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Old 02-22-2015, 09:37 AM
 
Location: NC
9,346 posts, read 13,961,528 times
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Just had a thought.

What about selecting retirement destinations based on the location being a hub for all kinds of bus tours? Since I am still driving in my 60s, getting around is not a problem yet. But what if I need to give up driving in my 80s and I still have the sightseeing bug? There are no doubt locations which are so attractive that there are lots of local day trips available, maybe even overnight trips, where seniors can pay to let someone else do the driving. The trips would no doubt (in my mind) be to see great scenery, visit gardens, museums, art institutes, boutique shopping districts, zoos--you get the idea.

Who has any experiences with this? Where are some good hub locations?
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Old 02-22-2015, 10:08 AM
 
Location: Silicon Valley
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I lived in Santa Clara, CA and you could join the senior center there at just 50 years old. The senior center there, has bus tours constantly, and lots of them. I used to take them all the time. Went one time to Beach Blanket Babalon in SF ( I HATE driving in SF and don't enjoy BART either), went on a cruise in SF Bay, went to Monterey, a boat trip in the Delta area. I just did day trips, but they had all types of trips, including overnight trips and even cruises. They had groups that went to sporting events, too.

The day trips usually included lunch, too. I'd just go by myself usually, and everyone just sits at group tables to eat, etc., so you don't feel alone. I loved them. When I moved away to Redding, CA, these weren't available and they aren't available where I am now in Crescent City, CA. And I miss them!

So, yes, great thinking! You don't need a senior community to offer these, you just look for a town with a very active senior center.

Another thought - the local community college in Santa Clara, also had some bus tour type of events - there was a hiking group that went on a bus every week to different places to hike around the SF Bay Area. I joined that group, too.

There were also trips offered just by the bus tour companies, through their own catalogs. I never took one of these, as I was afraid they would all be people who were "coupled up" and I'd feel like a lone duck.

There was also a wine tasting group that did an overnight bus trip every year that I'd go on.

I guess the trick would be to move to a well-populated area to have all of these options, like the SF Bay Area. Or, see if the local senior center offers bus trips, at least. The senior groups often have a large number of solo attendees, so it's easy to find people to hang out with if you're on your own.
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Old 02-22-2015, 06:20 PM
 
Location: NC
9,346 posts, read 13,961,528 times
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I wonder if there are any other good areas like this around the country, particularly where there is a somewhat lower population density. I tried googling, but this type of info is hard to find. Good idea as a blog article for someone!
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Old 02-22-2015, 07:48 PM
 
526 posts, read 895,908 times
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our local sr centers ONLY have buses to the casinos! OK, ya get a cheap lunch, but are stuck there for hours expecting to put money in the machines
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Old 02-23-2015, 04:42 AM
 
11,558 posts, read 12,004,668 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eidas View Post
our local sr centers ONLY have buses to the casinos! OK, ya get a cheap lunch, but are stuck there for hours expecting to put money in the machines
Obviously the casinos are sponsoring those trips.
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Old 02-23-2015, 09:08 AM
 
Location: middle tennessee
2,159 posts, read 1,651,409 times
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I think checking Senior Citizen centers in the area you are interested in and asking them what sort of trips they do is a good idea. The one in my town goes all over the country and may do local trips, too. I know they went to the Grand Canyon last year. The last town I lived in did mostly local trips to dinner theaters and such.

It's a good place to start. They aren't hard to find.
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Old 02-23-2015, 02:53 PM
 
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I live in a really small town just outside a midwestern city. Our YMCA has day tours that always seem interesting and usually include lunch. Our local banks also offer day (and longer) tours.
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