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08-21-2013, 08:26 PM
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#21
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: near Canadian border and near Mexican border
Posts: 1,142
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We spend 6 months/yr south of Tucson. There are a lot of canucks there in the winter. I gather most are from the west. However, we have a fair number of US that come from Mass, Maine, VT, NY, NJ. Maybe they don't like the humidity of FL. When I have asked a fair number of full-timers why they had moved from FL or the gulf of TX to AZ the common answer was "humidity".
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Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. That's my story and I am sticking to it.
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08-22-2013, 08:50 AM
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#22
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Alberta/Ontario/ Arizona
Posts: 3,393
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We have a place in Paradise Valley Arizona. This is essentially Scottsdale. Love it but would agree you should rent for one season prior to buying. Arizona is very different from Florida. Probably a little cooler in the winter but much less humid. The dessert has its own beauty especially in the spring when everything is in bloom. Best months are Oct/ Nov. and Mar/Apr. Normal highs for Jan/Feb run high 60's low 70's Always sunny.
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08-22-2013, 10:04 AM
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#23
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: North Scottsdale
Posts: 1,545
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Scottsdale Nov 1 to May 1 for us. Can get a little nippy in Jan but overall the weather is great. No humidity and lots of sun. Bought a place a few years back when it was really cheap. Prices have come back on real estate but still some bargains relatively speaking. Lots of Canucks at our golf course!
__________________
FIRE'D in July 2009 at 51...Never look back!
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08-22-2013, 10:09 AM
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#24
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Les Bois
Posts: 5,761
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Brownsville, TX is pretty cheap, plus you can't beat the food
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You can't be a retirement plan actuary without a retirement plan, otherwise you lose all credibility...
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08-22-2013, 10:32 AM
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#25
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,498
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KCCanuck
Ok, so I am a Canuck who lives where we get a lot of snow some winters and cold weather every winter (not Vancouver!). As my achy joints were telling me how much they enjoyed the warmer climate we experienced on a cruise last winter, I am giving serious thought to becoming a snowbird and going "south" next winter for several weeks. The thing is, I don't really know where to go. I hear there are several snowbird communities but danged if I can find where they are and they are not the only options I have been told. People have recommended "Florida" for example but you know what? Florida is a pretty big place so maybe a little more precision would be nice.
So here I am just looking for peoples opinions, ideas, web pages, links, pictures, whatever you might like to share. After all, I am retired so I have lots of time to look!
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Why not just move to the warmer location? I guess I have never understood the snowbird mentality, especially these days when all buildings, vehicles, and public places have climate control.
The expense, hassle, and emotional upheaval of moving twice a year sounds nightmarish to me; I'd rather stay year 'round in either of the two locations than to do that. To me snow-birding just sounds like the inevitable and ultra-expensive outcome of indecision about where to live, though I'm sure I'm wrong about that.
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Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.
Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
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08-22-2013, 11:28 AM
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#26
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W2R
Why not just move to the warmer location? I guess I have never understood the snowbird mentality, especially these days when all buildings, vehicles, and public places have climate control.
The expense, hassle, and emotional upheaval of moving twice a year sounds nightmarish to me; I'd rather stay year 'round in either of the two locations than to do that. To me snow-birding just sounds like the inevitable and ultra-expensive outcome of indecision about where to live, though I'm sure I'm wrong about that.
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W2R, perhaps you missed the fact that the OP is a Canadian. Moving permanently to the warmer location would mean emigration. That's a much bigger deal and rarely a practical choice. Indecision has nothing to do with it.
There are very few places in Canada that don't get seriously cold in winter. I live in one of them, and even I feel the need for a short winter getaway. 2011 was a Caribbean cruise, 2012 was Hawaii, and 2013 will be the Yucatan peninsula. Arizona is on my to do list. I can see the appeal of spending a longer duration somewhere warm. If I were to relocate for several months, it would be to somewhere I could drive to, and I would rent a furnished place.
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08-22-2013, 02:03 PM
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#27
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W2R
Why not just move to the warmer location? I guess I have never understood the snowbird mentality, especially these days when all buildings, vehicles, and public places have climate control.
The expense, hassle, and emotional upheaval of moving twice a year sounds nightmarish to me; I'd rather stay year 'round in either of the two locations than to do that. To me snow-birding just sounds like the inevitable and ultra-expensive outcome of indecision about where to live, though I'm sure I'm wrong about that.
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Although I now live in Texas, I'm from the midwest, and, frankly, I like the scenery in the midwest/midsouth, and the summers are milder. Multiple months of winter is NOT on my radar.
FWIW, I'm not planning on buying another place, but I may do some mid-summer rentals in cooler climes.
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
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08-22-2013, 05:24 PM
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#28
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 691
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W2R -- another reason is family. We'd love to move somewhere mild year round, or at least that doesn't have cold winters. But we both have lots of family near by and with whom we spend lots of time.
