Suggestions of areas for my mother to move to. (Greenville: transplants, for sale)

[Southern Belle at Heart]

Hello,

I am hoping someone might be able to provide some suggestions of locations that my mother can look at moving to, based on her criteria. She recently sold her house in The Villages, Florida and wants to move further north, between Florida and Michigan, where she is originally from. She is currently living with me in Richmond, VA, but does not want to stay in VA.

Here is her wish list:

- A location that is relatively mild in winter and doesn’t get snow (or much snow, anyway)
- She doesn’t want to live near the ocean, nor in a location where it is mountainous – rolling hills are fine (she’s a flatlander)
- A small town – preferably 20,000 or less – with a large senior population (a lot of transplants would be nice). Maybe a small town outside of a larger city
- A YMCA where she can take pool exercise classes with other seniors
- A Catholic church, a movie theatre, and a nice library nearby
- She wants to rent and would prefer a cottage-style apartment, or a building with a maximum of two stories. Maybe even a townhouse. She wants it to be an active adult complex (no families) and not assisted living at all (she’s very independent and is not ready yet for one of those facilities where they provide dining and other such amenities).

Now, here’s the rub: she has a limited budget and can probably only afford $700 in rent (for a 2 BR), at the very maximum. She does not want to live in an income-restricted complex, but she may have to.

Any insight that can be provided would be very much appreciated. What she's looking for really is a place like The Villages, but further north!

Thank you!

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

There are a few full-spectrum senior communities in this area, but I have a feeling that they're quite expensive. In addition, it might be a bit of a stretch to find a nice 2 br apartment for $700/month or less (at least something nicer & newer).

Otherwise, I think this region would suit your mother. The landscape matches what you say she's looking for, and there are lots of options for outdoor activities from walks in lush parks to the growing Swamp Rabbit Trail system for walking, running or cycling. We've yet to see any kind of frozen precipitation here this year, but had a healthy snowfall last year. Winters are pretty much right in the middle climate-wise and we do experience 4 full, true seasons. Medical options in this area are good and getting better each year as well.

I'm thinking Easley, Travelers Rest, possibly Greer and maybe even Clemson may fit the bill as far as being smaller towns with amenities, but convenient to Greenville's center of arts, shopping, dining, etc.

Good luck!

[Eldemila]

Originally Posted by Southern Belle at Heart

Hello,

I am hoping someone might be able to provide some suggestions of locations that my mother can look at moving to, based on her criteria. She recently sold her house in The Villages, Florida and wants to move further north, between Florida and Michigan, where she is originally from. She is currently living with me in Richmond, VA, but does not want to stay in VA.

Here is her wish list:

- A location that is relatively mild in winter and doesn’t get snow (or much snow, anyway)
- She doesn’t want to live near the ocean, nor in a location where it is mountainous – rolling hills are fine (she’s a flatlander)
- A small town – preferably 20,000 or less – with a large senior population (a lot of transplants would be nice). Maybe a small town outside of a larger city
- A YMCA where she can take pool exercise classes with other seniors
- A Catholic church, a movie theatre, and a nice library nearby
- She wants to rent and would prefer a cottage-style apartment, or a building with a maximum of two stories. Maybe even a townhouse. She wants it to be an active adult complex (no families) and not assisted living at all (she’s very independent and is not ready yet for one of those facilities where they provide dining and other such amenities).

Now, here’s the rub: she has a limited budget and can probably only afford $700 in rent (for a 2 BR), at the very maximum. She does not want to live in an income-restricted complex, but she may have to.

Any insight that can be provided would be very much appreciated. What she's looking for really is a place like The Villages, but further north!

Thank you!

I'm not sure if this would suit your Mom or not, but I'd suggest a little bit north to Hendersonville, NC - from Greenville, it's about an hour drive north.

They do get a bit more snow then here, though very little if they do and not as much as Asheville which is a little north from there, but they do get some.

My parents (Floridians since 1961) have a place in Etowah, but it's a Hendersonville city address. Parents in their 70's and it's an easy drive for my Mom to do there. No mountains in and around town area but if you go west on 64 those areas do have mountains.

TONS of Floridians, whether they are transplants, or have a summer home. My Aunts Mother had a place in a retirement type development that many from Florida were from. It was a cute little trailer (not trailer trash type) that the neighbors knew each other and they always had a bus going to some activity.

