Where to relocate to - warmer, urban-cultural, affordable, walkable?

[brewer12345]

Savannah,GA 5,959

Charleston-N.Charleston, SC 5,803.2

New Orleans, LA 5180.4


Charleston's crime is essentially the same as Savannah's.....and not that much worse than New Orlean's.....according to that same web site. The overall crime index for all three is among the worst.

I tend to be a lot more concerned with violent crime statistics than property crime statistics. Yeah, property crimes are no fun, but its only money and usually one can buy insurance for it. Not so with violent crimes.

 

[LightningDawg]

As far as I know, Savannah is widely known for high crime levels. Personally, I would never choose it as a retirement location due to both crimes and hurricanes. If one doesn't mind these two factors, it is probably ideal - - the architecture is lovely, and I love to browse photos of Savannah.

Here's another source of crime information, from Sperling's "Best Places". The murder rate seems especially high. This one isn't completely accurate either - - even the FBI's crime statistics are not completely accurate (since they depend on what is reported to them by the local authorities), but one can get a general idea by looking at various sources.

America's Best and Worst Cities for Crime

"crimes and hurricanes"......

OMG....New Orleans is so much more likely to be hit by hurricanes than Savannah. Look at this map of all hurricane hits from 1950-2005 (doesn't even count Katrina). Georgia has had ONE hit. Now look at the area around New Orleans on this map.

And crime is not that much different, according to that previously quoted website (crime indices over 5000 for both cities.....not good).

 

[W2R]

"crimes and hurricanes"......

OMG....New Orleans is so much more likely to be hit by hurricanes than Savannah.

That's right - - - perhaps not so much more likely to be hit, but more vulnerable (especially now). And that is why I would not pick up and move to New Orleans as an ideal retirement location. (Hint: I am already here)

I went out of my way to say some nice things about Savannah in my previous post, to keep from insulting you in case you were just crazy about Savannah. However, like New Orleans and many places it has some features (rate of crimes against persons in this case) that might give pause to someone looking for a great retirement location.

 

[LightningDawg]

That's right. And that is why I would not pick up and move to New Orleans as an ideal retirement location. (Hint: I am already here)

Acknowledged.

Just pointing out that hurricanes is NOT a significant problem for Savannah. Sure...the odds are higher than inland cities, but for a coastal city....actually fairly well protected due to the Gulf Stream.

Now crime is another matter.....

 

[REWahoo]

Just pointing out that hurricanes is NOT a significant problem for Savannah. Sure...the odds are higher than inland cities, but for a coastal city....actually fairly well protected due to the Gulf Stream.

You understand you are likely tempting fate with this statement...

 

[W2R]

Acknowledged.

Just pointing out that hurricanes is NOT a significant problem for Savannah. Sure...the odds are higher than inland cities, but for a coastal city....actually fairly well protected due to the Gulf Stream.

OK, I quit now. My professional opinion as a former oceanographer and metocean (hurricane) specialist including expertise on vulnerability along the south Atlantic bight (including the Georgia coastal region) is that you are incorrect. I will not continue this conversation.

 

[Ronstar]

Not coastal, but Tiger's Prescott Az. suggestion is pretty on target. Not the views of a Sedona or St. George, but also without the turquoise dripping big money cosmic consciousness of it's Az neighbor or the faintly other dimensional feel of St. George society. A bit like a little Santa Fe with more Republicans? Has fun big weather in the winter, but with plenty of sun and the snow appears and disappears fast. I liked Prescott.

We just spent 2 days in Sedona with yesterday afternoon in Prescott. I wouldn't want to retire in either place. Sedona is too much of a tourist trap with $$ real estate. Prescott is too small and too western for us. I like Scottsdale and Flagstaff in Az. Scottsdale fits our needs for warmth, and partially for culture. Chicago is great for culture and things to do. DW is too much of a metropolitan girl, so I think we'll stick with the outskirts of Chicago as our primary retirement spot with warming trips to Scottsdale.

