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I'm actually torn on the type of property. "Livin' the dream" is an oceanfront condo with a balcony overlooking the beach, but the more practical choice would be a tiny cottage or bungalow several blocks (but still walkable/bikeable) away. Budget is up to $350-400k for a prime location, although the cheaper, the better. If I can get it for around $100-150k, that would allow me to buy a similar property on another part of the coast or perhaps on an inland lake and alternate between them. Not sure I could live happily with condo fees or restrictive HOA regulations.
Your budget seems totally unrealistic for anything in walking distance to a beach. Although maybe those prices are realistic in certain sections of FL, but you've already ruled out FL. And if the tax-friendliness is important to you, you should be able to research that yourself and at least narrow down your possibilities from there.
Another thread has inspired me, but I've narrowed my search down somewhat. Requirements include something akin to four seasons, walkable/bikable distance to beach and basic necessities (grocery, restaurants, etc.), an easy commute to additional amenities like a university, gym, Meetup groups, dance opportunities, kayaking, hospital, culture, natural areas, etc. This must also must be a popular vacation destination so I can rent out my property during peak tourist season. If it were also tax-friendly to retirees, with a relatively low COL, all the better.
Hope I get half the feedback the other poster got!
Cape Anne.
Be prepared to pay a high price though. You're asking for the impossible.
I believe Florida is the only state on the east coast that doesn't have state income tax. Someone chime in if I'm wrong? Since Florida is off your list, you may want to look in a state not on the east coast. Good luck!
I believe Florida is the only state on the east coast that doesn't have state income tax. Someone chime in if I'm wrong? Since Florida is off your list, you may want to look in a state not on the east coast. Good luck!
I missed where the OP said FL was off the list; I thought it was "entire east coast" (that is a quote from one of the posts). There's a lot of reasons to like some parts of FL, though if you want some semblance of seasons, you would want to stay north of St Augustine on the Atlantic and on the panhandle on the Gulf. Even then, it would be some semblance of seasons. I have family in Jax and the panhandle. They usually only need jeans and a light jacket in the winter, but they need that a lot for a couple of months and there are some colder bursts.
Reach the Beach made some great points about taxation marginal rates v flat rates. We came out ahead in NC even with pensions etc because of a lower flat tax rate and being in a high income category.
I want to caution the OP that there is a difference between visiting and vacationing at the beach and living there year round. What can be great in summer time might not be as great in January especially if you are in a cool-cold zone. Looking out at the beach year round may not always be worth the price when you can get there in a few minutes. If buying not within walking distance at your age investigate what parking is like and if it is free, available etc. Could be free for residents and not others.
I didn't say Florida was off the list. And I've found many affordable properties within walking (or biking, I said, which could be several miles) distance of the beach. I'm just trying to target a location that will give me MORE than a beach. Thanks.
Newport Rhode Island if just ok beaches will do. Less expensive are other beach neighborhoods in Rhode Island but Newport would be the most tourist preferred.
Second that!
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