FIREd: Where are you?

[donheff]

My neighborhood is beginning to get a bit like Jug's and Kaleko's. I am on Capitol Hill in DC. I can relax in my cozy townhouse on a tree shaded street with brick sidewalks. Or I can walk a block to restaurants, shopping, outdoor cafes, etc. If I want a little more excerixise I can walk or bike down to the Mall or any number of downtown areas that are booming. Lots of interesting characters around - but somewhat muted compared to NY or LA.

DW and I have a weekend place on the tidal Potomac - an area that is a magnet for retirees. But if we ultimately have to keep just one place, it will be the townhouse in the city.

 

[kumquat]

Just FI, RE in next 12 months. We'll probably stay in western Canada as all our friends & family are here and living costs are low. Greatest summers on earth, just short, so watch out for another @#%^&* snowbird couple.

 

[Lancelot]

Thailand for now, maybe I'll try the Philippines next...

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Just FI, RE in next 12 months. We'll probably stay in western Canada as all our friends & family are here and living costs are low. Greatest summers on earth, just short, so watch out for another @#%^&* snowbird couple.

Where in Canada and what is the cost of housing?

SWR

 

[Brat]

Thailand for now, maybe I'll try the Philippines next...

I wouldn't, unless you really want to appreciate Thailand.  I know of natives to dreamed of returning home when retired, lasted about two months. 

 

[kat]

New York, here, the state not the city. Never seen us grouped with Virginia, but it doesn't bother me. In upstate, we're really the same region as lower New England, but they are too fussy about changing any of those traditions and recognizing that.

 

[Lancelot]

I wouldn't, unless you really want to appreciate Thailand.  I know of natives to dreamed of returning home when retired, lasted about two months. 

Can you be specific as to why they did not "readjust" to the Philippines?

 

[setab]

California is very diverse.  The major dividing line is coastal paradise or inland hell.  Then there is northern, central (e.g. Monterey through Santa Barbara), and southern coasts.  The northern coast, except for greater San Francisco, is pretty wild; the southern coast has been so heavily developed it is difficult to see the ocean.  

We retired to the small town of Montecito, adjacent to Santa Barbara.  It sits on a mile wide shelf between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains of the Los Padres National Forest.  For a combination of mild weather and scenic beauty, it is hard to beat.  Thus, RE prices are very high.

But Bakersfiled, Barstow, Fresno, and Tracy are also California, and in many ways differ little from much of Texas, except it is a shorter drive to the Pacific Ocean.  Sure, RE is cheap, but would you choose to reitre in there?

db

I wish I could afford to retire to your area. Some of the most exciting California wine is coming out of your area right now. Great Pinot Noir and Chard! Even the Cab is getting better. If you have any secret on how to afford housing there, let me know.

setab

 

[grumpy]

We're living in Northern Virginia, about 25 miles south of D.C. We lived in a Maryland suburb of D.C. for 30 years while working and raising the kids. Once we retired we moved to a smaller single family house in a "55 or better" community. We looked at these types of places all over the D.C. area and also in Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina and Delaware. DW really wanted to stay in the D.C. area because of long time friends here. This community was the best we found in terms of price, amenities and location. We've been here 18 months and love it. We're close enough to D.C. to go into town for theater, restaurants, etc. We are also an hour closer to our son who lives in N.C.

Grumpy

 

[setab]

Grumpy, We've been looking at those also. There is a new Del Webb in SC about an hour from our daughter in Charlotte. My wife says she isn't sure she wants to live around nothing but old people. I think the lack yard work, smaller house and a community of similar interests would be great. Got any thoughts? Thanks.

setab

 

[kz]

We'll probably always have our homeport in the upper midwest. Most all our family is within 150 miles of us for now. Cost of living is extremely reasonable and we LOVE all the seasons for now.

 

[mb]

First, came to CA for job after BS.

Will probably leave the Santa Clara valley sometime during R unless, for example, both kids decide to stay but will probably stay on the west coast or less likely move to one of the mountain states.

Constraint is that I've become a weather snob over the years:

- Cold. snow and ice?  Not for me!  I can go to the Sierra to ski.  Scratch New England, Midwest, upper Plains and Rocky Mountain states.

- Humidity?  Forget it!  Hot, humid summers are just as bad as cold winters!  Eliminate the Southeast.

