what is your main criteria when deciding on a location to retire to? (states, relative)
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For our first retirement location, we chose weather. That didn't work out. We moved back home after six years for 'retirement phase 2' because of family but we asked ourselves the big question, would we still want to live here if our family moved away? The answer was a resounding yes. It also helped us to decide on beautiful, picturesque Cape Cod and not Massachusetts proper, a place we'll always want to call home no matter what or who.
Thats quite a commute isn't it? From Phoenix to say LA?
I can see the income tax angle as a valid reason. The other is ideological fantasy.
"Ideological fantasy" - you can call it whatever you want, but it's what makes me happy. That's what matters to me. What others think is irrelevant (besides, with a screen name like Howard Roark, of course I couldn't care less what others think).
As for commute, up until the Ebola scare, I figure flying is safer than driving. Like I said, I rent two places 400 miles apart. So I don't necessarily go home every weekend. I do know of people flying every Monday morning into California and flying out every Friday night to Phoenix.
I'm horrified by all the auto accidents I read about when I read the Arizona Republic.
Now while flying I am very careful. I bring those germ-wipes and an empty plastic bag for disposal. First thing I do is wipe the arm rests and the drop-down tray. I've been on a plane recently where I noticed crumbs on the floor in front of a seat. That told me the cleaning crew did not sanitize the place.
I'm near retirement and have looked at several locations mostly in the west coast. Being recently divorced I'm looking for a city that offers a vibrant and exciting lifestyle. I really couldn't see myself living in some remote cabin in the woods at least not at this point in my life. I'm still very energetic thanks to making healthy choices during my lifetime. Basically all cities offer the amenities retired folks need but the main criteria for me at this time is an activity filled environment where plenty of fun can be had.
By focusing on your health for many years prior to retirement your reward is that you have more energy and mobility. That is also what I have done. I agree, on retirement I don't want to be around complaining grumpy people. But around health devotees. Nutrition is also a must.
The first thing I will do on retirement is throw away my alarm clock.
That is my most important obsession, far more than climate.
Now while flying I am very careful. I bring those germ-wipes and an empty plastic bag for disposal. First thing I do is wipe the arm rests and the drop-down tray. I've been on a plane recently where I noticed crumbs on the floor in front of a seat. That told me the cleaning crew did not sanitize the place.
If I were to fly anywhere, I'd bring along a plastic covering to put over my seat and I'd not eat or drink a thing a full day before my flight (e.g., remain empty )
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The first thing I will do on retirement is throw away my alarm clock.
That is my most important obsession, far more than climate.
There are a couple of posters who literally did that - threw away their alarms clocks. I thought they were using a figure of speech, but when I questioned them it turned out they were serious. I asked about the times they might have a doctor or dentist appointment in the morning, or a morning flight to catch somewhere (even if those occasions might be rare) and they answered no, they refuse to make any appointments or schedule flights or anything else for the morning hours, period.
I can't imagine going to such extremes but that's what floats their boat and that's what they have the freedom to do in retirement. They are not harming anyone else, so I say more power to them even though I don't understand it personally.
.......... Like I said, I rent two places 400 miles apart. So I don't necessarily go home every weekend. I do know of people flying every Monday morning into California andflying out every Friday night to Phoenix.......
O.K., you and the people who fly every weekend maintain two homes, or apartments or condos. Do you also have two cars, one at each location? Two flights every week, albeit short ones, still represent a fair amount of money and time. I would guess they (and you) can afford it, so that's none of anyone else's business. I am curious about the motivation, however. Can you tell me a little about spending the weekend in Phoenix - in other words, what makes it enough better than spending the weekend in California that makes it all worthwhile?
.....Now while flying I am very careful. I bring those germ-wipes and an empty plastic bag for disposal. First thing I do is wipe the arm rests and the drop-down tray. I've been on a plane recently where I noticed crumbs on the floor in front of a seat. That told me the cleaning crew did not sanitize the place.
Bride's pulmonologist told her that the air on the airplanes was fine--filtered and clean. The surfaces, another story--that's where the bugs are. He recommended the wipe-down process.
