Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Tom on September 02, 2016, 01:19:46 PM
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It's another list but good for discussion.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/retirement/the-worst-states-for-retirement/ss-AAgR39P?ocid=U147IDHP#image=16
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It's pretty simple to pick the best states for retirement - for most people, some key criteria are common.
Find a place with state income tax. You want no income tax when you have more income - and a solid tax base paid by others when you're on a pension. If there's no state income tax (like here in Nevada, Texas, and so on) then the state needs to get income from areas like sales or property taxes that might affect you more dramatically.
Speaking of that, look for places with low taxes on consumption and assets - i.e., low sales tax, low property tax (if you're a homeowner), low fees for vehicle registration, and such. These often are lower in states that have income tax.
Look for places where things like maintenance costs are low (this surprises some people). If you're a homeowner, maintaining your home as you age will become increasingly expensive since you'll be less able to fix things yourself. The same can apply to your vehicles and other possessions.
Look for a place where you enjoy the weather - all of it. If you must live near the coast, consider what the issues would be if you had to evacuate due to a hurricane or similar storm; it can be costly and certainly difficult if you are less physically fit and face the need to urgently try to save what you can. The same applies to areas subject to floods.
Finally, of course, pick an area where you have access to health specialists that can meet your needs. Many sunbelt, retirement oriented states have surprisingly poor levels of care available in specialties that are most often used by older people. Here in Las Vegas, a place that should be better, cancer care is limited and even things like a colonoscopy can be risky - we've had huge scandals among the few doctors/clinics providing some services strongly used by older patients. I wouldn't get a colonoscopy in this state (come to think of it, it's not on my list of favorite things anywhere!).
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I'm always suspect of these kinds of lists , as Mr Sec points out , many of the cheapest states have really bad health and social services for older folks . Didn't go thru the list , but in the last few years Oklahoma has ranked near the top , and then near the bottom rankings for places to retire . Simply depends on the criteria applied to the rankings . A small college town just East of me has in the last few years been rated as a top 50 small town to live in , and then in the same year been ranked as one of the worst small towns . Mostly it seems this kind of stuff is a way to justify salaries , and boost sales of something .
Dusty
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It's pretty simple to pick the best states for retirement - for most people, some key criteria are common.
As someone who was part of my parents', aunts', uncles', and finally my own retirement plans, I've got a different view of it.
I don't know of anyone who sat down with a calculator and figured out where to retire. In MOST people's lives, there are so many other considerations.
1) Family - Children, grandchildren; people want to be near them.
2) Health care providers and systems that they know and like. Already know them, not find new ones at their (our) age.
3) Places they want to live. You can run all the numbers you want, but living in a lightning-prone blazing hot sandy fever swamp like Florida would be a nightmare. Some people just LIKE Massachusetts; they're used to it, they understand how things work even if they don't like how they work, and they'll "carry on as they are used to".
I've just never met anyone I know personally (although I'm sure that'll change in a few hours) that retired somewhere because of the taxes, culture, or whatever. And I suggest that most of US are going to retire somewhere where the riding is good .... or the surfing, or the skiing, or something, since 60 is the new 40 ...
Lannis
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I'll probably retire to one of the "worst" states just to get away from everyone! :wink:
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Kentucky has an 6% income tax (and a sales tax) but excludes retirement income.
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I'll probably retire to one of the "worst" states just to get away from everyone! :wink:
See, there's another reason you might pick somewhere; so you don't have to be around a bunch of shuffling old toots talking about their prostates .... ! Bet that's not in the "Top 10"!
Lannis
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I'll probably retire to one of the "worst" states just to get away from everyone! :wink:
Worst is subjective. I'll certainly be leaving the North East for middle Appalachia at some point. Southern WV or Western Kentucky seem like Valhalla to me. Friendly people, sparsely populated, beautiful country and twisty roads. What else could one want?
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Forget about Maine. Touristers call it vacation land, residents call it taxation land. Along with electric costs, heating costs , snow removal ect. It's getting ridiculous.Then you get all the imports that want new schools , new this, new that and get on all the local boards and have there way with every tax dollar they can get there hands on. Now you have a exponential property tax increases to look forward to every year. Our little town is now 16 million dollars in debt and they want to build a 6 million dollar fire station and a twenty million dollar drama center for the kiddies. F*&#k me gently!
rant over :laugh:
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The best state for retirement for me is the state of Bliss.
