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And New York isn't always as sophisticated as it makes itself out to be. For example - we saw an amazingly funny show in London - "Jerry Springer the Opera":
It never opened on Broadway due to religious objections.
Would you call Carnegie Hall a less sophisticated venue than Broadway?
I wouldn't.
BTW, as long as I'm being criticized by some as a Las Vegas cheerleader, I thought I'd quote this little tidbit from your link: The first North American performance was at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to benefit Golden Rainbow, featuring performers for the then-current versions of The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, and other Las Vegas Strip theatrical shows.
So I guess we have some sophistication out here as well.
Would you call Carnegie Hall a less sophisticated venue than Broadway?
I wouldn't.
BTW, as long as I'm being criticized by some as a Las Vegas cheerleader, I thought I'd quote this little tidbit from your link: The first North American performance was at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to benefit Golden Rainbow, featuring performers for the then-current versions of The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, and other Las Vegas Strip theatrical shows.
So I guess we have some sophistication out here as well.
It was only a 2 night gig in Carnegie Hall - Las Vegas as well - performed as kind of a semi-concert - not a show. And there was no Broadway run or Las Vegas run either (it ran for 2 years in London). Robyn
It was only a 2 night gig in Carnegie Hall - Las Vegas as well - performed as kind of a semi-concert - not a show. And there was no Broadway run or Las Vegas run either (it ran for 2 years in London). Robyn
And it got lukewarm reviews such as this one whose headline reads:
'Jerry Springer—The Opera' played in London for two years. Here it gets only two days. And maybe that's OK.
"But the unmemorable music began to wear thin, and the second act failed to ignite what could have been a brilliant scenario: an amoral Jerry Springer forced to do his show in hell. "Jerry Springer--the Opera" definitely has something to offend everyone but that's not its sin. It commits a far bigger show biz sacrilege by just not being very clever."
Just because something is a hit in London, that doesn't mean that it will play as well in NY. In fact, there have been several big-name West End shows that came to NY with much fanfare and then absolutely bombed on Broadway. Tastes sometimes differ; I don't think you can label it simply as a lack of sophistication.
Mathjak, I'm sorry your retirement dream didn't work out, but glad you were able to sell. I had a similar experience (which I'm sure Clarkpark will understand) when I moved full-time to the Jersey shore from Philadelphia. Who wouldn't want to live at the beach? Ahhhh....walking along the ocean in the off-season when the crowds have gone home....sounded so peaceful. Well, it turned out to be *too* peaceful and small-townish for my city-fied self. No one lived on my block in the off-season except me. I had to travel 45 mins. to the nearest Macy's. Wasn't thrilled with the medical care, and ended up keeping my doctors in Philly (two-hour drive). The local townspeople spent all their time on recalling their mayors or complaining to the paper about the DJ being fired from the VFW. In the end, I didn't like being in such a provincial environment, and moved back to the metropolitan Philly area. However, that's just me....many friends have moved there to retire and love it.
About "moving near the grandkids", I don't have any grandchildren, but most of my 60-ish (age) friends/family who do are completely tied up with them. Babysitting, going to their baseball games, and I can't tell you how many dance recitals I've seen on Facebook lately. It's kind of annoying because we all had a great time together 10-15 years ago, and now it's tough to get an appointment with them. But I suppose if I had a grandchild, I'd be doing the same thing. :-)
I have also enjoyed your posts about your retirement home and I can well understand that now your have other needs.
Over the years here in Colorado, I have had contact with people who took the grand adventure to retire in the beautiful very rural Rocky Mountains. Many were young retirees and gave little thought to the lack of medical care. They then realized as they aged that they would need more medical care and that medical specialist, testing facilities and hospitals were miles away. Also there are many areas of the Rockies that are considered the frontier and there are no doctors. These "pioneers" had no knowledge of the requirements of Medicare restrictions with the need for supplemental plans where a certain population is lacking for them to be viable; and where there will less choice of physicians willing to take the plans for coverage.
They felt that that it would be no problem driving distances for shopping and services. However, they did not think that a mile on a mountain road, which many times can be closed with no other access roads, is much more than a mile in less challenging places; they forgot as they got older that it became more difficult. Ah, but they were skiers and were confident with a past of many leisurely visit to the slopes and they had their big SUV. They could not imagine the time when they could not drive and would never consider the an available option of public transit; for they never had a need or the desire for public transit.
These people were forced to move back to "civilization" and a new group of the wide eyed naive retirees took their places.
They could not imagine the time when they could not drive and would never consider the an available option of public transit; for they never had a need or the desire for public transit.
