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oops, so sorry, Minervah, got your post mixed up with MN2CO as far as the sunshine factor. And I can certainly relate to your needs in finding a place to live..if you survived Chicago weather, Cleveland isn't that much different. I often think I want to move back to the northeast but I have to be real honest with myself as to whether I could really handle the winters again or not. I guess the problem I have with the public transportation thing is that when it's so cold, icey, blustery, etc. it's hard to be out there waiting for a bus. I do hope you'll share your thoughts when you get back from visiting Cleveland....I really enjoy your posts.
Moi? No I am not nor ever have been a sun person. I know the weather is bad but there are other things to consider besides weather for me. I will give you my take on the city.
What Cleveland has is a world-class medical center, a large university, cultural stuff and public transportation. And it would be one place I could afford to semi retire to. But it is not my only option.
I came back to add that I am originally from Chicago. I think the weather is similar to Cleveland's. I love the cold and don't mind the rain as long as it eventually dries out for longer than a few months as in Portland where I am living now. The continual dampness here is getting to my old bones. And the COL is definitely eating away at my wallet.
And NewEnglandGirl is correct. I have friends there which would make the transition much more easy for me.
Although I raise my hat to those brave women (and men) who have taken off to parts unknown without knowing anyone in their new destination, I have come to realize that A-#1 is knowing people in a place who care something about you at our age. Try to imagine an evening or overnight in a strange location without knowing a soul! Talk about lonely! Yes we want to ahve a "lovely" location to live in, but paradise without friends who care is to me a nightmare. We cannot generalize about cities, there a bad parts and good. I would return to St. Louis if I could, much to many family members' dismay. Why? Because I loved it, Forest Park, the MUNY, the zoo, the libraries and colleges, etc. Is it awful in some places of this city and is the weather there unbearable in summer? Yes! But if you ahve friends and are actively engaged in a place, and can AFFORD to live there, anything else can be overcome. Where there's a will there's a way. I vote for moving somehwere where at least one good friend is permanently settled, over some paradise location where no one is known. Easy to say we can make friends at our age, easier said than done. And, old old friends from way back may be more loyal than newer friends imo.
Cleveland neighborhood is named among safest in America (http://www.wkyc.com/life/programming/shows/mornings/news_article.aspx?storyid=135124&catid=163 - broken link)
I'm in the same boat as Livecontent, with a chronic pain condition, and yes, it's debilitating and depressing. Like her, I can't even imagine packing up and moving again...it's difficult to even do basic things like walking or standing or even sitting comfortably. Friends and family constantly are trying to help "fix me" with various suggestions, and it gets kind of old....believe me, if I could fix myself, I would. And they don't understand that the pain itself drains me of the energy to go here and there trying different doctors or procedures.
Sorry to digress, just wanted to put my two cents in on why some of us will have to be content to just "dream"....
Yes, chronic pain is debilitating and depressing. I think the psychological damage is much greater as it destroys the will and the desire. It makes me nervous to travel, so I do not travel. It gives me pain to do many activities, so I do not do those activities. I am trying very hard to substitute and find interest in events and activities that cause me less distress and pain.
I think the internet is the best for those who have limited abilities to do other activities. I have always loved to read and now I have access to the immense resources of the web. Yet, I must be careful to move away from this addiction and still attempt other activities. That is why, I make it a habit to explore a new area of the city or a new park in the extensive exciting area that I live. I do not get away from the pain; it shadows my every movement but I do forget for a moment that it is present--and that is very important.
Ah, but I have advantages that many other people do not--I have time, all the time in the world. All my time is at my disposal and I use it slowly and I frugally relish it; it slowly moves as treacle through my fingers. If I had not my challenges, I would have the responsibilities of work and then time would not be my own. So perhaps my physical problems are a gift, wrapped in time.
Yes, chronic pain is debilitating and depressing. I think the psychological damage is much greater as it destroys the will and the desire. It makes me nervous to travel, so I do not travel. It gives me pain to do many activities, so I do not do those activities. I am trying very hard to substitute and find interest in events and activities that cause me less distress and pain.
