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Blairsville GA was listed in that book as a desirable place to retire.
My boss moved to a town near there called Dahlonega. They ended up moving back to northern VA because the pace of life was a little too slow for them and she missed the level of medical care here, but to this day she says nice things about living in Dahlonega. It's apparently a very artsy town with lots of organizations and things for seniors to do. While they moved back for better medical services, she did feel the hospital there was fine (it just wasn't superior).
The biggest challenge to retirees when living in a mountain community ... is the mountain. Terrain. There's a magical town in the state of Puebla, Mexico I've thought of retiring to .. but it's nestled in the mountains and the streets undulate from flat surfaced to steep incline ... and it rains frequently making the cobblestones slippery and a hazard unless one is very fleet of foot. I've visited many mountain communities, and I agree that the climates, for the most part, are to my liking. Depends upon how hight the mountainside!
We are at at a family reunion in the Poconos this week, and I've noticed something that surprised me. I was expecting to see drivers having problems with tight mountain curves, but was surprised to see how many older people seemed to have trouble driving up a long steep hill. Of course I've only been here a few days, so maybe it's just the people I happen to see here. I'm glad they aren't speeding but it can be even more dangerous to drive so slowly that you're halfway up a steep grade and you start going less than 20-25 mph. Even worse when you get a long tail of cars behind you. It's thought provoking to see how often the driver of the re-a-l-l-y slow car at the front tends to be at least 60 or so.
Despite the current fires, there's a lot to be said for the benefits of living in the mountains for retirees. I've spent a few years in Colorado, and the retirees I knew there were surprisingly vigorous. Maybe the benefit of living at high altitudes? Or maybe it's just that vigorous people are attracted to mountain living? All I know is that if we didn't have such a strong draw to live in a coastal community, a mountain town like Big Bear or Boulder would have a lot of appeal to us. Or maybe even Denver, which isn't a mountain town but is close by.
What do you guys think about mountain living for retirees? Pros and cons? For those of you who moved to the mountains, are you glad you did? If you had the chance to do it all again would you?
Speaking from personal experience, not everyone can adjust to the altitude. It is not a given. Before I invested a dime (and sold my property back home), I'd spend at least 3 or 4 months at any high-altitude destination before deciding to move there.
Speaking from personal experience, not everyone can adjust to the altitude. It is not a given. Before I invested a dime (and sold my property back home), I'd spend at least 3 or 4 months at any high-altitude destination before deciding to move there.
20yrsinBranson
High altitudes are contraindicated in some health conditions. Long winding roads up, and long winding roads down, in winter, too.
And in the Rockies... less oxygen the higher up you go..... which can be problematic for some disease processes (like COPD).
People who live at higher altitudes have higher levels of hemoglobin. This in direct proportion to the amount of oxygen in the air. For, example, I would have a slightly great amount than someone living at sea level because I live at 5500'. When, I lived at 8400' I had far more. Air densityis not in direct proportion to altitude. Above about 8000' It's possoble to park a vehicle in the sun and have the vehicle temperature far above the air temperature. It's pleasant to get into a warm car when the temperature is -22.
Prices of real estate vary. There are some relatively inexpensive places in northern Nevada. If a person wishes to live in the east the Appalachians have some very inexpensive areas.
Anyone who can turn a steering wheel can drive on a mountain road.
Higher altitudes may be contraindicated for some people----especially COPD and emphysema.
Yet the drier mountain air in the desert southwest helps a lot of people with chronic aches and pains---arthritis and bone diseases.
So as in any other aspect of life there are tradeoffs-----a lot of people also like the drier air----after living is steamy conditions, a lot of people adjust very well to drier conditions. You need a humidifier in your bedroom and some people need skin conditioners------my father had nice bleeds in higher elevations.
So do some research and ask questions before you make a move----be prepared for any new environment you are headed for.
Flagstaff - cold winters, lots of snow. I think it is a major trucking route thru there as well. I've driven thru there a few times and seems like all around me were big trucks. Persoanlly, I would feel very isolated there.
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