Livecontent
When the most evil people die they soon find themselves in the worst part of Hell. The first thing they see is a sign saying, "No private vehicles allowed." The next thing they see is a sign saying "Bus Stop".
mathjak107, such an interesting thread - thanks for posting this.
We live in Florida, and a few years ago we got the itch to buy a vacation/retirement home in the mountains of WNC (Asheville). We owned that home for almost 3 years, and while we enjoyed taking mini-vacations up there, we soon realized the logistics of owning two homes so far apart were very stressful, and financially draining. Also, we realized that the weather there was not to our liking; winters are much too cold and icy, and the mountains and hills, while lovely, made me fearful to drive on. I would have had to give up my bicycle which is a huge part of my daily life. The novelty of the place wore off, and we realized we would never retire there, Florida is our home.
Soooo, we were fortunate to put it on the market and basically only took a small loss (because of realtor fees, actually) and instead moved to a nicer city in Florida than we had been living and could NOT BE HAPPIER! I figure, this is home base; hubby is not retired yet (although I am) but we live two blocks from the bay and are in the middle of everything we could ever want or need, Sarasota is a small but very artsy cultured cosmopolitan city with great health care.
I like reading these threads, because sometimes I get tempted to get a little "summer place" somewhere, but then I am reminded how expensive it is to maintain from far away, and how little it would probably be used. For the money saved, we could visit a different place every year if we want. We even live across the street from the airport here!
When the most evil people die they soon find themselves in the worst part of Hell. The first thing they see is a sign saying, "No private vehicles allowed." The next thing they see is a sign saying "Bus Stop".
...and it so came to be, that these evil people, having not earned their angelic wings, lacked the aerial freedom of movement; were left standing, for eternity, at the bus stop because they had not the fare. Yet, a select few of these so condemned, who relied not solely on the automobile in their mortal existence, had their Pass of the Bus in hand, and were able to bring their bicycle through the Gate of Gehenna, because the Lord of Evil recognized not these wheels of motion, thence the restriction of movement, as a punishment, mattered not to the wise.
Livecontent
Last edited by livecontent; 06-14-2012 at 12:03 PM..
Living near the grandchildren is a very compelling reason to stay put. 3 of ours have spent years living with us, which will make a move even more emotionally wrenching. The eldest is 17, the others 3,4 and 7. I hardly see the 17 year old ( sports, boyfriend, school work etc) and she'll be off to college in a year. I see one (an hour away) maybe twice a month. The other 2 live here 4 days a week (divorced son). My own grandparents were fortunate to have CT and FL condos. Although they spent the winters down south, I still felt very close to my Nana. My daughter's in-laws sold their home an hour away and moved to the same town---this has caused friction, although they are really nice people. So what to do? Right now, I feel that going to a warmer climate is what I want, with frequent visits up to CT. I love my family, but have been raising kids for 34 years!!!! Before I die, I'd like to spend some time in a different area, near the ocean, and warmer. I'd like to join in activities that aren't dictated by the weather---I hate going out at night in January, having things cancelled due to icy roads, etc..We have a camper (TT), daughter #2 has a large house (she's the most bothered by our moving) with room for us for short visits. DH doesn't want a place in CT (if we could even swing it) because of the taxes and the utilities costs.I've been a most devoted Grammy for years, but realize as the kids grow, you see them less, which is as it should be. Another anecdote: a good friend sold her house, and built one on her daughter's and s-i-l's property and devoted herself totally to her grandchildren ---she and her DH gave generous financial gifts to their children and grandchildren. Hubby wanted a FL home, but no. NOW----kids are college age and above and busy with their own lives. My friend had to stop working due to a non-terminal condition (she's in mid 70's), her husband is rapidly declining, she's out in the boonies and bored spitless. And financially stuck. Sorry to ramble on, but that's my .02. We've lived all of our 61 years in CT, and it's time for a little adventure!
I thnik the Op was pretty clear that they had not moved totally for retiremnt as from what i gather he isn't totally retired .Also it wsn't for health reasons. It was that they bought a secod home thinkig they would retire thre. Thechaneg from New York City to rural was more than they had thogut out.I seem to remmber the isolation whe it snowed with raqodways blocked.This si a big chnage and I am not surprisede that in the end it was not for them in lifestyle from waht they were use to. I can realte as I was stuck two days beyonf what I expected whe visiting a friend in Clorado rockies more rural area. Just 20 miles fro towen wit ful facities lie most towen and cleared streets.But they were use to it bu then and loved it. I would ahve thought I;d love it which I did but it started me thinking I wasn't cutout for that constantly.No different really fro place I have vacationed and love it but would not move there permanently.
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