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08-22-2013, 09:20 PM
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#29
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sarasota, FL & Vermont
Posts: 36,358
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big_Hitter
Brownsville, TX is pretty cheap, plus you can't beat the food
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But what about crime? Scary being so close to mexico and the bad stuff going on down there. Wasn't that young guy that got picked off his jet ski a couple years ago from around that area?
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If something cannot endure laughter.... it cannot endure.
Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Retired Jan 2012 at age 56
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08-22-2013, 09:57 PM
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#30
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 355
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Big Island of Hawaii attracts some Canadians. Allegiant Air and Alaska Air have flights to Honolulu. Allegiant from some obscure airport in northern Washington state.
In Arizona you can choose your temps by the elevation, including living one place but visiting another climate zone by driving for two hours. Since you don't need a job, you can live away from the urban areas (inexpensive) but go to them when you choose to. Much depends upon your daily recreation. Phoenix does have a pro hockey team.
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08-23-2013, 07:48 AM
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#32
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 691
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heyyou
Big Island of Hawaii attracts some Canadians. Allegiant Air and Alaska Air have flights to Honolulu. Allegiant from some obscure airport in northern Washington state.
In Arizona you can choose your temps by the elevation, including living one place but visiting another climate zone by driving for two hours. Since you don't need a job, you can live away from the urban areas (inexpensive) but go to them when you choose to. Much depends upon your daily recreation. Phoenix does have a pro hockey team.
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How does Phoenix/Scottsdale area and surroundings compare to SoCal? How do those compare to Hawaii? I've read a lot of (positive) comments on here about Oahu, but people I know in real life call it the concrete jungle?
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08-23-2013, 08:04 AM
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#33
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: North Scottsdale
Posts: 1,545
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Quote:
Originally Posted by someguy
How does Phoenix/Scottsdale area and surroundings compare to SoCal? How do those compare to Hawaii? I've read a lot of (positive) comments on here about Oahu, but people I know in real life call it the concrete jungle?
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Having spent significant time in SoCal I can tell you that the Scottsdale area is significantly cheaper than SoCal whether it be LA/OC/Palm Springs/Palm Dessert. Plus the traffic is much much better.
Not sure about Oahu as my experience in Hawaii is only with the other islands. Have heard that it is expensive as everything (other than Pineapple) is basically imported.
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FIRE'D in July 2009 at 51...Never look back!
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08-23-2013, 08:21 AM
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#34
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 483
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I live in an icebox state. I don't mind the cold so much but what I do mind is:
Driving on/in ice and snow
Having to buy expensive boots you where a few hours a winter
Trying to stay vertical while walking across icy walkways and parking lots
Black ice
Having to put on/take off boots (with laces) every time time you go out
Getting into the car with wet snowy boots
Snowplow going by right after you finished shoveling
Shoveling a path for the dog
Having to go outside to get more firewood
Getting in a cold car
Scraping windshields
Shoveling out your mailbox
Turning your ignition key and hearing the battery moan
Going into a warm building (church/store/restaurant/sporting event) with your winter clothes on
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08-23-2013, 08:23 AM
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#35
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Makakilo and Reno
Posts: 374
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Oahu
Quote:
Originally Posted by someguy
How does Phoenix/Scottsdale area and surroundings compare to SoCal? How do those compare to Hawaii? I've read a lot of (positive) comments on here about Oahu, but people I know in real life call it the concrete jungle?
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I have lived in Hawaii since 1980 on three different Islands and Oahu is my favorite. Yes, Honolulu is a concrete jungle, just like any other big city (but it is warm ) but there is no way you would stay near Honolulu. There are parts of Oahu that will make you think you are on another Island but if you do need something it is an hour or two drive instead of a flight.
Kimo
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08-23-2013, 09:55 AM
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#36
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 16,593
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I've been going to Scottsdale for the past 10 years. Ive seen it snow a couple of times at night, but most days are sunny in the 60's or low 70's. Like others have said, the Phoenix area is cooler than Florida in the winter. But I'll take sunny cool days over warmer rainier weather. Az stacks up quite favorably over Northern Illinois in the winter.
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08-23-2013, 10:00 AM
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#37
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 691
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kimo
I have lived in Hawaii since 1980 on three different Islands and Oahu is my favorite. Yes, Honolulu is a concrete jungle, just like any other big city (but it is warm ) but there is no way you would stay near Honolulu. There are parts of Oahu that will make you think you are on another Island but if you do need something it is an hour or two drive instead of a flight.
Kimo
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Kimo, what areas of Oahu would you suggest for a childfree couple interested in walking, hiking and biking (both leisure and more serious road)? We love bright, sunny temperate weather and small but bright/cheery houses.
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08-23-2013, 10:21 AM
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#39
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Makakilo and Reno
Posts: 374
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someguy:
Probably the best way to really get an idea is to come and stay at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore (I have absolutely no affiliation with them) and explore the area. Please do not be tempted to stay in Waikiki and try to explore the North Shore from there. There are so many things wrong with that attempt that I could write a book on it....
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08-23-2013, 10:22 AM
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#40
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Makakilo and Reno
Posts: 374
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