Retiring, WHICH State?

[Excaliber]

You know I DID seriously consider North Carolina for awhile! Well, theres hardly an area in the US I haven't considered as far as that goes, but yeah, Carolina, not a bad call.

In the end I want to be within a reasonable driving distance of 'friends and family' and that put's me on the west coast. Hence, Nevada, Calif, ruled out Oregon, I just can't take that rain anymore. Yes, I WILL be bringing the motorcycles and the Cobra, so need some fair weather. Tuscon was right up there in the top ten, to dam hot in the summer I think. Taxes are beginning to play a HUGE roll in the final analysis. I worry about Reno being to cold... It's gonna tough after living in Hawaii for 20 years to find some place that's almost as good. BUT, I am SO tired of living on this tiny freakin' rock where all you can do is drive in circles. They closed down our only race track a couple of years ago, I've been depressed ever since.

[Ron61]

Ernie,

The following is just part of what the article said, but it is one of those that they change every 15 minutes, so if I post the link it will likely be gone by the time anyone tries to look at it.

The housing problems largely aren't national but regional in nature, said Susan Wachter, a real estate professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

"The interesting thing is that there are parts of the country where housing prices are doing fine, thank you," she said. In fact, only five states are in what she would consider a housing recession: California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida and Michigan.


Ron

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

. Tuscon was right up there in the top ten, to dam hot in the summer I think.

Ernie-i just consider it paying"dues" for a shirt-sleeve winter.

[Ron61]

Ernie,

In the Reno area you have a lot of historical places that are a short drive also. Placerville where the old Marshall Sawmill has been restored to a degree with a museum, Donner Pass and a chance to actually see where they lived during that Winter. Same applies for Redding as it is just a 4 hour drive to Reno if the traffic isn't bad. But in the end it comes down to what is going to please you the most. Flordia does have one good thing that I can think of off hand. Turk now lives there so that added some class to the state. Good Lord, a Gashole actually adding class to a state. Maybe he can teach them how to vote.

Ron

[Paul F]

SPF,

Having gone full circle, what are you glad to be back to in Indiana and what do you miss about Northern California? Ignoring the $$ issue and assuming you could afford to live anywhere in Sonoma, which do you prefer?

We had a lot of people move out here for jobs from the east in the late '90s. Everyone was amazed at the shacks that are sold here and called houses.

I like the Midwest a lot, but everytime I consider going back there or anywhere to retire, the weather still becomes the blocking issue.

[AMF]

Coming from someone who's lived virtually everywhere, it all depends on what's important to you.

If cost of living isn't an issue, and you can stand the liberalism and illegals, California (San Diego) is the place to be.

Florida is nice, but the weather is more humid, and the bugs are much more plentiful. The laws here aren't as redonkulous (as Cali). The illegals are only a huge issue down in SE Florida (the rest of the state is about the same as the rest of the country).

If you're looking to capitalize on a cost of living disparity, move to ND (highest number of millionares per capita)...if you can stand the weather. ND has low crime, low cost of living, low pollution, and is usually in the top 5 for education. Great place, if you can stand 7 months of Winter, 1 month of Spring, 3 months of Summer and 1 month of Fall.

Montana (Western) is much more beautiful and tends to be more expensive nowadays (all the bourgeoisie from Cali and such that have moved in). Eastern Montana is about as interesting as a parking lot.

The Pacific NW is my favorite. Nice people (comparatively), cost of living is average to high (depending on where you're at), immigration issues are moderate, crime is relatively low, taxes are hit or miss (depending on the state).

I'd take a serious look at some of the better cities around the country. St Louis, Cincinnati, Tampa, etc.....all are cities that are large enough to do stuff (sports, concerts, festivals, nightlife,) and have a major airport, but don't have the outrageous cost of living or rediculous traffic that some of the other huge cities have (like Chicago, LA, NYC, etc).

By the time I'm ready to retire, I'm going to want to be far away from everyone so I'll probably either retire in Montana or Alaska. I'll have a vacation home here in FL with a primary residence in MT/AK or vice/versa depending on the tax advantages.

[bdeutsch]

goes back to picking what is important to you then prioritizing...