Life Style v. Standard of Living

[SkiDog]

Like Terry, I feel like I'm a great spot as well. 20 minutes from Burlington and it's shopping, airport, restaurants, etc. A little under 2 hours to Montreal, 45 min to NY by plane. Got great skiing 1/2 hour away. Like Terry, can snowshoe, xcountry ski, hunt (if I wantted to) on my own land. I took quite a pay cut when I moved back up here, but to me, it's not important. As long as the bills can get paid and have a little extra spending money and some to save, I'm good. I don't need a fancy car and a big house. For me, it's the quality of life I'm after.
I've known quite a few people who have fallen in love with the "Image" of Vermont (i.e. weekend warriors, people who read too much VT Life Magazine), only to turn around and move back to wherever they came from a year later. I've heard similar stories out of Maine (just substitute Down East Magazine instead of VT Life).
So, as others have said. Living here is not the same as vacationing. You'll most likely take a huge pay cut. What you gain though, is a quality of life that you don't get in more urbanized areas (IMO).

Quality of life is EXACTLY why I moved out of NJ.....So far Utahs GREAT...the people are great...I didnt have to sacrifice too much in terms of salary. I still have ALL the conveniences of the city and am VERY close to the mountains.

M

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I believe that I live in an ideal situation. We live in a modest house, have enough income to live comfortable and send a daughter through college. I have a 15 min comute to work and usually only meet half a dozen cars on the way. It is a rural area, yet is only 10 minutes from North Conway NH and all its shopping, etc. I have 13 ski areas within an hour and 15 minutes drive, can hunt right out my back door, am 20 minutes from Evans Notch, can snowmobile and cross country ski out my back door. The Saco river is 5 minutes away for canoeing, and swimming. Kezar Lake, ranked one of the most beautiful lakes in the world is 20 mins away.Yet I can be in Portland, Maines largest city in an hour if I want. And to top it all off, I have Jesses, the coldest beer store in the area, just a mile and a half down the road! How can you beat that? :beer:

Let's not forget that a for a few weeks you get some excitement if you so choose with the Fryburg State Fair.

One thing I like is the extreme change of seasons. I can't wait for the flakes to fly in November but by May I'm ready for summer stuff. In late August when the trees start to go into the fall season etc.

In general I also think alot of it has to do with what you grew up with and it just being a natural thing to be more comfortable in that environment. I'm such a hick I don't really like going to Burlington. :wink:

 

[MadPadraic]

This is a good topic. I have trouble seeing myself full time in a NE ski town mainly because they are all too far North. The problem is that come summer we would be far too far away from Fenway and McCoy (home of the Pawsox) and the RI and South Shore bbeaches.

In a lot of ways, Vancouver seems almost ideal: ski areas right in town and decent access to Whistler and--even better--Mt Baker. Vancouver has all the trappings of a city along with good public transportation, a good airport, and Canadian health care. Unfortuantely, it's hard to get a work permit there and the water is probably too cold (it certainly is further south in Seattle).

I spent 3 weeks (summertime) in Park City, and it seemd, ok. SLC airport is great, Park City has a very good free bus system, the grocery stores are ok, but I doubt the theatre is all that good. Unfortunately Park City didn't seem to have any decent book stores, too many summer time snakes, and no Ocean nearby.

Geneva....hmm..

 

[SkiDog]

I spent 3 weeks (summertime) in Park City, and it seemd, ok. SLC airport is great, Park City has a very good free bus system, the grocery stores are ok, but I doubt the theatre is all that good. Unfortunately Park City didn't seem to have any decent book stores, too many summer time snakes, and no Ocean nearby.
.

Downtown SLC has a GREAT bookstore...call Sam Wellers. 3 floors....used books and new...in fact the other day I was in there and saw a 1972 AMC White Mtn Guide COMPLETE with Maps...I think it was like $6. I almost picked it up...im sure its not going anywhere.

M

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

SLC I think is a great balance. Its right there at the base of the mtns, big enough city to have culture, entertainment, sociability and dont feel like you are stranded in the middle of nowhere.....its just too far from the ocean for me...

 

[SkiDog]

SLC I think is a great balance. Its right there at the base of the mtns, big enough city to have culture, entertainment, sociability and dont feel like you are stranded in the middle of nowhere.....its just too far from the ocean for me...

