Retirement locations

[Augie]

2 hours ago, teef said:

i can confirm!  you should see the school taxes.  that's what really makes your sphincter pucker.  just take a guess...

 

 

and i'm totally behind the wednesday bowling league.  if we get @Gene1973to be our fourth, no one will ***** stop us.

 

In Cobb County where we live outside Atlanta the school board portion of your taxes go away when you turn 62.  I’m all for funding education, but they just get more money from you younger, I guess. They make it work, and we will save about $5k on our taxes this year. The schools are about 2/3 of your overall tax bill.   😱

[stuvian]

Americans are lucky to have warm weather retirement options in their own country. Every moderate weather location in Canada is ridiculously overpriced. My wife and I will look at southern Europe. She is Filipina so we will check things out there as well.

[ExiledInIllinois]

40 minutes ago, stuvian said:

Americans are lucky to have warm weather retirement options in their own country. Every moderate weather location in Canada is ridiculously overpriced. My wife and I will look at southern Europe. She is Filipina so we will check things out there as well.

Canadians have Fort Lauderdale. 😉 

 

Anyway... Here's a geographical oddity.  To get to Canada (Windsor, Ontario) 🇨🇦 from Detroit, you have to go south.   I shityounotski! 😁 

Edited August 5, 2022 by ExiledInIllinois

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, stuvian said:

Americans are lucky to have warm weather retirement options in their own country. Every moderate weather location in Canada is ridiculously overpriced. My wife and I will look at southern Europe. She is Filipina so we will check things out there as well.

 

The Algarve region in southern Portugal is nice. Huge area for British retirees. But like with all things that get popular it's becoming expensive.

 

I saw an interesting article in the LA Times just a few days ago about Americans retiring to or working remotely in Mexico. It's was fine when only some did it. Now everybody wants to go and the Mexicans are a starting to hate it. We're driving up housing costs and formerly affordable places are being fixed up for the Gringos.

Edited August 5, 2022 by PromoTheRobot

[Guffalo]

We already have a retirement place in Chapin SC, its in a golf community with a 41 mile long lake for boating and fishing. We have some friends who live nearby and love the area. We hope to spend some time there to see if we really like it, but the West coast of Florida seems to be where people from Long Island and this area seem to do the winters, With that in mind, we have been passively looking in Naples or West coast of Florida to be around people we know from here.

[EmotionallyUnstable]

On 7/31/2022 at 9:48 PM, PromoTheRobot said:

Wilmington NC. Housing still affordable. Nice little city. Great downtown. Some of the best beaches 20 minutes away.

My good buddy moved there in 2016. Went to visit for his wedding in 2019, and had a blast.

[PromoTheRobot]

10 minutes ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

My good buddy moved there in 2016. Went to visit for his wedding in 2019, and had a blast.

 

I'll be nearby in Carolina Beach next week, and going downtown for a couple meals. Wife and I spend a week at the beach every year in August. Wilmington keeps calling but we have to stay put a while longer.

[Augie]

6 hours ago, Guffalo said:

We already have a retirement place in Chapin SC, its in a golf community with a 41 mile long lake for boating and fishing. We have some friends who live nearby and love the area. We hope to spend some time there to see if we really like it, but the West coast of Florida seems to be where people from Long Island and this area seem to do the winters, With that in mind, we have been passively looking in Naples or West coast of Florida to be around people we know from here.

 

The people you know who want the west coast of Florida are pure evil! You should stay as far away from them as possible, as should everybody else! How can I ever afford to move back there if everybody else wants to be there? 

[sullim4]

My retired parents moved from the Mid-Hudson Valley out to the west coast last year to an exurb of Seattle called Mount Vernon.

 

Seattle isn't exactly cheap, but they are saving roughly 10k a year over their living expenses in upstate New York.  That's even if you don't adjust for inflation.  Biggest differences are property taxes ($6k less on homes nearly identically appraised), income taxes (zero in Washington state), and home energy costs.  The pricer things out here are food and gas.  Sales tax is almost identical (8.13% in Dutchess County versus 8.8% in Skagit County).

 

If I were of retirement age in New York State, the only thing that would keep me there is family.  It's just so expensive to live there.

 

Personally, I have my eye on Eastern Washington for retirement.  Cheap land, 300+ days of sun, hundreds of wineries and vineyards, no income tax, and excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.  Every time we go to the Tri Cities and walk along the Columbia during the morning, and spend the afternoon at a vineyard or two... it's just bliss.

[Draconator]

11 minutes ago, sullim4 said:

My retired parents moved from the Mid-Hudson Valley out to the west coast last year to an exurb of Seattle called Mount Vernon.

 

Seattle isn't exactly cheap, but they are saving roughly 10k a year over their living expenses in upstate New York.  That's even if you don't adjust for inflation.  Biggest differences are property taxes ($6k less on homes nearly identically appraised), income taxes (zero in Washington state), and home energy costs.  The pricer things out here are food and gas.  Sales tax is almost identical (8.13% in Dutchess County versus 8.8% in Skagit County).

 

If I were of retirement age in New York State, the only thing that would keep me there is family.  It's just so expensive to live there.

