retirement for two (65+, pension, weather, moving)

[30apples]

hi folks! We are considering moving to somewhere in between hot and sunny (one choice) and 4 season locations (other choice). don't like really high humidity, as in the deep south . Any ideas, besides Virginia or Maryland? Decisions, decisions! Thanks for any help/wisdom you can provide.

[sweetana3]

My hubby wants to live in Tennessee. Feels that is far enough south to avoid most of the winter and far enough north to avoid some of the hottest weather. But I think we are staying in Indiana. Way to involved in things here to pick up and leave. Already have retirement volunteer jobs set up for next year.

[Cattknap]

Well it gets plenty hot and humid in Virginia & Maryland during the summer - it can be stifling. It is hot and humid during the summer almost any place in the mid west and on much of the east coast. I think Maine is fairly nice (warm and not too humid) in the summer along the coast, same with coastal California, Oregon and Washington and some of the south west.

[hapaleeretired]

If weather is your major issue take a look at the foothills area of NC between Old Fort and Lenoir. I live in Lenoir which I think has the best weather east of California.
It has been a bit hot here the last few weeks as it has all over the country but I am assured it is a freak thing. There is always relief found in the mountains a short drive away. In the winter we get no snow yet we can drive to four ski resorts in a little over an hour.

[abcdef]

How does your cost of living compare with South Carolina for a retired couple on a fixed income?? At least South Carolina gives property tax relief , has low home owner & car insurance , no more food sales tax as of October 1st , gives some tax relief for retired persons , how does North Carolina compare???? Thanks. North Carolina is quite nice & has better fishing ...

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by 30apples

hi folks! We are considering moving to somewhere in between hot and sunny (one choice) and 4 season locations (other choice). don't like really high humidity, as in the deep south . Any ideas, besides Virginia or Maryland? Decisions, decisions! Thanks for any help/wisdom you can provide.

Moderate weather with dryer air means going out west. To avoid blistering heat you could consider places like Denver, Boulder, Albuquerque or Santa Fe.

[Minnehahapolitan]

I would look at West Virginia. Most of the state is close to Pittsburgh or Washington when you need them, half the country is within a few hundred miles, cheap cost of living, safe, friendly people, outdoor activities, natural beauty and generally and genuinely undiscovered.

[Northwoods Voyager]

Have you investigated Missouri or Northern Arkansas? All 4 seasons. Some humidity in August, like we are experiencing at this time.

So much to do, either around the Southwest Missouri areas, or the Northwest Arkansas areas. In Missouri's west central section, there is the Lake of Ozarks region. Many fine homes, subdivisions, shopping, restaurants, other entertainment. In the SW corner of Missouri you will find the Springfield/Branson area. Again, many great locations.

try this: Welcome to Missouri - visitmo.com - Missouri Tourism

Good Luck to you

[Ellwood]

In determining where to retire we did a lot of research i.e. financial, activities, climate, etc. and ended up in Saratoga NY. They give you a $20K per person reduction on pension, 65+ reduction on property tax, military pension exemption and property tax reduction, energy saver property tax reduction and the housing prices are very reasonable. I couldn't handle the humidity from DE southward.

[30apples]

Thanks very much for all the good suggestions. I didn't add in my letter that allergies are a problem in addition to heat and high humidity, so Tenn., Ark., and S.C. wouldn't fill the bill for us. Albuquerque/Santa Fe and Saratoga,NY are possibilities, however. I'll look into northern NM, though I notice that they don't give us much of a tax break.
To Ellwood; What do you pay for property taxes on how much ($) house? I've heard that prop. taxes are very high even for retired people. Someone on the NH forum said that they used to live in the mid-Hudson area and that their present cost of living, prop. taxes, car ins., etc was much cheaper than in the mid- Hudson area. Any insight on that? What are the winters like in Saratoga and from what state did you move from, for comparison? does it seem gray much of the time? Thanks very much for your help.