Bearishgirl…I have been up to Couer D’ Alene (and Sandpoint). In fact I got pulled over for speeding by a brother of a retired CHP (he was from CA too). There are SO MANY cops up there. It was nice, the there are 2 huge gorgeous lakes up there. But not for me to live. I wouldn’t even vacation there personally, there are much better spots. I like Montana & Colorado much better for example.
I would never live there personally, but I was impressed with Boise ID when I drove through there. Great place for a family fleeing CA. Very nice clean town, very NON ghetto look and feel (as opposed to so much of CA). Close to tremendous pristine hiking, skiing, boating. Great college football team:)
The top no state income tax destinations for me to flee CA & the 10.3% state income tax are Seattle and Portsmouth New Hampshire. Those would be my top choices. With the tax savings you could take a few nice long winter tropical vacations:) The NV side of Lake Tahoe would be OK but too quiet. I knew a guy who lived in Incline Village half the year and Sarasota FL (both no income tax states). Not a big Las Vegas fan. I couldn’t live in TX b/c too flat & hot. Never been a big Florida fan. Jackson WY is beautiful, but not as a full time resident.
I actually like everything better about Seattle over SD except the weather in a few of the rainier winter months. I think it’s much prettier, 1.5 hrs from real skiing, much better architecture, much better culture and look and feel. Portsmouth is a lovely New England town as well with Colonial architecture, 45 min from Boston, a few minutes from the Maine Coast, an hour from the White Mnts of NH, etc.. But I would go with Seattle over Portsmouth right now b/c Ports. is a little too small. But lovely, lovely town!
Bearishgirl… you have to stop going to places so hard on the eyes like ABQ and Tulsa and visit Seattle and Portsmouth:)
