Relocation Just To Change Scenery?

[Ronstar]

Relocation just to change scenery? - Definitely! But like mentioned in other threads, take a practice run at it first. Rent 2 or 3 months at a time in proposed relocation spots for a year or two. Experience what it's like living in new places away from friends. If you find a comfortable place and can deal with leaving friends, then pull the trigger and relocate.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I moved a fair amount for jobs and always found it exciting. 20 years ago I moved to northern NV and love it. We have 4 very mild seasons. Also we have great friends and occasionally I get the itch to move but when I think hard about it there are too many cons. One of my 3 sons also lives here and love it.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Also grew up close to Chicago in Kenosha and the weather does suck!

 

[Midpack]

FIFY?

Also grew up close to Chicago in Kenosha and the winter weather does suck!

 

[Teacher Terry]

I do however miss my daily walk beside Lake Michigan.

 

[meierlde]

One thing my mother did when they moved twice was to join the newcomers clubs. One way to see how much movement into a community there is is to look for such a club. Another would be to move to a town that is a retirement destination but not a like the villages etc.

 

[W2R]

I moved a fair amount for jobs and always found it exciting. 20 years ago I moved to northern NV and love it. We have 4 very mild seasons. Also we have great friends and occasionally I get the itch to move but when I think hard about it there are too many cons. One of my 3 sons also lives here and love it.

I think that's so terrific.

As I have mentioned in other posts, I love living here in New Orleans and plan to spend the rest of my life here. But on the other hand, if Frank ever decides that he/we need to move for some reason, say if the crime just skyrocketed, then I don't think that would faze me. I'd just put the house on the market and move.

I have been here a year and a half, and that's enough to have totally recovered from my last move. Plus, I discovered that I need a "full service" move now, and that I don't have the physical strength I once had. Another move would be SO much easier than the last move because the last move was like a refresher course in moving. Having learned a bit by now, I would do the minimalist thing and move almost nothing if I ever moved again.

 

[imoldernu]

Love your spirit...You'll be okay wherever you decide to locate.
As far as climate goes... you'll find affordable homes anywhere you decide to move. If you like people, you'll never have a problem making friends.

We spent few months moving around to different states, to get a flavor of the places that felt comfortable, ending up in Central Florida. The cost of living was less than IL, and we didn't have to give up the boating that we like. Lakes instead of ocean.

Skip the realtors, and be with the people. We were comfortable with a small senior park with working class people, but that's where finding the right match comes in. The Villages too big and impersonal for us, but just right for others. (1000+ different activities.)

Over the years, we met many people who found the wrong match because they selected the house, and the amenities without meeting the people.

Lots of 55+ communities offer free or reasonable lodging during the search. When this happens, it's often because the company believes that being there will be convincing.

Great time of life... decisions, decisions, decisions... Make it an adventure.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

Relocation just to change scenery? - Definitely! But like mentioned in other threads, take a practice run at it first. Rent 2 or 3 months at a time in proposed relocation spots for a year or two. Experience what it's like living in new places away from friends. If you find a comfortable place and can deal with leaving friends, then pull the trigger and relocate.

+1. Not a lot to lose with this kind of plan, except maybe a few months rent if you don't like the place you are checking out. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

[Bamaman]

The Research Triangle of NC is very popular, but there are other places in the state with far cheaper housing. But I'd prefer to be around Asheville and Western NC--in the Smokies. My sister has a house in Banner-Elk at the highest ski mountains in the East.

I always appreciate the adventurous people willing to step out of their comfort zone--and move.

12 months in Europe? Let me know how you're going to get a Visa, as the Schengen Agreement prohibits Americans from staying longer than 90 days in any 180 day period. You may be too old to get a student Visa, and that's about the only way to get a Visa. You could split your time in the U.K. however.

 

[Souschef]

When I retired I moved from the San Fernando Valley (think concrete canyons with 3 MIL people) to a town with about 30,000. I loved it!! It is so green and laid back I cannot believe it!
I have a 2000 foot mountain I see from my porch about 3 miles away. The change in scenery and attitude is totally refreshing.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

It may be the straw that pushes us off dead center on relocation, we've been 'contemplating' too long.

We moved away from your neck of the woods years ago with the idea we could always move back. We never did move back, and the places we've lived since then have been better for us. If you don't try it, you will never know.

 

[Scuba]

If you want a great climate with so much diversity you could never explore all the options, try Southern CA. Affordability could be an issue but if you live a bit inland, it's less costly. Or as other posters have mentioned, Nevada is very affordable and has a lot to offer.

 

[Midpack]

We moved away from your neck of the woods years ago with the idea we could always move back. We never did move back, and the places we've lived since then have been better for us. If you don't try it, you will never know.

My apologies, I guess I wasn't clear. We are relocating, it's just a question of when - there's no rush, no deadline. And we'd like to do our best to get it right, to avoid moving twice if possible. The thread was meant to acknowledge "changing scenery" as a big reason for us.

 

[kcowan]

Congratulations Midpack.

Any change will be an adventure. My advice would be be rent your place furnished for 12-18 months and rent in each prospective location between 3 and 6 months. At the end, return "home" and evaluate. It is about the people. So you will have real experience with the potential friends.

Most retired people we have encountered who are unhappy with their relocation choice usually find the people to be the problem. Just a mismatch of interests.

Good luck with your adventure.

 

[Midpack]

Any change will be an adventure. My advice would be be rent your place furnished for 12-18 months and rent in each prospective location between 3 and 6 months. At the end, return "home" and evaluate. It is about the people. So you will have real experience with the potential friends.