I think the internet is the best for those who have limited abilities to do other activities. I have always loved to read and now I have access to the immense resources of the web. Yet, I must be careful to move away from this addiction and still attempt other activities. That is why, I make it a habit to explore a new area of the city or a new park in the extensive exciting area that I live. I do not get away from the pain; it shadows my every movement but I do forget for a moment that it is present--and that is very important.
Ah, but I have advantages that many other people do not--I have time, all the time in the world. All my time is at my disposal and I use it slowly and I frugally relish it; it slowly moves as treacle through my fingers. If I had not my challenges, I would have the responsibilities of work and then time would not be my own. So perhaps my physical problems are a gift, wrapped in time.
Livecontent
I so much understand how you both feel. I am still pushing myself beyond my abilities, but I fear time is growing short for when, I won't be able to push much more. Seems the short walks cause me more pain than my hikes. I just signed up for para-transit in my area and was accepted into the program, but being so impatient, I end up walking the 1 mile each way to my doctor appts instead of having to sit be ready an hour early for the ride. Well, I'm paying for it. I've gotten so used to walking everywhere, but I suffer so much later. I know my foot doctor is going to want to cut into my ankle as it is. Not going to allow that. Now if only I could find that darn prescription for the anti-inflamitory meds he prescribed.
I did have a doctor suggest one of those motorized chairs for me, yeah right. I'm way to cute for that. kidding of course. Gotta laugh or I know I'm going to have to start making use of the para-transit or end up in the wheel chair for real. It really isn't a pride thing, I'm beginning to think it's more of an ADD thing.
I use the Paratransit which cost $4 each way. We are also given a free pass to use on all buses and trains. Sometimes we can use regular transit and that takes the load off the paratransit. In addition, we have reduced cab fare, for short occasional trips.
It is an issue to use the paratransit because reservation have to be made one day in advance and it takes much more time than a regular bus. In Denver, we also have Call n' Ride service that will pickup/return to the house but I do not live in one of the selected areas.
It certainly has made me more aware of people who have worse disabilities. The bus will pick up multiple passenger and I never knew about certain social service sites, that are there, but not seen by most people. There is a whole world of disability, from children to adult services; from many type of facilities to more and more Veterans Care for the war injured. I got ill as an adult, but when I see a child with severe problems--I just feel ashamed about my complaints.
Note that a power wheelchair or a scooter can only be paid by medicare if it is needed in the home. It will not be reimbursed only for travel outside the home. I have no need of one, at the moment or I should really say--I am not ready for it as I want to walk as much and as long as possible. I use a walker/rollator. These are really good medical devices as it helps and gives you exercise.
I so much understand how you both feel. I am still pushing myself beyond my abilities, but I fear time is growing short for when, I won't be able to push much more. Seems the short walks cause me more pain than my hikes. I just signed up for para-transit in my area and was accepted into the program, but being so impatient, I end up walking the 1 mile each way to my doctor appts instead of having to sit be ready an hour early for the ride. Well, I'm paying for it. I've gotten so used to walking everywhere, but I suffer so much later. I know my foot doctor is going to want to cut into my ankle as it is. Not going to allow that. Now if only I could find that darn prescription for the anti-inflamitory meds he prescribed.
I did have a doctor suggest one of those motorized chairs for me, yeah right. I'm way to cute for that. kidding of course. Gotta laugh or I know I'm going to have to start making use of the para-transit or end up in the wheel chair for real. It really isn't a pride thing, I'm beginning to think it's more of an ADD thing.
TRosa, When I visited one of my kids in Carey/Raleigh I thought maybe I'd move to NC but heavens the summer heat I think would about kill me. I explored as much as I could of upper central NC but nothing hit me that would make me want to move there, but I do keep thinking about NC. What is Greenville like, for a senior who would need assisted transport in coming years? What about the culture, the weather, etc? Housing?
