Psyman

The Pacific NW is great for scenery. If you want small towns where you can get a similar job, you are probably looking at tourist towns. Near me there is McCall, Idaho which might fit the bill or Ketchum, Idaho (could do some celebrity spotting). Both are popular in winter for skiing and summer for hiking, mtn biking, camping etc and have spectacular mountains around them. One other place that comes to mind is Newport on the Oregon coast. People go there for the usual coastal attractions (although sunbathing is not one of them - too cold in summer) including whale watching etc. The town has a pretty cool working port/harbour area where sea lions hang out.

Michael

Is that an expensive area?

Sally Redux

It's not cheap but not too bad relative to LA. If you live further out in the country areas like Lompoc I believe it's not expensive.

MMcD

Mendocino California (both the town itself as well as the county) is fantastic. Absolutely rural, the town sits right on the most gorgeous coastline imaginable - utterly wild and craggy, scores of hotels and inns for potential employment, great community - easy place to quickly find a niche. High percentage of the residents are craftspeople and artisans. It's a 3 hour drive north of San Francisco.

You forgot to mention Mendocino, which is what I'm recommending above. Less expensive and not as chichi (trendy/pretentious)

Michael

I forgot about Mendocino and when I was looking at google maps, I didn't have it blown up enough to show it.

d00berry

Thank you so much for all your help. If you have any more ideas, please keep them coming... I am currently writing a list & doing some research!

MidAtlantic

Take a look at Greenville SC and Athens GA

cluedweasel

You may want to look at my neck of the woods, Bend, Oregon. Lots of outdoor stuff and a huge hospitality industry. Lots of resorts. It's not my cup of tea, but it looks like it may suit you.

dunroving

+ 1 for Asheville/Western NC, for Athens GA and for Greenville SC.

HDWill

After visiting Asheville, I read through its city-data forum, and gathered that the jobs situation is dismal. Large supply of new arrivals like the OP keeps wages depressed-- plus a big influx of retirees/pensioners have driven up the cost of housing.

jeepster

North Dakota, most rural state in the nation and jobs galore. Lots of scenery in the Badlands. Winters are long but dry and sunny.

Michael

The towns are referred to as "man towns" and the winters are brutally cold.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/us/16women.html?_r=0

Sally Redux

They would pay the women $3,000 to strip naked and serve them beer at their house while they watched mixed martial arts fights on television.

Whatever happened to sex?

Pulaski

That was implied in the $3,000 offer!

jeepster

You're referring to the oil field area. I was referring to those areas outside the oil fields. I wouldn't move west of Bismarck, in fact I'd suggest either Fargo or Bismarck.

It's rural, Jobs and a lot of people her age moving to the state. Downside, yes Canadian winters.