Our plan is to rent furnished for 12 months in our new location beginning in Spring/early Summer, since DW is concerned about peak summer heat & humidity - even though we've lived in TX and FL We'd like to think we'll know one way or another about 6 months in and put our old house up for sale then. Or plan to return to Chicagoland, and come up with plan B location. We know it's unlikely timing will play out exactly as we'd like.

Most retired people we have encountered who are unhappy with their relocation choice usually find the people to be the problem. Just a mismatch of interests.

Interesting. We're only looking around major metro areas so we assume we can find peeps we're compatible with. People is one of the main reasons we'd never consider a small city. We've lived abroad and we enjoy new cultures, so hopefully that won't be an issue. And we've had 'bad neighbors' before, and dealt with it no problem.

 

[Moemg]

If you are looking for friends then look at newer communities that are mostly 55+ . Everyone is usually from somewhere else and also looking for friends .When I was looking to relocate I subscribed to the local newspapers . You can get a real sense of the area from the community news.I ended up eliminating one place because of that .

 

[daylatedollarshort]

If you are looking for friends then look at newer communities that are mostly 55+ . Everyone is usually from somewhere else and also looking for friends .

When we downsize that is our plan. For now we are in a big metro area with several senior clubs close by. We've noticed how almost everyone in the senior clubs is really friendly. I guess by definition they are all there because they are looking for activities and friends to occupy their time.

 

[Souschef]

If you are looking for friends then look at newer communities that are mostly 55+ . Everyone is usually from somewhere else and also looking for friends .When I was looking to relocate I subscribed to the local newspapers . You can get a real sense of the area from the community news.I ended up eliminating one place because of that .

I agree- We moved to a +55 mobile home park. Everyone was from somewhere else and were very friendly.

 

[Dawg52]

We may be alone, but in the end DW and I may relocate largely because we just want a change in scenery. Our families are spread out all over, so they aren't keeping us. But our established friends are holding us back, that may be the only thing.

For me a change in scenery was accomplished by buying a condo on the AL coast. So far I like splitting my time. Dealing with tourist would probably get old year round and all my golf buds and non golf buds are in MS. So it works for me.

Only a 3 hour drive to the coast so not tiring going back and forth. I feel I have the best of both worlds. But some people do not like maintaining 2 homes , not to mention the extra expense. So it's not for all....

 

[Midpack]

For me a change in scenery was accomplished by buying a condo on the AL coast. So far I like splitting my time. Dealing with tourist would probably get old year round and all my golf buds and non golf buds are in MS. So it works for me.

But some people do not like maintaining 2 homes , not to mention the extra expense. So it's not for all....

Exactly. We'd love to have summer and winter homes, that would make the choices MUCH simpler. I'm somewhat jealous of snowbirds. But there's no way we'd pay expenses for two places, or deal with 12 months (total) of upkeep on unoccupied homes.

 

[Totoro]

I hear you, snow birding with a tad of exploring between seasons would be great (NZ/Europe would be my dream), alas expensive and/or cumbersome.

From a what's normal perspective, this framework might be helpful:
Four Types Of Personalities | The Startup Experience

Little bit like the MBTI, but it gives only four types: builders, negotiators, explorers and directors.

Most people I believe are in the 'Builder' category. The explorers tend to be a bit less visible in 'normal' professions, they go towards acting, beach bumming, consulting etc ..

Anyway. if novelty is your thing, you gotta answer the call or go insane

 

[audreyh1]

This is happening to me. I don't find myself inspired now by all the activities available around here - as rich and unique as they are. DH, however, is still not tired of chasing butterflies with his camera, and we are in the absolute best possible location in the US for that hobby. As the climate gradually warms, we keep seeing newer species of butterflies, so he keeps finding new stuff. His enthusiasm has not waned at all.

I'm quite happy with our smaller house and our butterfly garden, the neighborhood is very nice, I can still get top notch groceries even without a Whole Foods or Trader Joes (between Sprouts, HEB, Costco, and ordering the occasional delicacies online we are eating very well and have great wine). So I'm happy to use our house as a home base.

Winters here are awesome - hard to beat in the US. Summers - well, pretty damn hot. But you actually have to get pretty far away to cool down in the US during the summer - like west of the Cascades!!! We will probably do more flying somewhere to stay cool in the summer if we aren't already in Europe.

Currently I'm using travel for my needed change of scenery. We seem to stay longer and longer when we go to Europe (have family there). And we will travel to other places more. So I've been focusing on traveling more. I'm not ready to move completely.

The local small airport has good connections - yes, there is always an extra leg to get to a central hub, but the benefit is having an airport that is only a 15 min drive away, never security lines, quick baggage check and pickup.

However, I do not in any way think of our current location as where we will stay "forever" - I'm sure we will not. For sure we'll move somewhere like a CCRC as we get older, and it won't be here. We may return to Central Texas, or we may even move out of state. We most likely live somewhere else for a while before selecting a CCRC - we're probably 15 years away from wanting a CCRC.

I am considering exploring some out of state locations for living - maybe first as summer locations for a couple of months before making any further decisions. We'll probably transition by using our current home as a winter home at first. It's still ideal for that purpose.

 

[eytonxav]

Maybe you just need more extended vacations, renting for a few months, and then the ability to return home to the friends and have something exciting to tell them about. On the other hand, if its just concern about making friends, there are many 55+ communities around the country, where making new friends should be fairly easy, and the old friends can always come for a visit.

 

[Teacher Terry]

A couple we know put all their belongs in storage and rented out their home for a year. They traveled all around Europe living in different places for anywhere between 1-2 months. They are back in the states but liked it so much they are continuing to travel.