TRosa, When I visited one of my kids in Carey/Raleigh I thought maybe I'd move to NC but heavens the summer heat I think would about kill me. I explored as much as I could of upper central NC but nothing hit me that would make me want to move there, but I do keep thinking about NC. What is Greenville like, for a senior who would need assisted transport in coming years? What about the culture, the weather, etc? Housing?
newenglandgirl,
I myself want out of this town. I like NC, but the only reason I moved to this area, was to be near my daughter who made all kinds of promises to lure me. Don't ask how that worked out. She told me later, that she just didn't want to have far to travel if something happened to me. Can't live without them, can't killem. Speaking of crime, the crime rate in this area is way too high for it's size, in my opinion. I've already been followed twice. Once a man followed me asked if I needed ride, then turned into my apt complex and once I settled in, he came a knocking at my door. I was beyond stunned. I've since purchased pepper spray. Just hoping I don't end up spraying myself in face if ever the time comes when I have to use it. Seriously, go to the Coastal NC section of the forums; read about what some have to say about the area when others ask about moving to Greenville, NC. .
There's little here to offer seniors, it's a college town. Even though its riddled with doctors and is a has a major hospital training college and facilities, getting a primary doctor plus referals to specialist takes forever. When I went to set up my first doctor's appt. I was told it would be three months before I would see the doctor. I finally was able to make an appt to see a nurse practitioner within a two week wait time at an office close by.
The regular bus system is a nightmare and paratransit only takes you within 3/4 of a mile of where the regular bus operates. The limited coverage area of the paratransit system sure cuts down on places I was hoping to be able to get to, I was hoping to be able to get to humane society so I could volunteer there; I've only been able to walk the dogs once since signing up and have to depend upon someone giving me a ride to the shelter or not go at all. Neither the bus nor the para system go anywhere near there. Still I greatly appreciate having access to the para system at all. And of course there's no transit service on Sundays and holidays. Suprisingly, we do have an airport, though the first time I went there, I was looking for the rest of it. One good thing about the airport, you walk in the door and you are set, you are there, no searching around for what counter to go to. Gotta love that.
If it weren't for the meetup group that I am a member of, I think I would truly be miserable, because, I'd have nothing to do, but spend more time by myself on solidary projects. I'm a moderate loner, a moderate people person. I don't want to do to much of either too much of the time, but too little of either and i'll go battier than I already am.
I'm still torn about where to relocate to myself, I'm thinking stay in NC, just further south or back to Florida or somewhere in between. Ideally, I would love to be closer to the ocean.
They exsit in most every state, offering a wide variety of activities for people to participate in. I've joined in each state I've lived in over the past few years. They are great. The groups are run on a voluntary basis.
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I just signed up for para-transit in my area and was accepted into the program, but being so impatient, I end up walking the 1 mile each way to my doctor appts instead of having to sit be ready an hour early for the ride. Well, I'm paying for it. I've gotten so used to walking everywhere, but I suffer so much later. I know my foot doctor is going to want to cut into my ankle as it is. Not going to allow that. Now if only I could find that darn prescription for the anti-inflamitory meds he prescribed. 
I'm way to cute for that. kidding of course. Gotta laugh or 
I know I'm going to have to start making use of the para-transit or end up in the wheel chair for real. It really isn't a pride thing, I'm beginning to think it's more of an ADD thing.
Can't live without them, can't killem. Speaking of crime, the crime rate in this area is way too high for it's size, in my opinion. I've already been followed twice. Once a man followed me asked if I needed ride, then turned into my apt complex and once I settled in, he came a knocking at my door. I was beyond stunned. I've since purchased pepper spray. Just hoping I don't end up spraying myself in face if ever the time comes when I have to use it. Seriously, go to the Coastal NC section of the forums; read about what some have to say about the area when others ask about moving to Greenville, NC. . 
One good thing about the airport, you walk in the door and you are set, you are there, no searching around for what counter to go to. Gotta love that.