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

[nancy thereader]

Look at all of the divergent skills and ideals that we have . We all sound fascinating. imho that is .

[nancy thereader]

Look to see what it says about Las Cruces !


Hippie Havens

[popcorn247]

Nancy, the link doesn't work. Can you re-send it? Thanks

[nancy thereader]

Let's see if this one works better.



Hippie Havens

[anomoly]

Based on the responses so far, consider this the first revision!
2 said not to include them as interested parties,
7 (including me) responded with interest! Not bad!
And, amazingly 6 of us indicate similar location prefs!!

1. Wisteria: updated April 08
Currently: Monterey Bay, CA, Retiring in 1-3years, Social worker, but seeking more ‘fun’ work or involvement; socially conscious, spiritual
Realistic interest? Yes, 2-4 years, depends on sale of house
Skills/areas of interest:
Like to facilitate groups and workshops. I currently tutor ESL (English as a Second Language) evenings, and also teach art (Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain) evenings (and work full-time at a County job during the day). I have organized metaphysical groups, worked in holistic health, started a small community school ("free school") back east, and also had a small health food (seitan) business in Seattle. Good computer skills, excellent writer/editor, researcher.
Preferences:
Southwest, sunny, dry, warm weather
Las Cruces, New Mexico, Grand Junction, Colorado, N CA, Utah, Nevada
Social connections
Community of open minds, intellectually stimulating
Exchange ideas and interesting conversations
Cost conscious move
Pets (especially cats)
Similar age group
Active, older singles mingle
Co-housing, Old Hotel, Abbey, retrofit,
Co-business: open to what it is, although I'm sure there would be preferences and it would depend on the area and regulations of the place.
Absolutes:
Not the South, not Arizona
Not NE or PNW
“Interested in a ‘meet up’ with these women in the next year, even just to socialize in an interesting location.?”

2. Nancy the reader updated April 08
Currently: Long Island, retiring from teaching in June,
Realistic interest? Yes, in 1-2 years
Skills/areas of interest:I have been a counselor and a teacher forever, I would be able to tutor people & my Spanish is relatively good in case there are any workers or people who need help nearby. I am prettty well-organized. I would be happy to help with getting things started.
Special Ed. teacher, but worked with disabled adults as a counselor. Still a child of the sixties in many ways. Wear blue jeans almost all the time. Also socially conscious, and spiritual , but not formally religious).
Preferences:
West, Southwest, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, New Mexico, N California
Sunny dry warm weather
I had considered Portland, but i think it just might be too cold for me. Rain, I don't mind. Cold, I do. Not Arizona, I don't think.
Interested in a change, live somewhere new
Part of the reason I am moving is to shake myself up a little
Separate cottages, open to other ideas
Co-housing, Old hotel or Abbey
Trees and garden, nature
Not so far out in the country that I would not be able to go into a town to shop Hiking paths or a nearby park would be a plus for me.
I would enjoy a good transit system (I do drive)
Affordable
Like minded, similar age
Absolutes:
Pets (cat)
“Interested in a ‘meet up’ with these women in the next year, even just to socialize in an interesting location.?”

3. plant lover updated April 08
Currently: Florida, horticulturist, website content mgr, still working, no ties, no kids,
Realistic interest? Yes, depends on sale of house
Skills/areas of interest:I am a horticulturist (for the past 30+ years in a bot. garden) and I do content management for a portion of our website. I've been told that I am super at this, so I might want to pursue something in this direction.
Preferences:
West/Southwest, Grand Junction, CO
Not East US, Not Arizona
Employment opps
No hot, humid, or extreme weather
really want to leave this area and start a new chapter.
outdoors, hiking, wildflowers, visiting parks, love history, mountains,
enjoy shopping too!
I am a very informal person and still wear shorts all the time.
Absolutes:
Pets (2 dogs)
“Interested in a ‘meet up’ with these women in the next year, even just to socialize in an interesting location.?”

