Which Town in the West Would You Choose?
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
April 2, 2024 — Following up on last week’s very successful article, “Brian Struggles to Find His Best Place to Retire“, we’ve created a similar scenario for a couple having a dilemma choosing a retirement location in the western half of the country. First we’ll lay out a hypothetical retirement scenario using preferences common to many of our Members and visitors, and then ask you to choose which solution you would pick. We are hoping for lots of Comments too.
Bill and Carol Head West for Retirement
Our virtual couple, Bill and Carol, have lived and worked in California most of their adult lives. They like the sunny weather and enjoy the opportunity for endless recreational opportunities, from the beach to the mountains. They don’t like the traffic and high prices for everything. Their children are grown and live in different parts of the country. Although they realize that being near all of them is not going to be possible, they are willing to travel to visit them and the grandchildren. They are not so sure about living in an active or 55+ community, but would be willing to if the situation looked right. Both of them are tired of rattling around in a house that is too big for two people, with the drawbacks of an upstairs MBR and significant maintenance and landscaping needs.
Bill and Carol would like to get out of California, but are open to anyplace in the West where an active lifestyle is possible. We have selected 4 towns that we think might be a good retirement fit for them. Although home prices are high for all of these choices, since the couple is coming from California we are assuming they have a valuable home to sell. If not, every area has lower cost opportunities to choose from. Please take our Poll at the end of the article and tell us which one you would pick. In the Comments section, please let everyone know more about your preferences – and what might have turned you off about some of them.
Bozeman, Montana. A gateway community to Yellowstone National Park, the city is located in the southwestern part of the state. The growing city’s population during the 2020 census was 56,123, which an 81% increase since 2000. People are drawn here for its recreation, natural beauty, and quality of life. The 17,000 students in Montana State University help Bozeman have a young median age of just 28 years. If you saw the movie “A River Runs Through It”, you have an idea of beautiful this area is. Real estate is expensive: Zillow reported the median home value was $657,765 in early 2024. As an example of the range of active communities available here, Timberline Ridge is a manufactured home development that is more affordable. Negative wise, Boseman is mighty cold in the winter time, and like so many places in the west, there are wildfires.
Bend, Oregon. Located in the center of the State, Bend (population 103,000) has wonderful scenic and recreational activities with Mirror Pond in the downtown along with 71 parks and 48 miles of trails, Pilot Butte State Park, and Smith Rock State Park. Mount Bachelor ski resort is near. The town is also home to Bend Film Festival, plus Minor league baseball, basketball, and soccer. We have 14 active adult and 55+ communities in our Bend Directory. The Falls at Eagle Crest is a luxurious 55+ enclave within a larger master planned community. The Zillow Home Value Index was $726,165 in early 2024. A criticism of Bend is that it is growing too fast, and that real estate is expensive.
Las Cruces, New Mexico. Located in the southern part of the State, Las Cruces is the second largest city in New Mexico. On the plus side it has New Mexico State University along with endless outdoor and wilderness activities. The town of Mesilla is a historic town that is also suburb – it is a fun place to explore with its historic plaza. Some people might view its isolation near Texas and Mexico as a negative, even though it has a very active cultural life beyond recreation. The Zillow Home Value Index was $277,884 in early 2024. The 2023 population was 113,888. It has some very nice active communities to choose from, including luxurious Picacho Mountain.
Prescott, Arizona. Often cited as a great place to retire in Arizona for its old west aura, Prescott is located at an elevation of 5400 feet in the mountains of north central Arizona. The City of Prescott (population just under 47,000 in 2023) was the original capital of the Arizona Territory. This old mining town and now popular retirement community borders the Prescott National Forest. The Zillow Home Value Index was $597,416 in early 2024. Outdoors oriented people love it here, but it does not offer the scope of cultural venues that towns near Phoenix or Tucson have. Prescott College and Emory-Riddle Aeronautical University are located here. There are many active adult and 55+ communities here, including Talking Rock, a luxury golf community.
Quick Poll: So Which Town Would You Choose?
Just for fun, please take this quick poll to see how you and others would pick, if you had your druthers. You’ll see how the poll is going as soon as you Vote. Let us know more in the Comments section below, including any towns that might be better picks! And, if you would like your retirement quest be used in one of these articles and polls, just let us know.
