Your Perfect Town Quiz (community, state, relative, retired)

[LittleDolphin]

I've noticed that many folks are looking for the perfect town to live in:

We usually want three things:

1. Reasonable climate...short, mild winters, summers not too hot & humid

2. Low cost of living, affordable housing, low property taxes and such

3. A charming town with lots of culture and entertainment and outdoor activities.

Okay, that seems to sum it up, doesn't it?

Well, let me let you in on a deeply held secret that's absolutely infallible and valid and will save you lots of grief in your search:

You can have two out of three on the list--but not all three

Now it's up to you, which two will you choose?

Don't believe me? Great! Make a liar out of me--send me your list of towns that incorporate all three of the list...

[StealthRabbit]

Missed several MUSTS on my list, but AFAIK ($.02) + terms are 'subjective'

Loveland / Ft Collins or Colo Springs, CO (I can handle 60's and 70's in winter and snow melting by noon)

Ruidoso, NM (many more places in Mtns of NM)

Grants Pass / Ashland / Roseburg, Oregon

Moscow, ID

Chico, CA

Flagstaff, AZ (Sedona, if you can live in a MHP)

(need some input from those familiar with TN mtns, but... I don't like to have to use AC to sleep. I like my 40 and 50F summer evenings in Western USA)

[Gandalara]

Oh, that's an easy choice for me - #1 & #2.

#3 all depends on what each person considers charming, cultured, entertaining, and outdoor activities. My definitions may be completely different than anyone else's.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

(need some input from those familiar with TN mtns, but... I don't like to have to use AC to sleep. I like my 40 and 50F summer evenings in Western USA)

TN tri -cities area.
Not quite that cool where I'm at, but most nights I turn off the AC and open the windows.
Night temps are running in the high 60's to mid 70's. Days are in the 80's with a fairly comfortable dew point, depending on your POV.

Culture meaning museums, plays, ballet, concerts, etc? Have a pretty good variety, most things are within a thirty minute drive of my house, even have a few things right here in my town. Asheville and Knoxville both within less than two hours from here if I need something more grand.
Festivals and outdoor activities abound.

Cost of living (on a scale of 100) in the area ranges from 76 to 88 depending on which particular little town you choose.

[LittleDolphin]

Of the towns listed, Ruidoso, NM (97), Rogue River, OR (97) Moscow ID (94) and Loveland, CO (99) are a bit under the national average cost of living of 100.

Chico (117), Ashland, OR (131) and Flagstaff, AZ (115) are above the national average in cost of living of 100...

[cdelena]

Our list included a couple of other things that narrowed the list... access to a major airport within an hours drive and easy access to health care.

We ranked things finding that all priorities cannot be treated equally. We compromised on a few things on our longish list especially since we had two of us with slightly different priorities.

Having a list that has been discussed, doing adequate research, and spending the time and money to visit places can take much of the suprises out of a move.

[texdav]

I thnik the first is out when looking for low cost and low taxes. Its just a choice you have to make; hot or cold. Generally seniors have always chosen hot which is why Florida in it hayday was so popular.Then the desserts areas. Second is a area having adequate heathcare which tends to follow quickly.Third IMO is avoiding big city crime rates on seniors which is why small is prefer.I am sure that we are going to see many changes as senior retired become a larger and larger population with alot of wealth overall.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

...the national average cost of living of 100.
...

As mentioned you can individually mitigate the CoL by not being an 'average' consumer (which I trust few of us are). Much of the 'west' CoL offset due to housing prices which are significantly in flux everywhere (good time for shopping).
It is tough to image I can feed a family for under $100 / mo (as I do now) in any of the cheap CoL areas (which are ALL out of my 'climate' zone, excluding Salida, KS, which has a HUGE tax burden for my particular circumstances)

Thus the 'weighted' subjective choices as mentioned by cdelena.
My spreadsheet excludes anything east of Missouri River, as I don't do Humidity. I too will pay extra to be within 20 minutes of an International Airport, 10+ colleges, AND live in a rural scenic setting where I can't see a home in front or behind me for many, many, miles... (Airport and EDU are high on my list, as well as "BALANCED" taxes. (relative to current and future personal economic situation. No Income tax was NICE when I had some income, No property tax would be a better benefit at the moment).

I use the presence of the airport to offset high medical CoL of our area (over populated in Drs, so they charge MORE to retain THEIR std of living (so say the insurance providers))

Thailand and India are good 'recovery' medical destinations. Europe has used that method for decades.

Stats.... make'm, play'm to your advantage.

Anyone living in a US protectorate specifically for retirement financial benefit?

[LauraC]

In the state forums, I see posts from about-to-be retired people asking about crime and health (doctors, hospitals, specialists, allergies), too.

[LittleDolphin]

I think one item I neglected to include in the ideal town is "a warm sense of community."

Is that important for you?

It truly rocks my world...