Golden Retriever Dog Forums banner

Best Golden Retriever place to live?

6K views 26 replies 20 participants last post by  azzure 
#1 ·
Hi Everyone,

I'm looking to move in the next year-or-two and am starting to narrow down some choices. I'm young/single/etc. and the nation truly is my oyster. I'm in Kansas now and am very much looking forward to not being in Kansas, and I'm wondering if anyone can comment on the best place to live with Goldens.

I've live in Colorado and Maine and loved them equally. Right now I'm looking at Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho as places that I could conceivably end up. I'm looking for a city above 50k, ideally, or a smaller one within an hours drive a metropolitan region. Access to secluded, varied, off-leash hiking is a must. I LOVE doing things with my dogs outside. I'd also like to live close enough to a region where travel to conformation shows is possible. I'm not a hunter but want to title my retrievers at the junior level, at least.

It might seem silly to ask a Golden forum for advice, but my dogs really are who I spend the most time with. I love vacationing with them and seeing them being able to swim in a mountainous lake or otherwise enjoying nature. I really want to pick a spot where I can be happy with my pups! I've lived in some good places... but they're not really good DOG places, if that makes sense.

Has anyone lived in these areas that can comment? Have advice about places to look into or avoid? What places have access to organized dog events and sports, but still might offer good outdoor opportunities?

Thanks so much in advance :)
 
See less See more
#3 ·
I think the PNW is pretty great for everything you listed. We have plenty of lakes, the beach and ocean, mountains and lots of trail hiking. Oregon has a club that meets in Salem, with most events in the Portland or northern Oregon areas, but still lots of hunt test opportunities in Southern Oregon. If you do decide to hunt, we have a nice long season and plenty of public land to hunt. I've never lived there but Washington is fairly the same it seems. I have friends in Boise and they love it, but you're more limited for outdoor activities and you often have to drive further to reach a destination. From my house I can be to the coast or the mountain in just under 2 hours.
 
#5 ·
Unfortunately, this is becoming true of Oregon too. It's still nowhere as bad as Southern California, but people just won't stop moving here! Even though a 1 bedroom apartment in Portland can easily rent for $1,200 or more there's still a housing crisis. There just aren't enough places to live for all of the people, not to mention traffic. That's why I like my small town outside of the city :)
 
#10 ·
Virginia is a great place as well. Lots of hiking opportunities but also close to various beaches north and south(Virginia, Beach, Outer Banks etc). Charlottesville is where the University of Virginia is and there is a great downtown mall and not quite as expensive as those other places!


I was just going to suggest Charlottesville!!! It's a beautiful city with mountains, lakes, and the beach is just a drive away. I may be biased because I've lived in this state my entire life, but I really think this is one of the best places to live. Cost of living is very reasonable(in most parts of the state), and it's a beautiful place.
 
#7 ·
PNW all the way. The entire Oregon coast is almost all off leash dog friendly, which my pup absolutely loves. The forests here are lush and cool and there are plenty of off leash trails if you go to places outside of the cities. For the most part the summers aren't too hot, and the winters are very mild. Portland is pretty expensive but if you still want a larger place there are other options for sure (Eugene, Salem, Corvallis, and the smaller communities surrounding Portland).
 
#15 ·
Hi!!!!! I'm a bit south, but just a hop,skip, and a jump away in Richmond! I'd kill to move to Charlottesville. When we bought our house back in February, I begged my boyfriend to consider Charlottesville! He decided he didn't want to drive an hour and a half to and from work each day ?
 
#12 ·
Northern New England, the PNW, and to a lesser extent the western (mountainous) portion of the eastern states would be my picks, though the parasite issue in the south requires some vigilance. I'd also consider some of the smaller towns in the Rockies though in my sidecar travels with Barley at my side I've found that the more touristy a place becomes the less dog friendly they tend to be.

 
#16 ·
Cleveland Ohio. Yes. I said Cleveland.
It meets your criteria. You would be surprised.

Did you know we have a huge NATIONAL Park here between Cleveland and Akron? The Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

There's also a pretty big Golden Retriever community in Northern Ohio too.
WC/WCX/Hunt Test in the Fall and Spring 30 minutes East of Cleveland. Conformation shows. Agility... There's also the 'The Cuyahoga Valley Golden Retriever Club'

Seriously. Cleveland. Stop laughing.
I still here laughing
 
#22 ·
I think BC is pretty good. (where I live). Plenty of forests and wilderness.
 
#23 ·
Head to Bend- PNW

I'd recommend checking out Bend, Oregon. We have a ton of year round outdoor activities that makes it a paradise for dogs and humans, alike.

Below is what visitbend.com has to say about the area;

"It is a well-known legend among Bend locals that we have one of the highest per capita dog populations anywhere in the world with 49 percent of Central Oregon residents owning a dog. In fact, Dog Fancy magazine claimed Bend as DogTown USA in 2012 and runner up in 2011. With over 40 restaurants ready to accommodate you and Fido for an alfresco dining date, a plethora of dog friendly businesses and events, more than 51 miles of urban trails in town, and over 13 off-leash areas in city parks and National Forests, Bend, Oregon is literally a paradise for man and woman's best friend."

Pet Travel to Bend Oregon Dog Town USA
 

Attachments

#24 ·
The places you have mentioned sound great for Goldens, they love being outside but seem to do well just about anywhere as long as they get great care and lots of attention. They really don't do as well in hot places (imho) - can't imagine having a Golden in Las Vegas or any place in the South. Getting some altitude can make it much cooler, as I know some valleys in Idaho can be quite hot in the summer.


Finding a great location for a Golden, will be a great place for you to live too. Many times it seems that when we take care of them - it helps us too.
 
#26 ·
I just got back from San Diego and stayed in La Jolla. I had never seen so many Golden's each day I went running. I ran along the coast 4 days straight in La Jolla south to Pacific Beach and I couldn't get 2 blocks without seeing a Golden. It was heaven on earth and longed to have my Buddha with me every minute. The weather was BEAUTIFUL and so many places in La Jolla were pet friendly. The only problem is that it is SO expensive to live there. Also, Austin is extremely pet friendly of all the places I have visited. Most hotels provide pet beds and most places of business allows dogs, even restaurants. Good luck on your new adventure.
 
#27 ·
Another vote for the Pacific Northwest. I live on the Olympic Peninsula, about an hour away from Seattle by car and ferry, and about an hour from Tacoma as well. Perfect GR weather...we have yet to reach 90 degrees this summer. Very little snow in the winter. We have 5 acres and a natural pond, so our dog is in heaven (and usually wet).
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top