Any awesome west-coast hamlets with high speed internet?

[jemiro]

The Spouse and I are thinking of relocating once The Child heads off to college. Our top requirement is the one that's hardest to search for in almanacs and "places to live" type guides: reliable high speed internet. Do you live (or know of some place) that meets these requirements:
* reliable high speed internet (cell phone coverage would be nice, too)
* within an hour of a commercial airport (large or international would be ideal)
* the "neighborhood" consists of single-family homes on 1-5 acres
and, of course,
* allows chickens (allowing a rooster would be great, too)

I can't tolerate humidity, which is why I'm biased toward west of the Rockies.

We're looking at places outside of Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara (a bit far from a good airport), or San Diego, for example. We also like Seattle, and to break the S trend, Portland. We'd consider Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, etc., but have no experience outside the coastal states so far. We know that in-town internet is good almost everywhere, but we want to be out of town. So I'm afraid I need specifics - like - if you're in Sebastopol (high on my list right now), I'm sure there's good internet in town, but how about at the northeast end of the Graton neighborhood? Or the western tip of Valley Ford?

Let me know if you know of a great place to be a semi-rural homesteader/work-at-home techy.

Thanks!

 

[oddchicklady]

Hello "looking for a Hamlet with many perks",

Have you considered looking at an area known as the Columbia River Gorge? The Columbia River divides the states of Washington and Oregon just east of Portland, OR - your intl airport. (PDX). The land in most of the area is part of a National Scenic Part in which private land ownership is allowed. Outside of the incorporated areas, most building sites are five acres or more. The area is still depressed, but land prices are beginning to recover. Where we live, Century link has just provided DSL and is quick and much better than before. Cell phone coverage is sketchy, but some properties do have service, especially those closer to the main highways.

Living here is like living in America in the 1940's: safe, community minded, and fun. There are probably more college degrees per square mile in our area than in most areas. Arts, music, and wine growing abound in this area. The local towns are small and uniquely known for brew pubs, wind surfing, snow skiing, and other winter and summer sports.

Our county has a grand total of 250 miles of paved roads, but is huge. Most of the land is in forest, state and national parks, or owned by large timber companies. Taxes are reasonable. We have 5 acres, own a large, new home, and pay $2,400.00 a year in property taxes. Oregon has higher property taxes, but no sales tax. WA has sales tax, but a trip across the river is quick and saves the tax.

Our climate is moderate - meaning we get LOTS of rain, summer sun, and some snow. We are classified as a temperate rain forest part way through the gorge, but the the rainshadow effect takes over and from Hood River east the winters are cold and snowy with the summers being hot and dry.

Happy home hunting from the Oddchickenlady

PS: If you live in an actual incorporated area, I don't know about chickens. However, my chickens free range during the day. I fence my flowers and gardens to prevent deer, rabbits, and scratching chickens from destroying crops. I do have to put my ladies away at night for fear a roving coyote, bear, bobcat, cougar, lynx, or large owls might add one to their menu.

 

[Carols Clucks]

What area out side Santa Barbara? Santa Ynez, Lompoc, Buellton?

In Sb and on Cox Cable

 

[jemiro]

I *love* the Columbia River Gorge! Anything within an easy commute of PDX is definitely an option. Rain is cool, though I don't care for snow, so I'll see if I can find the warmest microclimate between Hood River and Portland and make a vacation out of it some time. Thanks for the reminder about the Gorge! I had quite forgotten about it - it's been many years since I've been up there - though if you had asked, I would have assumed low speed internet for most of the area. Nice to hear that's not necessarily the case.