Are You Having a Retirement Dilemma?
We would love to run scenarios like this to help you find your ideal place to retire. Please share your story, either in the Comments or using the Contact Us link.
Comments on "Which Town in the West Would You Choose?"
Admin says:
In Arizona, Green Valley and Tucson seem like they would be good choices. Warm winters, plenty of outdoors, real estate not so expensive. Any with experience in these places care to comment?
RichPB says:
I think Green Valley in AZ is south and not the Verde River Valley which is just south of Sedona. We rented there for a month years ago and really liked it -- all the features of nearby Sedone but much lower cost. Most of Arizona within a few hours drive. We did consider moving there , but the extreme dryness and constant winds are a real factor and we stayed east.
Patricia McD says:
I was looking at Green Valley and now I won't consider it. Thank you Rich PB for letting me know about the wind. I cannot tolerate wind; it makes me feel like I've been pummeled. So does anyone know where the good walking neighborhoods are in Tucson?
Bill Bamber says:
Somewhere in Eastern B.C. where they have great Slopes & awesome Golf Courses!! Maybe Calgary AB. Or N.E. USA meaning Vermont.
Just sayin':
Bill Bamber,
Edmonton Alberta
Donna says:
I was born & raised in the West & have lived in 4 different states there. I have visited all 4 cities listed. I have also visited all 50 states. My short take on those 4 cities listed: Bozeman is great fun but way too bitterly cold in the winter, Prescott is just too (culturally) isolated, Bend has water & growth issues & has too many seasonal wildfires. Of the 4, Las Cruces is quite fun & has the whole red & green New Mexican cuisine & isn’t far from El Paso for plane flights to visit the grandkids. That being said, I will say that hubby & I eventually left the West entirely & are quite happily settled near Asheville, North Carolina. To each his/her own!
Pat R says:
I have been in green valley for 7 years and love it. There are windy days in the spring, such as yesterday, but it may be 30 days total at most. December through February are cooler than I personally like, but I love the rest of the year. In the winter I often make driving trips to San Carlos in Mexico where it's usually 10 degrees warmer. Or take cruises out of LA which is a short easy drive as well.
low says:
I wouldn't choose the west at all.
Steve says:
Donna has it right. None of the four towns showcased are ideal (frankly I don't know why they were selected) and Ashville is probably the best choice, but to each his own.
John says:
Stay in California!! There are so many beautiful areas in Northern California and the geography is the best in the west.
Jay says:
Bill and Carol should check out southern Utah! It's not for everyone but we really enjoy Washington County Utah. There are endless outdoor recreation opportunities, the weather is great, and there are smaller towns not as congested as the main city, St.George. As a bonus Las Vegas is a leisurely 2 hour drive. This area is on our short list. We're about to make our 3rd trip there, spending 2 weeks as we compare it to two other areas we're still considering for retirement. Good Luck!
Sharon L Alexander says:
I suggest they consider Western Washington. When I retired after working at a University on the East Coast, I came back here. Couldn't afford Seattle anymore, but settled in Olympia, which is the State Capital. Its about a 1 - 2 hr. drive to Seattle, depending on traffic. Lots to do here if you like the outdoors; boating, hiking, skiing, etc. And I might add, no income tax. Worth checking out.
Editor's Comment: Thanks Sharon. Olympia seems like a really good alternative. Here is our review of the town and other WA cities. While expensive by some standards, it is much less so than Seattle. And Jay's comment is a great alternative too. Here is the St. George review.
Yolande says:
I always appreciate the comments. You gain so much knowledge just from people who've been to, or live in other areas. Makes it more conflicting some times to decide what will be the best fit for any of us, but the info is always valuable. I lived in So. CA for 30+ yrs. I would never move back & have been gone for 3+ yrs. without visiting in about 2+ yrs. Miss it dearly, but no regrets! Montana is too cold period, beautiful but cold. I'm too old to be digging myself out.
I love, love the desert, to me the difference in the beauty from greener areas is just amazing & unbeatable, I prefer the dry climate but it no longer loves me. So I have to find a more humid climate minus the massive snow falls & cold. The dry is taking a major toll on my health. It's just really hard to find a new place to go.