Retirement moves: if you're moving, please list your top 5 places and why (hubby, family)

[mlb]

We went seeking Oregon years ago. Bend was out in the middle of nowhere..... lovely little town but again - dropped into the middle of nothingness.

And the Oregon coast was beautiful but far too foggy for me. We were there during the recession. TONS of homes for sale..... 16% unemployment. It was not a pretty site.

Eugene was a sadder version of every college town we know.

NOPE.

[Mikala43]

For retirement we will leave Hawaii, mainly because we like to travel and airfare is such a big expense here. We have been here for 30 years and are ready for a different environment.

We are looking at Arizona for a variety of reasons: 1) COL, 2) Climate, 3) Close to military base, 4) Vibe and 5) not too far from family

We are pretty sure we will choose Sedona. It's beautiful, has seasons, close to snow without being in it, is an outdoorsy community, etc.

We have about 4 more years here in Hawaii so we are spending that time crossing things off our bucket list (glider ride, hiking more of the trails, etc.).

[Hefe]

I'm thinking about this a fair amount. I have an lively elderly parent nearby & when she is gone I may make the jump. I say "may" because I know I can get more housing for the amount my current apartment is worth & I find myself constantly seeing myself in a quiet backyard patio with a grill, a view & a gin & tonic. Trouble is I have become very accustomed to not owning a car & having a huge array of cultural & culinary choices very nearby & it is very convenient to walk to markets & cafes, etc...

But that G&T with a view beckons...

I seem to fixate on the southwest mostly & have considered on paper: Las Vegas 'burbs, Tucson, Flagstaff, Phoenix, as well as somewhere in Colorado, New Mexico or Oregon. I have the usual concerns about costs, climate, medical facilities & culture (prefer Blue). I have briefly driven through all years ago & have visited LV several times but only around the tourist area.

The suburbs of LV will probably be my first foray followed by Phoenix/Tucson. I suspect I will just do a southwest vacation drive for a few weeks, maybe I should rent an RV & get the NPS Golden Pass?

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Hefe

I'm thinking about this a fair amount. I have an lively elderly parent nearby & when she is gone I may make the jump. ...

The suburbs of LV will probably be my first foray followed by Phoenix/Tucson. I suspect I will just do a southwest vacation drive for a few weeks, maybe I should rent an RV & get the NPS Golden Pass?

Get the pass before 30 JUN 2017 (rules / price is changing)

LV has some good options if you can take the crowds and heat. Look for a walkable neighborhood that will keep you out of the busy-ness of the day and night. DM Yellowsnow for a local LV tutorial

Tucson is very nice, but I have found airfares too high, since PHX and LV are the regional hubs. (I fly a lot)

[ABQ2015]

Originally Posted by mlb

We went seeking Oregon years ago. Bend was out in the middle of nowhere..... lovely little town but again - dropped into the middle of nothingness.

NOPE.

And some of us preferred it that way. My sister and her family moved to Bend in 1990 when the population was less than 30K (not counting the tourists). It's 3 1/2 hours to Portland and a little more to the coast (to be that close to the coast is fantastic to me) but we were used to living in small isolated New Mexico towns so no big deal. And the drive over the Cascades mountain range is gorgeous so worth the driving time. Bend had less crime, more water, and cooler temperatures than New Mexico and had a ski resort so was appealing. I remember visiting her in the late 90's when the town had grown to 50K and thinking that this is where I would like to retire. Now Bend has boomed to more than 85K with an MSA of 166K and has skyrocketed in popularity with the tourists. High home prices, lots of traffic, very crowded festivals, too many people on the trails, too many tourists, lots of breweries but lots of disorderly conduct, overextended infrastructure, etc. Today my sister and her adult children live in the less expensive nearby communities and try to avoid going to Bend except to make a Costco run.

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by ABQ2015

And some of us preferred it that way. My sister and her family moved to Bend in 1990 when the population was less than 30K (not counting the tourists). It's 3 1/2 hours to Portland and a little more to the coast (to be that close to the coast is fantastic to me) but we were used to living in small isolated New Mexico towns so no big deal. And the drive over the Cascades mountain range is gorgeous so worth the driving time. Bend had less crime, more water, and cooler temperatures than New Mexico and had a ski resort so was appealing. I remember visiting her in the late 90's when the town had grown to 50K and thinking that this is where I would like to retire. Now Bend has boomed to more than 85K with an MSA of 166K and has skyrocketed in popularity with the tourists. High home prices, lots of traffic, very crowded festivals, too many people on the trails, too many tourists, lots of breweries but lots of disorderly conduct, overextended infrastructure, etc. Today my sister and her adult children live in the less expensive nearby communities and try to avoid going to Bend except to make a Costco run.

Sadly, many of these retirement communities are moving targets. I remember going to Asheville in college before the craft beer scene really took off and the town became trendy. It was still quite affordable. Today, it's a much different story. Retirees, often with money and from out of state, have poured into the Asheville area, and are a significant contributor to the rise in rent and real estate values there.

[David A Stone]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

Sadly, many of these retirement communities are moving targets. I remember going to Asheville in college before the craft beer scene really took off and the town became trendy. It was still quite affordable. Today, it's a much different story. Retirees, often with money and from out of state, have poured into the Asheville area, and are a significant contributor to the rise in rent and real estate values there.

Ashville NC, Santa Fe NM, ................"trendy "is a buzzword for.....EXPENSIVE

[twowilldo]

Originally Posted by Vic Romano

4. Colorado Springs, CO - Lower cost of living and more sun than Washington and Oregon. A little too far east to be convenient. I've heard about the cold winters and temperature swings!

Looking at some of your choices and comparing the Springs... consider that the Front Range (which includes that town) is really bulging at the seams. Have a look at Montrose, CO, which is on the west side of the Rockies, called the Western Slope. Weather still seasonal but something of a Banana Belt compared to the east side of the Rockies. It's smaller but actually not a bad town all things considered.

[funisart]

Originally Posted by David A Stone

Ashville NC, Santa Fe NM, ................"trendy "is a buzzword for.....EXPENSIVE

We have not found Asheville to be expensive, though when we bought our retirement "castle", the real estate prices seemed reasonable for us. We have found that our utilities, taxes and insurance of all kinds is less. Housekeepers- gardeners, and other labor is less. It depends on where you are from. There are so many free and low cost things to do, so many great restaurants in all price ranges. It is progressive and welcoming. It is a wonderful place for retirement.

I am in awe of the sheer beauty around me everyday- even in the middle of winter-- ever changing landscape.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by funisart

We have not found Asheville to be expensive, .... a wonderful place for retirement.

I am in awe of the sheer beauty around me everyday- even in the middle of winter-- ever changing landscape.

There is always a Price of Admission. be prepared.

A view and nice community is delightful when you are retired and finally have time to enjoy it.