Im not much of an ocean person...but hey..I can be in CA pretty quick on a southwest flight.

Plenty of BEACH there...

M

 

[snoseek]

Im not much of an ocean person...but hey..I can be in CA pretty quick on a southwest flight.

Plenty of BEACH there...

M

you can drive to san diego for a long weekend. i'll take those beaches and warm water over northeast beaches any day. water rarely gets warm in maine or n.h. (unless your french canadien). three years in salt lake, and yes it has some down sides, but overall the city is set up nice for the outdoor enthusiest. you'll have fun.

btw- the whole mormon thing is blown up. Don't read the paper too much, and try not to take sides.

 

[MadPadraic]

Downtown SLC has a GREAT bookstore...call Sam Wellers. 3 floors....used books and new...in fact the other day I was in there and saw a 1972 AMC White Mtn Guide COMPLETE with Maps...I think it was like $6. I almost picked it up...im sure its not going anywhere.

M

So, um,. I dig the TRAX; I do. As referenecd by my earlier posts, public transit is a big fator in where I want to live. Also, without going too political here, its amazing that SLC is trying to expand their light rail in such a red state. But my question is, why is it so hard to get a cab in SLC? As a follow up to anyone out there, why do cabs in Portland Oregon wander the streets if they only come when called on the phone, and not hailed?

Two more SLC questions: what is the closest lift served mountain? What is the closest lift served mountain with night skiing? Thanks for the tip on the book store.

 

[snoseek]

So, um,. I dig the TRAX; I do. As referenecd by my earlier posts, public transit is a big fator in where I want to live. Also, without going too political here, its amazing that SLC is trying to expand their light rail in such a red state. But my question is, why is it so hard to get a cab in SLC? As a follow up to anyone out there, why do cabs in Portland Oregon wander the streets if they only come when called on the phone, and not hailed?

Two more SLC questions: what is the closest lift served mountain? What is the closest lift served mountain with night skiing? Thanks for the tip on the book store.

closest lift served is the canyons. extra 10 minutes gets alta, snowbird, solitude or brighton. brighton has good night skiing. snowbasin and pow mow are both less than 90 minutes.

 

[SkiDog]

closest lift served is the canyons. extra 10 minutes gets alta, snowbird, solitude or brighton. brighton has good night skiing. snowbasin and pow mow are both less than 90 minutes.

I dont know about that...im in Sandy so I think the closest to me is Snowbird and short trip 5 more minutes up the road gets me Alta....can't be more than 20 minutes to Alta from where I am.

M

 

[SkiDog]

So, um,. I dig the TRAX; I do. As referenecd by my earlier posts, public transit is a big fator in where I want to live. Also, without going too political here, its amazing that SLC is trying to expand their light rail in such a red state. But my question is, why is it so hard to get a cab in SLC? As a follow up to anyone out there, why do cabs in Portland Oregon wander the streets if they only come when called on the phone, and not hailed?

Two more SLC questions: what is the closest lift served mountain? What is the closest lift served mountain with night skiing? Thanks for the tip on the book store.

Dont know about the cabs...TRAX is supposedly nice..i dont PT too much....they are VERY much expanding it though and I am pretty sure the bus system is nice as well..

Welcome on the bookstore, and I think proximity to the resorts would depend on exactly where you decide to live. If you live in Parlays then Park City is likely closest. If you live in Sandy like me..I think its snowbird or alta.

Just my .02, but I havent been here more than a week...got a lease now though... ;-)

M

 

[snoseek]

I dont know about that...im in Sandy so I think the closest to me is Snowbird and short trip 5 more minutes up the road gets me Alta....can't be more than 20 minutes to Alta from where I am.

M

i didn't know you were up there. in that case all four in the cottonwoods are a snap. save your gas and take the bus up, if you have a pass i beleive it's free. most of sandy is high enough up the benches to keep you away from that occasional bad air. very havy lds concentration, but maybe that's changing.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

This should make more clear where SkiDog's new doghouse is. Most everybody I know that goes to Utah to ski stay in Sandy. Very convenient to skiing.

One thing that has not been mentioned is the incredible areas in the southern Utah for summer fun. The slickrock country around Moab, places like Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce and Zion NP's, Kodakchrome and Goblin SP's and the whitwater rafting in the northeast. It's truly amazing country. I have spent alot of time photographing there.

