Family Looking Out West

[Glenn O.]

My wife, two children under 5, and I live in a small city of 100k on the East Coast close to where I grew up. We would like to relocate out West; the Pacific Northwest, Idaho, or Colorado.  Ideally when we relocate we house hack, and then buy a single family home to raise our girls in and keep the first property as an investment.  

Why out West?  Simply put, the outdoors and space.  We greatly value time in the outdoors; camping, hiking, sports, hunting, etc, and finding this on the East is a nightmare.  My job search will dictate where we end up to some extent, but I want to make sure I'm targeting my search well.  Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks!