do you love where you live? retirement location

[Rick_Head]

my questions are:

1. Where are you living? (state) Western Canada
2. Is there snow? Surely you jest, I've seen snow here in every month but July
3. why do you love your location? My friends and family are here: It's only 6 hours by air from Honolulu, four from PV. There are lots of nice places to escape to in winter. Our summers have 20 hours of daylight, few people and lots of fish.
4. Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc. Compared to what? Taxes are higher than the US but we get FREE medical care, houses are cheap compared to SOCAL

 

[Bamaman]

1. Where are you living? North Alabama on the fabulous Tennessee River--waterfront house.
2. Is there snow? We might get an inch a year.
3. why do you love your location? Magnificent houses. Incredible fishing and recreation. Great music scene and 2 hrs. from 3 cities of 1 million people.
4. Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc. Housing is the cheapest in the U.S. And property taxes are 1/4th that of surrounding states. Since my wife is on Social Security Disability, we have no property taxes.

TN, the Carolinas and Georgia are sounding pretty good right now.... I too have a RV in the North Georgia Mountains, and we absolutely adore the people of East Tennessee. Western NC and NW SC are also great places to live.

 

[Moemg]

I live on the border of Sarasota & Bradenton,Fl
No snow & I miss it
Some days I love it when I am at the beach or sitting on my deck overlooking Sarasota Bay .Lots of restaurants , lots of fun things to do . Great medical care and a real push to be active .You will never be bored in Florida . In the winter I dislike the crowding & the roads are bumper to bumper . The summer is about two months too long .
It is not inexpensive . House prices are increasing & insurance is expensive & sometimes difficult to get . Wages are low and sadly they treat employees badly .

 

[Time2re]

1) IdaHO
2) Some, but it doesn't usually stay long in the valley
3) I live on a golf course, 4 miles from w*rk, 30 minutes from a ski hill with a killer view of downtown and the valley; very low crime and friendly people; high desert dry climate
4) No

+1

 

[jpjr]

Where to live

1) NW corner of SC. Near Clemson. 110 miles from both Atlanta and Charlotte. And best of all - one of the greatest little cities in the US - Greenville.

2) Snows just enough to remind us why we moved away from upstate NY. Besides, wait for two days and the snow is gone.

3)Near a college town. Great little gated community with loads of amenities for $3,300 per year. On a lake with a boat. Extremely active groups for the young at heart. Very good medical facilities in the area.

4) Housing is very reasonable, property taxes are super low, overall cost of living is one of the lowest in the nation.

It just doesn't get any better than our little slice of heaven here in the Golden Corner.

 

[PawPrint53]

Another Idahoan. Actually my main reason for loving the location is because of family and friends. I also like the Greenbelt in Boise and the size of the city and the easy access to hiking. I detest the politics.

 

[Gumby]

1. We live in Connecticut, right on Long Island Sound. Our town is one of the oldest in the country (1639).

2. Yes, there is snow in the winter, sometimes several feet, but the Sound has a moderating effect on our local climate. It usually does not get very cold in the winter or very hot in the summer. If you are a gardener, we are in USDA zone 7a. But go more than about 5 miles inland and it is different - colder in the winter and hotter in the summer.

3. Connecticut is a wonderful place to live. The Sound affords anything you could ever want in terms of boating or other water-related activity. If we want to go to New York City, we just hop on the Metro-North Railroad and we're there in 1.5 hours. It is also an easy drive to Boston. If we want to go mountain climbing, it is not a long trip up to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and there are many interesting local hikes as well. The state is dotted with picturesque colonial towns, with the village green and the big white Congregational church in the center of town (just like my own). The people who live here are generally well educated and concerned about the community. We Nutmeggers are politically liberal, but generally conservative in our personal lives (that famous Yankee rectitude at work).

4. The people in Connecticut are collectively very wealthy. Hence, it is very expensive to live here. In fact, I think the cost of living is exceeded only by Hawaii. Cost of Living by State Housing costs are especially high, and real property taxes are correspondingly high (about 2% of market value per year).

 

[bbbamI]

1. Where are you living? (state)
2. Is there snow? lol -- hoping never to see snow again when I retire
3. why do you love your location?
4. Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc

Dallas, TX burb

Seems like we get an average of five inches of snow each year.

I don't love my location, but it's ok. Megacorp relocated us here 21 years ago and so far we've been too lazy to move. There's lots to do, the economy is booming and the medical facilities are great. We do enjoy the mild winters.

There is no state income tax, but they get you in real estate taxes. Housing (to me) is affordable, but in our area houses are increasing in value at a steady rate.

 

[34rlsa]

hi!
I cannot believe the wealth of information I learn from this website. I always thought Florida was the plan for our retirement.....however, you all post amazing things about your location.

my questions are:

1. Where are you living? (state)
2. Is there snow? lol -- hoping never to see snow again when I retire
3. why do you love your location?
4. Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc.

TN, the Carolinas and Georgia are sounding pretty good right now....

thank you all for your input

1. Rural Alaska

2. In a good year several feet... Love it.

3. Alaska is what America was.
Incredible beauty right outside my living room. Wildlife... Bears, Moose, Eagles, salmon, trout fishing, All without leaving my property. Hot tubbin at -10 with the Northern Lights dancing overhead. Neighbors you can count on when needed. A great place to raise kids or spoil grand kids.

4. Some things are definitely more expensive, i.e. food, and fuel. But... No sales tax, no state income tax, no state tax on SS, annual Permanent Fund Dividend for residents, after 65 we'll pay close to zero in property taxes in the borough where we live.

Rack up some Alaska Airline miles and your in Hawaii in no time if you need to escape winter for a while.

 

[wrigley]

We live in central Florida just outside of Orlando, 20 minutes from Walt Disney World.
I would prefer Georgia or South Carolina, but DH grew up in this area and has family here, so we plan to stay.

No snow...ever. But summers are long and brutal if you need to be outdoors.

What I do like is that there is lots of fun stuff to do very close by, and the ocean and gulf are each about an hour away.

I would say this area is pricey, and housing costs are increasing. Not sure how property taxes compare, but we own a 1800 sf house on a small lot, and taxes are about $2000/yr. Home owners insurance is very high and can be difficult to get if you live close to the coasts.

There is no state income tax. Sales taxes are 7%.

I have lived in 3 other states, and in general, wages are much lower than those other states.

I can't tell you how many times I have heard from people that don't live in Florida that because Florida is such a tourist attraction people working there must be making a VERY good wage. When you think about just Walt Disney World and how much money they make year round, they must pay very well. They actually pay their employees rather poorly.

Mike

 

[target2019]

1. Where are you living? NJ

2. Is there snow? Yes. A bit too much in recent years. We enjoy the snow, but not extended cold weather.

3. Why do you love your location? Our local environs are really nice. Lots of woods and trails. We can get to the big city in 30 minutes. Lots to do there.

4. Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc.? Each state in the NE US is expensive. No getting around that fact. Many people migrate away from here because of the COL.

 

[Amethyst]

What Andre said (all of it). Re: housing costs: They are high but not exorbitant considering this is a jobs mecca.

I work with a lot of midwestern transplants (they migrate here because there are no jobs for smart people where they grew up, and then they spend half their time complaining about how much better things are where they come from) and most of the moaning about housing costs seems to come from them. Well, duh...if you don't have a lot of high-paid employment, houses will be cheaper.

Amethyst

1)Where are you living? (state)

Maryland, in the suburbs, just east of DC.

2)Is there snow? lol -- hoping never to see snow again when I retire

Yes. I've seen it snow as early as November (The Veteran's Day blizzard of '87 was notable around here) and as late as the last week in April (back in 2007 we got about 4-5" that weekend...looked really weird in contrast with the flowers, the leafed-out trees, etc). Usually though, it seems like the snowiest period is around mid-January to mid-Feb. Seems like historically, we've gotten a lot of big storms around President's Day. I'm not sure what the average snowfall is around here, but every 3-4 years it seems like we'll get a good storm that dumps a foot or more. In 2009-2010, we got three storms that did that...one in December and then two back-to-back in early Feb.

3) why do you love your location?

"Love" might be too strong of a word, but I like it here. A lot of it might simply be because it's what I'm used to. I have 4+ acres, and our neighborhood feels nice and secluded, but DC is 15 minutes away, Annapolis is 20, and Baltimore is 30 on a good day. Most of my family is around here. You can get to the mountains in a bit over an hour, or to the Atlantic Ocean in about 2.5-3, depending on traffic. And, while I'm getting less tolerant of cold weather, I do like being able to experience all four seasons. The area is building up, getting more crowded. And even though my neighborhood still feels rural, every once in awhile, a large lot gets sold and subdivided, so that won't last forever. I want to move, maybe in the next 5 years or so, but would probably stay in Maryland. Just an area where it's a bit more secluded. Oh, I'm also 2 1/2 miles from w*rk, which is nice right now, but once I'm retired will be irrelevant.

4) Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc.

I have a feeling most people would say yes. I've heard it said that Maryland is a state you retire FROM, not TO, because it's expensive. Maybe it's just that I'm used to it, but it doesn't seem that bad to me. Property taxes on the house are about $3200 per year. However, the house is old and small; most of the value is in the land. Housing isn't cheap, but a lot depends on neighborhood, what you want, etc. I could go out to Davidsonville, about 10 miles away, and get a 3br 2.5ba rancher with a 2 car garage on 2.5 acres for about $450K, or for that same $450K, go get a 1-2br condo in DC with no parking.

 

[BuysToys]

hi!
I cannot believe the wealth of information I learn from this website. I always thought Florida was the plan for our retirement.....however, you all post amazing things about your location.

my questions are:

1. Where are you living? (state)
2. Is there snow? lol -- hoping never to see snow again when I retire
3. why do you love your location?
4. Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc.

TN, the Carolinas and Georgia are sounding pretty good right now....

thank you all for your input

1. We're in north central Texas. Moved here from NY.

2. We've seen a couple of flurries in the past 1 1/2 years, but nothing that stayed on the ground more than a day.

3. I love our location because it's near my family. Everyone is within 20 minutes. I grew up in Kansas, so Texas is pretty much like coming home. DH is adapting.

4. We bought a bigger house on more land for about 1/2 of what we sold our NY house for. Our property taxes are about 1/4 what they were in NY. So, it's not expensive in our view, but I know others feel Texas property taxes are high. The state sales tax is about what we were paying in NY, so that's also a wash. No state income tax, so that's about a 6% savings right off the top. Gas is $.50/gallon cheaper, but I only fill up once a month rather than twice a week. Groceries are about the same. Electric bills are much lower even though we're in an all-electric house. Overall, we're living better on the same amount of money.

 

[Silver]

I can't tell you how many times I have heard from people that don't live in Florida that because Florida is such a tourist attraction people working there must be making a VERY good wage. When you think about just Walt Disney World and how much money they make year round, they must pay very well. They actually pay their employees rather poorly.

Mike

In general, the companies that are focused on tourism pay low wages. However, there are some excellent opportunities for a select few.

My neighbors' daughter is a waitress at a themed restaurant and bar in Downtown Disney, and typically works anywhere from 36-48 hours a week. My neighbor helped her with her taxes this year. She made just over $180,000.00 last year in wages and tips. Wages are minimal wage.....people on vacation drinking a lot tip well. These jobs are tough to get, and those that have them stay.

 

[BTravlin]

Where are you living? (state)
Cozumel, Mexico

Is there snow? lol -- hoping never to see snow again when I retire


I agree completely about snow! I shoveled my last driveway in 2013. No worries about snow here on the island.

Why do you love your location?

Lots of sun with year round warm temps and no snow. Slower pace of life that is centered around family and friends. Lots of water activities like scuba diving, sailing, paddle boarding, etc.

Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc.

Housing is affordable unless you want to live on the water and then the sky's the limit. Property taxes and property insurance are cheap. Medical care is good and cheap compared to the U.S. And food is also cheap unless you insist on American brands and I can stare out at the Caribbean from the checkout lane at my local grocery!

 

[Marita40]

Twin Cities of MN
Lots of snow; long winters. Keeps the riff-raff out (as they say).
Yes, love it here! Great state!
Taxes are high but services are very good.
Housing is moderate compared to the coasts as is much of the Midwest.

 

[donheff]

1. Capitol Hill, Washington DC
2. Yes, unfortunately there is snow.
3. Yes, we love it and plan to age in place here. As we get older most things we need, including restaurants, groceries, and hardware, are in walking distance. We are members of and volunteer in a very active neighborhood non-profit that helps old folks stay in their homes.
4. Very expensive but we planned accordingly. We could sell our modest row house and move to a mansion or luxury condo in another location for far less but we like our neighborhood. To cap it off our son, daughter, and grand kids live nearby and don't seem likely to leave.

The major downside is weather. A bit too hot and humid in July and too cold and snowy in January and February. But we have dealt with that by going to the water in summer and warm trips in winter. When we get too old to travel I suspect we will stay indoors when the weather is awful.

The only places I can think of that have the perfect weather are San Diego and Hawaii but I don't want to relocate to such distant locales without a supporting social network.

 

[John Galt III]

1. Where are you living? (state)
2. Is there snow? lol -- hoping never to see snow again when I retire
3. why do you love your location?
4. Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc.

1. Pa.

2. Lots of snow.

3. Used to love it more. Too many people have discovered my town and have moved here, clogging roads and driving taxes higher and higher. Will probably not move to better location ( and thereby be one of the ruiners of it ) due to complacency. Positive things: an arts center that has free concerts Fri and Sat night outside. Movie tickets are "only" $8 for seniors.


4. Taxes and housing: I pay about $4,000 a year in prop taxes for a $160,000 townhome. New governor is talking about some new shell game to reduce property taxes but increase sales tax.

Hiring labor to fix your house or car used to be cheap, but now we have NYC prices for that.

 

[W2R]

I pay about $4,000 a year in prop taxes for a $160,000 townhome. New governor is talking about some new shell game to reduce property taxes but increase sales tax.

Wow! That seems awfully high. My home is assessed at exactly the same amount, and my property taxes are $951.

We do have 8.75% sales tax, though (4% state plus 4.75% local). Guess they have to get it from somewhere.

 

[jkern]

1. California - SF Bay Area
2. No snow
3. It's home, family and friends, great weather, lots to do, ocean, bay,city, mountains, wine county, lakes, skiing, golf, hiking, fishing.
4. Very expensive. Since I grew up here, between SF and Palo Alto, the cost of
living is normal to me.


The one drawback, TRAFFIC.

 

[FANOFJESUS]

my questions are:
Where are you living? (state) Jalisco MX in PV
Is there snow? lol -- hoping never to see snow again when I retire: Never
why do you love your location? Weather, social activities, lots of other pursuits
Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc. Cheaper than Florida or AZ

We pay no income tax. Our sales tax is 16%. Medical costs are low. Property tax is under $300.yr. Fresh fruit and vegetables are extremely cheap. So is fish and shrimp.

Beef is about half price to get a good cut. Arrachera is dirt cheap and edible if prepared right. Milk and eggs also dirt cheap. Good cheeses need to be imported (e.g. Tillamook).

Are you close to Lake Chapala? How much does a small house(Less than 1000 s.f.) cost?

 

[Derslickmeister]

1. Where are you living? (state)
2. Is there snow? lol -- hoping never to see snow again when I retire
3. why do you love your location?
4. Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc

Dallas, TX burb

Seems like we get an average of five inches of snow each year.

I don't love my location, but it's ok. Megacorp relocated us here 21 years ago and so far we've been too lazy to move. There's lots to do, the economy is booming and the medical facilities are great. We do enjoy the mild winters.

There is no state income tax, but they get you in real estate taxes. Housing (to me) is affordable, but in our area houses are increasing in value at a steady rate.

I'm in North Texas, not real crazy about it either. I would love to pull up stakes and move back to Alabama but since the kids were born and raised here and this is their "home" we are probably stuck for the duration

 

[MichaelB]

We live in South Florida, but spend part of the year in the Chicago area. Fl will likely be our permanent home.

There is often snow in the midwest but we make every effort to not be there when it present.

DW loves South Florida. So much reminds her of where she grew up, especially the beaches, palm trees, orchids, and the unrelenting summer heat. I'm not so fond of it, but it's more important to her than to me, so here we'll stay. It is a place where one can culturally live part of the day in Latin America and the rest in the US, transitioning with ease and not having to choose only one over the other. This suits both of us and that adds nice variety to life.

It can be expensive here, but most of the population is at or below US median income, so lower cost lifestyles abound.

 

[John Galt III]

Wow! That seems awfully high. My home is assessed at exactly the same amount, and my property taxes are $951.

We do have 8.75% sales tax, though (4% state plus 4.75% local). Guess they have to get it from somewhere.

W2R,


Yes, it is high, isn't it? I just checked and I actually paid $3,600 in property taxes for 2014, on my modest townhome. But we know those kids can't possibly learn anything unless a brand new stadium is built now and then.

 

[Rustic23]

Where are you living? (state)
Texas, (about an hr. north of Houston)

Is there snow? lol -- hoping never to see snow again when I retire
While there has been some in the last ten years, it seldom last more than 24 hrs.

why do you love your location?
Live on a lake in the country. Lots of wild life, quite, Golf, long walks with little or no traffic. Big city close enough to go anytime we need/want.

Is it expensive (taxes, etc.) housing costs, etc.
$1,200 a year for property tax on $350K.