Who's moving in retirement in 2017, and where? (cousin, respect, twin)

[biscuitmom]

Originally Posted by thinkalot

With few exceptions they get you one way or the other. Arizona has no inheritance tax, low property tax, but some cities have very high sales tax.

^^^ This. We live in TX, spend much time in NM and AR and considered all 3 states for retirement. Taxes and COL were pretty much a wash when we took *everything* into consideration.
That said, there are a few states (CA, CT come to mind) in which combined taxes/COL are imo daunting. Even so, if I truly wanted to live in one of those, I wouldn't be deterred. Better to live in a shack in a place you love than in a mansion where you're miserable.

[ABQ2015]

Originally Posted by biscuitmom

I assume ID is Idaho? But what is CDA???

Coeur d'Alene

A popular retirement destination across the state line from Spokane, especially for Californian and Seattle retirees who want to escape city life.

But don't ask me how to pronounce it.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by ABQ2015

Coeur d'Alene
'''
But don't ask me how to pronounce it.

Cord-Da-Lane

Nice spot, spendy due to tourist centric, but bargains in small towns nearby.
Very nice recreation in ID, WA, OR, MT, BC, ALBERTA (all very nearby)

Very good fishing and hunting. HUGE rivers North and South of CDA, Clark Fork is NE and Clearwater to the southeast. Some of the best fly fishing in USA.

Long way to the beach (but it is on a very nice and LARGE lake)
Long ways to an airport hub. (Spokane is mostly a commuter airport)

[gbpakrfan]

Originally Posted by thinkalot

So you picked the state where some license plates are over a thousand dollars a year.

With few exceptions they get you one way or the other. Arizona has no inheritance tax, low property tax, but some cities have very high sales tax.

What?? Over a thousand dollars for a license plate?? Ours was $300...and considering the fact that our property taxes went from over $10,000 in Illinois to $2,050 in Arizona, I'd say that's a pretty fair trade-off, wouldn't you?

Oh, almost forgot. Our HOA fee went from $300 per month (covering only grass cutting and snow removal) to $125 per month in Arizona (with two swimming pools, two hot tubs, a golf course, a huge gym, free classes and clubs, pickleball, tennis courts, billiards, etc.) a bargain, as well.

[AZgarden]

Like BiscuitMom, I am probably going to NW Arkansas too, for the very same reasons she has enumerated. Life in AZ is great if you like desert and cactus. Culture and friendly communities with a sense of belonging are lacking here, unless you live in a senior community (and pay big HOA fees.)

I am tired of the empty shelves in the main library, Downtown Chandler with the workers standing on the corner looking for work, and the bars on the windows. I, too, want 4 seasons, so it really feels like Christmas. Every morning the news heralds someone getting shot. And now the wrong way drivers are dominating the news. It's just too too big here for me.

Sold my house last week. Now the search for a new place !!!

[NYgal1542]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

Like BiscuitMom, I am probably going to NW Arkansas too, for the very same reasons she has enumerated. Life in AZ is great if you like desert and cactus. Culture and friendly communities with a sense of belonging are lacking here, unless you live in a senior community (and pay big HOA fees.)

I am tired of the empty shelves in the main library, Downtown Chandler with the workers standing on the corner looking for work, and the bars on the windows. I, too, want 4 seasons, so it really feels like Christmas. Every morning the news heralds someone getting shot. And now the wrong way drivers are dominating the news. It's just too too big here for me.

Sold my house last week. Now the search for a new place !!!

Congratulations!! That is great news. I know it has taken a while.

Good luck in your search for another home. I am glad to hear you are getting out of an area you are not happy with.

When you mention shootings, wrong-way drivers, you are describing Syracuse, NY, too. We seem to have a lot of shootings and some stabbings..... most recent being a couple of days ago in a school parking lot. I hear this and think I don't want to go out anymore.

[LoriNJ]

Originally Posted by biscuitmom

I assume ID is Idaho? But what is CDA???

CDA = Coeur d'Alene

Ooops, just saw I am in a long line of posters replying to your post. I just like towns with French names, like Baton ROUGE.

[Windwalker2]

For years I had wanted to retire overseas. I waited till both my parents were gone, and now I think it's too late for me to do that. I couldn't really find another affordable state, with a good climate for me. So I am looking to sell my rural house on land and move into town here.

[meo92953]

I keep fluxuating between Tennessee, Arkansas, Pennsylvania & Nevada. But, I keep Tennessee & Arkansas on the top of the list
As soon as winter is over I will drive to PA, just to check it out, then down to TN & to AR on the way home & pick one of the three & just move.

[Stratman]

For a long time I've dreamed of retiring and moving to the Las Vegas area. We have friends who retired there and love it. We visit once or twice a year and I just love the area but DW has always said "hell no!" She just wants to stay here in small town Southern Illinois because that is where the grandkids live. Doesn't even want to snowbird and get out of this blasted cold for 2-3 months. So this has been a little bit of a sore spot with me until recently.
In early November my youngest son was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He will be fine. Undergoing chemo and the prognosis is good. But the response by the community has been amazing. People helping in so many ways that I can't go into all of them here. It has truly been a blessing to our family; so much so that I have completely changed my mind of ever moving away. Who in their right mind would leave a place where the people have showed us so much love and support. I'm staying here forever.