Negative feedback from family, friends on retirement relocation? (55, pensions, community)
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Sisters, friends have lived in the same place since 1960–1970. All in the same house they each got back then.
Got you beaten with husband's family home where Mom raised three children since their nappy years. Husband's British-born-and-raised Grandma who "discovered" Laguna Beach in the early '40s bought the place, along with other properties, when she made her yearly winter road trip from Manitoba to Southern California. Except for the years of service in Vietnam, husband's older brother has never left the place. He plans to die there if his wish could be granted. The house, a tiny beach cottage, still looks the same now as when it was bought 70 years ago.
Getting ready to move to Maine this year and the kids are excited for us (we will be 4 hours away) but most other people have a hard time with it and the cold and snow seems to be the major factor behind their comments. A lot of people are still geared towards FLA and the sun belt. That's not for us. Besides when it snows and all you have to do is put on a pot of coffee and another log, who cares?
They're are people happy in every state and country and they're are also people unhappy in every state and country. You retire anyplace that you feel comfortable without any regard for what others think.
When others finance your retirement then they can tell you where to locate.
Getting ready to move to Maine this year and the kids are excited for us (we will be 4 hours away) but most other people have a hard time with it and the cold and snow seems to be the major factor behind their comments. A lot of people are still geared towards FLA and the sun belt. That's not for us. Besides when it snows and all you have to do is put on a pot of coffee and another log, who cares?
How far from the closest town or city with stores, etc?
How far from the closest town or city with stores, etc?
The town I am in (Dexter) is pretty much self-sufficient. I would have to go to Bangor I think for a mall but most of what I need on a daily basis can be found right in town. They are in the middle of building a new organic store which will supply milk, ice-cream, yogurts, fruits, veggies, etc.
Not sure if this thread is still alive, but starting in 2006, I was researching a retirement in Lake Chapala, Mexico, which has a great climate and a large population of American and Canadian retirees. Well, at that time, the drug wars had not cranked up, so most of my friends expressed excitement for me, with some trepidation, but nothing major. As time went on, of course, the drug wars escalated and by 2008, I dropped the idea, though I feel I was an armchair expert on the ins and out of moving there. At that point, my friends were relieved, and with good reason. If the drug wars had not happened in the last 6 years, I was seriously headed south of the border, at least for part of my retirement. Now I'm focused on finding a place in the US, but nothing will likely compare to the excitement of living in a foreign country on a budget. Other international locations are often touted as budget friendly, but the distance is too great for me in some cases (Thailand), and the crime rates are high in others (Ecuador, Guatemala, Belize). Panama is getting expensive. Anyway, I'm still searching for a US location......that's affordable, and it's getting more challenging. My friends are pleased, but in the end, I'll move to a location that fits my budget and priorities. That's what's nice about being a retiree! It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks!
xz, you sound JUST like me in your search for a retirement location with balance and affordability.
We moved to Oregon when my DH retired in '07. Our youngest was about to start high school and we found one we liked. She has since graduated and is away at college. Our oldest moved here with her husband and children in '09. They are getting on their feet financially but like it here and will stay. My two grandsons are the apples of my eye.
SO. My problem is that although we like this part of Oregon, it is expensive. It would be nice to spend less money on housing and property taxes, which are $5k per year.
The issue then becomes, so, where do we go? I'd love to go to CA but it is expensive and the state is broke. They'll be turning over every rock looking for money. The climate is SOOOOO great, though. Sigh.
The east coast areas which I like are prone to hurricanes and home insurance costs reflect that.
Arizona is very affordable and I like the desert but those summers are a bear.
Mexico and Central America are affordable and have some lovely spots but... Crime is a serious deterrent.
We haven't looked seriously in places like Nevada because it's too far from the ocean. How about Texas? Anybody looked into retiring to Texas? There have to be some redeeming features, although I have an idea it's full of republicans.
xz, you sound JUST like me in your search for a retirement location with balance and affordability.
We moved to Oregon when my DH retired in '07. Our youngest was about to start high school and we found one we liked. She has since graduated and is away at college. Our oldest moved here with her husband and children in '09. They are getting on their feet financially but like it here and will stay. My two grandsons are the apples of my eye.
SO. My problem is that although we like this part of Oregon, it is expensive. It would be nice to spend less money on housing and property taxes, which are $5k per year.
The issue then becomes, so, where do we go? I'd love to go to CA but it is expensive and the state is broke. They'll be turning over every rock looking for money. The climate is SOOOOO great, though. Sigh.
The east coast areas which I like are prone to hurricanes and home insurance costs reflect that.
Arizona is very affordable and I like the desert but those summers are a bear.
Mexico and Central America are affordable and have some lovely spots but... Crime is a serious deterrent.
We haven't looked seriously in places like Nevada because it's too far from the ocean. How about Texas? Anybody looked into retiring to Texas? There have to be some redeeming features, although I have an idea it's full of republicans.
Seriously, any ideas, folks?
Sounds like you really want to be in CA. How many cars do you operate, one or two? If you can share one car in retirement then you've reduced your property taxes by at least half. I moved to a town that has higher property taxes than my previous town, but I drive a good 50% less. That's a savings of $20 a week or more just for gas, which translates to $1000 per year, to just about cover the higher taxes where I am. The problem with West-East coast living is the property taxes, as everything else pretty much evens out across the nation. One car instead of two, or living in-town, can solve a lot of the problem.
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I'd love to go to CA but it is expensive and the state is broke. They'll be turning over every rock looking for money. The climate is SOOOOO great, though. Sigh. 
