Midwestern People (Tempe, Sierra Vista: casinos, closing, military)

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Those wealthy people in Sun City and SC Grand, etc, are not native Zonies. Theyve retired there from elsewhere. They bring their money with them. Build all the Lexus dealers they want in there, doesnt prove a point other than retirees from elsewhere are contributing to the economy. Lord knows they didnt make that dinero in AZ!! Anyways, to assume that people dont retire to AZ because they cant afford it is LUDICROUS! First off, the COL and taxes are HIGHER up here. If they can afford it here, they sure as heck can afford Dollar General Arizona. Think McFly, think! The prices of the retirment communities up here are VERY expensive! My grandparents made millions and chose to retire here. They still live at home because after they spoiled all the family with elaborate vacations and covering my cousin's outrageous Leukodystrophy hospital bills, they cant even afford to live in a retirement community up here! And the main reason people retire to AZ and FL is because theyre ancient and cant drive in snow or shovel anymore. Another point Id like to show is AZ and FL's massive snowbird populations. If thats not the perfect example that there are more people that stay put then I dont know what is. They live in AZ or FL in winter, then come back to the more tolerable weather for the rest of the year.

Okay so Sunrise doesn't have a lake but at least it has REAL views of mountains.

Where those people originate from doesn't pertain to the argument. We are discussing desirability and weather. Yes, the snowbirds live in the midwest for 4 months and spend 8 months in Arizona; you are right that reinforces your argument that the midwest is more desirable.

Yes, property taxes might be cheaper but what costs more, buying a second home in a warm weather state or spending more on property taxes on a home you already own. I will let you figure that one out. Most of the people in Illinois can't afford to buy a new 500K home in Sun City so they just remain in their homes in Illinois.

Regarding thinking, how many people from warm weather places move to the Midwest to retire? You don't see the opposite happening but why is it that people from your area moves to Arizona? Hmmm! The wealthy people in Chicago or Illinois already own a nice house. Why would they move to some other "retirement village" in Illinois if they had a choice? LOL...you aren't making any sense. Unless, they are sufferring from altered mental status or can't take care of themselves, what reason would they have to purchase or live in another abode there? If I'm a rich retiree in Chicago, would I move to some "retirement village" in another part of the city or would I buy a home in a warm state and live there 8 months out of the year and enjoy golf, great health care and restaurants and then come back to Chicago in the summer? LOL.. Again, I will let you figure that one out. What am i going to do, freeze my a$# off for 6 months out of the year or live in Arizona and golf, hike, and not have my osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis hurt like heII every morning? The wealthy people in Chicago buy a winter home in Arizona, California etc. and then spend their summers back home. Most wealthy people love golf and require luxury health care which places like Sun City and Scottsdale provide. It's only the blue collar and those who can't afford to buy a second home in a warm state that retire full time in the Midwest.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

And the shallowness continues!

You really, honestly, truly, officially think AZ has the ultimate trump card because you have "decent weather"? Hmmmm, I bet my thermometer right now would disagree with that ridiculous statement. NO PLACE HAS PERFECT WEATHER!!!! San Diego is about as close as it gets. And if you could afford it, you'd live there, too (unless youre a self-proclaimed masochist who prefers AZ's climate to SD's).

And speaking of trump cards....I know things like schools, COL, community, wages, culture, arts, public transportation, diversity and jobs MEAN NOTHING TO (most) ZONIES, but to the rest of us who actually like VARIETY and OPTIONS, it means the world. I know, I know, we dont get as much sunshine as AZ, so therefore we dont have the ultimate "trump card". I guess you really dont see how silly you truly sound. That would be the equivalent of someone from Podunk, KS saying their city is better than PHX because they have better roads. Would you not shake your head and wanna laugh yourself to death?

Your point being?

Again I do not go to the Illinois, Michigan, etc. Forums making derogatory remarks about their states since the folks there like living there----------------which I can respect.

The above stated: how about treating us here in Arizona with the same respect?

[JDTH]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

I was referring to skiing next to a lake (in this case Lake Michigan) that is larger than most states are.

