakes and Mountain regions of the Live Free or Die state I always thought that one day I would move back there Having lived all over the US there are many places that would provide a slower life style. About 11 years ago we moved to NC for occupational reasons and we have since retired into the mountains in Wilkes County well known for its apple orchards and a rich history of running moon shine. The total population od Wilkes in under 70,000 and the county seat of Wilkesboro which is the closet "big" town had a population of around 3,500.
We settled down on 64 acres nestled in a little valley tucked in between two ridges there are two fast moving creeks and a small bass pond with an island in the middle on the property. Plenty of turkeys, too many deer and an occasional black bear. It is at the end of a gravel road that becomes the driveway to the property and has a heavy metal gate at the entrance. 30 minute ride to the store for groceries or gas and almost twice that to the "local" Walmart. We named the property Road's End Sanctuary. If you are neighborhood feel free to stop by but you better call ahead so the gate will be unlocked. It's a half mile drive along the creek to get from the gate to the house and there is a sign at the entrance that trespassers will be shot.
Yes, I know that place. I won't talk about it because if enough people move here it won't be "that place" anymore. I will just say it is a little East of the Cascades.
Great post Irish, I enjoyed reading over the responses. I've posted a link to this post's comment section over at my place. I love where I am in southern Tennessee, but I guess most folk have their own likes as well. Land is still relatively cheep here so am nestled on a little more than 100 acres in the middle of nowhere. No bear here and no hogs. I'd advise anyone looking to get out/away from the masses to try and find a spot that is hog free; they will certainly tear up the place....Garry
I live on a beautiful "mountain" lake (one of the purest in the country) in northwest Alabama inside a national forest. We have lots of hills, hardwoods, game, fish, etc. The entire population of the county is less than 24K. I was born and raised here. The cost of living is very cheap compared to most parts of the country. Alabama has some of the lowest land taxes in the union. Getting some "things" can be a little difficult and /or require some planning. It is a minimum of 45 minutes to the closest hospital, WalMart, movie theater, etc. There are only five grocery stores in the whole county. I don't mind all of that, but I have seen people move in to our area to retire, etc. and they quickly become "bored" because there is only one golf course in the county, lack of restaurants, theaters, specialty shops in general, chain hardware stores, etc. Some try to make their new home/community into what they left and that never works our for any parties involved. I like the remoteness and the spartan living suits me just fine. It isn't paradise, but it is about as close as one can get to in this life.
Very, very south western NC mountains. Any further south I'd be in GA. Its in the middle of nowhere, just what I am looking for. The half backs there are good people
I'm looking for that too. If you find IT, sing out. I'd considering moving 20 or 30 miles away to give you some elbow room....
ReplyDeleteI left the urban environment years ago. I've lived in a few different rural areas, and any of them is a much more peaceful place than any city. It only takes a trip to Houston to reinforce my belief that humans can create crappy places and life in those places is rarely pleasant.
ReplyDeleteCome to my little corner of Joisey - it's lovely here. At night you can hear the coyotes and owls and during the day you can watch the eagles soar. Plenty of places to hunt, hike, ride, shoot and fish (and play golf).
ReplyDeleteLots of forests, mountains, lakes and farms. And nice, good like-minded people!
No no no, not buying it, you are with the evil empire. Hunt! like what your neighbor? Can you go out your back door an shoot at targets, I can?
DeleteHave two nice bucks here in Coopville that come for the apples that throw out for them.....
DeleteSoooo many deer around here.... :o)
Little Dixie - SE OK - we are about 30 to 40 years behind the rest of the country
ReplyDeleteIf I had my druthers I'd move to the mountains of North Central PA. Plenty of trout streams, deer, bear, turkey, rabbits, grouse. Our gun laws are pretty decent if that's possible. I would probably love Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, places like that, but I'm familiar with PA and I definitely know that I love the Northern tier...........
ReplyDeleteCan't disagree with you there. Been through the area a few times. I prefer to go no further East than Tioga County...........
DeleteI have a painting over my bed, of a cottage on a lake, complete with it's own pier, and a lovely West facing view for watching sunsets. I don't know where it is, but I like to dream of living there... Though most places like that I probably can't afford.
