The retirement search begins in Greensboro (Winston-Salem, Cary: renting, home, neighborhoods)

[BoundtoRetire]

Early next month, my dh and I set off on a journey to see if we can find an area where we'd like to retire. Hudson Valley natives, we are rolling stones, having lived in California, far northern NY (the true upstate IMO), and Austin, TX . An odd twist of fortune returned us to the Hudson Valley where we've learned the truth of Tom Wolfe's remarks about going home. It's changed and so have we -- and we're looking forward to leaving.

So the question is where to retire. Many folks focus on being near their kids. Our only daughter is in Los Angeles -- and since we want to spend well less than $200K for our downsized home, it's obviously ruled out. Other family members (sibs, cousins, etc.) are scattered across the country.

After spending a lot of time studying the various city-data forums and figuring out what resources are critical to our next stage of life, we plan on making our first stop in Greensboro to look around the Triad area as it is an excellent match for us offering an excellent medical community, universities/colleges, a great downtown, good weather, low cost housing, a strong Arts community, diversity, etc.

Since we have no contacts in the immediate Triad area, we would appreciate some suggestions on what places we should plan to visit while we're there -- inner city neighborhoods as well as some of the small surrounding communities. Are there any towns particularly noted as an antiquers paradise? How about an Active 55 community that fits our price range (mid-100s)?

Thanks so much for your input!!

[BoundtoRetire]

Perhaps I didn't provide enough information in the above request. It might help if you knew more about us.

Mike and I aren't golfers which seems to be a big draw for the Carolinas. We both love visiting the seashore, but prefer fresh water lakes and heading to the mountains.

My interests center around antiquing and reading. I've asked about antique centers because I've often thought I'd like reinvent myself by having a small antiques business when I retire -- a second hand book store might be appealing too. I also have a strong interest in history and genealogy.

On the other hand, my dh loves museums -- art and history. He also likes kayaking (and I hope to take it up). An engineer by profession, he is also a good general handy man. I suspect he'll want to keep himself busy in retirement also and might pick up work in that area.

We both love theatre and want to live in an area with local theatre groups and on the Broadway road show circuit. In the past we lived in San Francisco and loved exploring its very diverse neighborhoods. Austin certainly had many of these also (and is still in consideration for a retirement destination).

Since we moved North, I am sorry to say that I've been pretty much un-churched. The congregations here are aging (like me) and haven't been very welcoming, diverse in age, or lively and active. However, I do attend my old home church (Presbyterian) across the county when I can. So finding a new church is important--- and I know I'll have more success finding one in the Carolinas.

Hope that gives you more to go on.

[superk]

I'd love to respond with more information, but I'm not a realtor nor am I anyhere near retirement age, so I don't know much of the details regarding those points. I think that finding anyplace for under 200K is going to be difficult, since most over-55 communities I've ever heard of are way above that line. Maybe renting in an over-55 community would be a better option?

Anyway, when my dad was laid off and couldn't find work again, they both moved to Greensboro and really liked living there. He was even able to find work again. I don't see anything you've listed that you won't find in the Piedmont Triad area.

If your husband is a retired engineer, maybe he'd like to work as a volunteer for the NC Transporation Museum in Spencer. They're always looking for skilled folks to assist in their restoration efforts (steam engines, diesel locomotives, rolling stock, passenger cars, etc.).

For places to visit, I'd recommend driving to the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, Friendly Center, Battleground Park, and maybe walking on some of the Greenways located throughout the city. Try some BBQ, or stop in and grab a meal at Ganache in downtown Greensboro. Try to get down to Jamestown and drive around that area, down by the Deep River area and up through the North side of High Point and the Wendover Avenue area. Also visit Winston-Salem, making a stop for a walk around Old Salem. Stop by Mid-Town Dessertery for a meal.

[BoundtoRetire]

Superk, thanks for the suggestions. Yes, it does seem that the over-55 communities are priced beyond what we want to spend. We could spend more if we wanted, but we just don't feel that we need to continue to maintain our current lifestyle. We want to simplify and downsize.

I wouldn't be surprised if my DH decides to return to the workforce after we move. He likes to be busy and retirement might not suit him that well.

The museum suggestion is interesting. Mike is in semi-conductors, not railroading, but we have a dear friend who is a huge train enthusiast. The museum sounds like something we will definitely have to visit when they come to see us -- and Mike just might be interested in volunteering there too. I'm glad you mentioned it!

I especially appreciate your suggestions for places to see. BBQ was already on our list. I love NC bbq, but haven't had it in quite awhile. (I lived briefly in Cary in my single days while with IBM in RTP.) TX has good BBQ, but it's mostly beef-centric. I much prefer pork BBQ.

Thanks a bunch!!

[BoundtoRetire]

Our trip to Greensboro begins at the end of next week. I'd love to hear from anyone with suggestions for places to see and do in the Triad area.

We do expect to get over to Elon to attend church at the Elon Community Church where my former pastor preaches while we're there. I've heard wonderful things about Elon University from parents who have sent their kids there.

Anyway, we'd love to hear more ideas from y'all.

[superk]

Just to be clear, you'll be visting over the Labor Day weekend?

[BoundtoRetire]

Yes, Superk, Labor Day weekend is when we'll arrive in town.

[andrewarchdale]

A big decision to move to NC. Weve lived all over the World , 18 years in CA and 2 years in Greensboro before escaping back to CA.
Whatever your resource, its the culture you have to feel comfortable with, we could not get used to the southern Culture.
We were in Forest Oaks CC and Elon right by Burlington has some new stores on I-40 which are great.....but I dont really go shopping so not enough to keep me there.That part of NC VERY independant (Alamance County) Look at the Civil War history so some diehard bigarts there.
Consider your daughter, ours are in CA and Colorado and despite all best efforts only saw them once in 2 years. Flights from LA to GSO long and expensive.
Sometimes its not all about the money and the size of the house...we were happy to get back to CA and downsize even further

[BoundtoRetire]

Andrew, thanks for your comments. We're on our trip now. Oddly enough we attended church at Elon College Community Church yesterday as my former pastor preaches there. We felt very welcome there, but it helps that we knew the pastor. Still we found it very attractive. Alamance Crossing does offer a lot that Elon itself lacks.

Perhaps the Southern culture is easier for us to accept because we lived in Austin, TX for 9 years. However, we're not done looking.

Our daughter is a California native, born when we lived in SF. We'd love to be closer to her, but she has a very busy life and I doubt we'd see much of her if we were there. Maybe that would change if she married and provided us with some grandbabies.

DH sibs live in both CA and AZ -- so we could still end up in the West. We've got another year or so to figure this all out,

[andrewarchdale]

Good that you have a year to retire and think thru. If you are right by Elon, at least visit Alamance Battleground and museum down the 1-40. Ther ARE some pretty things to see and you are there just as the leaves turning and not so hot, come next month things cool down a lot and we never felt comfortable with the threat of ice storms or tornadoes.
Now you mention AZ, wow we love it , REAL mountains and superb scenery.Sedona would be a place to retire if you could afford it. If you have daughters in both California and AZ try looking at Palm Springs and other local towns, not as expensive as you may think,( especially with the housing collapse) and best climate for about 8 months of the year and you would be midway between 2 kids. Safe travels