Well, and the state of Yucatan in the winter.
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I'd be happy to retire in a state of control, without others making decisions for me
(http://a1.auto-images.netdirector.co.uk/image/upload/w_461,h_307,q_85,c_fill,f_auto,fl_lossy/auto-client/e0172782d01e05f0873a47ac101e7043/californiabeach_2014_interior_02.jpg)
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If I can figure out how to do it , Kenton OK , is looking pretty good . Population 17 , one road in , one road out , foothills of the Rocky mountains , Colorado and New Mexico a stones throw away . they even have a store , known locally as "The Merc" short for mercantile . There is a picture of Daniel Kalal's Guzzi on the main drag on Kenton's website :thumb:
Dusty
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I'm stuck here because the wife won't consider anywhere else. I did consider Thailand, Mexico, Italy but that would include a huge garage sale. :grin:
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If I can figure out how to do it , Kenton OK , is looking pretty good . Population 17 , one road in , one road out , foothills of the Rocky mountains , Colorado and New Mexico a stones throw away . they even have a store , known locally as "The Merc" short for mercantile . There is a picture of Daniel Kalal's Guzzi on the main drag on Kenton's website :thumb:
Dusty
(http://www.dankalal.net/2005trip5/photo16.JPG)
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Thanks Dean , although the second picture is of Boise City , I think . Boise City (Boys) is the only American town to have an aerial bomb dropped on it , by mistake during a practice run , good thing it was a dummy :laugh:
Dusty
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Kenton: population 17, three church congregations. . .
I made a gas and hydration stop in Boise City just over a year ago. Not much happening there, though it brought back some memories of reading The Worst Hard Time. Gotta go to swingin' Dumas, TX.
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Kenton: population 17, three church congregations. . .
I made a gas and hydration stop in Boise City just over a year ago. Not much happening there, though it brought back some memories of reading The Worst Hard Time. Gotta go to swingin' Dumas, TX.
Not much happening there, kinda what I'm looking for . Of course there is always Wheeless OK , just South of Kenton , memory says there is even less happening there .
Dusty
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My late father was born, worked, raised a family, and lived most of his life in upstate New York, (Mid-Hudson Valley / Dutchess County). A beautiful place 6 months a year, but cold, wet winters, most of the time.
After he retired, he moved to Florida (near Tampa) with my mom and passed away there at age 93 . He had 20 good years there. I often asked, why Florida? He said: "Sunshine and cheap living..." I was far away in Arizona and my kid sister was in Florida, so I think that was part of it...
He used to have another saying: "If you have money, you can live well anywhere!" :cool: He was quite the philosopher... :thumb: :1: :cool: Here I am with him on his 90th birthday....I miss him...
(http://thumb.ibb.co/dJxP3v/IMG_3740.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dJxP3v)
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Several of us Guzzi guys were at a doctor's home looking at some bikes he was selling. He was doing a residency in Pittsburg for at least a year and wanted to thin the herd. He said if you needed critical health care move east. Not a fan of the east (too many people) but it made me think. Easier to stay healthy I think (especially if you have decent genes, but you can't control family).
Life is short so I'd like to move to the Pacific Northwest for my final third of my life. Diversity is nice.
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The worst is the great state of insanity. Try not to go there.
People there are very prejudiced against you just because you seem paranoid.
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Sorry Dusty, Dean's second pic looks like Guthrie to me, always liked that town, hope it's still nice.
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Sorry Dusty, Dean's second pic looks like Guthrie to me, always liked that town, hope it's still nice.
Could be , although that pic is gone now . Figured he pulled it from the Kenton site , and they have a couple of pics of Boise City for some reason . Long way from Guthrie to Kenton .
Dusty
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Thanks Dean , although the second picture is of Boise City , I think . Boise City (Boys) is the only American town to have an aerial bomb dropped on it , by mistake during a practice run , good thing it was a dummy :laugh:
Dusty
You're forgetting about Honolulu. You hay have heard about the bombing there. The start of WWII.
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You're forgetting about Honolulu. You hay have heard about the bombing there. The start of WWII.
