Best state to retire in? (vacations, divorce, vacation, married)

[nitram]

Looks like this thread is in a State of Confusion...

[Jimrob1]

The state that one feels is right for them is the best one. Choosing the right one now that is the real problem.

[mollyblythe]

Originally Posted by goodbyehollywood

It seems more and more of us crave light, warmth, space, peace, quiet and natural beauty-- instead of cold, concrete, gridlock and sprawl-- and we are flocking where we can find it.
Give me sand, sun, a cool drink, a warm puppy, a good book and a comfy beach chair and I'll be happy. The question, these days, is how to afford even the simplest of pleasures?

AMEN! (Just don't make the warm TOO warm.)

[NewToCA]

Moved to California when I retired, after living in Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Missouri.

You certainly don't lack activities out here, both natural and man made. The variety of things to see and do is downright remarkable.

[Minervah]

I keep hearing great things about Minneapolis. I am thinking of moving there from Portland OR. I don't mind winters; I grew up in Chicago so I could get back to the ice and snow. The cost of living is less in Min and they have the things I enjoy doing best like going to the theater and museums.

[Sailaway50]

That's an interesting concept. I also don't mind winters at all, and have yrs of experience w/Chgo also. I would assume the people are "regular" there also. Keep us posted. Sounds like something with great potential. There are also great colleges in Minn., which would be a possible factor for us. I'm sure the winters are beautiful up there.

[StealthRabbit]

Minneapolis is pretty nice, but coming from Portland you might prefer Madison, WI, You should at least check it out. It is a nice city and plenty of culture, but much smaller than MSP.

[GLS]

Originally Posted by Sailaway50

That's an interesting concept. I also don't mind winters at all, and have yrs of experience w/Chgo also. I would assume the people are "regular" there also. Keep us posted. Sounds like something with great potential. There are also great colleges in Minn., which would be a possible factor for us. I'm sure the winters are beautiful up there.

I see a lot of posts that talk about moving to Chicago, Minneapolis, Montana, etc. and appear to approach the concept of Winter nonchalantly. It's usually based upon fond memories of living there in the past. I have lived in Chicago, Nebraska, and Rhode Island. Therefore, I do know Winter. HOWEVER, I lived there when I was 25 to 30 years old. My only point is that coping with Winter when I am retired (66 yrs old) would be markedly different than years ago. With my current back problems it would take me twelve hours to shovel snow off the pathway that used to take me 30 minutes. That cute little trip and pratfall on the ice that I shrugged off laughing, would now result in a broken hip.

If you haven't lived in REAL Winter for a number of years I would give it a realistic reappraisal of what it's going to be like when you are "retired". I'm not trying to "rain (snow) on your parade". Hopefully you are in better shape than I'm in.

[Frangi914]

None of the above (well I already live in NY) - Hubby and I are leaving to Hawaii in two months. Something we have been planning for five years, so as soon as we close on our house here, we are off! We don't have any family or children, just me, him and three cats!

[Dawgdoc]

I'd pick Hawaii in a second. We lived there from 90-93 (while in the Army). The high cost of living (Paradise Tax) is worth it! I'm moving to AZ next year due to a job transfer, but hope to work remotely from Oahu someday.