- High summer temperatures?  Nope!  Would have to get up earlier to get my running and biking in than I do now to go to work!  There goes the Southwest and the CA desert and Central Valley.

So I'm probably doomed to high housing costs 

MB         

 

[grumpy]

Grumpy, We've been looking at those also. There is a new Del Webb in SC about an hour from our daughter in Charlotte. My wife says she isn't sure she wants to live around nothing but old people. I think the lack yard work, smaller house and a community of similar interests would be great. Got any thoughts? Thanks.

setab

Setab,

We looked at a number of Del Webb communities in Phoenix, and Las Vegas. There is also a Del Webb community 25 miles south of here in Fredricksburg, Va. that we considered. The floor plans there really didn't appeal to us but the other aspects of the communities were very nice. My wife and I are 58 and 59 years old. The community we moved to is new (less than three years old), only 600 of the eventual 800 homes have been built. As a result, most of the residents are in their late 50's to early 60's. In more established communities, the populations have aged since the communities opened. If you are looking for a youngish population, stick with a new community. We don't feel like we are living with a "nothing but old people". It is more like when we went off to college; we are all about the same age with similar interests and expectations. Many of our neighbors have children and grandchildren in the area who are often here for activities at the clubhouse. We don't feel at all isolated. It has been easy to make friends and to get involved with community organizations. Mrs. Grumpy and I are very happy with our choice.

Grumpy

 

[haha]

BTW- Panama is not the same as Columbia  No drug dealers here. :

I assume you are joking, or do you figure that Norieaga was the only one?

Ha

 

[boont]

California. I'm looking at the Golden Gate Bridge right now. It is a strip of amber lights on a dark blue bay.

Also have a ranch in the wine country north of here. Just got back from there after about a week.

I love the contrast and could go back and forth forever, spending time at each.

Also have a power pocket-cruiser docked in Sausalito which is a port town on the Marin side of the bay. Love to cruise around the Bay in that anchoring out here and there.

I can't tell you how many people told me over the last 15 to 20 years that I should not buy these places. Various reasons but all said no don't do it, it's a waste of money, invest in...

I consider myself fortunate to live in this beautiful state but people still complain. "It's too expensive, the market is going to crash."

Well, maybe so but you should see my property tax bill compared to even a modest house in say... Texas. Not only that but their taxes in 10 years are going to be a hell of a lot higher still.

To each his own.

boont

 

[kumquat]

Where in Canada and what is the cost of housing?

SWR

Saskatchewan, housing is pretty reasonable. In the 2 cities 2000 sq ft 2 story is less than C$300K. If you go to a small town, an hour out, liveable houses start at under 20K

 

[AltaRed]

Saskatchewan,  housing is pretty reasonable.  In the 2 cities 2000 sq ft 2 story is less than C$300K.  If you go to a small town, an hour out,  liveable houses start at under 20K

I would not recommend Saskatchewan to anyone. It would be a culture shock to almost anyone with 2 cities of less than 300,000 population, and nothing of consequence within 500 miles. I have spent time in both of them. Only Saskatoon has anything reasonably close if you are in love with cold water lakes, mosquitos and moose. The winters, unless you like Dakota and Nebraska type winters, will kill you.

Far better to consider locations within:

1) as a first choice, the interior of British Columbia that are more temperate (but have winter), provide access to the wilderness, mountains and lakes, and yet are within reasonable driving distance to substantial cities (Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary). Such locations include Kamloops, Cranbrook, Sicamous and Trail. The Okanogan Vally consisting of huge, beautiful lakes, temperate climate and vinyards is becoming expensive as a result of desired retirement locations for escapees from Alberta's big cities.

2) smaller cities of Alberta that have ready access to the bigger cities (Calgary, Edmonton) and mountains. Lethbridge and Red Deer are becoming 2 locations of choice. The big cities of Alberta and British Columbia are becoming considerably too expensive with average single family house prices now over C$400k. Winters are not as bad as the open prairies of Saskatchewan but emulate Wyoming, Montana, Colorado.

These smaller cities all have good single family housing for less than C$300k.

 

[Arif]

I assume you are joking, or do you figure that Norieaga was the only one?

Ha

Yes I was joking.
Where do you think the drug dealers go to launder their money? Too many vacant condos here to just be market forces at hand. Just my guess but the dealers are probably the same guys building these condos. Not to mention the monthly drug busts on the news.

 

[bosco]

[]
Far better to consider locations within:

1) as a first choice, the interior of British Columbia that are more temperate (but have winter), provide access to the wilderness, mountains and lakes, and yet are within reasonable driving distance to substantial cities (Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary). Such locations include Kamloops, Cranbrook, Sicamous and Trail. The Okanogan Vally consisting of huge, beautiful lakes, temperate climate and vinyards is becoming expensive as a result of desired retirement locations for escapees from Alberta's big cities.

2) smaller cities of Alberta that have ready access to the bigger cities (Calgary, Edmonton) and mountains. Lethbridge and Red Deer are becoming 2 locations of choice. The big cities of Alberta and British Columbia are becoming considerably too expensive with average single family house prices now over C$400k. Winters are not as bad as the open prairies of Saskatchewan but emulate Wyoming, Montana, Colorado.

These smaller cities all have good single family housing for less than C$300k.

I have to agree with these recommendations. Cranbrook still has very reasonable housing (but nearby Kimberly, Fernie, and Invermere have gone out of sight).

But I'd be a little careful about Lethbridge. I've only been there once, to go to Costco. But I can tell you that it was the most rancid odor I've ever smelled--big time slaughterhouses, I'm guessing. Whew! Maybe only certain parts of town get it, or maybe only when the wind was a certain way but it sure was unpleasant.

 

[AltaRed]

But I'd be a little careful about Lethbridge.  I've only been there once, to go to Costco.  But I can tell you that it was the most rancid odor I've ever smelled--big time slaughterhouses, I'm guessing.  Whew!  Maybe only certain parts of town get it, or maybe only when the wind was a certain way but it sure was unpleasant.

Interesting. I have relatives in Lethbridge and that has never been mentioned. However, Lethbridge has one drawback in that it is in the wind belt and I personally would not live there. Red Deer would be a much better choice and within ~90 minutes of both Calgary and Edmonton.

 

[Maximillion]

Lethbridge has no odeur, you are confusing it with Brookes, further North on the highway and home to a very large Meat Packing Plant..

I don't like Alberta, but IF you have to live there, Lethbridge is quite nice, it actually has trees,

The Okanagan is a nice area to retire to, still not overly expensive, great scenery, access to a lot of Recreation.

I have met several new neighbours lately, not ER'd, but they are Americans who have left because of Bush, are waiting for their citizenship, late 50's, but came here for Health Care, bought Farms.(they rent out the land, wanted rural Lifesyle)

I LOVE Vermont, when I found out some were from there I was surprised, but thye have very strong Anti Bush feelings(No Canadian would ever get that passionate about Politics, except Quebeckers, but they don't consider themselves Canadian).

 

[Canadian FIRE]

(No Canadian would ever get that passionate about Politics, except Quebeckers, but they don't consider themselves Canadian).

Max,

What are you smoking?!?!? Politics is the second national past time in Canada right after hockey! Have you ever noticed the amount of news coverage on politics compared to everything else? (Just my two cents)

Now back to our topic...

I like SK in Canada. Heck I just bought a house in Regina over the weekend. Very nice real estate market. For 190K I got a great house. It need work, but I like painting. It is a bit flat and windy, but still enjoyable.

CF

 

[Maximillion]

CF, I could never live in a Province where Summer is July 31'st. you got inexpensive Real estate but it will stay that way, and you can have those - 50 degree winters, too damn cold.

You guys still voting Socialists?

 

[Canadian FIRE]

CF, I could never live in a Province where Summer is July 31'st. you got inexpensive Real estate but it will stay that way, and you can have those - 50 degree winters, too damn cold.

You guys still voting Socialists?

Max - Yes you have a point. It takes a certain degree of being insane to live in SK. The cold winters are a problem. Interesting enough once you get pasted a -40 C windchill it doesn't feel any colder at -50C. Summers are very nice for the most part. You get those two weeks of +35C every year, but otherwise fairly good weather.

Sadly SK is still voting for the socialists. I don't pretend to understand.

CF

 

[Maximillion]

the people in Sk, like Manitobans, are some of the nicest you will meet, they are genuinly friendly.