"Affordable" town in warm climate for single old babe

[TromboneAl]

You're thinking too big, as in big town. Smaller towns are more affordable -- car and house insurance lower, house prices lower, alarm system unnecessary, etc.

Think about whether you need a big town. Remember, you no longer need a job. Only things I can't get in my area are things like regular opera, big league sports, big league plays. I don't care about those things. If you don't either, think small.

 

[Zoocat]

Oh dear, the Texans are arising. I know Texans are not all rednecks just like not all Coloradoans are ranchers, not that there's anything wrong with either. But I lived in a RED state for 18 years and do not want to spend the rest of my life trying to be an inconspicuous liberal and feeling insulted all the time by conservatives who assume I'm one of them. I know that Austin is a liberal enclave of Texas. I have heard great things about Austin.

Thank you all for your input, esp. Brat for your lengthy take on Oregon!

It is zero degrees today in Denver.

 

[Martha]

It is zero degrees today in Denver.

Here too, and windy. Spent two hours this morning pushing snow.

I feel more and more like snowbirding somewhere south but coming back north in the winter.

I like having friends around but am kind of shy so it takes me a while to make friends. It would be nice to know if a community is friendly but that is hard to judge. Small towns and rural areas can be very friendly if you are like minded in politics and religion. So I am with you Oldbabe in finding a place that is politically compatable.

 

[Zoocat]

[
I like having friends around but am kind of shy so it takes me a while to make friends. It would be nice to know if a community is friendly but that is hard to judge. Small towns and rural areas can be very friendly if you are like minded in politics and religion. So I am with you Oldbabe in finding a place that is politically compatable.
[/quote]

Martha,
Smaller towns are the most difficult social environments, IMHO. You have to live there for years and years before people start to think of you as one of them. It's best to move someplace where people are used to transplants. You will find lots of others who are new as well.

I, too, am dreaming of becoming a snowbird. Maybe I should start a new thread on affordable and compatible places to snowbird.

 

[justin]

Chapel Hill, NC. Progressive (think Boulder, not quite Berkeley).

Inside the city limits the property is pricey (for North Carolina) and property taxes are high, but step across the town limits into Durham city/county or Chatham county, and you'll find much cheaper homes and lower taxes and still be a couple miles from downtown.

Warm/hot part of the year (and humid in the summer), moderate in spring/fall, "cold" for 2-3 months in winter. Snow maybe 1 time a year.

I lived there 3 years while attending Univ. of North Carolina from 2001-2004 so I can answer any Q's you might have.

 

[Nords]

Anyone have a suggestion for a progressive (i.e. Democratic leaning) town in a warm climate that is "affordable", i.e. not coastside California, that would be good place for an old babe to retire?

I mentioned this thread's answers to my spouse and her comment was "It sounds like country Hawaii..." what about Ewa Beach on Oahu, southeast on the Big Island, or upcountry Maui?

 

[education]

I'm really disappointed!!!! Maybe I'm just out of touch, but isn't there somewhere in Florida that could be considered an affordable place to live? I'm not talking Miami or living on the coast or on the Keys, just a nice little town where life is good and the cost of living is reasonable and the winters are mild.

The Professor

 

[Ol_Rancher]

Texas scorpions and snakes are not much of a problem if ya get yerself an emu to run around the yard. I haven't seen a rattler in a couple years since getting emus.

In warmer dry weather, the scorpions in the house get trapped in the sinks or bathtub. Even though they can run across yer ceiling upside down, they can't get a grip on porcelin. All you have left to do is smash them with the heel of your boot before you put dishes in that sink or bubble bath in the tub.

Never found but one on the bed. But no matter how well you close up the house a couple of them buggers will get in. Most of them are very conservative so we all get along real good, ya hear now?

Yee Haw!

 

[Moemg]

My favorite town in Florida is Venice .It's on the west coast .Small town atmosphere but close to Sarasota for cultural activities.Beautiful beaches,friendly people,good medical care,cute downtown .The prices have gone up but it's worth it ! I lived there for six years and would move back in a heartbeat.

 

[Targeting40]

I'm really disappointed!!!! Maybe I'm just out of touch, but isn't there somewhere in Florida that could be considered an affordable place to live? I'm not talking Miami or living on the coast or on the Keys, just a nice little town where life is good and the cost of living is reasonable and the winters are mild.

