Is return to PA a good idea (Paint: home, taxes)

[Tama]

Hi Folks--I was wondering about those of you who may have lived away from PA in a warm climate(no snow, no layers of clothing, blue skies all year round)who returned to PA at retirement for family reasons. Did you adjust OK? Did you regret the move? I am thinking of going back because of family and also I have a sense of longing for home. But I am aware that the winter can be depressing and the people less than cheerful. I am afraid I will regret it and at this stage of life--retirement--I can't afford a mistake.

[wanneroo]

Is winter really that depressing here? I find the temperatures and snowfall much more moderate than when I lived in Colorado with biting cold temperatures and heavy snowfall or perhaps compared to Vermont or Maine.

[Vinny536]

where are you at now?

Personally i will need to return or figure a way to move my parents to me in the next 5-10 years.

While i am ready to return to a climate with 4 seasons and weather. the hard adjustment for me will be Pa's nanny laws in regards to the vehicle code, beer, wine and liquor. But all things considered i miss home. not as much during the winter, but the summer heat of az makes me long for an afternoon picnic near a cold stream in the thick forest.

[leedspaddy]

Originally Posted by 61scout80

where are you at now?

Personally i will need to return or figure a way to move my parents to me in the next 5-10 years.

While i am ready to return to a climate with 4 seasons and weather. the hard adjustment for me will be Pa's nanny laws in regards to the vehicle code, beer, wine and liquor. But all things considered i miss home. not as much during the winter, but the summer heat of az makes me long for an afternoon picnic near a cold stream in the thick forest.

Please don't do it!!!!!............I honestly missed PA and yearned to come back but I found out when I returned,it
was a huge mistake and now I am looking forward to escaping. If PA does in fact turn out to be your final destination, I truely hope you have better luck than I did and your return is everything you hoped for. Best wishes

[PeterRabbit]

I returned when it was winter here and was depressed for six months. I snapped out of it in the summer then got sad again in the fall but not as bad as the first year. Eventually things evened out. The weather here doesn't affect me anymore although I wish it was always summer. Paint your inside environment in happy colors.

[Tama]

61scout80 I have been about 80 miles north of New Orleans for 30 years. The depressing part of winter for me was always the gray skies for weeks on end. The barrenness of the terrain and the lack of bright light added to the atmosphere. I really accepted it as part of life at the time but being away from it for so long could make for quite an adjustment. To be sure the snow and temps aren't like say Buffalo, NY but it is still quite a difference from the South. But family is important too and PA has wonderful things to offer like mountains and woods, diversity, history and charm. Did anybody just pack up and move back to where they were after trying to return??

[clem16]

Wow, Tama, you sound like me. We've lived in the south for 40 years and are now considering a move back to PA to retire. We are wondering how we will handle the cold, dismal winter weather and hope we are making the right decision, because wherever we move, it will be the last move.

[Tama]

clem16 Absolutely the last move. And then having to find new social network, though family and old friends in place will make that easier. New doctor, dentist, and how to deal with winter indoors. Here everyone is so pleasant in the public service areas. No grouchy replies to questions or glum looks. A day out doing errands means a day of pleasant interaction and friendly exchanges.

It is also the opposite of most people who move to warmer climate in the Golden Years. Remember the chapped lips, the sore throats, the overwhelming heat in the overheated stores and shops, getting the driveway cleared and the car heated up, and I don't know about you but I find people in the South much more cheerful and upbeat.

Before any Pa folks get mad at me--I love Pa--always have and have missed its salt of the earth, clear-thinking, practical, hard-working people--its covered bridges, the apple cider, the fall leaves, the mountains, the interesting historical towns and cities, the lakes, and all the stimulation of the big Northeast cities nearby. And my family. Big decision.

[clem16]

Ugh, it's all coming back to me now LOL. Gawd, I hate cold, snowy winters, but our hearts tell us to go for it anyway. Family is there and you're right, they'll be a good start in developing a social network.

One thing we have missed is autumn and the beautiful colors and the sharp, crisp air. And PA has more than it's share of beautiful views. We can keep those things in mind as we hunker down during the winter.

It's January and 72 degrees here today.......beautiful. But no place is perfect and the summers here are hot, noisy and crowded. I won't miss that at all.

[goodgirl49]

Tama and Clem, you just described my feelings about PA. I've lived in the San Fernando Valley area of LA since 1977, and there are times that my husband and I have discussed coming back to PA to retire. There is lots that I've missed back there, but mostly the slower pace and the greenery; also the fall. Most likely, we won't do it, but it doesn't stop me from thinking about it. The reasons are that we have more family here in CA now than PA. I'd say go for it if you have a good support network back there. Home prices can be lower there, but the taxes can be high.

Other than my sister and a couple of friends, I really don't have much back there now. Best of luck making your decision--I can understand not wanting to make a costly mistake, as moving is very expensive!