I would love to get your thinking (global warming, buying, climate)

[Maureen G]

I am hoping somebody can give me some advice. I am a Social Worker that has a limited income to say the least. I currently living is SF and thinking about the future because there is NO WAY I could ever afford to buy here. I am considering investing in a home that I could rent out until I am ready to retire in either Raleigh NC, Albuquerque NN, San Antonio or San Marcus TX. I am also looking down the road and of course concerned about global warming and any climate changes including draughts and flloods that might be coming. I would love to get your thoughts and suggesions. In the mean time hope life is treating you well

[rosarugosa]

I want to relocate too. I lived in SF a long time and after i was laid off I couldn't afford to keep living there. But when I moved, it was to the wrong location, and this caused me a lot of heartache. I have found that a few superficial trips to a place, socializing mainly with real estate agents, is a BIG mistake. Next time I want to be as sure as I can be that the place I'm moving to is right for me.

Right now I'm very interested in Portland, OR. It rains quite a lot there but if you love roses and enjoy gardening, as I do, this might be a plus, as you don't have to water!

North Carolina does seem to be a great place, except they get tornados and it's a little colder there in the winter. I'm not sure I would want to be a long-distance landlord. I think we're in the same boat -- I don't have a lot of money either -- and with air fares rising, I think it would be too hard to take care of the house properly, if you stay in SF. Do you have a close relative living in NC (or any of the other places you like) that would help you or enough money to hire someone to manage your rental property?

It sounds like you have a down payment saved up and it's definitely getting better for home buyers. (Not so great if like me you are ready to sell so you can move. Sure hope I'm not stuck here too long)

[Chefkey]

I currently live in Wilkes Barre, PA and love it. The nature here is great and the house prices are low. There is of course the Susquehanna river which has had its share of floods but the new levees decrease the likeliness of a repeat. Northeastern PA as a whole offers quite a bit in terms of quality clean living and affordability. I believe this area will enjoy a carefree living as oceans rise and storms get stronger along the coastline. You can easily stay away from the river as there are many communties nestled in the woods here if you don't want to be too close to the Susquehanna. In any event, you will like it here if you enjoy nature and scenery.

[rosarugosa]

I forgot to mention that I am looking into co-housing as an alternative to buying a detached home. I like the green principles that some of these places are organized around, but I worry if they might have too many rules and regulations. Another attraction to me is that as an unmarried woman close to retirement age, I like the way they deliberately foster social ties with shared spaces, work, events. Presently I am living in a very conservative area where it is considered to be weird that I have my own little house but am not married plus I'm a minority. So I've been extremely lonely and outcast out here, and sometimes frightened. Very important to find the right location. Anyway, after the experiences I've had the past few years, I would be especially interested to find a Co-housing place that was welcoming to single aging women who have that "Red Hat" spirit... or a place that was even all older women...

[rosarugosa]

Originally Posted by Chefkey

I currently live in Wilkes Barre, PA and love it.

Does it get very cold and snowy there? Also, is your area a liberal one or is it conservative there?

[jeannemichele]

If you google eco-village, you will get many ideas. Los Angeles has Eco-Village (laev.org)