All of North Florida from Jacksonville west to Tallahassee and further west to Pensacola is very affordable relative to the rest of the state. House prices in those parts are 1/2 of their south Florida equivalents.

Here are some median prices (000s) in late 2006...
Tallahassee - $170.2
Pensacola - $173.7
Jacksonville - $196.1
Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice - $320.7
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach - $365.1

 

[W2R]

After observing the effects of Hurricane Katrina on seniors here in New Orleans, I think Oregon is a great idea for Oldbabe. Hurricanes don't affect northwestern states. Also, Oregon is not as cold as some areas. Eugene is well known for its liberal/democratic leanings, so it does sound like a good place for her. There's probably a lot to do, with the university being there and all the activities and mental stimulation of living in a university community. I think she would enjoy spending a few weeks driving around Oregon and particularly Eugene, to "check it out".

I'd love to retire to Oregon, because it is such a beautiful state. I probably won't, though. Instead I'm looking at very low cost-of-living area in southern Missouri. There, I'll have a little more money available to spend on "fun things".

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Hurricanes don't affect northwestern states.

There are always exceptions. We had the Columbus Day Storm when I was a kid. A bona-fide hurricane. It hit the whole northwest, but the Oregon coast got the worst. My wife was a kid there at the time. The barn blew down, etc.

BTW, Lake Chapala has scorpions. Chickens in the yard will take care of them. Cats are supposed to have a ball with them, too.

Oh, yeah. According to the Salem newspaper, West Salem in Oregon has scorpions, too. Never seen 'em, myself.

Considering all the things oldbabe has said, the Florida panhandle might be one of the better places. I really liked Pensacola. It is a Navy town, but very diverse and laid back. Many retirees of all kinds. Also kids on spring break. As I recall there was a gay week at the beach. Can't call a place like that 'Conservative', can you?

How about a 'world tour'? Pack up and visit many places for long enough to get a sense of them. If you have a connection to any affinity group (hobby, church, service organization--Habitat for Humanity?) you can use that as a way to meet people where you are going.

Good luck! Please keep us posted. Your experience will help someone else.

 

[W2R]

Ed, thanks! I had no idea that storms of hurricane-like strength had affected Oregon. After reading your post I found an article on it in wikipedia, at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Day_Storm

Interesting!

 

[Dawg52]

[



I, too, am dreaming of becoming a snowbird. Maybe I should start a new thread on affordable and compatible places to snowbird.

Great thing about being a snowbird, you can try something different every year. Try Gulf Shores, AL. Lot's of Canadians come down during the winter.

 

[lazygood4nothinbum]

All of North Florida from Jacksonville west to Tallahassee and further west to Pensacola is very affordable relative to the rest of the state. House prices in those parts are 1/2 of their south Florida equivalents.

generally florida gets more expensive the farther south you get and the closer to the beaches. but i would add affordability found along the east coast south of jax to daytona, cocoa and really until you get to st lucie county.

you can still find a nice house within walking distance to the beach in daytona for $200k. i drove up to watch the last daytime shuttle launch at cape canaveral and spent a few days touring titusville/cocoa area. seemed like lots of affordable stuff there. even deep waterfront houses at reasonable prices (compared to here).

an inland, affordable, retirement friendly town with excellent teaching hospital would be gainesville, home of u of f, or any of the surrounding towns. i did two years of school there but hadn't been back since then. stopped in for two days on my way to leaf peeping the blueridge mtns this past fall. i forgot how much i like g-ville. it strikes me as a very nice place to retire.

 

[Brat]

Events such as the Columbus Day storm are very, very rare in the Wmt. Valley. Almost a one-off.

Because of the mountains weather patterns are so localized that generalizations are futile. For example, I live on an island in the Puget Sound. The south end is known for being sunnier than the north because some 'hill' in Olympic Mountains creates a rain shadow, wringing out moisture from the jet stream that passes over my neighborhood.

The south end of the Wmt. Valley doesn't get enough wind. Grass seed farmers burning their fields is a major issue. At the north end, on the east side of Portland, winds whistle through the Columbia River Gorge (which is why Hood River has great windsurfing).

