Top 10 Best Outdoorzy Places to Retire Young
Money Magazine released it’s Best Places to Retire Young recently. They were places in the US with a semi-affordable cost of living and plenty of things to do. A few places like, Coeur d’Alane, ID and Logan, UT look like really sweet places to hang your hat. But they also included places like Manhattan, KS and Ames, IA… I’ve been to those places and well… I think I could have picked a few better spots for outdoor activities specifically.
SO, without Further Adieu, here are my Top 10 Best “Outdoorzy” Places to Retire Young, and why I think so. (Please comment if you disagree or have any honorable mentions…)
10. Port Angeles, WA - this town lies just across the sound from Canada, has the Olympic Mountain Range at it’s back door, the Hoh Rain Forest a hop away, and enough water activities to shake a paddle at.
9. Klamath, CA - Go there and you will understand. This North Coast gem boasts a placid river spilling into the pacific where majestic redwoods, black bear, and Roosevelt elk are your neighbors.
8. Buena Vista, CO - Like 14ers? Take your pick here, you have at least 10-15 within an hours drive of your crib. Not to mention an excellent whitewater river running through the middle of town, a nearby hot springs, and a kick arse burger joint.
7. Asheville, NC - An amazingly open community for the South, mixed with resident artists, the Biltmore, and natural beauty, this town has been the rave recently. Not to mention Smokey Mountain NP, premium whitewater, the blue ridge parkway, and epic mountain bike trails at Tsali and Pisgah.
6. Portland, ME - Acadia NP, Moose, Lobster Rolls for lunch, an art school providing plenty of canvas and two-legged visual distraction. A great music scene, unstoppable seafood, lighthouses around every corner, and microbrews. It’s almost enough to endure the winters.
5. Taos, NM - They say the air “hums” there. Seriously, they don’t know why. But the buzz I hear on Taos is that you have snow covered peaks, a cool hippy culture, and Wheeler Peak.
4. Kona, HI - This is where the Ironman Triathlon happens each year. But while you’re not training try a fruity drink, surf the world-class waves, or hike through the lush jungle and strange volcanic world on the slopes of 13,679 ft Mauna Loa.
3. Estes Park, CO - The resident elk herd roams through your front yard as you decide which mountain stream to go pluck trout from this morning. Or perhaps you want to try a new route on Long’s Peak? Maybe take a drive on the scenic trail ridge road?
2. Monterey, CA - Sea life is crazy here, it IS life. There’s a greenway through the middle of town teaming with bikes, walkers, etc. Great wines. The bay is always full of kayaks. San Francisco is a short drive up the amazingly beautiful coast if you want city life. Mountain bike trails abound. It’s an outdoorzy paradise.
1. St John, US Virgin Islands - Well, for number one this better be pretty good, right? Here are a few things to get you interested in googling this place… Virgin Islands NP, Coral Reef Natl Monument, pristine Caribbean waters to paddle, miles of jungle to explore, plenty of beach bars, warm ocean breezes, perfect sunsets, and 80 average temps.
8 comments April 12th, 2007