True , except Hawaii was not yet a state .
Dusty
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Yeah, not a state but a territory and American.
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Oregon was bombed by the Japanese during wwII -- and they weren't dummies.
West Richland, WA (just down the street from regular Richland) was a military site during the war, too. The road out of town was called the "Bombing Range Road". They got plastered several times by trainees with dummies. They had to stop that when the Manhattan Project spilled over into Hanford.
Alaska isn't real good for retirement. Health care sux, cost of living is hella high, and the weather isn't real arthritis friendly. I threw my back out over the weekend, and unless I want to go to the emergency room, my doctor visit will be in October, about three weeks after I move out. Two hospitals and two clinics, and between them, two doctors.
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I live in western NY. We plan to relocate when my wife retires. Taxes and cost of living are why. We plan to stay east, go south but still looking for where.
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So , of the places that got bombed , I do believe that based on cost of living , climate and readily available solitude , Kenton OK is looking pretty good .
Dusty
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Sorry Dusty, Dean's second pic looks like Guthrie to me, always liked that town, hope it's still nice.
Guthrie, the first state capital until it was stolen by Okla City, has been restored and is holding on. I think the Blue Bell, where Tom Mix was bartender is open evenings and weekends.
I occasionally ride through there on my way to Mulhaul up old 77. That's about 60 miles ride to 2 miles of twisties by the Cimarron River.
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What is this "retirement" thing?
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It's when they pay to "please, don't show up". :lipsrsealed:
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Several of us Guzzi guys were at a doctor's home looking at some bikes he was selling. He was doing a residency in Pittsburg for at least a year and wanted to thin the herd. He said if you needed critical health care move east. Not a fan of the east (too many people) but it made me think. Easier to stay healthy I think (especially if you have decent genes, but you can't control family).
Life is short so I'd like to move to the Pacific Northwest for my final third of my life. Diversity is nice.
I like:
1. Easier to stay healthy and active... :thumb:
2. Life is short...so enjoy! :cool ("Life is meant to ENJOY...not endure!")
For retirement, we thought about Sante Fe, NM, Asheville, NC, and somewhere in Oregon / Washington...all have their good / bad points. We choose northern Arizona, (Village of Oak Creek), and moved here in April.
In the end, choose a place that has decent riding weather, affordable housing, things to do...and most importantly a state that will make you happy in your last 20-25 years. :cool:
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For almost the first time in our lives we got to choose where to live. Wow, that was an interesting situation. I got to choose jobs before, but to just be able to move ANYWHERE?
We thought about it a lot and most of it came down to Lanis' list with the family being at the top of the heap. So, it was stay in Alb, move to Las Cruces, NM (her family), near Columiba, SC (daughter) and Seattle/Tacoma (son). Made it an easy choice simply due to cost of living in WA and heat in southern NM. Will be moving to Columbia area as soon as our house sells.
FWIW, that is probably the second factor on a retirement list. Can you even sell your house at all? So many people will be stuck if they can't get rid of the house they are in when they are working.
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For almost the first time in our lives we got to choose where to live. Wow, that was an interesting situation. I got to choose jobs before, but to just be able to move ANYWHERE?
We thought about it a lot and most of it came down to Lanis' list with the family being at the top of the heap.....
Family has been our driver, and I like what we've done.
IFF I had no family here, no grandchildren, Fay and I would probably sell out here and settle on the Isle of Man. We've spent several weeks there, it's an absolutely beautiful place, still uncrowded after 1000 years, a motorcyclists paradise. Selling our property here would buy us a nice old Manx home in a quiet spot just off the Mountain Course, near the beaches, just under the mountains; the pace of life is slow and quiet, and my pension and income would transfer there.
We don't have or need a lot of communication devices, the Manx policies encourage locavores at reasonable costs for local food, we wouldn't need a car (the bikes, bicycles, and buses would do us), we're already budgeted for health care costs, and taxes on retirees are not very high.
I'd miss my shooting sports, but when in Rome ... I'd just have to get used to the nanny-state bit. Come to that, it's starting to get a bit lunatic HERE, so that wouldn't be much of a change.
Besides the racing!
Lannis
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Uh Charlie , you are aware that Columbia SC is really hot and humid 6 months a year , just so you know .