 

[Midpack]

We just spent 2 days in Sedona with yesterday afternoon in Prescott. I wouldn't want to retire in either place. Sedona is too much of a tourist trap with $$ real estate. Prescott is too small and too western for us. I like Scottsdale and Flagstaff in Az. Scottsdale fits our needs for warmth, and partially for culture. Chicago is great for culture and things to do. DW is too much of a metropolitan girl, so I think we'll stick with the outskirts of Chicago as our primary retirement spot with warming trips to Scottsdale.

Wish we could too. Chicago offers more than any other city we've lived in/near. But between brutal winters, traffic congestion and ever high expenses (parking, taxes) to enjoy the city, after 18 years it's not worth it anymore. But we're glad we were here for almost two decades, fun for a while. We will miss the world class restaurants, plays, concerts, events (we have gotten over the shopping, once important to us). We all have different wants and desires...

 

[DougViages]

We're moving to NC from MI

The Charlotte area - across the Catabwa River in Belmont, NC. A lovely town with 10,000 population and a nice little downtown area. We will be 25 minutes out of downtown Charlotte. Good cost of living, good climate, no hurricanes. My brother lives less then ten minutes away, across the river. We are ten minutes from the airport.

 

[FinanceDude]

My aunt and uncle have told me Gatlinburg, TN is an awesome place. Did anyone mention that?

 

[Sarah in SC]

Doug, my DH is from up around those parts. It is nice, and very convenient to airport travel and to get to the mountains and beaches. A great choice!

Yo Dawg with the Savannah Chamber of Commerce--seriously? You include North Charleston in there as if it is the same city as Charleston? Not so much. That's like including North and South Carolina in the same stats. And the violent crime in Savannah is unbelievable--they try to hide it, but ask anyone who went to school there and they'll tell you the truth. No way I'd want to live there. Getting shot at is not much fun. And like Brewer said, property crimes are a whole 'nother story compared to violent crime.

Hurricanes go where they go--there isn't somewhere safe just because there hasn't been one there in a while. See coin toss probabilities for more info. I'd go with the oceanographer's take on it, anyway. I think she knows her stuff about hurricane probabilities.

 

[calmloki]

We just spent 2 days in Sedona with yesterday afternoon in Prescott. I wouldn't want to retire in either place. Sedona is too much of a tourist trap with $$ real estate. Prescott is too small and too western for us. I like Scottsdale and Flagstaff in Az. Scottsdale fits our needs for warmth, and partially for culture. Chicago is great for culture and things to do. DW is too much of a metropolitan girl, so I think we'll stick with the outskirts of Chicago as our primary retirement spot with warming trips to Scottsdale.

Flagstaff is a nice place if you don't mind being snowed in -
Flagstaff, Ariz., leads in snowfall amount - UPI.com
"

Advertisement​

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Flagstaff, Ariz., leads all U.S. cities with the most snowfall so far for 2010, in a season of sometimes epic snowfall in parts of the nation, authorities say.
To date there has been 118 inches, nearly 10 feet, of snow, surpassing the average amount of 109 for an entire winter, Flagstaff's Arizona Daily Sun reported Wednesday.
The normal snowfall through Feb. 22 is 72 inches."


Read more: Flagstaff, Ariz., leads in snowfall amount - UPI.com

 

[Tiger]

I was just going to post about the snow in Flagstaff and don't forget the cold. In addition you should be a golf lover to live there as that appears to be it's reason for being.

 

[check6]

After traveling for the airlines I have found Minneapolis to be my favorite "affordable" city to live in. Parks are second to none of all the towns in the US. Several lakes in uptown make you feel like you are in the country. Also one of the safest biking cities in America. All parks interconnect by bike paths.

Problem is you need a second home for the winters, but from late April to early November it is perfect.

 

[unclemick]

Kansas City?



heh heh heh - ok ok now that I'm here should I add the Chiefs to my favorite team(Saints, UW Huskies) list or not. They have an Art and Cultural scene - and a few walkable/bicycle areas but:

in my heart still the burbs with my cars - think 'Happy Days' cruisin.

heh heh heh - on foot someday but not yet. So where's the best area to own a sports car or GT? Better yet where can one do both - enjoy walking and driving.

 

[Amethyst]

Am a little surprised/disappointed not to hear more about western NC as a retirement destination. Temperate climate. No income tax on Federal/military pensions - granted, that means nothing to many forum members, but I'd think it would be an attraction for others. And there is lots of beautiful mountain scenery. And no hurricanes (at least I don't think they come that far inland).

