Would you live in a place you didn't like if it meant you could FIRE?

[Midpack]

At some point I want...to be in an area where I can walk to the store, the library, and a few decent restaurants.

Exactly what we want, but not sure about going condo due to a) getting stuck with a noisy neighbor, b) if any neighbor has a fire, so do we, c) I thought resale was typically an issue with condos and d) several others. A Ross Chapin pocket neighborhood looks ideal to us, but they are all (so far) far too expensive so not a likely choice for us. The search continues, but we have considered staying right where we are, something we originally wouldn't have considered...

 

[Dreamer]

Returning there really isn't an option for me unless I want to work forever just to have a little house somewhere not too far from the city.

I could never imagine returning to a place where I knew that I would have to work forever! No way, I just could not do it. I am enjoying my retirement too much and would never want to have to work until I die. I agree with the others who say that there is good people and things in most all places. You can pick anyplace in the world and go there and know that you are going to love it or that you are going to hate it and you will be absolutely correct.

 

[Moemg]

I'm pretty adaptable but there are some I just would not be happy no matter how low the cost .

 

[W2R]

Part of the reason I moved to my current location is so I could live a mortgage free lifestyle, which I do enjoy and it provides for a lot of security. Problem is I miss my old city. One of the many (wonderful and not so wonderful) qualities of my former city is that the cost of living is probably second to NYC.

I can envision various possible ER lives for myself, in various locations. Those are my choices. There are places where I could not afford to live in the style to which I would like to become accustomed. These places are not reasonable choices for me.

Now, if I just HAD to live in SF or Manhattan, for example, and that was more important to me than the hardships in lifestyle that would be required in order to do so, then that's another matter. But I think all of us have to choose. I am from Hawaii, but it would be impossible for me to move back without more sacrifices than I am willing to make. I know the islands continue to exist, though, and that is a comfort to me even though I will never live there.

Pining over a choice that life just hasn't given me, will not lead to happiness or satisfaction.

Most of us cannot have everything we want.

You can't always get what you want
But if you try, sometimes you might find
You get what you need!
- - - - Mick Jagger

I think Missouri may be exactly what I need. Besides, Hawaii has probably changed a lot since the time when I lived there. I don't want to litter this post with quotes, but Thomas Wolfe was right that "You Can't Go Home Again".

 

[Kathryn48]

I could never imagine returning to a place where I knew that I would have to work forever! No way, I just could not do it. I am enjoying my retirement too much and would never want to have to work until I die. I agree with the others who say that there is good people and things in most all places. You can pick anyplace in the world and go there and know that you are going to love it or that you are going to hate it and you will be absolutely correct.

It's 110 degrees here today. Just kiddin' That was last week. It's only 98.6 now, which is pleasant by summer standards. Some people would hate it here.

Yes, there are good people and good things in all places, but some are better than others.

 

[nphx]

Can I have a ski slope behind my beach front hamock?

To keep the thread - i'll weigh in that here is a "band" of comprimises i can easily make to FIRE - but there is definately a threshold which is undesireable based on alternatives.

 

[free4now]

For me as a thirtysomething single person, having lots of things to do nearby is very important. That's why I'm living FIREd in San Francisco where almost exactly 2% of my net worth goes to rent and parking every year. The way I figure it, living in a world class city while working doesn't make much sense unless your job is in the city... you only have a few hours a week to enjoy the city. But when you are FIRE and have all day to enjoy the city, it makes sense to spend a bit more on housing rather than spending extra on transportation between your residence and where you want to be.

Living in a big city like San Francisco actually is less expensive in some ways... the temperate climate means no air conditioning bills. There's no snow, so I don't have to worry about paying for a vehicle that can handle serious winters. Because cell phone coverage is excellent I don't pay for a landline. The lack of bugs means I can keep my windows wide open (no screens to buy/deal with). And there are other subtle benefits, like the way that walking rather than driving to things tends to make me healthier and so less likely to spend on medical. And people in the city don't wash their cars as often as people in the suburbs, so that's one less thing for me to spend money/time on. The lack of humidity means I don't have to change clothes, shower, battle mold, or use antiperspirant as much as people in other areas. I can get to the airport for a few bucks on public transit.

Population centers like big cities have incredible food distribution systems, and it's much easier for me to get good groceries relatively inexpensively than it would be in some podunk town.

So I think it really depends on your phase of life... if you are all about staying home with your family, then sure go somewhere cheap. But if you're about getting out and doing things, then I think it's reasonable to consider a big city.

