Interesting conversation concerning Fairfield Glade (Knoxville, Chattanooga: countertops, appliances, how much)

[Shenandoah]

Originally Posted by Tinman313

Yes, I agree...... I want solitude,but not isolation.........

I like that! I also like Laura's descriptions of Oak Ridge, and the educational opportunities out there for the 'mature folk'. I like to keep my mind active, always learning, and do take a few classes to keep up on different things, as well as the scientific bent. But, the cheaper airfare out of Nashville for visits from and to relatives, without the hours long drive to the airport is also a consideration.
There's golf courses within a 1 minute walk from me (TWO of them!) but we don't golf. There's farms, and farm markets within 5 minutes, along with a gas station and a discount grocery store (like Aldi's). 10 minutes away is a small town with nice mom& pop restaurants and a McDonalds & Burger King, and a very good rated, small community hospital. Walmart, in either direction of north, east or west is about a 1/2 hour drive, as is Lowe's, Home Depot, and the more 'upscale' restaurants such as AppleBees and TGIF. For good upscale restaurants that we'll go to for birthdays or anniversary's, theatre, etc, we go 40 miles (one hour) into Pittsburgh (where I also work).

So, you see, I'm really not used to, nor really want to be in a urban setting. And it'll be the same when we retire, in about 10 - 15 years. One hour from a big city is fine with me. 15 minutes to 1/2 hour to WalMart and a shopping mall is fine with me. Mom& Pop restaurants and especially GOOD Italian restaurants, anything within a 1/2 drive is fine.

Right now, I'd love to have acreage for dh and myself, our dogs, and other assorted farm animals that I'll want to get --- but, then again, in 10 - 15 years, will I or my husband have the health or energy to care for all of that??? I don't know - priorities change. By that time, a nice carriage home in a (dreaded) COA community may be more suitable for us, with no yardwork, but friendly community outdoor and indoor lifestyle may be more fitting. Who knows?? Right now, that community lifestyle wouldn't suit me, because I'm too independent, and the houses too close together.

We'll find out, because we've got time. We'll go where God wants us to go.

blessings, Shen

[Tek_Freek]

True statements, but there are so many of us that the odds are a lot of unlikely places are going see an influx.

My wife and I had a talk last night and decided to drop back to square one. Still looking at the Knoxville area (although I notice it's not on the plateau, which means the weather is a bit more extreme) and again at all the other areas we were considering before.

We are going to research Las Vegas, Central/southern Oregon, the Carolinas, Utah (southern) and a few other spots, starting with those that have no state tax and/or do not tax our pensions.

Perhaps with the economy going to the dogs we will find things more affordable in one of these places.

[hiknapster]

Go to Fort Myers, Florida. They'll probably give you a place.

I'm not kidding. The New York Times said they are now advertising free rent to keep out the looters.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Shenandoah

I like that! I also like Laura's descriptions of Oak Ridge, and the educational opportunities out there for the 'mature folk'. I like to keep my mind active, always learning, and do take a few classes to keep up on different things, as well as the scientific bent. But, the cheaper airfare out of Nashville for visits from and to relatives, without the hours long drive to the airport is also a consideration.
There's golf courses within a 1 minute walk from me (TWO of them!) but we don't golf. There's farms, and farm markets within 5 minutes, along with a gas station and a discount grocery store (like Aldi's). 10 minutes away is a small town with nice mom& pop restaurants and a McDonalds & Burger King, and a very good rated, small community hospital. Walmart, in either direction of north, east or west is about a 1/2 hour drive, as is Lowe's, Home Depot, and the more 'upscale' restaurants such as AppleBees and TGIF. For good upscale restaurants that we'll go to for birthdays or anniversary's, theatre, etc, we go 40 miles (one hour) into Pittsburgh (where I also work).

So, you see, I'm really not used to, nor really want to be in a urban setting. And it'll be the same when we retire, in about 10 - 15 years. One hour from a big city is fine with me. 15 minutes to 1/2 hour to WalMart and a shopping mall is fine with me. Mom& Pop restaurants and especially GOOD Italian restaurants, anything within a 1/2 drive is fine.

Right now, I'd love to have acreage for dh and myself, our dogs, and other assorted farm animals that I'll want to get --- but, then again, in 10 - 15 years, will I or my husband have the health or energy to care for all of that??? I don't know - priorities change. By that time, a nice carriage home in a (dreaded) COA community may be more suitable for us, with no yardwork, but friendly community outdoor and indoor lifestyle may be more fitting. Who knows?? Right now, that community lifestyle wouldn't suit me, because I'm too independent, and the houses too close together.

