So my job is presenting me with a great opportunity to temporarily relocate for 6 months to one of the following locations:
Stuttgart, Germany
Yongsan, Korea
Anchorage, Alaska
Ft. Huachuca, Arizona
What are the pros and cons of each location? How is training, are the roads safe for cycling, is there a triathlon community, what are the big races, etc?
tia,
–abs
I would pick Germany. 6 months in Europe would be cool.
Oh yeah, and how hard is it to Kona qualify at the Europe IMs vs. IM Korea vs. IM Arizona?
Depending on WHICH 6 months, Ankorage might not be too bad. Lots of daylight to play in.
I have some flexibility here, so I would shoot for minimizing winter months and maximizing summer. When is the best time for Anchorage?
Get a big ass snowboard, take an avalanche course and head to Alaska.
June 22 will be the longest day, so I’d go with 2.5 months before to 3.5 months after. Why the skew toward later? Warmer weather. But note, it’ll still be a lot like Seattle in the fall.
Oh yeah, and how hard is it to Kona qualify at the Europe IMs vs. IM Korea vs. IM Arizona?
I hear that in most European countries when you turn 14 years old the government gives you a brand new road bike. Euros are fast!
Geez, I’m with Shawn on this one-go with Stuttgart. Six months in Europe would be great. You could go and try to hang with Stadler on the bike; head to Weissach for a Porsche factory tour; plan it so you are there for Octoberfest; plus the World Cup is there next year. Lots to do!
Good Luck 
Chance of a lifetime. Go to Germany or korea. Live in another country, see the world, talk to people, expand your world view. Train if you have time. Triathlon will be here when you get back.
Absolutely Germany. Go there and you have a TONNE of other countries you can easily access via train or car on a weekend. Try doing that anywhere else.
I thought Normann lived in West Coast, USA.
Lucky you. Germany would be my sentimental favorite because I lived there on a NATO base as a teenager since my dad was military. Europe is always good for cycling and the beer in Germany is hard to beat.
Germany…easy choice.
I think he trains here in San Diego in September but I’m not sure that he lives here. He had a lot of races earlier this year in Europe so my guess would be that he lives there at least part-time.
BTW-I just said that as a Tri-Germany reference, not really as set in stone fact ;-).
Fair enough, I didn’t mean to pick you up on it merely thought I had heard he was resident in SD most of the year.
Sounds like Stuttgart is the place to go! Right now, I am half a world away on a rock in the Pacific ocean so it will be quite a change. If I could qualify along the way I would insist on scheduling my return to coincide with IMH. I already applied for Stuttgart immediately after the official announcement came out yesterday. Acceptance isn’t necessarily guaranteed, but I’ve got good friends who can lean on the appropriate people to help get me there.
Does anyone have any experience cycling in the area? What are the road conditions like? Are there any cool killer climbs in the Alps around the area? Weather issues?
Yongsan is in the middle of Seoul. That can make biking a little interesting. However, that is the location of most of Korea’s decent bike shops and the Seoul Synergy Tri Club. www.seoulsynergy.com Having lived in Korea for over a year, I would choose Germany.
Thanks for the info. In browsing that website, I happened to find myself in the background of a race picture. 
Anchorage is SWEET! Only lived there 1 year, but loved it. You better like snow, but the great thing is there consistent snow Nov thru March. If you don’t already XC ski, you must do it if you live there. That is the greatest sport and Anchorage has to be one of the top 5 cities for it. Trails everywhere, many lit for night skiing…oh how I miss it!
I don’t know squat about the other locations…