Best area of USA for outdoor activities

farmgirlsuz

OK pals-

In a few short years I would like to move to a more outdoor activity friendly area. My requirements include but are not limited to:

1. Not too rural. I grew up on a farm but I need the excitement that a metropolitan area can provide.
2. Must have tons of outdoor activities available such as walking, jogging, biking, hiking trails, water for kayaking, canoeing, boating, swimming.
3. No dramatic climates! I do enjoy the change of seasons and some snow once in a while but the 20 below temperatures for weeks at a time in Iowa are getting a little tiresome! Also, I don't really enjoy 100 plus temperatures with 70% humidity either!
4. MUST be scenic!
5. The b/f requests that there be some area for Jeeping within driving distance too. I guess I have to let him has his fun too.


So, where do you live or where have you visited that you think would be the IDEAL place to live and retire?

Sallycinnimon

I live about 30-45 minutes away from the NC mountains. They have plenty to do there! I love hiking the parkway and it's not too far from civilization! I Like that it's far enough to make you feel as though it is.

rhonda999

North Carolina, Asheville area!! Beautiful and diverse. Even Charlotte isn't far from mountains or the beaches!

rlf58

I used to live on the beach in MS, now I live in north MS. Love both places!!! Couldn't imagine living somewhere that was cold a lot of the time!!!

happymiche

I'm not sure (I'm in Ohio and personally love the Columbus area but doubt it fits your criteria!), but I'd love to hear the responses

JoniBologna

That is easy - Denver, CO

i_love_vinegar

Bay Area, California

Thats where Im from and its perfect for sports ^^

ps: ive been to Colorado (Denver), and it is very lovely. I don't think it offers the best assortment though...maybe one of the best, but not the best ^^

angelew

we visited Northern California this summer....it meets your criteria.

Rae6503

That is easy - Denver, CO

Another Denver vote! Or the west side of the metro area is even better. We don't even have to drive to get to hiking / mountain biking trails.

aftergypsies

Going to second Bay Area- CA. You can be close to the city but also close to wooded areas, rivers for rafting, Tahoe. So many things to do here outdoors.

sehein7

California!! The bay area near San Francisco is amazing. Weather is perfect year round. Tahoe, Yosemite and Napa are all very close. I've only lived here for 2 years, but I don't ever want to leave!

rockerbabyy

west seattle, wa area, or any of western washington really.

JoniBologna

While the Bay Area is nice, it is so expensive. Colorado has a much more reasonable cost of living.

pmich08

I live in southern California. I'm about 30 minutes from the beach, an hour from the desert, and an hour and a half from the mountains. Fifteeen minutes from a ton of trails, nature preserves, and camping areas. Theres hiking snow sports water sports(lakes nearby), the desert you can take jeeps, motorcycles, quads, buggies.

Plus I'm an hour away from LA and an hour away from San Diego with smaller busy cities in between.

Soooooo, pick Temecula!

Oh...p.s. Temecula has like twenty plus wineries too.

_Ben

California.

I live in MI, and if your all about all four seasons, its ok, but the winters are to long and disgusting. They are never just snowy, its slush or ice, or a blizzard.

I ride motorcycles, and I am apart of a motorcycle forum, and I spend all my time there gushing over all the amazing roads, mountains, hills, country side, roads, that they have out there. You can ride your bike from the mountain to a beach, who doesnt want to do that? (unless you dont like motorcycles I mean).

Now granted they get earthquakes, mudslides, forest fires, and tsunamis, but lets be honest, its a fair trade

CristaAmy

New England!!! From Boston I can get to the following:

Skiing - 1-3 hrs
Ocean/Cape Cod - 15 min - 1 hr
NYC - 4 hrs
ME - 2 hrs
VT - 2 hrs
Northern ME where there is nothing - 3-4 hrs
Montreal - 6 hrs

In the last 2 years I have been: skiing 30+ times, ocean kayaking, hiking, hang gliding, to the Cape multiple times, river kayaking, ice climbing, been a tourist in Boston, ATV riding, zip lining, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, apple picking, hot air ballooning, etc., etc.

Plus with a good sized airport you can get out of town pretty easy as well.

I lived in OH for 10 years (Columbus actually) and found that the people were just not that outdoorsy. Much happier in New England.

_GlaDOS_

The areas surrounding Seattle.