 

Personally, I have my eye on Eastern Washington for retirement.  Cheap land, 300+ days of sun, hundreds of wineries and vineyards, no income tax, and excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.  Every time we go to the Tri Cities and walk along the Columbia during the morning, and spend the afternoon at a vineyard or two... it's just bliss.

 

I think Drew Bledsoe's winery is in Eastern Washington

[ExiledInIllinois]

31 minutes ago, sullim4 said:

My retired parents moved from the Mid-Hudson Valley out to the west coast last year to an exurb of Seattle called Mount Vernon.

 

Seattle isn't exactly cheap, but they are saving roughly 10k a year over their living expenses in upstate New York.  That's even if you don't adjust for inflation.  Biggest differences are property taxes ($6k less on homes nearly identically appraised), income taxes (zero in Washington state), and home energy costs.  The pricer things out here are food and gas.  Sales tax is almost identical (8.13% in Dutchess County versus 8.8% in Skagit County).

 

If I were of retirement age in New York State, the only thing that would keep me there is family.  It's just so expensive to live there.

 

Personally, I have my eye on Eastern Washington for retirement.  Cheap land, 300+ days of sun, hundreds of wineries and vineyards, no income tax, and excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.  Every time we go to the Tri Cities and walk along the Columbia during the morning, and spend the afternoon at a vineyard or two... it's just bliss.

Can a lock and dam operator get a job in Walla Walla? I hear they have nice lock and dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers!😊

Ice Harbor

Edited August 6, 2022 by ExiledInIllinois

[sullim4]

10 minutes ago, Draconator said:

 

I think Drew Bledsoe's winery is in Eastern Washington

 

I've been to it, it's called Doubleback.  They have some very good high end wines, but they are a bit above my price range.  I have a hard time stomaching $100 bottles of wine at retail!

 

$40-$50 is our sweet spot for "good" Bordeaux or Rhone reds, and there are a lot of those from mom and pop places along I-82 between Yakima and Richland/Red Mountain.

[Teddy KGB]

I’d leave this up to Nick Johnson.  
 

 

 

[aristocrat]

Don’t come to Montana . 

[WhoTom]

2 hours ago, aristocrat said:

Don’t come to Montana . 

 

The dental floss industry isn't all it's cracked up to be?

 

 

[aristocrat]

21 minutes ago, WhoTom said:

 

The dental floss industry isn't all it's cracked up to be?

 

 

lol no. Sds and I don’t see the world the same way. I’m actually building a home near  Bozeman. 

[billsfanmiamioh]

16 hours ago, aristocrat said:

Don’t come to Montana . 

I’m already there 😈

[JoeF]

We are headed the wrong direction.  We moved from NC to Saint Paul, MN by choice two years ago.  Stepson is good at hockey and wanted to play in HS, we have our own consulting business with clients around the country so just need a good airport.   Its fun to give a kid an opportunity like this even if his hockey playing days end at High School. This is my second stint in the Twin Cities and I enjoy it.  It's gotten me back to being cold weather tough.

 

We are thinking about two centers for retirement...near kids and grandkids so back in NC (likely in the Sandhills area --- Pinehurst) and maybe a little place in a certain town with a football team we both enjoy...

[Chef Jim]

Not my eye on....my butt on.  Just retired to the Palm Springs area.  Love it!! 

[Shake_My_Head]

Easton, MD for me.    Small town charm, great weather and only one hour away from big city amenities (pro sports, concerts, the arts).

 

https://www.chesapeakeliving.com/easton-the-hamptons-of-the-chesapeake-bay/

 

Chestertown, MD is also in the running once my wife retires.

 

https://www.chesapeakeliving.com/chestertown-history-art-and-a-party-spirit/

.

Edited August 10, 2022 by Shake_My_Head

[SoTier]

On 8/6/2022 at 1:34 PM, Teddy KGB said:

I’d leave this up to Nick Johnson.  
 

 

 

 

This video is cute but Nick's advice is pretty poor.   It's worth what we all paid for it.

[Marv's Neighbor]

50 years ago New York State had 45 elected representatives in Congress,  Now it's down to about 29?

 

It's pretty obvious, by all these responses, that a whole lot of sports fans have left.  Wonder if NY will ever wake up, lower taxes, and make it an affordable, welcoming place to live again?  

[rockpile]

We may downsize or move farther from the city (Rochester), but 3 of 4 adult children live within 20 minutes, including 9 of 11 grandchildren. Things always can change but no immediate plans to move from WNY.

[Shamrock]

On 8/1/2022 at 11:41 AM, SDS said:

What realistic places do you have your eye on? Where and why?

Cairns, FNQ. 
Weather. Fresh fruit and seafood.

[Einstein]

On 8/2/2022 at 1:26 PM, Royale with Cheese said:

Atlanta is a transplant city.

I believe per capita, it's now the gay capital of the US.  It's very liberal.

 

And apparently very dangerous.

 

I was walking to the Coke museum in downtown Atlanta wearing my Bills cap. A police officer (also walking) stopped me because he is originally from Buffalo and saw my hat.

