#51 through 55. Some interesting ones here. See the picture for the details and scores, as usual.
51 Overland Park (KS)
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-51725?view=qv
52 Davis (CA)
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-22479?view=qv
53 Fredericksburg (TX)
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-20710?view=qv
54 Placerville (CA)
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-96694?view=qv
55 Ketchikan (AK)
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-79162?view=qv
Summary (starting from the bottom)
Ketchikan, AK – I'm kind of in love with Ketchikan. It’s the most southern point in southeast Alaska, so it’s closer to Seattle than Anchorage. First, look at the view from the sample house. It’s incredible. Second, the sample house has an apartment with it, which I haven’t accounted for in the finances. Third, Ketchikan is a major cruise ship stop, so it’s got outsized retail and restaurants for a small town. Fourth, Alaska has a ludicrously good tax structure, so this is the most affordable place in my entire tournament. I could almost move there now and retire. Fifth, the ferry stops in Ketchikan, so we can comfortably travel to Vancouver or Juneau for a night on the town. This is actually a really intriguing place. It does get snow, but it’s 13 degrees warmer in winter than Denver and gets less than half the snow. The only downside is that it gets a ton of rain and clouds and the summers aren’t warm.
Placerille, CA – I know nothing about this place in north-central California, but was trying to find a place that’s a little higher and might be cooler than other central California places. This town seems nice. It’s no more cost effective than staying in Denver, but it’s 20 degrees warmer than Denver in winter and only gets traces of snow. The summers are about 5 degrees warmer and a little more humid, though, which I don't really like. It seems to have a nice housing selection.
Fredericksburg, TX – Nice house on two acres in the Texas hill country. Texas has a nice tax structure so it’s affordable. The winters are mild, but it’s still a Texas summer that’s hotter and more humid than Denver. It leans pretty far right politically and we might have to learn German. It’s interesting but risky in some areas. And I still remember those giant roaches from my time in Austin.
Davis, CA – College town in north-central California, so it’s very left-leaning. It’s a nice-sized community with a decent housing selection. The winters are nice and mild, though the summers are 5 degrees warmer than Denver and more humid. It’s nice in many areas, if not a standout in any area.
Overland Park, KS – Slightly more affordable than Denver with a lot less snow, but a midwestern summer. The condo sample is really nice and it’s in a nice-sized community, but I don't like midwestern summers.