Couple’s Early Retirement to MA (Boston, Quincy: HOA, insurance, condo)

[Roarkh9]

Thank you for reading! I know there are many threads asking for advice and I think I’ve read them all.

In two years, my wife and I will be retiring to MA and I’d like any insight the collective knowledge of the users here may be able to offer. The particulars:

- We will be in our early 50’s with no kids.
- We are looking primarily south of Boston (where my mom lives), but so long as we’re within striking distance to take her to appointments from time to time, we’re open to other areas.
- Max budget is $650K
- Looking for condo or single family (ideally in a community whose HOA fee includes lawn care or there is no lawn).
- 2BR, 2BA and either den or basement for TV would be ideal. We would also prefer newer construction.

We are looking hard at some of the developments in Plymouth. What other areas and/or communities would you suggest looking?

Again, thanks so much for reading.

[GeoffD]

How do you envision spending your time? What kind of retail and dining do you use? Where is your mother?

[BosYuppie]

Quincy probably has some nice newer units near the center with the subway station right there.

How much are units at Marina Bay?

Dedham maybe an option.

[bostongymjunkie]

Plymouth and Kingston sound like good places to be looking. Maybe Scituate and Marshfield too. If you have no reason to be around Boston, don't. Your quality of life will be better on the south shore.

[CaseyB]

I think we'd have to know where your Mom is before we could offer other suggestions.

[Roarkh9]

Thanks for the replies thus far. Much appreciated.

Access to a few good restaurants, a good coffee shop, and places(s) to go for a walk would be ideal. We don’t need a lot of options since Boston would be relatively close; just a few places to go when we want to eat / drink out.

My mom is in Rockland.

[mdovell]

The budget is fine but are you *really* sure you can retire at that age. Medicare isn't until 65

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by mdovell

The budget is fine but are you *really* sure you can retire at that age. Medicare isn't until 65

That is none of our business. OP didn't ask us for our opinions on their personal retirement math.



To answer the actual question, there's still a limited supply so it's a matter of finding a place that suits you within your budget as close to your mother's as possible. Plenty of nice towns around there (Marshfield would be a good choice). Rockland isn't really one of them, although you might be interested in the Southfield development in nearby South Weymouth. Quincy is a poor suggestion, you will get less for your money there and there is little need to be in "that" direction if you don't need to be in Boston frequently.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by mdovell

The budget is fine but are you *really* sure you can retire at that age. Medicare isn't until 65

Are you sure you're not from a small town in Alabama?

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by mdovell

The budget is fine but are you *really* sure you can retire at that age. Medicare isn't until 65

I'd like to retire, the thrill is gone from work, that's for sure, but I need to hang on until 65 anyway. Of course it will also allow me to contribute to the 401K for 2 more years and put off drawing Social Security for that time, but at what private medical insurance costs these days , the Medicare benefit alone is reason enough for me to wait until 65!

Of course everyone's financial situation is different and some people are fine to retire early - more power to them if they can do it.