That is not what you stated! Unless of course there is a Sunrise ski area in Michigan next to the lake. If that is so then I apologize. I do not know that area.

[Ritchie_az]

I think a big reason people retire here is the heat, or more specifically, the lack of cold. The cold weather can hurt their joints, especially if they have knee or back problems. (Not to mention the driving in and shoveling snow issues). Also, the Sun City areas here are known for their great hospitals that provide exceptional medical care for them.

I wanted to bring home the ski discussions: One can ski here and then golf (or whatever outdoor activites they prefer) here on the same day. One can get as much snow and cold as they wish and then come back down and enjoy near perfect weather. In January. Can one do that in Michigan?

[JDTH]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Wow, that was insightful and a most wonderful contribution to the thread. Thanks for sharing your amazing intellectual skills with us all, we're humbled!

You are entirely WELCOME!! Thanks for the compliment!

[Ritchie_az]

"I wanted to bring home the ski discussions: One can ski here and then golf (or whatever outdoor activites they prefer) here on the same day. One can get as much snow and cold as they wish and then come back down and enjoy near perfect weather. In January. Can one do that in Michigan?"

And I wanted to add that one can still get hot cocoa, smell the pine forests, stay cozy by a fire in a log cabin, etc., in the Arizona mountains. Those things aren't exclusive to Michigan slopes.

[SpeedyAZ]

I was born and raised in the Midwest (Iowa) and a large majority of the elderly population who can afford it either go to Arizona, Florida, or Texas for 3-4 months of the year then come back home for the summer/fall. My parents are snowbirds as well as 3 of my Aunts/Uncles and a large number of their friends are all snowbirds. Of course all of them have their share of money so they can financially afford to hibernate to Phoenix for 3-4 months then return to Iowa. You don't see anyone from Phoenix going to the midwest for a few months during the winter, that would be classified as insanity!

Drive to a few churches in Mesa on a Sunday morning in February and tell me how many Midwestern licence plates you see! I'd say about 50% of that parking lot would be filled with out of state plates!

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Ritchie_az

I think a big reason people retire here is the heat, or more specifically, the lack of cold. The cold weather can hurt their joints, especially if they have knee or back problems. (Not to mention the driving in and shoveling snow issues). Also, the Sun City areas here are known for their great hospitals that provide exceptional medical care for them.

I wanted to bring home the ski discussions: One can ski here and then golf (or whatever outdoor activites they prefer) here on the same day. One can get as much snow and cold as they wish and then come back down and enjoy near perfect weather. In January. Can one do that in Michigan?

As a physician, I can tell you the health benefits of living in a warm place by far outweigh any similar benefits of living in the cold. 80% of the population aged 65 or older suffer from either Rheumatoid or Osteoarthritis and their symptoms are vastly improved in the warn environment. And I haven't even discussed other inflammatory conditions like Lupus, Scleroderma, and Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis which are greatly improved in warm environments. I haven't even discussed patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder and patients who suffer from other psychiatric disorders who do better with sun light and open spaces. People with Multiple Sclerosis also improve living in warm environments. And before Steve O decides to stereotype these people as inactive, they are not. Many ex-professional athletes suffer from these conditions yet are still active meaning they compete in endurance events, snow ski, golf etc. It's just that living here enables them to do more with regard to activity.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by JDTH

You are entirely WELCOME!! Thanks for the compliment!

Keep telling yourself that.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

As a physician, I can tell you the health benefits of living in a warm place by far outweigh any similar benefits of living in the cold. 80% of the population aged 65 or older suffer from either Rheumatoid or Osteoarthritis and their symptoms are vastly improved in the warn environment. And I haven't even discussed other inflammatory conditions like Lupus, Scleroderma, and Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis which are greatly improved in warm environments. I haven't even discussed patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder and patients who suffer from other psychiatric disorders who do better with sun light and open spaces. People with Multiple Sclerosis also improve living in warm environments. And before Steve O decides to stereotype these people as inactive, they are not. Many ex-professional athletes suffer from these conditions yet are still active meaning they compete in endurance events, snow ski, golf etc. It's just that living here enables them to do more with regard to activity.

I never said they were inactive nor would I stereotype many seniors in such a way.