We want to retire in Arizona from Calgary AB (Phoenix: real estate, condos)

[barryplumber]

Have read many of the blogs here and found them to be very helpful. Still cannot decide on what place to retire to. We are both outdoor people enjoy gardening, camping, wood working, and fishing. Not interested in big cities, would rather smaller towns with friendly people. The heat is not an issue as we have experienced hot temperatures before. as far as cost of living the blogs I have read have answered many of those questions my concern is with taxation of RRSP's and pension. Not wanting condos or places with HOE fees. Just want a nice house with pool and private yard for relaxing. We are both 51 and will retire soon so looking to set things up.

[kdog]

Kingman. Hands-down.

[santos]

Prescott. Hands-down.

[barryplumber]

Hello kdog your right Kingman seems to be a very nice place I have read alot of your blogs you are an abundance of info on Kingman and the outlining areas thank you

[havasulady]

Prescott, Prescott Valley or Chino Valley. 3 fishing lakes, a hour drive to Sedona, 2 hours to Phoenix, year round living, 90 mins to Grand Canyon, 90 mins to Flagstaff, excellent shopping in Prescott with a mall, costco, sam's club, lots of hiking trails, it is just a fun place to live with lots going on.

[cee65]

Anthem AZ very nice area , we just bought a vacation home there and moved my Mother from Oregon to Anthem and she loves it .

[zonababe]

Originally Posted by barryplumber

Have read many of the blogs here and found them to be very helpful. Still cannot decide on what place to retire to. We are both outdoor people enjoy gardening, camping, wood working, and fishing. Not interested in big cities, would rather smaller towns with friendly people. The heat is not an issue as we have experienced hot temperatures before. as far as cost of living the blogs I have read have answered many of those questions my concern is with taxation of RRSP's and pension. Not wanting condos or places with HOE fees. Just want a nice house with pool and private yard for relaxing. We are both 51 and will retire soon so looking to set things up.

Lake Montezuma!

[hollywoodaz]

My advice-
Check out a few communities on-line and then make a trip to check them out yourself. DO NOT step foot into a real estate office while visiting the communities for the first time Go to the local chamber of commerce, visit the local shops and restaurants, talk to locals who already live there. Get a feel for what it would be like to live there and THEN, once you've found the town you like, look for a house. I have seen far too many people put the cart before the horse. They go to a community, find the perfect house, only to find out later that the area wasn't a match for them. Once you find the town, you WILL find the house....

[santos]

Yup, yup, and more yup, hollywoodaz. Think you want to live in a town? Find the grocery stores--go in, walk around, look at who is shopping--that will be your neighbors.

[adventuregurl]

Originally Posted by barryplumber

Have read many of the blogs here and found them to be very helpful. Still cannot decide on what place to retire to. We are both outdoor people enjoy gardening, camping, wood working, and fishing. Not interested in big cities, would rather smaller towns with friendly people. The heat is not an issue as we have experienced hot temperatures before. as far as cost of living the blogs I have read have answered many of those questions my concern is with taxation of RRSP's and pension. Not wanting condos or places with HOE fees. Just want a nice house with pool and private yard for relaxing. We are both 51 and will retire soon so looking to set things up.

I'm Canadian and love the Verde Valley. I live in Sedona and love it but am considering a move further south as I want warmer winters. Many parts of Northern AZ get snow, altitude is the biggest factor.