Amethyst

 

[l2ridehd]

I researched over 100 retirement communities. Narrowed that down to 10 with internet searches, blogs, recommendations, talking to realtors, getting the marketing literature and any other way I could get information. I visited seven of those and ended up selecting just one. Although not entirely walkable, I can visit town squares, live music 365 days a dozen places, 100 plus restaurants, doctors, all shopping and even hospitals in my golf cart. The Villages Florida. If you haven't checked it out, worth at least a visit before making a decision. Warm weather most of the year, golf, tennis, and over 2000 other clubs that will meet any interest you may have.

 

[Huston55]

I researched over 100 retirement communities. Narrowed that down to 10 with internet searches, blogs, recommendations, talking to realtors, getting the marketing literature and any other way I could get information. I visited seven of those and ended up selecting just one. Although not entirely walkable, I can visit town squares, live music 365 days a dozen places, 100 plus restaurants, doctors, all shopping and even hospitals in my golf cart. The Villages Florida. If you haven't checked it out, worth at least a visit before making a decision. Warm weather most of the year, golf, tennis, and over 2000 other clubs that will meet any interest you may have.

Very interesting! We have friends who just made the same choice - The Villages. They're members of the FIREd class of 2012 and already have a home in the villages. They're very anxious to get down there permanently.

I'd be very interested in seeing your list of 10 finalists, original list of 100, and the criteria you used to make your selection. I expect others on this thread would also like go see them as well.

 

[l2ridehd]

That's a hard one answer as we did this analysis 5 years ago. Here is what I remember about it. We started with a google search for retirement communities. One of my criteria was golf and lower taxes so many were eliminated without even opening the page. That got it down to just over 100. I went through those reading about the communities and sent away for literature on 20 or 25. In addition to taxes and golf I now applied total cost of living, other activities, crime rates, higher education, and access to a mid size city. This got me down to the 10 I decided to visit. Those were two in Arizona, two in Texas, two in North Carolina, one in South Carolina and three in Florida. I tried to look at these communities in the worst time of year so as to see how livable they were. I went to Arizona in the summer and visited one community. When I came back to my rental car and could not even touch the steering wheel, I decided no for Arizona. Went to North Carolina and St James Plantation was very viable. Visited there twice. South Carolina fell out for taxes and hurricanes as I was looking around Myrtle Beach area. In Florida I visited one before The Villages, but when we went there, we knew it felt right. Went back three times during different seasons and finally bought a home in 2008.

Some of the other deciding factors were other activities. My wife does not (yet) play golf. So there needed to be many other things to do. I needed affordability in order to make my retirement plans work. Since 2008 we have bought three homes in The Villages. Two are rental properties which have been successful beyond my wildest dreams.

I watched my father retire and then sit around and do almost nothing for the next twenty years and I vowed that would not happen to me. The Villages is a VERY active retirement community. The biggest complaint from most people is there is to much to do. It may not work for everyone, but it does for most. It is the largest retirement community in the world. Also now has the most golf holes of any single destination in the world. I always thought that was Myrtle Beach, but I guess they consider that multiple destinations.

 

[Midpack]

Am a little surprised/disappointed not to hear more about western NC as a retirement destination. Temperate climate. No income tax on Federal/military pensions - granted, that means nothing to many forum members, but I'd think it would be an attraction for others. And there is lots of beautiful mountain scenery. And no hurricanes (at least I don't think they come that far inland).

Amethyst

I just visited Asheville, it was on our short list. It's beautiful and fun, and if we move to NC (thinking Triangle), I am sure we will visit often. Too small for us, and too liberal, but the vibe downtown can't be beat. Almost like a mountain Berkeley, Boulder, Portland, Haight-Ashbury - places I like to visit, but would never live. I realize there's also a wealthy retired conservative crowd in Asheville too, but I noticed the city council recently had to debate whether they were socialists or not...sounded like a split decision.

 

[Amethyst]

I've seen other discussions of "The Villages" on the forum - people seem to either love it or hate it. Takes all kinds. Golf communities, sadly, would not work for us, since we don't golf, and such places always have a subsidy for the golf course and club built into their fees.

