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

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by frazl

I've been researching online a town of about 23,000 located 20 miles West of Charlottesville, VA. Staunton, VA has a number of things I like, but the cost of housing looks comparable to Charlottesville, which is higher than I want. Staunton is located along Skyline Drive in the mountains, and has many arts and music events at reasonable prices. They are building a planned walking village which includes a number of artist's lofts for under $200,000. I see very few rental properties in Staunton.

Wow, nice coincidence. I researched Staunton extensively when I wanted to move more south. A wonderful realtor on Main St. took me everywhere. We went to a really nice in town park with summer concerts. Also a solid women's college and lots of up and coming arts. I loved the downtown, so lively and quaint. I would recommend it!

My son goes to the Outer Banks a lot from Raleigh. Hot and humid, humid in summer. I guess there must be a nice alligator population as well, along with hurricanes (?)

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by frazl

Welcome, Marcia. Have you been to Manteo, NC? I'm always glad to hear of new places. Looking at Sperling, I see their population has grown 13%, so others must be discovering the island too. I see, looking at the map, that there are two crossing areas from the mainland. Let us know as you find more about Manteo. The area looks very interesting with nearby Nags Head, the wildlife refuge areas and Cape Hatteras. Where is the nearest hospital and airport? The mild climate looks very livable.

I've been researching online a town of about 23,000 located 20 miles West of Charlottesville, VA. Staunton, VA has a number of things I like, but the cost of housing looks comparable to Charlottesville, which is higher than I want. Staunton is located along Skyline Drive in the mountains, and has many arts and music events at reasonable prices. They are building a planned walking village which includes a number of artist's lofts for under $200,000. I see very few rental properties in Staunton.

I visited a friend last spring who recently moved to Scottsville VA which is very near Charlottesville. Very beautiful country.

[frazl]

Thanks, Newenglandgirl and Minervah. I'm traveling to Charlottesville in March to check the area out more, and will be sure to visit Staunton while I'm there.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by frazl

Thanks, Newenglandgirl and Minervah. I'm traveling to Charlottesville in March to check the area out more, and will be sure to visit Staunton while I'm there.

The Senior Center in Charlottesville is like a university, a fantastic facility with all kinds of classes taught by U-Va professors. We have nothing like that in New England. And when I took my tour, the leader said they are moving! for more space! I was wowed by their current building, just lovely.

[SheRuns]

I've read some of the posts here and earlier ones (2007!) mentioned Asheville as good for seniors. Is that still the case? If so, besides Hendersonville, are there other areas where seniors have gravitated? UNC also has a good senior center - does anyone know if it is as good as the one at Charlotte?

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by SheRuns

I've read some of the posts here and earlier ones (2007!) mentioned Asheville as good for seniors. Is that still the case? If so, besides Hendersonville, are there other areas where seniors have gravitated? UNC also has a good senior center - does anyone know if it is as good as the one at Charlotte?

I believe that UNC runs a "senior college" and has an extensive geriatric studies program.

[frazl]

Originally Posted by SheRuns

I've read some of the posts here and earlier ones (2007!) mentioned Asheville as good for seniors. Is that still the case? If so, besides Hendersonville, are there other areas where seniors have gravitated? UNC also has a good senior center - does anyone know if it is as good as the one at Charlotte?

Are you referring to Hendersonville Tennessee or NC?

Reading through the thread, the areas I have seen mentioned most often are Colorado, specifically between Denver and Fort Collins; Asheville NC, Bend Oregon, Florida and California. I lived in Denver 6 years and wouldn't personally recommend it for retirement because of the fragile water situation in Colorado. A number of people are leaving or not recommending California, although the OP has what sounds like a lovely situation there on the coast. Someone else made the transition to Florida and is very happy there. Other areas I'm aware of that Seniors are moving to are parts of Tennessee, some into Georgia, and Northwest Arkansas and small towns around Austin, TX. I haven't read as much interest here in Arizona as I thought there would be. Some people here have mentioned they live in the New England states, and plan to stay there for retirement. I haven't really done research that would give a good response to your question. The only areas I can talk about personally are Denver Colorado, Austin TX, Asheville NC, and Northwest Arkansas. If you have specific questions about any of those, we could discuss them, although my knowledge is most current on Northwest Arkansas and Charlottesville VA.

How do you visualize your retirement? Mountains, coastal, size town, etc. It would be interesting to know how others are researching different areas. The tool I use, along with city-data, is sperling. I check out size, cost of housing, climate, health, crime, mix of people, religion and voting to get a feel for the town/city. Then I do google searches on the city to find more info, like arts, nature trails, airports, medical, etc. If it peeks my interest to know more, then I check the forum here under the city/state to see discussions/questions about the area.

[AcaciaRose]

I used the same tools as you, frazl. In addition, once I zeroed in on a particular neighborhood, I used Google Streetview to see the details of the area.

[popcorn247]

Originally Posted by frazl

Are you referring to Hendersonville Tennessee or NC?

Reading through the thread, the areas I have seen mentioned most often are Colorado, specifically between Denver and Fort Collins; Asheville NC, Bend Oregon, Florida and California. I lived in Denver 6 years and wouldn't personally recommend it for retirement because of the fragile water situation in Colorado. A number of people are leaving or not recommending California, although the OP has what sounds like a lovely situation there on the coast. Someone else made the transition to Florida and is very happy there. Other areas I'm aware of that Seniors are moving to are parts of Tennessee, some into Georgia, and Northwest Arkansas and small towns around Austin, TX. I haven't read as much interest here in Arizona as I thought there would be. Some people here have mentioned they live in the New England states, and plan to stay there for retirement. I haven't really done research that would give a good response to your question. The only areas I can talk about personally are Denver Colorado, Austin TX, Asheville NC, and Northwest Arkansas. If you have specific questions about any of those, we could discuss them, although my knowledge is most current on Northwest Arkansas and Charlottesville VA.

How do you visualize your retirement? Mountains, coastal, size town, etc. It would be interesting to know how others are researching different areas. The tool I use, along with city-data, is sperling. I check out size, cost of housing, climate, health, crime, mix of people, religion and voting to get a feel for the town/city. Then I do google searches on the city to find more info, like arts, nature trails, airports, medical, etc. If it peeks my interest to know more, then I check the forum here under the city/state to see discussions/questions about the area.

Could you please give a link to the sperling web site? Thanks!

[frazl]

I'll send it to you via message, popcorn247. I don't think we are allowed to give links to other websites here.