Before we heard that, I used to get a "travel cold" or bug of some kind about half the time I flew. Since I started wiping down like a crazy person, NONE. No bugs, no sniffles from travel.
O.K., you and the people who fly every weekend maintain two homes, or apartments or condos. Do you also have two cars, one at each location? Two flights every week, albeit short ones, still represent a fair amount of money and time. I would guess they (and you) can afford it, so that's none of anyone else's business. I am curious about the motivation, however. Can you tell me a little about spending the weekend in Phoenix - in other words, what makes it enough better than spending the weekend in California that makes it all worthwhile?
I have only one car. It's old. I rent a car when I am home in Phoenix on weekends. Most native Californians cannot grasp the idea of living in another state, especially Arizona. For 13 years it was well worth it on taxes to keep two addresses because I got a huge tax writeoff - much more than a mortgage interest deduction. Moreover, the Phoenix airport is all weather. And it's one hour shorter flights to the east coast, as I used to commute to the east coast from Phoenix. Another reason is that I have fond memories of when I had my best girlfriends - all in Phoenix. Also what draws me to Phoenix is that most of my stuff is there. Great furniture, some of it high end, all my kitchen stuff is there. And it is super quiet compared to my California location (in Southern California). I just am too entrenched in Phoenix to want to move. And gave the reasons before.
My tax advantages went away a year ago. but I'm in my late 50s and intend to end up in Phoenix as soon as the job / salary / compensation equation makes it worthwhile by even as little as $100 per year.
If I don't go back home, then I cannot enjoy Phoenix. I do have a gal friend there I meet on weekends (platonic so far), and I have my favorite workout places and restaurants. but to be there and where it's super quiet is a big advantage.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Do you also have two cars, one at each location? - - - I have only one car. It's old.
When traveling U can often rent a car for under $10/ day via Priceline or Hotwire. (Enterprise weekend rates... $9.99)
I fly 4x / yr to each of my places. ($<100/ one way trip) + I have a zillion free air miles if needed (reserved for RTW and international flights)
I keep a $100 car that runs on free cooking oil or biodiesel at each location. All are licensed as 'collector'; $40 for life of vehicle. I keep a vintage motorcycle at each location for more fun <$500, but bought >30 yrs ago.
My insurance agent has a spreadsheet that shifts auto coverage at my request ($200/ yr total auto coverage for all places)
Each place has positive cash flow of several hundred to $1000 / month, and a 'built-in' caretaker.
I have great fun, adventures, relationships, memories, and mementos at each location (Do shopping from Freecycle or Habitat ReStore, build / restore furniture at each location). Getting ready to enjoy annual quest Hill Country Regional Christmas Lighting Trail Great food, free events, really good friends.
Seasonal ventures work for the time being (young retiree).
I may end up in one of my current spots, or someplace completely different.
There will be some big auctions (and a little revenue) as I 'downsize'.
I have only one car. It's old. I rent a car when I am home in Phoenix on weekends. Most native Californians cannot grasp the idea of living in another state, especially Arizona. For 13 years it was well worth it on taxes to keep two addresses because I got a huge tax writeoff - much more than a mortgage interest deduction. Moreover, the Phoenix airport is all weather. And it's one hour shorter flights to the east coast, as I used to commute to the east coast from Phoenix. Another reason is that I have fond memories of when I had my best girlfriends - all in Phoenix. Also what draws me to Phoenix is that most of my stuff is there. Great furniture, some of it high end, all my kitchen stuff is there. And it is super quiet compared to my California location (in Southern California). I just am too entrenched in Phoenix to want to move. And gave the reasons before.
My tax advantages went away a year ago. but I'm in my late 50s and intend to end up in Phoenix as soon as the job / salary / compensation equation makes it worthwhile by even as little as $100 per year.
If I don't go back home, then I cannot enjoy Phoenix. I do have a gal friend there I meet on weekends (platonic so far), and I have my favorite workout places and restaurants. but to be there and where it's super quiet is a big advantage.
Wouldn't it have been cheaper and better to just get a job in Phoenix?
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