I’d like to share a list that was recently emailed to me by fellow RV traveler, Kim She kindly sent it from somewhere in the Yukon territory of Canada last week.
She and her husband Sam left their home in Louisiana last June, and have been touring around the U.S., criss-crossing much of the same territory that Jim and I have. Read about their travels on their blog.
Kim and I share a lot of things in common, as you can tell by her list of favorite towns. See how she’s picked many of the same places / regions that we have, for many of the same reasons? But she’s also introduced me to some new ones that I’d like to check out, like Rodeo, New Mexico.
Here is Kim’s list of the best small towns in North America that she’s been to, so far. Thanks Kim.
Duluth, Minnesota
Most favorite because of this being my home town with family still there.
Pros
- great outdoor activities
- beautiful scenery
- great summer and fall weather
- lots of artists, musicians
Cons
- high taxes
- cold in winter, spring
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Pros
- great outdoor activities
- small town feel
- a very artsey town complete with an art/folk school
- big on sustainability
Cons
- high taxes
- cold most of the time
- far from a city of any size
Burlington, Vermont
Pros
- beautiful scenery
- big on organics and sustainability
- big on bike trails
- lots of outdoor activities
- small town feel in a city
Cons
- high taxes
- cold in winter
- high cost of living
Millinocket, Maine
Pros
- friendly people in a laid back town
- lots of hiking and paddling
- inexpensive living
Cons
- probably high taxes but don’t know for sure
- cold in winter
Western North Carolina
Don’t have a favorite town, just love the whole area.
Pros
- beautiful scenery
- lots of “new age” style of living
- lots of outdoor things to do
Cons
- cold in winter
- hurricane threat
- population increasing and all it’s related problems
Sopchoppy, FL (or the area)
This is the forgotten area of FL.
Pros
- very small towns
- self reliant kind of people
- cost of living low
- warm weather
Cons
- hurricane threat
St. Francisville, LA
Pros
- small town, lots of history
- Lots of local music
- Friendly people, artsy
- Lots of outdoor activities
Cons
- all of LA’s problems and the heat!
Some areas of southwest Texas
Pros
- inexpensive cost of land
- cost of living low
- weather fairly good
Cons
- lack of water and all it’s problems
Portal, Arizona or Rodeo, New Mexico
Pros
- great people
- great birding
- Great scenery
Cons
- dust, dust, dust!
- lack of water
- high cost of living?
Moab, Utah
Pros
- great people
- Super outdoor activities
Cons
- dust
Nampa, Idaho
Pros
- great small town feel near a larger city
- SUPER people
Cons
- everyone moving from and the resulting population increase
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Pros
- artsy, lots of young people
- Small town feel
- Friendly people
Cons
- cold in winter!
Dawson City, Yukon, Canada
Pros
- like Whitehorse but much more laid back with a different kind feel than Whitehorse.
Cons
- Cold winters
I will more than likely add some towns/cities in Alaska before this summer is over.