If weather is a major concern take a local meteorologist to lunch.

OldBabe, if you choose Portland let me know. There is a social group for older singles that has lots of activities.

 

[BunsGettingFirm]

Chapel Hill, NC. Progressive (think Boulder, not quite Berkeley).

Inside the city limits the property is pricey (for North Carolina) and property taxes are high, but step across the town limits into Durham city/county or Chatham county, and you'll find much cheaper homes and lower taxes and still be a couple miles from downtown.

Warm/hot part of the year (and humid in the summer), moderate in spring/fall, "cold" for 2-3 months in winter. Snow maybe 1 time a year.

I lived there 3 years while attending Univ. of North Carolina from 2001-2004 so I can answer any Q's you might have.

I have heard Phil Liggett's commentary during the Tour duPont days that cycling in NC is incredible -- a lot of little country roads with perfect pavements and little traffic.

 

[Bailing-Bob]

Oregon and western Washington are on the pacific rim of fire (earthquakes and volcanoes). Keep in mind that no one is going to pre-warn you to evacuate because an earthquake is going to hit your area on Tuesday afternoon at 3PM. Oregon and Washington are much less prepared for earthquakes then California. Would not stop me from living in either place, but if the potential for natural disasters is a factor in your decision, then you need to know you are not going to find a refuge in Oregon. Actually I do not think there is a refuge from natural disasters. Just pick your poison.

 

[Brat]

Few know that MO actually had among the worst seismic events in the US in recent geologic history. Few, if any, were killed because it was before the westward expansion.

Earthquakes happen because the land beneath all of our feet is dynamic. The best laid plans of human kind are of no consequence to natures' forces. All any of us can do is choose to live in an environment where the foreseeable risks are within our comfort level.

[typo]

 

[wabmester]

The south end is known for being sunnier than the north because some 'hill' in Olympic Mountains creates a rain shadow, wringing out moisture from the jet stream that passes over my neighborhood.

Hmm, I thought the south end was sunnier because of the southern exposure. Now I'm going to have to pull out my weather station and see which of us has the better weather.

The rain shadow does have a profound effect, though. Here's a WA rain map:

 

[Surfdaddy]

What about Tucson? It's warm 10 months out of the year, and not too expensive. Probably moderate on the liberal-conservative scale.

 

[perinova]

Hmm, I thought the south end was sunnier because of the southern exposure. Now I'm going to have to pull out my weather station and see which of us has the better weather.

The rain shadow does have a profound effect, though. Here's a WA rain map:

Is there a map of # of days of sun or a map of incoming radiation. The amount of precipitation doesn't say a whole lot as there could be short heavy downpours or it could be drizzly every day.

 

[wabmester]

Is there a map of # of days of sun or a map of incoming radiation. The amount of precipitation doesn't say a whole lot as there could be short heavy downpours or it could be drizzly every day.

True. WA can't be called the sunshine state.

 

[haha]

What about Tucson? It's warm 10 months out of the year, and not too expensive. Probably moderate on the liberal-conservative scale.

I spent 2 wonderful months -Jan and Feb- in Tucson years ago, learning to PERT. What a place it was then!

Mainly I remember a nice dog track, canyons full of deer and javelina, good Sonoran type Mexican food, and lots of wheat-farmer snow birds from Alberta. Just outside Tucson is a beautiful natural botanical garden to illustrate the Sonoran Desert flora and fauna.

Took a few short drives down to Nogales, SN, where we ate fancier Mexican dishes like chicken mole in a restaurant named (appropriately) Las Cuevas.

Tucson is also home to the U of Arizona Wildcats, and I think a medical school/teaching hospital.

The night life was honky-tonks, and way less stimulating than Phoenix.

I thought it was a very nice place. Like every other nice place it is somewhat less nice now, but it is definitely worth a look.

Ha

 

[Zoocat]

I am really liking the idea of serial snowbird trips! I could do that forever. The only problem is that I wouldn't like to leave my dog for extended periods of time. I'd have to find places to rent within reasonable driving distance that allow dogs.

I have taken a look at www.vbro.com. Does anyone recommend a similar vacation rental website?
I have thought about house swap too. But my dog is still an issue.