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We own our home in the Phoenix metro area. We have only two real complaints about Phoenix. One, the summer heat drags us down. Two, very limited opportunities for good fishing.
Now that we are both retired, and financially comfortable, and have no kids/family issues to worry about, we can escape the heat and go someplace cooler with fishing in the summer. In fact, the ideal scenario would be to find another location that has comfortable weather and good fishing year round (we would rent or sell the AZ house if we found that nirvana).
Good weather includes no snow, ever. Very high humidity or temperatures that exceed 110 degrees are not "good weather" either. Very frequent rain - no thanks. Southern California might be perfect, except for the ridiculous housing prices and taxation rates in CA. We prefer being near a larger city, but are open to smaller towns and places that have amenities like restaurants, bars, movie theaters and other social activities.
We've considered RV'ing, but, got us, the costs and hassle outweigh the advantages - we are far more comfortable renting a place for 3-6 months to explore an area, then consider purchasing. Or just go and rent another place and explore.
We are wide open to considerations and appreciate any ideas. (yes, we did consider moving out fo the country, but find we are not ready to give up on the US just yet.)
OP your requirements suggest anywhere along the southern part of the US from CA to FL, along the Gulf Coast. Pick a town and rent for awhile to see if you like it, if not continue on down the road. You'll be surprised what nice country you'll see. As far as weather goes you're gonna have bad anywhere you go including along the southern route. It could be heat, tornados, hurricanes, high humidity during certain seasons. RV'ing would be nearly perfect, at least til you found your 'nirvana'.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Just jet on up to Portland or Seattle for the summer. You would probably love one of the San Juan or Canadian Gulf Islands. Some are considerably drier than Seattle. (See Sequim rain shadow). Fishing is phenomenal from ocean to mtn streams all within 20-30 minutes. little to no humidity in summer, cool nights for sleeping (50f) no AC needed for most places. (I use my daylight basement if it gets too hot), BUT you can pull your shades and shut windows in AM and keep the house pretty cool all day.
Yr round on Ocean / Puget Sound = moderated climate, MAYBE a couple small snows / yr, with a decent snow every 5-7 yrs. Maybe 2-3 days of freezing rain every couple years. You will likely want Phoenix (AZ) sun for a few breaks in the winter. I go to Tuscon ($79) or Sacramento ($39) and stay in private guest homes ($10 / night) Directories have plenty of homes in Sun cities /. Del Webb (most locations) I have places to go in Palm Desert too. free or cheap golfing / free meals / free carts / free swimming...and lots of free advice on places to go visit. I get rental cars on hotwire for $5 - $10 / day. VERY cheap sun breaks.
CoL is very low with availability of cheap power, moderate climate, and very affordable and available groceries. Check out these prices for a comparison Welcome to Gateway Produce Discount produce. For sunnier NW climates, I would suggest Bend, OR (really hammered housing prices) or Walla Walla, or Tri-cities WA (nice inland towns). Wenatchee, WA is another great spot on the east side of the Cascades (drier, but hotter and colder too).
I too am looking overseas Probably Philippines, Thailand, or Malaysia (affordable living and available medical.)
Fayetteville, Arkansas. I understand it's NOT hicksville. University town near the foothills to the Ozarks. Lots of hiking, fishing, etc. close by. It might not meet your "no snow, ever" requirement, but there is certainly very little snow. Your dislike of the summer heat in Phoenix coupled with the "no snow, ever" requirement and then your ruling out Southern California doesn't not leave very much left over. The entire Gulf coast (which someone suggested) would be totally out of the question for you because of the high humidity.
I think you might be a bit hasty in ruling out California. Real estate values are close to the levels of 2002, and you wouldn't have to live in one of the chi-chi areas of Los Angeles, as there are other nice, safe areas besides Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and San Marino. Yes, it is a high-tax state, but property taxes are surprisingly reasonable in many counties, including Los Angeles. And the sales taxes are only maginally higher than many other states. Social Security retirement benefits are exempt from state income taxation, but all other pension and investment income is fully taxed.
Last edited by Escort Rider; 06-19-2011 at 04:33 PM..
We own our home in the Phoenix metro area. We have only two real complaints about Phoenix. One, the summer heat drags us down. Two, very limited opportunities for good fishing.
Now that we are both retired, and financially comfortable, and have no kids/family issues to worry about, we can escape the heat and go someplace cooler with fishing in the summer. In fact, the ideal scenario would be to find another location that has comfortable weather and good fishing year round (we would rent or sell the AZ house if we found that nirvana).
Good weather includes no snow, ever. Very high humidity or temperatures that exceed 110 degrees are not "good weather" either. Very frequent rain - no thanks. Southern California might be perfect, except for the ridiculous housing prices and taxation rates in CA. We prefer being near a larger city, but are open to smaller towns and places that have amenities like restaurants, bars, movie theaters and other social activities.