Dusty
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I have no blood family or at least who is left has been out of touch for 25 years.I can adapt to live most anywhere... My wish was always to live in an abandoned bomber aircraft in the high desert...
My wife does have family here and has always lived a few miles from where she grew up...Her daughters live several hours in each direction as do the adult grand kids...I tried to get her to move to the near south like Tenn or NC...But she breaks out into a sweat...Rural western NY state is ok but the property taxes are nasty, everything else including real estate is reasonable.
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Uh Charlie , you are aware that Columbia SC is really hot and humid 6 months a year , just so you know .
From http://www.dnr.sc.gov/pubs/CCINatResReport.pdf (http://www.dnr.sc.gov/pubs/CCINatResReport.pdf)
[quote author-scdnr]
Current climate models predict continued warming across the Southeast with the rate of warming more than twice the current rate. The greatest temperature increases are projected to occur in the summer months. The number of very hot days of > 100°F (38°C) is projected to rise at a greater rate than the average temperature. Under the lower GHG emissions scenario average temperatures in the Southeast are projected to rise by about 4.5°F (2.5°C) over the next 70 years, while a higher GHG emissions scenario is predicted to yield about 9°F (5°C) of average warming. Summers by the 2080s are projected to be about 11°F (6°C) hotter with a much higher heat index. The frequency, duration and intensity of droughts are likely to continue to increase with higher average temperatures and a higher rate of evapotranspiration.
[/quote]
That's a little on the long range side for our purposes - I guess a retirement scenario has the advantage that you don't need to be too concerned about what's on the 70 year horizon - but it does illustrate the trend. Also, stay away from the coast.
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Yes in the hot/humid. Have lived many places over the years and would rather have the humidity than the pure heat out here in the SW. Grew up in Phx and still don't like it there.
If we didn't have kids or family anywhere we'd probably just stay here where we are. Winters can get a little cold, but, summers are mild enough we don't need A/C (mountains east of Alb).
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And then there is the backround radiation to think about.
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/8239305_orig_zpsstjd83bb.jpg)
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Also factor in rideable days.
http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-rideable-days-poster.html
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Yes in the hot/humid. Have lived many places over the years and would rather have the humidity than the pure heat out here in the SW. Grew up in Phx and still don't like it there.
If we didn't have kids or family anywhere we'd probably just stay here where we are. Winters can get a little cold, but, summers are mild enough we don't need A/C (mountains east of Alb).
Is Greenville, SC too far away. The altitude makes it a bit cooler and the city is pretty interesting. Almost in the Smokies and some fantastic riding too.
Pete
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And then there is the backround radiation to think about.
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/8239305_orig_zpsstjd83bb.jpg)
What fear are you clalming here?
"There are NO valid studies that have conclusively demonstrated that typical residential exposure to radon increases the risk of cancer at all." :thewife:
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We live in a golf assoc. but many of us don't play golf and ride MCs instead. 95% of us are retired and come from the Northeast or soCal. We came from norCal. Our property taxes are cheap, assoc. fees are cheap, utilities are cheap, if you work here (Az.) you pay state inc. taxes, 7.8% sales tax, DMV fees are cheap(compared to Calif.). We have a hospital + hospitals in Las Vegas(110 mi.) if you need some specialists.
You can ride year round here if you're hearty and we get a trace of snow 1,2X a year that melts by the end of the day. No fog, tornados, floods, and usually a breeze that fends off the dry heat in the summer(107F hi). We are @ 3,500' so it's nothing like Phoenix or Tucson heat. :thumb:
Never much iived close to my family so that's what I prefer. Brother, son don't mind it either. We get together during the holidays by going to their places if we want to. Cen.Cal, Wash. St.
We moved here 7+ years ago and the only regret I have is lack of twisty roads to enjoy. Have to ride a ways to get that.
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Well, actually, we can add the subject of "Best/Worst Places To Retire" to the list of subjects which also includes:
1) "Best Looking Woman"
2) "Most Comfortable Motorcycle Seat"
3) "Best Motorcycle Ever"
Always lots of discussion and insight into OTHER people's minds, but never any conclusions or changed ideas ... !
