Pittsburgh Makes the List of Cheapest Places to Retire (California: luxury, college)

[Clint.]

PA also does not tax pension income, one of only a few states that does not, if I recall correctly. I'm not saying that's a good or bad thing.

[gg]

Originally Posted by eschaton

As I've mentioned before, Pittsburgh has one of the lowest property tax rates in the county, due to reliance on income rather than property tax to fund local schools. As a result, it's a great deal to live in the city proper compared to the suburbs if you're a retiree on a fixed income.

What part of Pittsburgh are you buying this $100K home for to retire? Do you think Pittsburgh's taxes are going to be stable?


PIttsburgh Public Schools Board To Vote On Furloughs « CBS Pittsburgh

[gotermite]

Where would a retiree find a livable neighborhood close to downtown? I understand that Forbes and Fourth Avenues aren't the place to find groceries and prepared foods that they used to be.

What are Oakland or Dormont like without their Giant Eagles?

[eccotecc]

Many of today's retirees don't consider themselves elderly. Needless to say however, they are on the threshold of becoming so. The elderly do develop health issues and one of the primary issues has to do with mobility. I wonder how accommodating Pittsburgh is to people with mobility issues?

Active retirees don't want to live in an apartment but in a single family home. Elderly have a difficult time keeping up a single family home not to mention the problems if the bedrooms are on the second or third floor.

This brings up the issue of steps. I see many homes advertised where a person has to climb 3 flights of steps to get to the front door. Then another flight to get up to the second floor to use the bathroom. I'm not sure this is very friendly to the elderly.

I would seriously consider retiring in the city if there was an east end community that offered single story living with a garage in a walkable neighborhood that had a patio and yard to do gardening or a place for a pet to get out to do their business. If there is such a place let me know.

The AARP article may make good copy but it isn't very realistic..

[groar]

my mom has been considering retiring to pittsburgh (she loves it; it actually reminds her of her native san francisco in certain ways) and it is pretty hard to find level-entry, single story houses here.

now we seem to be going back to new england (where she lives now) to take care of my mother in law instead so the point may be moot!

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by groar

now we seem to be going back to new england (where she lives now) to take care of my mother in law instead so the point may be moot!

You're leaving?!?!?!!

[groar]

yeah, we have mixed feelings about it but my mother in law is getting up there and both our families live in ct. we just made the decision this weekend. it will probably be a while til we get everything together to go though.

thanks for caring, that is sweet!

[GregHenry]

Originally Posted by juliegt

FYI: The Best U.S. Cities for Retiring On $100 a Day - Yahoo! Finance

I really don't know how. Rents are very high for what you get. Property taxes are high, and this is a very difficult place for the young and fit to drive. It can only be quite challenging for the aged.

Florida and Texas seem to be the best choices.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by XRiteMA98

well, I am glad for the baby boomers in this country. We can sell them our houses in Pittsburgh We are going back to europe for retirement. Sunny, beach, mediterranean food, way cheaper than here. Infrastructure is not as developed then here, true, but we grew up with it and it is not going to be a shock for us. We still have family and friends there. Shortly put it, we feel this will make sense for us. But I agree this is not everybody's cup of tea.

Well...that depends on where in Europe you go. Europe ain't all sunny beach and mediterranean. And Europe in general is probably more expensive and less bang for the buck as it is very socialist. If Greece separates from the EU and goes back to the drachma, that place would probably be a bargain.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

What part of Pittsburgh are you buying this $100K home for to retire? Do you think Pittsburgh's taxes are going to be stable?


PIttsburgh Public Schools Board To Vote On Furloughs « CBS Pittsburgh

And you think stories like that aren't repeated all over the country? Everywhere there is tax revenue concerns and California is in a real pickle. Even in Atlanta, the Cobb County libraries cut their budget by 10% and required 5 furlough days. It ain't just Pittsburgh.