Men and Women retiring alone to a new city/state -- where will you go and why? (55, weather)

[Windwalker2]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Back to the OP...Women retiring alone to a new city/state ~ where/why? where = anywhere nicer than here (tough to beat, but drier will help), Why = 'Because I can . THE LIST: access to a CHEAP lap pool ($<100/yr), 1 hr to international airport. 20 min to a college, Decent gardening and music scene (classical / chamber / baroque), COOL sleeping nights in summer <60F. no Humidity, LOTS of outdoor recreation; Happy, adventurous, FUN, and educated seniors. Low cost of living, (Plenty of cheap fruit year around), High speed internet would be really a nice treat for a change FREE WiFi for entire town even better. NO stoplights... Lots of hot dish dinners (just a few of my 'more important' desires)

Do share when you find this place which meets many of my criteria too.

[Umbria]

There was a time, no too long ago, where you could sell your house for $30,000-$40,000 more than the assessed value. Now, it's more like $30,000-$40,000 below assessed value.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Windwalker2

Do share when you find this place which meets many of my criteria too.

Loveland / Berthoud / Ft Collins, CO is pretty close to this ideal (but it is hard to return to your OLD home and be satisfied). It is a bit brown in winter, but often very nice (sunny and cool, often WARM Chinook winds = snow in AM, gone by noon )

I also liked Chico, CA (if one could consider moving TO CA)

Other likely spots in PNW. (minimal 'hot-dish' dinners- socially 'independent' folks)
Hood River, OR or... (Klamath Falls, Roseburg, Bend, - international airports) +
White Salmon, WA, or... (Walla Walla, Port Angeles - Sequim, Wenatchee, WA - international airports)
Moscow, Post Falls, ID

Other places on my list to search include Knoxville or Oakridge, TN. I like the Black Hills (Spearfish, SD) and Sheridan, and Powell, WY. also some nice places in Alaska, but moderate climate areas are very rainy there. (Note these are all 'income tax' free states, but not particular to that req. Colorado would do (moderate taxes tempered by conservative voters)

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Umbria

There was a time, no too long ago, where you could sell your house for $30,000-$40,000 more than the assessed value. Now, it's more like $30,000-$40,000 below assessed value.

or $500,000 below assessment (as my neighbor just found out)

Just had an auction nearby of 5 acre lots w/ water, view, septic... sold for $220k in 2007, auctioned for $12k this month. (land only)

[flyingscot47]

I have agonized these many months since my mum died--do I go where my da.ughter and grandson live ( not where I would choose ex husband etc really never bonded with Sacramento)or go where my heart says even if it means I will be on my own and far from family. Yes I ponder what may happen to me when I get really old but I gave up a career to come home and care for my mum and in all honesty would I think that my only child would do the same--sad to say no. So my next move is for me---I want to live where I can see the stars at night--space to turn the music up loud whether it be Hendrix or the Ring of the Niebelung---where I can have my kind of dog Newfoundland etc not a 20lb dog in a 55 plus community in Sacramento. This forum has been illuminating. thank you

[RiverBird]

Originally Posted by flyingscot47

I have agonized these many months since my mum died--do I go where my da.ughter and grandson live ( not where I would choose ex husband etc really never bonded with Sacramento)or go where my heart says even if it means I will be on my own and far from family. Yes I ponder what may happen to me when I get really old but I gave up a career to come home and care for my mum and in all honesty would I think that my only child would do the same--sad to say no. So my next move is for me---I want to live where I can see the stars at night--space to turn the music up loud whether it be Hendrix or the Ring of the Niebelung---where I can have my kind of dog Newfoundland etc not a 20lb dog in a 55 plus community in Sacramento. This forum has been illuminating. thank you

Very difficult choices, and I sympathize and deeply understand.

Have you made any decision as to where you will move to? Will it be soon?

This may be a good time to buy a little place as in the Northeast and PNW we are heading into winter and many owners may want to unload at a reasonable price.

[flyingscot47]

[quote=newenglandgirl;16040858]Very difficult choices, and I sympathize and deeply understand.

Have you made any decision as to where you will move to? Will it be soon?

Thank you for the kind words. There is so much to think about when relocating, property prices, taxes etc.In California I loved the long growing season(being an avid gardener) but I much prefer cooler climates as I seem to function much better despite the fact that warmer climates are much easier on the joints. I still like the idea of Maine a state I am very fond of--it seems to call to my Celtic soul==reminds me so much of my homeland. Ideally it would be nice to have family just around the corner but realistically many of us do not see our families every day --they have their own lives and interests and as young families do they may move and then I would be stuck living where the main reason for my move no longer existed.
I have not ruled out other areas. I love the mountains of Tennessee. So many choices in this wonderful country.

[Tesaje]

[quote=flyingscot47;16049263]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Very difficult choices, and I sympathize and deeply understand.

Have you made any decision as to where you will move to? Will it be soon?

Thank you for the kind words. There is so much to think about when relocating, property prices, taxes etc.In California I loved the long growing season(being an avid gardener) but I much prefer cooler climates as I seem to function much better despite the fact that warmer climates are much easier on the joints. I still like the idea of Maine a state I am very fond of--it seems to call to my Celtic soul==reminds me so much of my homeland. Ideally it would be nice to have family just around the corner but realistically many of us do not see our families every day --they have their own lives and interests and as young families do they may move and then I would be stuck living where the main reason for my move no longer existed.
I have not ruled out other areas. I love the mountains of Tennessee. So many choices in this wonderful country.

Have you considered the Pac. NW? Climate might be to your liking & it is considerably closer to your family than Maine.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Tesaje

Have you considered the Pac. NW? Climate might be to your liking & it is considerably closer to your family than Maine.

This is certainly good advice. It really helps to stay in the same time zone, and the $80 RT flights to Sac, $120 to Bay,(1 hr) $180 LA (2hrs). Makes the trip very EZ. It is just a long day drive to Sac / Bay (from PDX). Using southern OR as a homebase would reduce the drive, but air may be more spendy (or cheaper if you use Allegiant out of Medford).

[Avalon08]

Hey, where'd everybody go?