4. Anomoly updated April 08
Currently: New Mexico, fulltime RV traveler, no ties, no kids, spiritual, free spirit
Realistic interest? Yes, anytime between now and 3-4 years
"Yes, I'm ready to commit to a group discussion with others like me, to see if we can make this a reality"
Skills/areas of interest:My background: many years in Hospitality (hotels, bars, restaurants) BA Psychology (University research, community mental health) advocacy.
Interested in: Planning, Organizing, Humanitarian, Life-enhancing projects (workshops, classes), community activism, developing skills, opportunity to create new business or group
Preferences:
Southwest, Las Cruces, Silver City, NM, Mexico
Moab, or St. George, UT
Progressive, engaging, open-minded community
Supportive, caring, creative social connections
Part time work or volunteer
Cost conscious
Garden, natural spaces
Interesting urban communities within 20 miles (bars, restaurants, coffeehouse)
Pool would be heavenly
Co-housing, Old hotel/apt complex, retrofit
Considering RV upgrade, permanent residence, possibly on shared land
Night person: stars, bars, campfires,
Absolutes:
Not East, or North
Sunny, warm weather
Fun, laughter, friendship
Pets (I have cats)
Privacy and independence, but NOT isolation
I smoke(respectfully), enjoy social drinking
No right-wing/Christian conservatives, or judgmental lifestyles
Internet access
“Interested in a ‘meet up’ with these women in the next year, even just to socialize in an interesting location.?” Yes

5. Riverbird updated April 08
Currently: San Fran, recently retired, must move summer 08,
Realistic interest? not sure when, but may be interested in several years
Realistically, I am too accustomed to living alone to be in co-housing with others right now -- that is, to share meals and so forth. However, a condo situation or even separate homes in the same neighborhood would be fantastic right now; looking ahead twenty years or so, I can imagine myself living in the same building in cooperation with others then.
Skills/areas of interest:
Have project management experience.
Preferences:
Oregon, Washington, Northern California; some snow is fine; don't mind rain and fog.
Nice to be near water (ocean, river)
Condo or Townhouse
Activities, vegetarian or California cuisine restaurants
Airport within 2 hour drive
Not family-oriented or Christian conservative
Absolutes:
Walkable community
Moderate climate
“Interested in a ‘meet up’ with these women in the next year, even just to socialize in an interesting location.?”

6. Rmebrt updated April 08
Currently: Arizona, legal assistant, caring for parents
Realistic interest?
Skills/areas of interest:
Preferences:
NC, Phx/Prescott/Tucson, AZ, St. George, UT, FL panhandle
Like minded social connections
Reading, hiking, bicycling, pets, travel, yoga
Wine and margaritas
Progressive, educated populace
Affordable
Easily accessible to ocean or gulf
Absolutes:
No extreme winters
No PNW
No NE U.S. (except to visit!)
No Midwest
“Interested in a ‘meet up’ with these women in the next year, even just to socialize in an interesting location.?”

7. Xz2y updated April 08
Currently: SE Michigan, no family ties, relocating summer 08, still working
Realistic interest?
Skills/areas of interest:
Preferences:
Twin Cities, MN; Northeast (Maine, Vermont)
Possibly PNW
Prefer ‘final’ move
Good job market
Lower cost of living
Social network similar age
Access to Cultural amenities
Absolutes:
Not hot, humid (Texas, Arizona, SE states)
Not rural
Not politically right-wing
Access to individual health insurance* as early semi-retiree
*This is a limiting factor geographically, as a part-time job may not have health insurance. The states in the north are more progressive re: access to health insurance, though expensive.
“Interested in a ‘meet up’ with these women in the next year, even just to socialize in an interesting location.?”

[Wisteria]

Wow, great work, Anomoly!!

This is a very interesting list. The thing I seem to see in common is that we are more people-conscious and spiritually-conscious. We seem to share a like for great weather (!), a sense of giving to the community, a love of animals, intelligent, and with some really good abilities.

I still am very interested in a community business, as I think that generating extra income can be very important in coming years. I notice the similarity with gardening, and, for me, food....(but I'd guess everyone loves food).

I'm not sure what grows great in the desert, but I'm sure there's something. Maybe a combination of growing something that could be shipped to other places that don't have this particular item (I have no idea what that is right now), and maybe developing a food product from it (dried/pickled, whatever) that could also be shipped. I've noticed prickly pears in stores, but I don't usually see good instructions on using them, nor which parts could be dried and edible, or seasoned with spices and then eaten as a snack. Just some ideas.