Bothell, Kirkland, Kent, Issaquah, Sammamish, Redmond. All beautiful and scenic, close to literally all of the things you want to do – hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, jogging, etc. You could even go a bit further out and still be close to Seattle (like North Bend or Snoqualmie). As for climate, it does not rain like people seem to think it does. It’s wet, it’s cloudy, it’s drizzly, and only sometimes does it rain like they show in the movies. Summers are warm (never too hot), spring and fall are mild and winter isn’t too freezing and we don’t get much snow.

_GlaDOS_

west seattle, wa area, or any of western washington really.

Yeah West Seattle! :flowerforyou:

kristilovescake

If you can handle the rain, Seattle-ish area of Washington! We don't see much snow, it doesn't get too hot in the summer, and if you are okay with doing outdoor activities in the rain then you'll love it here!

_GlaDOS_

If you can handle the rain, Seattle-ish area of Washington! We don't see much snow, it doesn't get too hot in the summer, and if you are okay with doing outdoor activities in the rain then you'll love it here!

Seeee it is the best place ever.

Plus, we have the Sounders. :happy:

Huskeryogi

I would vote for Denver too. You still get seasons but it's mostly temperate. Almost zero humidity in the summer, gorgeous views, tons of trails and outdoor activities. Someday I'm going to live there. Really I am.

bigdawg025

It sounds like Boise, Idaho, is the place for you!!! We have EVERY single one of those things you mentioned pretty much either within the city limits or within an hour's drive.

We have the river for floating/canoeing in the summer... and the weather gets really hot but it's VERY dry. No humidity. It gets cold but not THAT cold in the winter. If you want snow for skiing there's a mountain and ski resort 16 miles out of town.

sillygoose1977

That is easy - Denver, CO

Another Denver vote! Or the west side of the metro area is even better. We don't even have to drive to get to hiking / mountain biking trails.

I third this! It doesn't get any better than the Denver area. Biking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, rafting, kayaking, not to mention the fantastic metropolitan area. We have 4 seasons with milder winters than most people think.

Forgot to mention the nearby Jeep trails and it's only 6 hours from Moab which is world famous for four wheeling.

pmich08

Now granted they get earthquakes, mudslides, forest fires, and tsunamis, but lets be honest, its a fair trade

Earthquakes that you actually feel happen maybe once every few years, and they're not bad. Mudslides I have never been in one, but they happen on occasion. Generally after the fires, which we haven't had any major ones since 2007. This year they are all over any tiny fire that starts so nothing has gotten big.....and we don't get tsunamis. There was a storm on the coast this year from the earthquake in Japan, but my friend had a boat in Long Beach Harbor and it was fine.

We don't have tornadoes or hurricanes......those are the scary ones.

California is the best...around!

_GlaDOS_

Denver is blah.

darklord48

That is easy - Denver, CO

Another Denver vote! Or the west side of the metro area is even better. We don't even have to drive to get to hiking / mountain biking trails.

Colorado was my vote too. My wife and I took our honeymoon in the Pike's National Forest.

baisleac

With those requirements, you can't beat Seattle.

georgysgirl

I live in Bothell,Washington about 20 miles NE of Seattle.Many suburbs that are country like settings but not far from the city. Lots of hiking--mountains one hour away, lots of walking/biking trails.. ..Water-Puget Sound...many lakes & river. Scenery--Wow!! It is beautiful.Weather-it doesn't really rain as much as people think...shhhhh..don't tell anyone. We don't get much snow but seem to have more the last few years. this summer was unusual too...came late but when it did it was nice..not too hot. Doesn't get too cold either...20's the coldest...usually 30's and very rarely gets in the teens. About 2-3 hour drive to eastern washington....more desert like in summer & more extreme winters. Lots of jeeps,4 wheel drives & lots of hills to play.

jennajava

North Carolina, Asheville area!! Beautiful and diverse. Even Charlotte isn't far from mountains or the beaches!

I agree. It's like Utopia as far as climate and scenery goes.

jennajava

With those requirements, you can't beat Seattle.

too rainy

bregalad5

My first thought was Colorado. Around here (Charlottesville, VA) is nice, too. Someone yesterday commented on how outdoor-friendly this area is. When I'm out, I usually see at least 4-5 other runners/walkers in just a 2-3 mile stretch. It's a college town, but it's gorgeous and pretty friendly. And hey, 2 presidents are from here :laugh: I haven't been here for a winter yet, but I'm sure it'll at least be more mild than where I'm from! (Buffalo!)