How about Sierra Vista, Arizona? Fast-growing, but lots of property around, not really expensive. There's an Army base nearby (where I was staioned for a time). There are mountains nearby (not gigantic ones, but not bad, fun to climb), Mexico isn't far, Tuscon isn't far if you want a medium-sized city for something, and if you need a huge city for some reason, Phoenix isn't THAT far. Plus, you're in shooting range of California and Nevada, should you want to take a road trip and see the beach or hit the casinos. Not far away are the Grand Canyon, the big meteor crater, Saguaro National Park or whatever (fun camping), Tombstone isn't far (I had a Margarita in every bar in Tombstone one weekend, burp!), lotsa stuff to do really. I was there off and on for two years and never ran out of places to explore and stuff to do. All-in-all, it was a great place to live and then use as a base to go see other areas nearby, since it's not a bad drive to so MANY cool places.

The downside is the heat, but because it's somewhat elevated it's not as bad as you might expect, way nicer than Phoenix. And heat must not be that big a concern anyway, or you wouldn't be mentioning New Mexico or Texas.
jamstigator Reviewed by jamstigator on . May relocate, need help Mrs. Bear and I are thinking about venturing out of the last frontier in about a year to take up residence in another den. We are looking at New Mexico, TX, but laws there are pretty harsh, down south, but same thing with laws and other than that our options and minds are open. We prefer a more rural scene, a place where we can pick up a couple acres for the kids and dogs to romp and ride. Tel me about the laws of your land and perhaps the economic scene. Adieu Rating: 5