Affordable places you would actually want to live

I prefer to live in America where I feel much more secure. Honestly, I think if I were in your position, I would look at property in the Ozark Mountains. Land is ridiculously cheap, fishing is great, the people are warm and kind, kids are "free range" and schools teach the three r's. After living in Seattle... this will be like breathing in a lung full of fresh air....American fresh air.
Have u lived in the Ozarks ??? I spent 5 months in Ft Leonard Wood, 1973, and the bugs, lighting, heat, lighting, brown rivers, reservoirs that they call lakes..... Would never go back, and i have managed to not drive thru.. oh, and they have some snakes that u dont want to deal with.
 
Forsyth Missouri ..snap dab in the middle of the proud hillbilly culture. The lakes are full of LM Bass, the streams are full of SM Bass and trout are cooked on the grill. It is a place that you can let your kids play with the fireflies at night. You can leave your doors unlocked. And you can actually paint your shed without a permit from the city. The freedom that these "hillbillies" (a term that they wear with pride) live with, is far different than what a family in King County experiences.
 
Rural health care is often a crap shoot, and 'Critical Access' facilities are under funded as it is, and not looking like things are getting better right now.
I'd want to be within a couple hours of a major city if health care was a top 5 criteria for a new location.
 
Forsyth Missouri ..snap dab in the middle of the proud hillbilly culture. The lakes are full of LM Bass, the streams are full of SM Bass and trout are cooked on the grill. It is a place that you can let your kids play with the fireflies at night. You can leave your doors unlocked. And you can actually paint your shed without a permit from the city. The freedom that these "hillbillies" (a term that they wear with pride) live with, is far different than what a family in King County experiences.
What sort of family feels free and accepted in the Ozarks?

And have you lived in King County? Raised a family in King County?
 
What we are facing is unprecedented. There’s however many tens or hundreds of thousands in my position, in WA. If the profession winds down, there’s going to be a lot of people trying to pivot into something else, all at the same time. Many other professions will be impacted too.

I have many years of work left in me, but I can’t assume there will be any work that I can or want to do. The worst case is early retirement and we have enough to do that, just not in the Seattle area. I’m a “hope for the best but assume the worst” kind of guy.

Work that one doesn't want to do is irrelevant. Most people do work they don't want to do.

That said if one can retire early and make a go of it, I'd call that great.

If I we're facing the situation your anticipating.. I'd get ahead of it and start retraining now to get a jump on the competition.
 
I think it's the relatively low otter population.
😁
 
They have snakes in the Ozark's. They dance with them at church. The definition of a hillbilly is a "person that was born in the hills...not in a hospital". The Ozark's are a magical place. Good people, good fishing and good cooking. I kinda like the way they talk there too. And they tend not to be judgmental.
 
What we are facing is unprecedented. There’s however many tens or hundreds of thousands in my position, in WA. If the profession winds down, there’s going to be a lot of people trying to pivot into something else, all at the same time. Many other professions will be impacted too.

I have many years of work left in me, but I can’t assume there will be any work that I can or want to do. The worst case is early retirement and we have enough to do that, just not in the Seattle area. I’m a “hope for the best but assume the worst” kind of guy.
I haven't read through all of this thread so I apologize if this has been covered. I'm drifting your thread here based your your response to @Rob Allen (who I thought had a really good suggestion). Can you tighten your belt and get into some kind of craft apprenticeship? They're usually a three year stint. Electrician, Lineman, Plumber, Powerhouse Operator.......... Week before last the local utility began replacing all the power distribution poles in the easement between our street and the next. I watched the crew prep the site, excavate a footing for the new pole, place it and then move the transformer from the old pole to the new pole. Yes, linemen do still climb poles but they also use lots bucket trucks, lifts, cranes, backhoes, loaders. It's a tough job, it pays WELL. AI won't be climbing poles and working under hot lines anytime soon. I don't see AI replacing a lot of hands on craft work.

Good luck to you and your family./Pat
 
AI won't be climbing poles and working under hot lines anytime soon. I don't see AI replacing a lot of hands on craft work.

Good luck to you and your family./Pat
I actually suggest reading the discussion on this in previous pages.
 
Some, especially Mike Rowe, point towards the trades for people. Any trade though you start as an apprentice, work your way up. Takes time to become say, a master electrician, AI says 7-10 years. Currently a master electrician nationwide average salary is specified as $36-$40 per hour. Yes, can be higher in certain areas, but is cost of living higher there as well? So at $40 per hour, $82,000 a year. Sounds good but remember that’s after several years. Accepted, or used to be, that you buy a house 3 times your yearly salary, so $246,000 house price. Hopefully your wife is a certified nurse as well, average hourly wage is like $47, now you can actually buy a $500,000 house.
Average home price nationwide is $350,000. Locally it’s difficult to find a decent house for $400,000, a 1400 sq ft ranch. Next step up is $495,000.
It’s not easy being young now. Not like it was for many of us before
 
. And they tend not to be judgmental.




🫣
 
Years ago I moved to the PNW. I had never heard the phrase "Seattle Freeze". But I soon learned that it is customary to completely ignore your next door neighbor. In places like the Ozark Mountains this would be unheard of. It's different there.
 
In places like the Ozark Mountains this would be unheard of. It's different there.

I look forward to your fishing report from there.

...and some Possum recipes on the 'What are you Eating' thread...

Maybe some pics of the snake handlers.
 
Here's the thing..these hillbillies are proud of their Possum recipes. That is their heritage. "Shepard of the hills" Jesse James, the "bald knobbers" etc... Many people view the term "Hillbilly" as derogatory, but true hillbillies are a proud bunch.
 
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