 

[BunsGettingFirm]

Free4Now, can you elaborate a bit on how you got to such an enviable situation? Does it involve the word Google?

I'd choose to live in San Francisco, Boulder, or Montreal (spring to fall only) if I can spend only 2% of my portfolio on housing. With the exception of Montreal, I don't think I can do so in the first two cities.

 

[haha]

Free4Now, can you elaborate a bit on you got to such an enviable situation? Does it involve the word Google?

Maybe I misunderstood- I thought he meant he spends 2% of his invested assets on housing. That is a lot- if he follows a 4% WR that only leaves 2% for everything else.

I think there are people- young, old, married, single, working or retired- who will want to live in a vibrant big city. I was happy out from town when I had little kids, but I am 60 something now, and single, and I don't think I would want to live anywhere else. Lately I have considered the University District. I do like the friendliness you find on the street a little away from grit-central.

No place like the area around a central city big hospital to enjoy social chaos in its more florid manifestations. People yelling at one another, talking to themselves, telling the bus driver they have to ride free because they have no money. Happily, the drivers go along with this, they don't want trouble any more than the other riders do.

When I lived in one of the Eastside suburbs, the bus filled up with East Asians and Indians, who quickly buried themselves in their laptops. Down by Harborview Hospital the bus fills with a more varied group, some of whom immediately start yelling at one another.

Ha

 

[free4now]

Free4Now, can you elaborate a bit on you got to such an enviable situation? Does it involve the word Google?

I'd choose to live in San Francisco, Boulder, or Montreal (spring to fall only) if I can spend only 2% of my portfolio on housing. With the exception of Montreal, I don't think I can do so in the first two cities.

Hehe no I'm not from google, but I did benefit from some silicon valley employee stock options back in the day. Boulder would be the other place I'd like to live.

Living in a 1 bedroom apartment in an iffy neighborhood is the only way I can afford to keep my housing costs to 2% in SF. One of the advantages of being FIRE was that I spent a long time apartment hunting and so was able to find a good deal. I have developed an unspoken relationship with my landlord where I deal with minor issues and in exchange my landlord doesn't raise the rent. Not sure how long that will last though... I just saw an apartment exactly like mine, in the same building, listed on craigslist for more than 40% higher than what I'm paying so the rent increases may eventually catch up to me.

 

[Notmuchlonger]

I can tell you right now. Its a bit over 100. Supposed to be 106 tomorrow. Theres a huge smoke cloud as I look outside the window. Ah beautiful perfect weather California..

But hey the humidity is like 10...

 

[unclemick]

Hmmm: prior to Katrina greater Kansas City was not on my must see list let alone anywhere on the radar.

Take Tonganoxie, Kansas (someone? Please?) a mere 1/2 hr drive to football and baseball down US 24/40 - sorta like my old drive to the Superdome in New Orleans. Got a free invite for the 4th - BBQ, fireworks, quiet burb.

Let's hope it doesn't get 'discovered.'

heh heh heh - any rumors about The Yellow Brick Road or Dorothy are just myth's.

 

[Notmuchlonger]

"Let's hope it doesn't get 'discovered."

Ill be in that area 2 weeks from now. Going to explore the great state of SHOW ME.. ill make sure i dont discover nothen

 

[BunsGettingFirm]

I can tell you right now. Its a bit over 100. Supposed to be 106 tomorrow. Theres a huge smoke cloud as I look outside the window. Ah beautiful perfect weather California..

But hey the humidity is like 10...

Hm...with all that smoke, I'm surprised you Californians have not turned into human jerky by now.

I lived in California, and it wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. Then again, I was 10 years younger, so I still haven't lost my rose colored glasses. I must have misplaced them about 8 years ago.

 

[Finance Dave]

I suppose there are gradients, but in general no, I would not live in a place I didn't like just so I could retire earlier.

 

[W2R]

I lived in California, and it wasn't all that it was cracked up to be.

A lot of people seem to just adore California, and more power to them, but reading the title of this thread always seems to bring San Diego to mind for me. I have lived for years in each of seven different states (eight if one acknowledges that southern and northern California are essentially two states), and southern California was my least favorite by a mile.

I suppose that if living there meant the difference between working and FIRE, I would live there. Luckily, there is absolutely no reason why that would be the case.

Even San Diego had a few positive aspects. Gardening and birdwatching were fun there. But mostly it was not my cup of tea.

 

[ProspectiveBum]

Interesting, W2R. Aside from Santa Barbara, San Diego might be my favorite place in the US. Just curious what you didn't like about it?