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Lots of good threads here comparing various cities but it seems to me it depends on if one is going to visit for a weekend (it's hard to beat Vegas) or going to live their life (hard to beat So Cal if you can afford it). I thus would love to see your pros and cons for these cities, from real people's perspectives, as retirement destinations for an early 50's semi-affluent couple with college age kids. In particular if you know of nice neighborhoods, sub-divisions, country club communities, etc... within them I'd love to hear about it.
Probably talking suburbs so maybe the title should be Summerlin v. Franklin v. Mission Viejo v. North Scottsdale (or other similar suburbs).
I like sun but my wife doesn't love the heat.
We can afford to travel during the worst time of year in any city.
We both like the idea of no state income tax but do factor in the total tax bill (own a property in Texas and still can't believe how much the property taxes are there - WOW!).
We like the idea of a decent airport within 30-40 minutes.
We do not need a walkable neighborhood but certainly wouldn't turn it down.
We are moderately social but not extroverts.
Probably prefer all age community as opposed to a 55+.
Lots of good threads here comparing various cities but it seems to me it depends on if one is going to visit for a weekend (it's hard to beat Vegas) or going to live their life (hard to beat So Cal if you can afford it). I thus would love to see your pros and cons for these cities, from real people's perspectives, as retirement destinations for an early 50's semi-affluent couple with college age kids. In particular if you know of nice neighborhoods, sub-divisions, country club communities, etc... within them I'd love to hear about it.
Probably talking suburbs so maybe the title should be Summerlin v. Franklin v. Mission Viejo v. North Scottsdale (or other similar suburbs).
I like sun but my wife doesn't love the heat.
We can afford to travel during the worst time of year in any city.
We both like the idea of no state income tax but do factor in the total tax bill (own a property in Texas and still can't believe how much the property taxes are there - WOW!).
We like the idea of a decent airport within 30-40 minutes.
We do not need a walkable neighborhood but certainly wouldn't turn it down.
We are moderately social but not extroverts.
Probably prefer all age community as opposed to a 55+.
Would prefer a lower crime area.
Nashville (Franklin) is a great place to live, and I know a bunch of retirees in the area. I lived near Franklin (Spring Hill) for a few years for work, and I enjoyed the area overall. The "downtown" is really neat and they have festivals and such all the time. Very low crime as well, the downfall would be heat/humidity.
I rank metros, small towns, and retirement areas. Nashville is not really considered a "retirement" area. But of the cities you listed, I'd say choose between Nashville or Phoenix based on what you want in a retirement area. BUT, both are experiencing cost of living rises way above the national average, which is troublesome to me. Both are great areas in many ways and rank well in my metro rankings. But Buying Power and COL are deal-breakers for my wife and me. OC is excruciatingly expensive. LV is not a personal favorite place of mine on any level.
There would be other areas to retire that are good for retirees, but affordable. But with your list, I could go with either Nashville or Phoenix. Good luck in you search!
Phoenix has historically, and to this day is still one of the top retirement places in the U.S. outside of Florida. That said, Nashville/TN is also quickly working up a reputation for being a good retirement place. Honestly either city/state, but because you said your wife "doesn't love the heat", I'd probably say TN. Definitely not as extreme as PHX.
Franklin walkable to the center of town where I'd want to be isn't exactly affordable these days. Prices have more than doubled in the last 6 or 7 years. It's not crazed like California but most people can't tie up that much of their net worth in housing. Even a small house out in brick McMansion land 2 miles from anything but residential sprawl is $450K+.
Franklin walkable to the center of town where I'd want to be isn't exactly affordable these days. Prices have more than doubled in the last 6 or 7 years. It's not crazed like California but most people can't tie up that much of their net worth in housing. Even a small house out in brick McMansion land 2 miles from anything but residential sprawl is $450K+.
Pretty much anything in downtown Franklin these days is going to be pushing a million. The desirable areas in TN are nowhere nearly as cheap as many people seem to believe.
Pretty much anything in downtown Franklin these days is going to be pushing a million. The desirable areas in TN are nowhere nearly as cheap as many people seem to believe.
Agreed
But in this case $$$ obviously isn't an issue, and Franklin is still a cheaper option than others on this list.
But in this case $$$ obviously isn't an issue, and Franklin is still a cheaper option than others on this list.
Franklin is cheaper than Vegas? I guess I need to be educated about fancy neighborhoods in Vegas. Orange County? A couple of my recent Asian employers had their US HQ in Irvine and Tustin so I'm quite familiar with the crazy housing prices. Phoenix has some expensive neighborhoods but my life experience is that much of it is pretty low budget. Both Phoenix and Vegas were caught up in the housing market collapse at the Great Recession. It doesn't take much of a crystal ball to predict that it will happen again at the next recession. If you want to retire in the desert, just wait for the buying opportunity. Personally, I'd rather do Santa Fe if I'm doing desert. It's cooler and Ski Santa Fe is a fun little ski area.
If somebody else is buying and paying the property taxes, I'll take the house walkable to the beach in Orange County. San Clemente would be fine.
My girlfriend lived in Franklin until a couple of years ago. If I'm buying my retirement home and those are my four geographic options, I'd pick Franklin but I wouldn't be able to afford the location I'd want. I'd be stuck in the sprawl where nothing is walkable. I'd probably pick east of I-65 close to Marcella Vivrette Smith park at the Brentwood line which has really nice hiking trails. I think I'm priced out of anything close to the center of town on "the right side of the tracks". That ship sailed in 2010.
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