We've considered RV'ing, but, got us, the costs and hassle outweigh the advantages - we are far more comfortable renting a place for 3-6 months to explore an area, then consider purchasing. Or just go and rent another place and explore.
We are wide open to considerations and appreciate any ideas. (yes, we did consider moving out fo the country, but find we are not ready to give up on the US just yet.)
If I could afford two retirement homes one would be in Phoenix and the the other would be in NY state on one of the Finger lakes preferably Seneca lake.
I would have a motor home for traveling between the two. This makes for a nice road trip twice a year.
NY, May to October= no snow
Phoenix, Nov. to April= no oppressive heat
My parents, as well as two sets of aunts and uncles and numerous other friends, are snowbirds. They spend Oct/Nov-March/April (sometimes May depending on weather) in Scottsdale and the rest of the time they live in Iowa. Quite a few great places to fish in Iowa, some very nice lakes (Okoboji, Storm Lake, Spirit Lake) and the housing prices are quite reasonable.
All depends on how much cash you have to spend. Seattle would be awesome but it's not exactly cheap. What are you priorities besides fishing?
We own our home in the Phoenix metro area. We have only two real complaints about Phoenix. One, the summer heat drags us down. Two, very limited opportunities for good fishing.
Now that we are both retired, and financially comfortable, and have no kids/family issues to worry about, we can escape the heat and go someplace cooler with fishing in the summer. In fact, the ideal scenario would be to find another location that has comfortable weather and good fishing year round (we would rent or sell the AZ house if we found that nirvana).
Good weather includes no snow, ever. Very high humidity or temperatures that exceed 110 degrees are not "good weather" either. Very frequent rain - no thanks. Southern California might be perfect, except for the ridiculous housing prices and taxation rates in CA. We prefer being near a larger city, but are open to smaller towns and places that have amenities like restaurants, bars, movie theaters and other social activities.
We've considered RV'ing, but, got us, the costs and hassle outweigh the advantages - we are far more comfortable renting a place for 3-6 months to explore an area, then consider purchasing. Or just go and rent another place and explore.
We are wide open to considerations and appreciate any ideas. (yes, we did consider moving out fo the country, but find we are not ready to give up on the US just yet.)
Need more information:
If you stay in phx in winter what is your budget for the summer home?
If you sell the phx home and go somewhere year around, what is your budget?
Where are your kids living?
Fishing preferences or requirements, salt, cold water (trout), warm water (bass)?
Any state dependent pension or retirement income considerations?
Any state dependent health insurance considerations?
Such helpful answers! Such helpful people! Thank you.
No kids or family to consider at all. No pension issues. Our income is from IRA distributions, so A state with a high personal income tax would definately be a drawback. Health insurance is a problem no matter where we go. I'm ten+ years away from Medicare with pre-existing conditions. Uninsurable except thru group coverage (which is why I maintain a small Internet business so I can obtain insurance thru the AZ small business association. Expensive, but at least I have it.). And who knows what we will be looking at for health care and insurance in the future? Nobody, I'm afraid.
Fishing preferences are open, as long as it's fast fishing - meaning, we like to catch and release many fish, not into trophies or a particular species. Not surprisingly, our best fishing spot was inshore and intercoastal fishing in Cape Coral, FL.
Other interests include restaurants (especially ethnic), a good pool hall and good pool players for husband, preference for an area that has more seniors than college students and young families, movies (including the limited release indies). Easily willing to travel 30-40 minutes for the pool hall and indie films, but would like restaurants closer to home.
Budget would depend - if we found a location where we would enjoy living full time, we'd sell or rent the AZ house and be looking at a range of $200-$350K. We would consider a condo. If the weather dictated only a summer / part year residence, we'd most likely rent a small house or condo at $1000-$1500/month. But as I said, our ultimate goal is to find a place that we could enjoy year round.
Again, thanks to everyone for your input!
Last edited by Jkgourmet; 06-20-2011 at 08:08 AM..
I think you might be a bit hasty in ruling out California. Real estate values are close to the levels of 2002, and you wouldn't have to live in one of the chi-chi areas of Los Angeles, as there are other nice, safe areas besides Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and San Marino. Yes, it is a high-tax state, but property taxes are surprisingly reasonable in many counties, including Los Angeles. And the sales taxes are only maginally higher than many other states. Social Security retirement benefits are exempt from state income taxation, but all other pension and investment income is fully taxed.
Very Interesting. What areas might you suggest we look at? I've glanced at the MLS at a few small cities along the coastline corridor between LA and San Diego, including Carlsbad, La Jolla, Oceanside. I haven't seen much that would be in a budget of $200-$350K unless it's old, needs tons of renovations, or is a one bedroom condo.
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