Not sure about YMCA but I know they have lots of activities and places for seniors to go and keep busy. Lots of churches, and there definitely is a library downtown, and one in Etowah.

Check out Hendersonville on the NC Forum (may be under the Asheville area, not sure) I would ask some questions over there as I think it may be a nice fit from what you say. I don't know if there's something to fit the bill for her as far as housing, but nothing ventured, nothing gained without looking.

Good luck!

[drfranklin]

My first thought is also Hendersonville, NC - LOTS of retirees from the Northeast and Mid-West - about 1 hour north of Greenville, SC in the western NC mountains (but Hendersonville itself is relatively "rolling"). Of course, Hendersonville is just south of the larger city of Asheville. Hendersonville does have a YMCA. My only concerns re this location: Hendersonville is at least 5 degrees colder than the Upstate and does get some snow yearly (but nothing like the Northeast/Mid-West) - additionally, it's relatively expensive (compared to the Upstate).

Another consideration is Seneca/Oconee County, SC - again, lots of retirees there (especially at Keowee Key) - but, no YMCA. Seneca sits very close to Lake Keowee - a fantastic, expansive lake part of a large system of lakes in NW SC.

My in-laws used to have a house very close to The Villages. Realize there is nothing even remotely close/similar to The Villages in the entire Upstate of SC or Western NC.

My main concern for your mother is that her budget is extremely limited for a 2-BR (especially for western NC).

[Southern Belle at Heart]

Thank you all for your replies. This is a lot of good information. Mom and I were planning a trip this weekend to SC, and also planning to hit Hendersonville along the way.

Yes, the budget for rent is certainly a concern. That's why we were looking at SC - I knew it would be less expensive than NC. We are also going to look at TN for the same reason. If Mom would just stay in Virginia, it would solve the problem! I guess there are too many earthquakes here for her.

Again, many thanks!

[Eldemila]

Originally Posted by Southern Belle at Heart

Thank you all for your replies. This is a lot of good information. Mom and I were planning a trip this weekend to SC, and also planning to hit Hendersonville along the way.

Yes, the budget for rent is certainly a concern. That's why we were looking at SC - I knew it would be less expensive than NC. We are also going to look at TN for the same reason. If Mom would just stay in Virginia, it would solve the problem! I guess there are too many earthquakes here for her.

Again, many thanks!

When you go to Hendersonville, if you think your Mom may have any interest in a place like this, Half-Way Tree Home do check it out. My Aunt's Mother had a place here for many, many years. She would come up from Deerfield Beach for the summers. She really enjoyed it. Not sure how many people are there year-round.

This also comes to mind since it's near my parents and I know the area:
Modular Homes This is a 55+ community, very nice. You may want to check out what's for sale in that area.

You may find that it could possibly be cheaper for your Mom to buy something than to pay rent, you never know.

If you take your Mom to downtown Hendersonville, if she loves a good bakery, take her to McFarlans on Main St. It's one of the few bakeries left that bakes from scratch. Forewarning - it could be dangerous (but good)

Enjoy, and have a safe trip!

[jdl147]

I know you said she doesn't want to be near the ocean--but is that a deal-breaker? I would think maybe Georgetown, Summerville, or Beaufort (all in SC) could be a pretty good fit absent the no-ocean criteria.

All are much more affordable than most coastal SC communities (though her budget may still be a bit of a stretch). All have fairly easy access to larger cities. They appear to have a good number of seniors and be active/lively communities. Not sure if they would be a fit or not, but just a thought.

But in VA--has she considered other areas?? I grew up in Roanoke, my grandparents still live in Lynchburg--both of those are over 20k people, but both have A LOT of seniors and seemingly everything else she wanted. Both are very affordable and have a really nice lifestyle. There are smaller towns around each one if she is really sold on small town (Appomattox, Bedford, Salem, etc). Plus, she would be close to you! (PS, my grandparents have been in L'burg for 90 years and can't recall a single earthquake--so I think she would be fine : )

[Southern Belle at Heart]

As a follow up to those who responded to my original post back in February, my mother moved to Bardstown, KY in April. It is such a charming, historic, little town. Thank you all for your suggestions.