Best places to live in US for outdoorsy families?

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Santa Cruz, CA and it was heavenly. The university being there adds a lot of vibrancy to the town. Climate is good- never too cold, never gets really that warm either. Right on the water, close to hiking and mountains. Skiing is close enough, I guess. Close to San Francisco for more of a city experience. Expensive, tho. And wildfires...

[Anonymous]

Chattanooga, TN

[Anonymous]

All the Denver responses are cracking me up. It's not what you're looking for. And beware of Boulder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the Denver responses are cracking me up. It's not what you're looking for. And beware of Boulder.

really? What makes you say this? Granted I didn't have kids when I was there, but I lived in between Denver and Boulder for a few years (Broomfield) and as an outdoor enthusiast...I can't recommend it enough. Loved it there.

[Anonymous]

With Alaska as part of this county, I don’t know why there are other potential options listed. People are never inside, outdoorsyness is a part of life for nearly everyone. It’s not, like, California outdoorsiness where sure it’s easy to be outside when it’s sunny and warm — these are people who go running in Subzero temps, whose facial hair freezes when they’re skiing, etc. And, there are many great schools.

(I grew up there. Nowhere else compares. I learned skiing as part of my public school gym class. I learned how to start a fire with sticks in high school environmental ed. I watched dogsled races as a 3 year old. I’ve caught and processed many fish, and know how to get around on a snowmachine and an ATV. I’ve been backwoods whitewater rafting, I’ve been on a plane with cross-body seatbelts. AND my family and upbringing was fairly ‘traditional’ by AK standards — most people are much more rugged)

If not Alaska, Montana is probably your next best bet. Maaaaybe the UP of Michigan, but you won’t be near any cities, small or otherwise, up there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With Alaska as part of this county, I don’t know why there are other potential options listed. People are never inside, outdoorsyness is a part of life for nearly everyone. It’s not, like, California outdoorsiness where sure it’s easy to be outside when it’s sunny and warm — these are people who go running in Subzero temps, whose facial hair freezes when they’re skiing, etc. And, there are many great schools.

(I grew up there. Nowhere else compares. I learned skiing as part of my public school gym class. I learned how to start a fire with sticks in high school environmental ed. I watched dogsled races as a 3 year old. I’ve caught and processed many fish, and know how to get around on a snowmachine and an ATV. I’ve been backwoods whitewater rafting, I’ve been on a plane with cross-body seatbelts. AND my family and upbringing was fairly ‘traditional’ by AK standards — most people are much more rugged)

If not Alaska, Montana is probably your next best bet. Maaaaybe the UP of Michigan, but you won’t be near any cities, small or otherwise, up there.

Wow that sounds like an interesting childhood!

I lived for a year in Northern Wisconsin and feel like there's a similar lifestyle up there. Lots of ice fishing, dog sledding etc. And after work in the summer, people would go hiking instead of happy hour and all kinds of water activities on Lake Superior in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colorado would work. The Denver suburbs have extensive trails, open space, sidewalks, and playgrounds. Skiing is excellent, but traffic to the ski slopes is terrible. The cons are the cost of housing and some people don't care for the arid climate. There are numerous smaller towns west of Denver like Evergreen or Conifer that would have you out of the city but close enough for shopping.

Another thought is upstate NY. You could live in the suburb of a medium sized town like Syracuse. There are even more outdoor activities than Colorado because of the lakes and rivers, but the skiing and climbing pales in comparison. Winters are gray unlike Colorado and property taxes are high because there is a large school tax. The schools are really good. When you pay teachers a good wage, you get quality teachers. PE in one of the school districts includes cross-country skiing and hiking.

Close to lakes and Adirondacks but wow so boring and lame. Depressing city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With Alaska as part of this county, I don’t know why there are other potential options listed. People are never inside, outdoorsyness is a part of life for nearly everyone. It’s not, like, California outdoorsiness where sure it’s easy to be outside when it’s sunny and warm — these are people who go running in Subzero temps, whose facial hair freezes when they’re skiing, etc. And, there are many great schools.

(I grew up there. Nowhere else compares. I learned skiing as part of my public school gym class. I learned how to start a fire with sticks in high school environmental ed. I watched dogsled races as a 3 year old. I’ve caught and processed many fish, and know how to get around on a snowmachine and an ATV. I’ve been backwoods whitewater rafting, I’ve been on a plane with cross-body seatbelts. AND my family and upbringing was fairly ‘traditional’ by AK standards — most people are much more rugged)

If not Alaska, Montana is probably your next best bet. Maaaaybe the UP of Michigan, but you won’t be near any cities, small or otherwise, up there.

Wow that sounds like an interesting childhood!

I lived for a year in Northern Wisconsin and feel like there's a similar lifestyle up there. Lots of ice fishing, dog sledding etc. And after work in the summer, people would go hiking instead of happy hour and all kinds of water activities on Lake Superior in the summer.

I spent my summers in Vilas County, WI! I love it up there...BUT it's very...provincial. Hickish. I could never move there full time as an adult.

[Anonymous]

I spent my summers up there as a kid, I should say^^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Salt Lake City. I am within a 15 minute drive of more than 8 canyons. Amazing hiking and skiing of course. The religion stuff isn't a a big deal if you live in the city. Some good privates and publics depending on kids age and need. It does get quite warm here in the summer though. And the air quality is awful. Park city may also suit your needs. Smaller city, better schools.

just moved to park city from Bethesda and LOVE ir! I think the sir quality in summer was great (no humidity.)

[Anonymous]

Denver is the right option.

[Anonymous]

I really love Denver—my BIL and his family live out there—but after visiting numerous times it is just SO DRY. And now with the fires and it getting worse and worse with climate change, it totally scared me off from considering it. My BIL lives IN Denver and says the smoke has been pretty bad and they’ve had to cut several camping trips not far from Denver short due to the fires this summer.

Vermont is beautiful. Same with Maine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the Denver responses are cracking me up. It's not what you're looking for. And beware of Boulder.

+1. Research carefully, it may not be what you’re imagining or expect. Also the air quality and cost of real estate are not great.

[Anonymous]

southern Maine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ideal would be near a smaller city with easy access to parks, skiing, hiking, etc. Prefer cooler climates. Towns with good schools a bonus, especially those that emphasize outdoor education.

Having grown up on the west coast, you want to live in CA, UT, or CO for the best skiing. East coast skiing sucks. I am from CA but would probably avoid that state now, despite all it has to offer. I have happy friend in CO and also ID, which I've never skied. Smaller towns, great schools, nice people, tons of outdoor opportunities.