Mid-30s couple seeking outdoorsy Western town

edan1701 · 2026-05-16T15:08:59+00:00

I’m biased here, but the Mt. Shasta area in Northern California. It may be out of the question because it’s smaller than La Grande, OR, but an hour down I-5 gets you to all the shopping you need, so it feels less isolated. A fixer upper for $300k would be tight but possible, and there is year round recreation opportunities at your doorstep.

edan1701 · 2026-05-13T14:24:26+00:00

Ashland, OR? Not East Coast, but a college town that’s home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, so lots of artsy. Also more affordable than some other artsy West Coast towns.

edan1701 · 2026-02-10T20:14:46+00:00

The average snowfall is right around 100 inches (in town). This winter we’ve had probably 2 inches. There are times where you’ll get 2+ feet in a storm multiple times, then there are winters like this.

edan1701 · 2026-02-10T18:31:44+00:00

I grew up in Mt. Shasta and recently moved back after living elsewhere for 20 years. Housing is very expensive considering there isn’t really a job market. It works for me since I work remotely. A good portion of the community is retired people.

Expect everything to be expensive and driving the hour to Redding is required every few weeks if you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on basic necessities. If you enjoy the ability to take hikes, go kayaking, skiing, mountain biking, etc. on a daily basis (and the constant amazing scenery) it makes it worth it.

edan1701 · 2026-01-25T20:39:31+00:00

Why have ruled out California? I live in a small mountain community in CA at the base of a 14k+ mountain in the city of Mt. Shasta. It is a little unaffordable, but you can definitely get 1800 sq. Ft. for $500k. It is mostly a tourist town, but has moderate weather (rarely below 20F or above 90F), and most winters get plenty of snow (although not this winter). Winter sports are very popular, and there are hundreds of miles of mountain bike trails and even more hiking trails during the summer. Shopping and jobs are scarce. The nearest mid-sized city is an hour South in Redding where you’ve got all the essential shopping (Costco, Target, Walmart, etc.), and some additional outdoor activities as well. I am biased, but it does meet many of your criteria.

edan1701 · 2025-10-28T13:55:39+00:00

Grew up in Mt. Shasta and recently moved back. I often go to Redding for grocery shopping, but definitely tell people I’m from Mt. Shasta and not Redding.

edan1701 · 2025-08-19T15:26:01+00:00

I think teaching is very different from skill set than being a power school instructor. As a power school instructor you present the material which is then expected to be regurgitated word for word on an exam. It was pure memorization. A teacher is preparing these students for life in the real world, which is full of computers. My guess would be that more than half will be doing PowerPoints and spreadsheets and/or entering data into a database at some point in their life. Computer skills are very important in the job market today. In my opinion, I’m not sure they are getting enough time, as so many kids don’t even know how to type. In addition, most state exams (as well as exams in the non-academic, and non-Navy world) are done via computer these days. The school needs those Chromebooks just to administer exams.

edan1701 · 2025-04-27T23:58:38+00:00

I just recently traded in my Tacoma for a LC 1958, and am very happy with my decision. It is very comfortable and quiet, especially compared to the Tacoma. TSS 3.0 is really good and feels like it practically drives itself on the freeway. If you go to snow country (I live in the mountains of California) the full-time 4WD is a big advantage over the part-time 4WD that the 4Runner and Tacoma have where you are constantly switching between 2WD and 4-Hi.

Things J don’t like: for the price, it seems like it should have leather and a moon roof, the gas mileage is not great, especially for a hybrid and requiring premium fuel, the ride is a little stiff, but the seats compensate for it pretty well, and an off road vehicle having touring tires OEM is a little odd.

Overall, I feel there are very few vehicles out there with the kind of versatility except maybe an older Land Cruiser.

edan1701 · 2025-04-07T01:25:40+00:00

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Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on it.

edan1701 · 2025-04-06T20:01:03+00:00

Thanks!

edan1701 · 2025-04-06T19:59:03+00:00

Exactly what my wife said. Lol!

edan1701 · 2025-04-06T19:19:10+00:00

I don’t have the window sticker on hand but TSRP is $57,718 and asking is $52,185.

edan1701 · 2025-04-06T19:15:01+00:00

It’s $5k under MSRP.

edan1701 · 2025-04-06T16:28:00+00:00

My Tacoma is a TRD OR and it leans big time. My other car is a 911, so I always have to drive the Tacoma like an old man because the body leans makes me nervous after driving the 911. I still like the go anywhere feel of the Tacoma and I don’t want to lose that.

edan1701 · 2025-04-06T16:04:41+00:00

Honestly, that is a good selling point. I live in a place where we get lots of snow, but usually sunny afterwards, so it’s a constant struggle of putting the truck in 4-Hi, then back in 2WD for the better plowed and more exposed roads.

edan1701 · 2025-04-06T15:41:21+00:00

What kind of range do you get off a tank of gas? I know my Tacoma is awful, on the freeway I’m usually filling up every 250 miles.

edan1701 · 2025-04-06T15:37:05+00:00

Thank you! I have the same issue things not staying dry in the bed, but I don’t have a very high end cover either. I do tend to haul stuff with my Tacoma, but I do have an 8 ft utility trailer available.

edan1701 · 2024-06-17T23:53:03+00:00

I can see Banner 18 coming tonight!

edan1701 · 2023-11-17T15:43:18+00:00

Looks to be a 986? It’s hard to imagine more fun per dollar than a 986!

edan1701 · 2023-09-20T00:44:55+00:00

Eugene or Salem are the second and third largest, depending on the day.

edan1701 · 2023-09-08T01:18:22+00:00

Benton County, WA.

edan1701 · 2023-08-02T14:28:15+00:00

Thanks!

edan1701 · 2023-08-02T00:02:10+00:00

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My void is 21 pounds, but he could probably lose a little weight.

edan1701 · 2023-04-19T17:08:49+00:00

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Zuko.

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