Possibly retiring... (Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Holland: real estate, housing, rent)

[Rathagos]

Hi all. I'm retired from the Navy, and currently live in San Angelo, Texas (a small city in west Texas). The population is deceiving at 100,000, but that's including a lot of the smaller outlying areas also. The town is fantastic. Summers are hot (real hot), and winters are mild (gets into the 20's sometimes, and maybe snows 1 day a year). The town is accomodating with 2 super Walmarts, a Lowes, Home Depot, Best Buy, etc. There's a mall here, but it's very small and one level. Crime is extremely low and normally conducted between people who know each other. Drugs are here of course, but you have to look for them. Even in the less desirable sides of town, you don't just see people selling/doing drugs.

I wouldn't even consider moving if it wasn't for the climate. I really feel pulled to something with seasons. Being retired, a job would be okay, but not required. More for my wife (she's a CNA (certified nursing assistant). If I could root this city and move it I would. So, I'm looking for a city with essentially the same offerings as I've listed above. I don't want flat, but don't want to live on the side off the mountains, either. I would like a climate that is warm in the summer, snows in the winter, and rains in between. I could probably go for about 200k for a house, but would rather have a small place (1500-1800 sqft), and some land. I would like to be close to water (lake or river), but don't want to have to worry every 5 years about flooding. A small town near a larger city (no more than 60 mins drive) would be preferable also.

If any of you reading this can point me towards any towns that I could look into, I would be greatly appreciative! Thanks.

[TaxBait]

You've described most of the northern and west side of the state. You're not going to live on the water for 200K but you can be close. Nursing is one of the few professions you can find a job almost anywhere even in MI.

I'll put in a plug for the Traverse City area just because I live there and it seems to meet your criteria. There are always medical job listings in the paper. The city itself is small but with the surrounding area is probably over 100K people. We only have 1 Walmart but its 2 if you count Sam's Club. We have Lowes, Home Depot, Menards (same type store), Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot and more clothing chains in the mall than you can count on 2 hands. Its a major retirement destination since you need a second source of income to live here. Wages are low and that makes most services like home/auto repairs reasonable. The bays and lakes are what makes TC. There are plenty of boat launches. Flooding is no concern as most of the area is hilly and sandy soil that can absorb just about any amount of rainfall you can imagine. Crime and drugs are low. The worst thing is the summer tourist traffic and anti-growth local leaders who refuse to deal with it and build infrastructure.

[TaxBait]

One more plus I'll mention even though I don't agree with it. Michigan does not tax most retirement income. Private IRA withdrawals in equal amounts and pension are exempt up to about $80K or more and public pensions/social security are exempt completely.

[Rathagos]

Thank you for your prompt reply. I'll do some checking into it to see what it's like. Still leaving my options open, but I appreciate your answering.

Rath

[Rathagos]

I received a direct reply from someone in Maine, but they mentioned Holland or Grand Haven. Can anyone from either of those places (or that knows them) chime in here please and let me know about those?

Thank you in advance!

Rath

[allbusiness]

Originally Posted by Rathagos

I received a direct reply from someone in Maine, but they mentioned Holland or Grand Haven. Can anyone from either of those places (or that knows them) chime in here please and let me know about those?

Thank you in advance!

Rath

You can't go wrong with either community. Holland is a little more built up, but surrounded by water and farm fields. Grand Haven is a little more quaint and with less career opportunities.

Both have Lake Michigan at your front door, Grand Rapids just a short drive away, and all kinds of recreation opportunities.

I'll put in a pitch for Holland, since that's what I do!

Holland was named a top 5 retirement community in America by Money Magazine in 2006.

One of the best downtowns in America. Fully snowmelted to keep the snow away! Great local theatre, symphony and other arts opportunities. Hope College. Dozens of city parks and trails. Lots of low priced housing in quality neighborhoods -- especially in the area of Holland Hospital which is hiring due to a major expansion.

Any local real estate agent will be happy to show you around.

[rotwein]

For a retiree the Marquette area is a possibility. It is served by three airlines, has a hospital rated as a level 2 trauma center, has a university, and is retiree friendly.

[Rathagos]

I want to thank you all for replying. I have a co-worker who's from the Cadillac area, and he's been pushing for that. I also sent identical quotes to this one and posted in Maine and Colorado, but I have not received near as pleasant responses as I have from here.

Thank you all again for your responses, and there's some great choices for me to ponder. If any of you think of something/someplace else as an afterthought, don't hesitate to post it here. I'll be checking back from time to time.

Thank you again.

Rath

[therrboomer]

If you don't want a whole lot of snow you might look into the Paw Paw (SW lower) area. You have small town living with Kalamazoo 20 miles away. Lots of small lakes in area and Lake Michigan less than an hour away. You will have four seasons, area is gently rolling countryside. On the minus side you will have a little more humidity than northern Michigan which you may not be used to compared to where you live now.

[Plains10]

Northwest Michigan is a big retirement area along with the Houghton Lake vicinity. Towns like Petoskey, Charlevoix County, and Traverse City are all popular because of Lake Michigan, great golf courses, wineries, and many inland lakes. Houghton Lake is like Minnesota light with many lakes surrounding that area.