This is good. It's starting to look like many of us are searching out the New Mexico area, which is a good idea for retirees, as it is cheaper, lots of open spaces, and probably some good opportunities that have not yet been tapped there.

Great job! Thanks!

[anomoly]

Glad you appreciated this too, Wisteria.
I noticed the similarities early on, and that's why I wanted to organizing everyone's thoughts---I kept hearing a 'common community'.
That's what convinced me that we had enough in common to consider some options.

New Mexico is largely agricultural. Shoot, I'm 30 miles from Hatch, as in Hatch Green Chiles?? Mexican food is always a question of "Red or Green".
So, things definitely grow here!
When I lived in Tucson, my garden looked like a rain forest! and I miss all my flowers and vines, and working out in it.

I personally am not too interested in 'food', but my priority is 'community participation', so I'm open to just about anything.
I saw a property for sale in Tularosa, which has a vineyard, and is currently operating as a B&B. That's not a bad area at all (north of Alamagordo, and down the hill from the Mescalero casino, and Ruidoso (beautiful mountain community with horse racing). It's also near White Sands Monument, (if that helps locate).
I could go for that, although I'm pretty open to anything.

In the last week, I've come to the conclusion that, even though I never planned on living in an RV long term, I'm pretty happy with the lifestyle. I realized that upgrading to
a nicer, bigger 'dream' RV, might be a nice investment, instead of the cost of a permanent home. I could still share a large piece of property, with a common building, and other neighbors in cottages, etc. All I need are hookups, which would be much less costly than purchasing a home.
I still have some furniture, and stuff in storage, and am actually considering getting rid of it, as I'm pretty content in an RV, although not the old one I have.
I bought it, never thinking I'd be living in it for long, so now I might invest in something I plan to live in, no matter where I go.

[popcorn247]

A few weeks ago, I started a thread about growing lavender in New Mexico. There are so many ways one can use lavender. Evidently it is grown in several areas of NM. We might grow it and then make products from it......

[Wisteria]

plantlover: A few weeks ago, I started a thread about growing lavender in New Mexico. There are so many ways one can use lavender. Evidently it is grown in several areas of NM. We might grow it and then make products from it......

Thanks, Anomoly and Plantlover. Good ideas are emerging.

I had thought of a B&B at one point....until I realized you have to be there 24-7! I also want to relax during retirement.

I think there are many ways to go about growing and making a business. When I lived in Seattle (although I realize the climate is quite different), I knew of an herb "farm" that also hosted afternoon lunches (not a restaurant). They'd hold it outside (in the summer, of course), and people would have special meals made with the herbs that they grew there, plus, people could purchase small planters of herbs and other items.

Apparently, cotton grows in New Mexico, too -- which I hadn't thought of, but I do remember seeing cotton fields in Phoenix when I lived there before it was heavily populated. Any weavers out there who'd use homemade cotton to make things??

Also, pecans are prevelant there, I understand. I don't think I'm up for some big farm or production like that, but something more manageable that could be done and bring in extra income. A web-based business would be great.

Maybe even set up a tourist-type garden and sculptures that people would come from miles around just to experience. I'm sure there are many things we haven't even considered yet.

NMSU Extension & Outreach Here's a link about the agriculture program at the university in Las Cruces. I bet there are many opportunities we just haven't thought of yet. Las Cruces has the college there, so it could be a good resource, too. Maybe land outside of there.....just a thought.

Keep the ideas coming!

[Tesaje]

Cotton requires huge amounts of water and water is both very expensive and scarse resource in NM, so cotton farming is not a small scale enterprise. Also, it is susceptible to lots of pests and diseases so it tends to be heavily chemical dependent. It tends to be profitable only for giant agribusiness.

Hemp, on the other hand, is native to the area, requires little water and is very resistant to pests and diseases so it would be ideal for NM agriculture. But there is that pesky DEA that would throw you in jail for that.

Don't underestimate the water requirements in the arid SW. Water is getting to be an increasingly scarce resource as the usage continues to increase in that area.