Looking for advice from any middle aged solo Long Islanders looking to take early retirement and leave Long Island. TYVM (New York: new home, neighborhood)

[Mrs_Plissken]

Hi Everyone,
I've been reading the City Forums for a long time now (months before Hurricane Sandy) as I had been researching leaving Long Island. I was widowed in my forties, and now, a few years later, I'm ready to move off Long Island for a fresh start, and I could use some advice from fellow Long Islanders. There aren't any adult children/grandkids as we couldn't have children,sadly, so I don't have those heavy ties.
So, I was wondering if I could ask for the Forum's help. If there are any middle aged solo Long Islanders who have taken early retirement and left the Island, I'd be interested in reading what areas anybody moved to and why (or if you are in the planning stages for your move, too). Did you have many regrests leaving Long Island, or did the positives of your new home state outweigh those regrets? I've been looking at Austin TX, Seattle WA and Portland OR as my first string choices. I'm going to visit Portland in the fall/winter rainy season to avoid being dazzled by the brief Oregon summers, but it's moving to the number one slot because of the expanding mass transit/street car system (but, oy, the rain!).

Florida is off the table as I know I just don't have another big storm cleanup/repair/gas line/blackout in me, (much less a Katrina/Andrew level event), so no South East US. I plan on living modestly, and doing volunteer work to be an active and engaged member of my new community. I'm pretty well travelled, I like the outdoors and city, so nothing too remote, but I'm open for any suggestions. I've got a couple of years to finalize everything, but I'm good to go as early as next winter, if I can swing it.

My tipping point was Hurricane Sandy, the response from LIPA and the Feds,my taxes marching past $10K on a small house, and I have oil heat (no natural gas lines). I've had to come to terms with accepting the fact I can't afford to do a solo retirement on Long Island (or the five boros), but since 516/631Landia is part of my DNA, I am a bit wistful. I know I can always move back, but that would be nuts (plus, I can catch a flight back to JFK and hit the Belt on a Friday afternoon to fix that).

Thanks for the help! I know this question has been asked a lot in the past (I've searched the forums), but since Winterstorm Nemo (ex:snow removal in Brookhaven), and Hurricane Sandy (words fail), the old responses don't reflect this new reality, in some ways. I appreciate your time and suggestions!! I hope I wasn't too wordy in my first post...I had performance anxiety!!

Have a great day! Thanks again!!!

[AndreaII]

I'm not single, but we're in our forties and are researching tax friendly states for a future move. We'll be taking a look at North Carolina in June and traveling all over the state checking out towns, housing prices, RE taxes, etc. For us it's the taxes that is the killer.

[Forest_Hills_Daddy]

You might want to consider Reykjavik. It has many of the city amenities your looking for plus I would think that the exchange rate should be very favorable to the US dollar. Electricity is also very cheap in Iceland and it is a short flight to NY at 5hrs and 30mins.

[hotkarl]

Is your husband S.D. "Snake" Plissken?

[Mrs_Plissken]

Originally Posted by hotkarl

Is your husband S.D. "Snake" Plissken?

Hi!
Yes, the movie Escape from New York's lead character, Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) was the inspiration for my screen name...I wanted a nic that was fun, but not too dorky as I'm no spring chicken!

Hope you had a laugh, too!

[Mrs_Plissken]

Thank you AndreaII and FHD for the replies. I hadn't thought about NC, Andrea...The western side of the state is gorgeous. I hope you find what you are looking for. I'll definitely look for your posts in the future if you have time to write about your trip this June. Best of luck!!

Forest Hills Dad...I did a quick Google on Iceland...holy seasonal affective disorder...it's at around the 64 degrees N latitude...and their Dept of Immigration equivalent (the Útlendingastofnun) is cracking down on taxes and stuff. I've had an overseas relo when I was younger and I started to miss the US after awhile, so I don't think the expat way is for me now. I really appreciate the idea of Iceland, and thank you (it's so beautiful!!).

[Forest_Hills_Daddy]

MP,

How is your financial situation post-retirement? All else equal it could be a challenge for the following reasons:

- You are retiring early.

- Your desired lifestyle, while not ostentatious on the surface, could become very cash consumptive. Everytime you go out, you will be paying for public transpo or gasoline. Every cup of coffee, dine-out, concert, tip, movie, electric/gas bill, etc. - all of these things will add up when you do them regularly over many years. A late uncle of mine lived a cheapskate lifestyle in a boring neighborhood near San Bernardino after he retired at 55 just to preserve his savings. "Fortunately" for him, he passed away in his early 70s and thereby never had to worry anymore about savings running out. I don't think this is the lifestyle you are planning to live.

If you are ruling out overseas, find a place in the US that has very low energy costs. That would be someplace that has access to cheap natural gas or appalachian coal. Energy is destined to become one of the biggest expense items in the coming decades and will bring havoc to household budgets. Two places that come off the top of my mind are Tennessee and South Carolina that have access to cheap energy and urban locations. Maybe KY. NC is becoming more expensive as more LIers and NJers move there. NC also does not have a lot of indigenous sources of energy. I wouldn't rule out overseas in any case to take advantage of more favorable FX rates.

[gag]

Stay put. Find a new guy to retire with, and enjoy the city when you retire.

BFE may be cheaper, but you can't get NYC restaurants, museums, etc. and nearby beaches.

If you do need to leave for low taxes, check out Delaware nearby.

[VA Yankee]

Originally Posted by Mrs_Plissken

Hi!
Yes, the movie Escape from New York's lead character, Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) was the inspiration for my screen name...I wanted a nic that was fun, but not too dorky as I'm no spring chicken!

Hope you had a laugh, too!

Your not dead either, remember 50 is the new 30.....

[mathjak107]

60 is the new 50 and 50 is the new 40 but lets not forget 9pm is the new midnight too. lol