Please allow me to add my vote, though, to those who would love to read more about your research, 2ridehd.

Amethyst

I researched over 100 retirement communities. Narrowed that down to 10 with internet searches, blogs, recommendations, talking to realtors, getting the marketing literature and any other way I could get information. I visited seven of those and ended up selecting just one. Although not entirely walkable, I can visit town squares, live music 365 days a dozen places, 100 plus restaurants, doctors, all shopping and even hospitals in my golf cart. The Villages Florida. If you haven't checked it out, worth at least a visit before making a decision. Warm weather most of the year, golf, tennis, and over 2000 other clubs that will meet any interest you may have.

 

[MichaelB]

When we moved to S Florida "The Villages" was everywhere. You couldn't read anything about real estate without some mention of it - way over the top. That was at the peak of the real estate bubble. Since then it seems to have lost some of its allure and no longer is being talked up as the best thing since sliced whole wheat bread for seniors. We have never been there and know no owners or tenents, but it always as had a sort of "Timeshare' ring to us.

 

[l2ridehd]

I agree with the marketing hype. However it is the only place I have ever been where the reality far exceeded the marketing hype. It is about as far from a timeshare "ring" type place as you will ever get. There is zero pressure from the sales staff to sell you a home. Zero, none, nada. When we did a life style pre-view, they introduced us to a sales person who said if you need anything, just call me. Never heard from him again until we called him on our next trip. They don't want to try and sell you a home when you visit, they want you to experience the life style. So they give you coupons for golf, movies, meals and other things and let you go out and talk to residents who already live there. It fact it's a bit of a challenge to see homes on a life style pre-view unless you attend open houses or make a specific request to do so.

There are fee's to support the golf, but for non golfers they are very reasonable. The monthly fee for executive golf, community centers, pools, softball, pickleball and all other supported activities is $135 a month. Significantly below what I found in other communities, even non golf communities. Although I did very little research on those. All other golf, championship courses, trail fees for serious golfers, is paid for by the drink but still extremely reasonable when compared to other places. There are currently 9 with build out to be 12 championship 27 hole courses and 30 executive courses, so lots of golf. But so much more. 62 pools, 30 some recreation centers 12 club houses with pool and restaurant, there own college of life long learning, summer camp for grand kids, a club for what ever interest you have. Be it riding horses, deep sea fishing, crusies, painting, photography, motorcycles, flying, bridge, dancing, over 2000 of them. So something for everyone.

I am sure it is not for everyone and each of us need the find the places that meets their requirements.

 

[MichaelB]

I agree with the marketing hype. However it is the only place I have ever been where the reality far exceeded the marketing hype. It is about as far from a timeshare "ring" type place as you will ever get. There is zero pressure from the sales staff to sell you a home. Zero, none, nada. When we did a life style pre-view, they introduced us to a sales person who said if you need anything, just call me. Never heard from him again until we called him on our next trip. They don't want to try and sell you a home when you visit, they want you to experience the life style. So they give you coupons for golf, movies, meals and other things and let you go out and talk to residents who already live there. It fact it's a bit of a challenge to see homes on a life style pre-view unless you attend open houses or make a specific request to do so.

There are fee's to support the golf, but for non golfers they are very reasonable. The monthly fee for executive golf, community centers, pools, softball, pickleball and all other supported activities is $135 a month. Significantly below what I found in other communities, even non golf communities. Although I did very little research on those. All other golf, championship courses, trail fees for serious golfers, is paid for by the drink but still extremely reasonable when compared to other places. There are currently 9 with build out to be 12 championship 27 hole courses and 30 executive courses, so lots of golf. But so much more. 62 pools, 30 some recreation centers 12 club houses with pool and restaurant, there own college of life long learning, summer camp for grand kids, a club for what ever interest you have. Be it riding horses, deep sea fishing, crusies, painting, photography, motorcycles, flying, bridge, dancing, over 2000 of them. So something for everyone.

I am sure it is not for everyone and each of us need the find the places that meets their requirements.

This sounds like a sales pitch.

 

[l2ridehd]

Sorry, not intended to be a sales pitch. I will stop answering questions about it.