WA vs AZ vs FL - taxes, 401k,

[Submariner]

Low cost regions draw retirees.

Places with high percentages of retirees, are the places where new hospitals are built with joint-replacement centers, cancer centers and cardiac centers.

[Sunaimer]

Originally Posted by Tall Traveler

Wife and I are planning to winter in Zona and the rest of the year in the PNW. I retire in less than a year. We picked Tri Cities and bought a house and recently a lot to build there but want to look around when I retire to try to assure we want to stay there. We are also looking at Anacortes and Oak harbor for our non winter location.

We currently live in Renton. We may winter in Zona too, and are actually looking at Oak Harbor, Anacortes, Mount Vernon area too.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by MG120

Maine has 1.3 million people, of which 250k are over age 65, which is about 19 percent based on statistics.

Florida has 21.3 million people, of which 4 million are over age 65, which is also about 19 percent.

The Youngest and Oldest States in America: Map | Time

Isn't it interesting how Florida ranks as the fifth oldest state?

Behind Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and West Virginia.

Florida having such a large population it gets the reputation of being the oldest, yet it is far from that.

... sorry, but retirees are not flocking to Maine. Most of them are probably life long Mainers.

Every year roughly 100,000 retirees do.

And a very tiny percentage of them have ever lived in MAin before their retirement years.

Our local newspapers run articles every year from US Census data tracking the migratory patterns of retirees.

Maine may be a small population state, but this is a huge migration for the local economy and culture.

If a person wants to avoid drought and water-shortages, if you want to live in a rural setting of lush forests or on any of over 3,000 miles of coastline, if you want to live near medical facilities that specialize in geriatric care, and if you need a low Cost-Of-Living, the options are pretty clear.

[PamelaIamela]

Originally Posted by Submariner

The Youngest and Oldest States in America: Map | Time
Isn't it interesting how Florida ranks as the fifth oldest state?
Behind Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and West Virginia.
Florida having such a large population it gets the reputation of being the oldest, yet it is far from that.

Every year roughly 100,000 retirees do.
And a very tiny percentage of them have ever lived in MAin before their retirement years.
Our local newspapers run articles every year from US Census data tracking the migratory patterns of retirees.

Maine may be a small population state, but this is a huge migration for the local economy and culture.

If a person wants to avoid drought and water-shortages, if you want to live in a rural setting of lush forests or on any of over 3,000 miles of coastline, if you want to live near medical facilities that specialize in geriatric care, and if you need a low Cost-Of-Living, the options are pretty clear.

That is really cool, and sounds like a great choice for some Nor'easterners that prefer cooler climes and have family in the region. Takes some of the pressures off other areas that have to cope with large influxes of distant folks, retiring or otherwise.

Good for you and everyone who chooses their own path to happiness!

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I have never understood people basing the decision of where it to live in retirement based on saving a few pennies in taxes. The savings is not worth it if you are unhappy. I do not care what people say, thoselow cost areas are cheap for a reason. You could be giving up services like being close to quality medical care or family. Or being far from great or interesting places. Base your decision on what place works best for you and your family. Keep in mind living far from family means you will have to travel back and forth to visit. And don’t expect them to give up precious vacation time or to drop everything when there is a minor problem. Is that really going to be worth it? Jay

And I have never understood why some people see a thread where someone is considering the tax implications of a move, and automatically jump to the conclusion that it is the one and only consideration for the move.

I know of absolutely no one who has relocated to a specific area solely due to taxes. It is only one of a number of factors retirees use when contemplating relocating and deciding where to move. In fact, it would be idiotic and completely reckless to not take into consideration the tax consequences of a moving to a specific area.