Here is a very small taste. Arches has over 1000 named arches, an amazing landscape. Your gonna be blown away.

 

[SkiDog]

i didn't know you were up there. in that case all four in the cottonwoods are a snap. save your gas and take the bus up, if you have a pass i beleive it's free. most of sandy is high enough up the benches to keep you away from that occasional bad air. very havy lds concentration, but maybe that's changing.

Yep I should be above most of the "bad air".....and the LDS concentration is certainly changing, but I could care less...im not religious.

M

 

[SkiDog]

This should make more clear where SkiDog's new doghouse is. Most everybody I know that goes to Utah to ski stay in Sandy. Very convenient to skiing.

One thing that has not been mentioned is the incredible areas in the southern Utah for summer fun. The slickrock country around Moab, places like Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce and Zion NP's, Kodakchrome and Goblin SP's and the whitwater rafting in the northeast. It's truly amazing country. I have spent alot of time photographing there.

Here is a very small taste. Arches has over 1000 named arches, an amazing landscape. Your gonna be blown away.

Yeah really I cant wait...and the high uintas are a mere hour away..

Nice..

Drop a line if you're coming out we'll catch up for a 3.2% beer...Mmmmmmm BLOAT..

M

 

[kingslug]

Utah..by far my favorite place. Too many reasons.

 

[JD]

I left suburban NJ and moved to the south. Met my wife and dragged her to the Mtns. of Vermont. I like the people. The Politics. And all the stuff I can do. 6 miles from the Notch. MTBing from my door. Never have to load the bike into the truck if I don't want to. Good boating all around that I am just really tapping into. Climbing. Seasons. The Wife wishes winter was just a little shorter, but I think she adjusts more every season. The down side? We live in a 2 room apartment with no door on our bedroom. The up side to that is when family comes they get a room....at a hotel.
Could not be happier making 30ish a year, and even on days I work early (10 a.m.), I can still get a self powered lap in. I could never live anywhere but in the Mtns. Maybe not the Greens forever, but for now.

 

[dirtbagking]

After 12 years of Sugarbush and MRG I was ready for a change. Friends told me about Big Sky. I called a guy from marketing and he read some crap from a brochure. I asked him if it was a " cool place to be a ski bum?". He said, " Ya know, I moved here for the skiing but the hunting and fishing made me stay."
17 years later... he was right.
In an earlier post someone said they didn't know what they would do besides skiing in a rural enviroment. In a city, generally, you can go watch other people do things like dance,sing or move a ball around. In the woods, you do it yourself. I am never bored. There is always somewhere to fish or hunt or hike or fix something broken. This time of year is great for hiking around and finding shed antlers from the elk. Or fishing.
Or... "yes dear, I'll clean out the frickin' garage."

 

[ski_resort_observer]

After 12 years of Sugarbush and MRG I was ready for a change. Friends told me about Big Sky. I called a guy from marketing and he read some crap from a brochure. I asked him if it was a " cool place to be a ski bum?". He said, " Ya know, I moved here for the skiing but the hunting and fishing made me stay."
17 years later... he was right.
In an earlier post someone said they didn't know what they would do besides skiing in a rural enviroment. In a city, generally, you can go watch other people do things like dance,sing or move a ball around. In the woods, you do it yourself. I am never bored. There is always somewhere to fish or hunt or hike or fix something broken. This time of year is great for hiking around and finding shed antlers from the elk. Or fishing.
Or... "yes dear, I'll clean out the frickin' garage."

Hey dbk......you the same dbk that used to post on the Big Sky RSN forum back in the "old days".... At times a very lively bunch. I have gotten mixed reports about the season out there...what say you? How's Boyne treating you guys?

 

[riverc0il]

For one thing, the weather sucks. How many real bluebird days do you get every winter?

This is a good point. Though it is colder and it snows a bit more around here (I can deal with that), the persistent foggy and cloudy days have been really hard to adjust to. Much different weather patterns than north eastern MA. Probably one of the things I dislike most about where we moved to in VT, a day full day of sun shine is so rare regardless of time of year and waking up almost every morning to some form of fog or clouds before they burn off isn't my thing, but I deal with that.