We'll find out, because we've got time. We'll go where God wants us to go.

blessings, Shen

My dad has a condo in Florida and he loves it, but he is surrounded by people of all ages. He would be very unhappy if all he could deal with were senior citizens.

And he is not on a golf course. He hates golf.

I think boomers are going to get old but want more than golf and staring at fellow old bitties.

I am kidding, so don't get all upset, y'all. I am very close to old-bittyhood, myself.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

too
I think boomers are going to get old but want more than golf and staring at fellow old bitties.

I am kidding, so don't get all upset, y'all. I am very close to old-bittyhood, myself.

I'm with you on this one for the most part. But then I look at people like my ex who is turning into a crotchety old man before my very eyes ("Get off my lawn ya d*** kids! And turn that music down!)
I shudder at the thought of only living with older people who only want to live with other older people. I like being around young people, babies and children too. I like the energy, the enthusiasm, the noise! I can't begin to imagine wanting to live in a community where everybody else is just like me. I'd find it way too boring. I think a lot of boomers feel that way.
But my ex would probably be thrilled with a situation like that, he'd probably find it very reassuring. I think places like FFG will always have an appeal to people like him.
Oops! Thought I should edit this to add that I don't mean to imply that FFG and places like it are only for crotchety seniors.
Just meant that people have different comfort levels and places like FFG would probably appeal more to some people than to others.

[Bones]

One thing I see keep popping up is the cheap airfares out of Nashville. I would not put a lot of thought on this as a priority, they could be bankrupt tomorrow, then where would you be..........

[Tinman313]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

True statements, but there are so many of us that the odds are a lot of unlikely places are going see an influx.

My wife and I had a talk last night and decided to drop back to square one. Still looking at the Knoxville area (although I notice it's not on the plateau, which means the weather is a bit more extreme) and again at all the other areas we were considering before.

We are going to research Las Vegas, Central/southern Oregon, the Carolinas, Utah (southern) and a few other spots, starting with those that have no state tax and/or do not tax our pensions.

Perhaps with the economy going to the dogs we will find things more affordable in one of these places.

Also while checking out those area, see what the attitude of the people are. I found out in my travels, GA~NC~SC~North FL the people have some sort of attitude~air can't really put my finger on it but it's their! Now on the other side of the fence every one that I have interacted with in TN has been frank and not a air or attitude, I'm not saying this because it's the TN forum it's just my two cents and what I have encountered ........

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

True statements, but there are so many of us that the odds are a lot of unlikely places are going see an influx.

My wife and I had a talk last night and decided to drop back to square one. Still looking at the Knoxville area (although I notice it's not on the plateau, which means the weather is a bit more extreme) and again at all the other areas we were considering before.

We are going to research Las Vegas, Central/southern Oregon, the Carolinas, Utah (southern) and a few other spots, starting with those that have no state tax and/or do not tax our pensions.

Perhaps with the economy going to the dogs we will find things more affordable in one of these places.

Hi Tek,
I found it very interesting you mentioned that the weather is more extreme off the plateau. To me I wouldn't live on the plateau because of the more change of extreme weather than down in the valley LOL! I guess it is what type of weather you are concerned about. I worry every time I have to go across the plateau that there is going to be very thick fog. I hate driving in the fog, then again, who likes to? hehehehehe
After living in CT where there were blizzards and FL where there were hurricanes, when I was looking to move it was a big aspect for me. I wanted out of the storms and heavy weather paths. Just west of Knoxville is where tornadoes hit sometimes. That is why I stated looking just east of Knoxville. Started out in Jefferson County, didn't like that for several reasons, moved to Greene County, liked it ok until the kids got older and kind of grew out of the school and I needed to find a new job, all led me to Tri-Cities which ended up being perfect for us, but 3 moves to find that out was not so great. I do feel safe from major weather though, we are kind of in horse shoe shape of mountains (Smokies and Clinch) so we are well protected. But then again we can get shielded from rain too which we now need.
Point: Check out lots of areas, spend as much time as you can in each and determine what is really important to you to have around you. Moving ain't cheap.

[Bear Creek]

Well, it's a beautiful day up here in the much disliked Crossville area.

[Bones]

Originally Posted by Bear Creek

Well, it's a beautiful day up here in the much disliked Crossville area.

BearCreek, haven't seen ya here for awhile, good to see ya back here again....... This weather is working me tooooo hard outside.....