 

Long story short, he vented about how Atlanta is a warzone compared to Buffalo and how he cant wait to retire.

[Royale with Cheese]

14 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

And apparently very dangerous.

 

I was walking to the Coke museum in downtown Atlanta wearing my Bills cap. A police officer (also walking) stopped me because he is originally from Buffalo and saw my hat.

 

Long story short, he vented about how Atlanta is a warzone compared to Buffalo and how he cant wait to retire.

 

That's why I don't go to Atlanta anymore unless it's a game at the Dome or going to a specific spot like the Zoo where I took my son.

 

I used to hangout in the midtown/downtown area but now I stay in the burbs.

[Augie]

1 minute ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

That's why I don't go to Atlanta anymore unless it's a game at the Dome or going to a specific spot like the Zoo where I took my son.

 

I used to hangout in the midtown/downtown area but now I stay in the burbs.

 

I need a very good reason to go into Midtown/Downtown. My neighborhood is full of people who used to live in Buckhead.  The architect who originally designed our neighborhood (and some of the finest houses in Buckhead) recently moved in down the road and renovated a house. He was in the heart of Buckhead and while visiting recently said “everyone is trying to get out of Buckhead”.

 

Our son and his wife rented a place from us between Midtown and Buckhead by the Beltline. They were ready to have a “family home” (expecting in October), but the drag racing and gun shots sped this process up. We were glad to sell that place when we did! It’s a terrible shame. We need leadership to clean this up. It can still be done. 

[Royale with Cheese]

1 minute ago, Augie said:

 

I need a very good reason to go into Midtown/Downtown. My neighborhood is full of people who used to live in Buckhead.  The architect who originally designed our neighborhood (and some of the finest houses in Buckhead) recently moved in down the road and renovated a house. He was in the heart of Buckhead and while visiting recently said “everyone is trying to get out of Buckhead”.

 

Our son and his wife rented a place from us between Midtown and Buckhead by the Beltline. They were ready to have a “family home” (expecting in October), but the drag racing and gun shots sped this process up. We were glad to sell that place when we did! It’s a terrible shame. We need leadership to clean this up. It can still be done. 

 

Lennox mall....Lennox mall had a shooting 2 weeks ago!  That was the higher end mall 10+ years ago.

[Augie]

1 minute ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

Lennox mall....Lennox mall had a shooting 2 weeks ago!  That was the higher end mall 10+ years ago.

 

I knew people from Florida who would travel to Atlanta to shop at Lennox Mall years ago!  I wouldn’t drive the 20 minutes to get there now! Phipps Plaza is probably even more upscale, but it was taken over by the mobs in 2020. Looted for all they had. 

 

Atlanta is certainly not all bad, but there is a LOT of room for improvement! I like our house and our immediate area, but the greater Atlanta area is NOT near the top of my ideal retirement locations. 

 

Charleston, SC was mentioned and is very nice. I suggest renting there for a summer before making a purchase. I like summer, but it is brutally hot! 

[Einstein]

6 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

Charleston, SC was mentioned and is very nice. I suggest renting there for a summer before making a purchase. I like summer, but it is brutally hot! 

 

I recommend James Island and Folly Beach - both suburbs of Charleston and nice.

[Royale with Cheese]

21 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I knew people from Florida who would travel to Atlanta to shop at Lennox Mall years ago!  I wouldn’t drive the 20 minutes to get there now! Phipps Plaza is probably even more upscale, but it was taken over by the mobs in 2020. Looted for all they had. 

 

Atlanta is certainly not all bad, but there is a LOT of room for improvement! I like our house and our immediate area, but the greater Atlanta area is NOT near the top of my ideal retirement locations. 

 

Charleston, SC was mentioned and is very nice. I suggest renting there for a summer before making a purchase. I like summer, but it is brutally hot! 

People would drive 6 hours for a mall??

 

 

[Augie]

13 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

I recommend James Island and Folly Beach - both suburbs of Charleston and nice.

 

When I lived in Hilton Head my boss was in Charleston. I knew the area pretty well back then. I also spent the summer there in a management training program the first year I was married, then just go home on the weekends. (That was odd after being married for only a few months, but worth the investment.) I’d consider it, but I’d still need a place to get away from summer heat. It gets much hotter than the west coast of Florida, which would be great for 6 months and a day to avoid state income tax. 

1 minute ago, Royale with Cheese said:

People would drive 6 hours for a mall??

 

 

 

They would fly up (driving was 7-8 hours) and stay at the (then) Ritz across the street. I thought it was odd, but knew other people who used to come up for long weekends. Great shopping, good food and entertainment. Now? Not so much. I think a lot of big cities have suffered the same way. This is indeed sad. 

[PromoTheRobot]

Just got back from Wilmington/Carolina Beach for vacation. This was more of an eating tour. (I recommend True Blue Butcher & Table for steak, Seaview Crab Co for casual seafood, Rooster and Crow for Southern cuisine and Edw. Teach for beer.)

 

Housing has definitely gone up by about $100K since I was last there. Used to be about to find places for just over $200K. Now same houses are $300K+.