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Experiences, no, but thoughts yes. My thought is that six out of the ten places are in the snowbelt, which many retirees try to avoid like the plague. That probably was not among the criteria for the AARP's choices, but still....
for what it's worth (for those of us who are still searching), AARP Magazine came out this month with 10 affordable places to retire:
Winchester, VA
Portland Maine
Gainesville, GA
Wenatchee, WA
Tulsa, OK
Cheyenne, WY
Columbus, Indiana
Ithaca, NY
Harrisburg, PA
Midland, TX
Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with these places?
I absolutely love Portland. I have explored several river towns within a pleasant half-hour drive. It is progressive, artsy (Maine College of Art, Bowdoin College nearby), lovely vibrant New England downtown. I know of Harrisburg PA and Ithaca NY and I would easily choose Portland over them. Check out the fine old architecture: Portland, Maine (http://www.cnunextgen.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=940 - broken link) and the sea: Portland Maine - Portland ME
Hmmn, you've awakened my interest, though be aware that Mainers see Portland as part of Massachusetts and generally speaking don't think of it as Maine.
None of those strike me as great retirement destinations... the five I have spent time is would not even be under consideration. There is more to life than 'affordable'.
When these lists get posted they really need to include a blurb describing the measurements and parameters that are being used when they come up with them.
for what it's worth (for those of us who are still searching), AARP Magazine came out this month with 10 affordable places to retire:
Winchester, VA
Portland Maine
Gainesville, GA
Wenatchee, WA
Tulsa, OK
Cheyenne, WY
Columbus, Indiana
Ithaca, NY
Harrisburg, PA
Midland, TX
Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with these places?
I can tell you about Wenatchee as I used to live right near there, (within 56 miles) and that is where we went to go school clothes shopping if we didn't travel to Spokane.
Think apples. Apple orchards, maybe some pear orchards, that is the theme of Wenatchee, WA. (And if you don't know how to pronounce it, it is When Atch Eeee, emphasis goes on first syllable.)
They have the Apple Blossom festival and parade that is actually pretty neat. They have anything you need, even though it's a small town. You are able to live "in the country" and not be that far from Wenatchee center, there is the Columbia River near by for all kinds of outdoor fun.
Alta Lake is about a half an hour drive from there, nice place to rent cabins. Lake Chelan, again, about a half an hour drive, very touristy in the summer but nice things to do, mostly water related.
Gets cold in the winter, below freezing at times but it's not so cold that you can't walk around in a long sleeve shirt and sweater or sweatshirt. Maybe some mittens/gloves and a hat but might not really be necessary.
Know how to drive in the snow.
Summers...can be hot. Even the dry heat, it's still pretty darn hot.
Deserty area, not lush and green, mostly sand and weeds. If you like the desert look, you will like this.
Leavenworth, the quaint little German place is not far away for a getaway.
Woods close by.
Grand Coulee Dam close by, go visit. Take company there for something to do.
Spokane is about 2 or more hours away, Seattle is about 4 hours away. If you like skiing, you can find it near Wenatchee.
Really, if you like smaller towns, like pretty decent weather, like the desert look, like water activities and winter activities, you will probably really enjoy this town.
Experiences, no, but thoughts yes. My thought is that six out of the ten places are in the snowbelt, which many retirees try to avoid like the plague. That probably was not among the criteria for the AARP's choices, but still....
As a native northerner who spent his career in Texas, I literally started the drive back north within 48 hours of signing my retirement papers. The heat, humidity and sprawl were worth it when I got paid, but once that spigot was turned off - goodbye! I kinda wonder how many northerners dream about that sunbelt retirement only to realize what they left behind? Frankly, if forced to choose, the only city on the list I would consider is Portland.
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Or..diff. stokes for diff. folks.