ReplyDeleteIs there a place left where you run the rat race instead of it running you?
ReplyDeleteIt's called retirement. Or maybe some version of self-employment where you decide how much you're going to work. I have no idea what that is; most guys who start a business end up working more, sacrificing their paychecks to make sure workers get paid, and generally walk into a rougher rat race. I don't think there's enough money in Uber, Lyft or AirBnB ("the gig economy") to make a living.
As for where, we seem to be going into a rough time with Democrats everywhere, and some of the Republicans, swearing to enact more useless gun control and take away more freedoms. In Florida, we're in recount hell until Broward gets enough New York transplants to go completely dark blue. Then the Red candidates will never win another election. Georgia looks to be really close. Apologies to Chickenmom, but Joisey is a non-starter for their gun laws. North Carolina has its problems with the "half backs"; Texas and Colorado have their problems with the refugees from Califruitopia.
Every area of the country has its problems with refugees from blue states making their new home states just like where they fled from.
You are so right about retirement. I did it going on five years ago and haven't looked back..........
DeleteHaving been born and grown up in the Lakes and Mountain regions of the Live Free or Die state I always thought that one day I would move back there Having lived all over the US there are many places that would provide a slower life style. About 11 years ago we moved to NC for occupational reasons and we have since retired into the mountains in Wilkes County well known for its apple orchards and a rich history of running moon shine. The total population od Wilkes in under 70,000 and the county seat of Wilkesboro which is the closet "big" town had a population of around 3,500.
ReplyDeleteWe settled down on 64 acres nestled in a little valley tucked in between two ridges there are two fast moving creeks and a small bass pond with an island in the middle on the property. Plenty of turkeys, too many deer and an occasional black bear. It is at the end of a gravel road that becomes the driveway to the property and has a heavy metal gate at the entrance. 30 minute ride to the store for groceries or gas and almost twice that to the "local" Walmart. We named the property Road's End Sanctuary. If you are neighborhood feel free to stop by but you better call ahead so the gate will be unlocked. It's a half mile drive along the creek to get from the gate to the house and there is a sign at the entrance that trespassers will be shot.
Sawman
Yes, I know that place. I won't talk about it because if enough people move here it won't be "that place" anymore. I will just say it is a little East of the Cascades.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Irish, I enjoyed reading over the responses. I've posted a link to this post's comment section over at my place. I love where I am in southern Tennessee, but I guess most folk have their own likes as well. Land is still relatively cheep here so am nestled on a little more than 100 acres in the middle of nowhere. No bear here and no hogs. I'd advise anyone looking to get out/away from the masses to try and find a spot that is hog free; they will certainly tear up the place....Garry
ReplyDeleteI live on a beautiful "mountain" lake (one of the purest in the country) in northwest Alabama inside a national forest. We have lots of hills, hardwoods, game, fish, etc. The entire population of the county is less than 24K. I was born and raised here. The cost of living is very cheap compared to most parts of the country. Alabama has some of the lowest land taxes in the union. Getting some "things" can be a little difficult and /or require some planning. It is a minimum of 45 minutes to the closest hospital, WalMart, movie theater, etc. There are only five grocery stores in the whole county. I don't mind all of that, but I have seen people move in to our area to retire, etc. and they quickly become "bored" because there is only one golf course in the county, lack of restaurants, theaters, specialty shops in general, chain hardware stores, etc. Some try to make their new home/community into what they left and that never works our for any parties involved. I like the remoteness and the spartan living suits me just fine. It isn't paradise, but it is about as close as one can get to in this life.
ReplyDeleteVery, very south western NC mountains. Any further south I'd be in GA. Its in the middle of nowhere, just what I am looking for. The half backs there are good people
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments and suggestions. Now to start searching on a map :)
ReplyDeleteSomewhere in Northern Maine (Eagle Lake, for instance) would be a place to go and get away from it all. You better like snow and cold though.
ReplyDeleteNEGATIVE I need nice fields of fire
ReplyDelete