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I am researching retiring from NYC to a small town anywhere in the U.S. The only problem: I can't drive, never have and because of an eye condition, never will. Are there any small towns where you don't need a car?
You still need a car in a over 55 community. I know, I live in one.
This is true. They can be somewhat isolated from the rest of the community they're in. But OTOH, they also tend to have transit service for residents, depending. And some senior housing complexes have good locations within walking distance of basic amenities.
This is the nation's largest gated retirement community. They have every possible kind of social event, hobby group, discussion group,. exercise group, and nightly concerts, dances, and entertainments. Doctors of every kind are actually on-site, accessible by community bus.
You can find several Youtube videos discussing what people like, or don't like, about life in The Villages. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Villages,_Florida
When considering retiring I would look into those states that would tax your Social Security and states that don't tax Social Security and how the state laws would affect your retirement benefits.
When considering retiring I would look into those states that would tax your Social Security and states that don't tax Social Security and how the state laws would affect your retirement benefits.
We moved out of Texas on purpose and retired in one of the most 'unfriendly to retiree' states (Nebraska).
All things considered, the comparatively sane housing market (and associated living expenses) here more than make up for the difference.
every area of the country has weather disasters of some kind. If you don't like tornadoes, you could live the northeast and face blizzards. or the southeast with hurricanes, the west coast with earthquakes..
simplification I know but people deal with whatever weather they get.
OP
you might look into north central PA although that be too rural for you after NYC. There are small towns totally walkable. BeST is a bus system that goes almost any place you'd want to go. There's also a taxi service.
I live in Mt. Airy, NC. population 10,300, county has 74,000. I live rural about 11 miles from town, but there are many houses, apts within walking distance to town, we have medical transportation, and cabs. Hospital is in town as are many, many drs offices.. short drive or walk to anything you need.
And..... Mt Airy is where Andy Griffith grew up and what his tv show beloved Mayberry was based on.
We actually took a trip there and just enjoyed riding around and seeing it.
I don't know if the OP has been back to the thread to even indicate weather /geographical locaion etc. So many interesting choices.
Coming from NYC I suspect anything under 30,000 would be a small town?
Anyway I loved the suggestions of Mt Airy, and Cobbleskill NY. ( but only if snow is not an issue).
I am researching retiring from NYC to a small town anywhere in the U.S. The only problem: I can't drive, never have and because of an eye condition, never will. Are there any small towns where you don't need a car?
I've watched this thread since you asked the question and tried to stay out of it.
You're proposing to move somewhere you've never been, where you know nobody, where you'll have to find all new health care providers for your condition, where you don't have an in-place support system. And you're going to do it while depending on transportation over which you have no control.
I know this goes against what everybody else has told you to do but I do have to ask if, phrased as I did, this sounds "wise"?
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