Lannis (I know, IWADLIF)
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We live in a golf assoc. but many of us don't play golf and ride MCs instead. 95% of us are retired and come from the Northeast or soCal. We came from norCal. Our property taxes are cheap, assoc. fees are cheap, utilities are cheap, if you work here (Az.) you pay state inc. taxes, 7.8% sales tax, DMV fees are cheap(compared to Calif.). We have a hospital + hospitals in Las Vegas(110 mi.) if you need some specialists.
You can ride year round here if you're hearty and we get a trace of snow 1,2X a year that melts by the end of the day. No fog, tornados, floods, and usually a breeze that fends off the dry heat in the summer(107F hi). We are @ 3,500' so it's nothing like Phoenix or Tucson heat. :thumb:
Never much iived close to my family so that's what I prefer. Brother, son don't mind it either. We get together during the holidays by going to their places if we want to. Cen.Cal, Wash. St.
We moved here 7+ years ago and the only regret I have is lack of twisty roads to enjoy. Have to ride a ways to get that.
Can you work on bikes/vehicles in you garage ? Or start up an open exhaust vintage race bike with out a visit from association police? On the other hand there's probably no damn barking dogs :cool:
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Can you work on bikes/vehicles in you garage ? Or start up an open exhaust vintage race bike with out a visit from association police? On the other hand there's probably no damn barking dogs :cool:
I would have a haaaaard time living in a place with a Homeowner's Association or something similar.
I've seen some of the people that end up in control of those things. Somehow they find a way to ride around in a golf cart peering myopically for violations, with a stick up their arse at the same time ....
Lannis
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And then there is the backround radiation to think about.
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/8239305_orig_zpsstjd83bb.jpg)
Interesting that the map roughly coincides cratons with radon. Cratons are the oldest bits of continent.
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Interesting that the map roughly coincides cratons with radon. Cratons are the oldest bits of continent.
Another thing to note is that it makes no mention of the relationship between radon exposure and climate - typically, indoor radon levels are highest in areas where people spend the greatest amount of time indoors, especially during winter months. This is particularly true if insulation and weather-sealing of doors and windows is better than average. Another factor is the use of surface foundations versus full basements - a surface foundation allows radon to move into the atmosphere instead of into the house. This is one of the reasons indoor radon levels in the south and southwest aren't as high as in the north - fewer houses with basements, even if they do have good insulation for the a/c. Take a look at the map and consider where basements are common!
Having lived in western Canada for many years, I was witness to some interesting discussions about whether the door and window seals should be purposefully left just a bit imperfect - so the radon levels wouldn't build too high.
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Can you work on bikes/vehicles in you garage ? Or start up an open exhaust vintage race bike with out a visit from association police? On the other hand there's probably no damn barking dogs :cool:
Yes I work on my bikes/scooters in my 3 car garage with no issues. Also change my oil/filter on all my vehicles in front of my garage. This isn't like a condominium HOA or such. Low profile HOA unless you go out of your way to piss off enough neighbors. Haven't seen that happen to anyone yet.
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I would have a haaaaard time living in a place with a Homeowner's Association or something similar.
I've seen some of the people that end up in control of those things. Somehow they find a way to ride around in a golf cart peering myopically for violations, with a stick up their arse at the same time ....
Lannis
Of course some home owners here ride around in their golf carts but your fears here are inconsequential. If they were I wouldn't still live here. :wink: There's 900+ residents here with plenty of empty lots for more. Yard maintenance is almost non existent since we live in high desert. :thumb:
Some couples rent here for 6 mo. to see if they really want to live here, like our closest neighbors who are both retired teachers from Colorado. They bought their house behind ours about a year ago.
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Can you work on bikes/vehicles in you garage ? Or start up an open exhaust vintage race bike with out a visit from association police?
I don't know anywhere depending how close your neighbors are that doing that for X length of time might not piss some neighbors off, including ME. :evil: How is that not being inconsiderate of your neighbors? Our assoc. does have some sheriffs living here so if you did that you may find out it wasn't a good idea if your neighbors complain. OTOH, there are parts of our development that are void of any houses so if you went out of your way to isolate yourself that way(would cost you more $ to build) you might get away with it.
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Another thing to note is that it makes no mention of the relationship between radon exposure and climate - typically, indoor radon levels are highest in areas where people spend the greatest amount of time indoors, especially during winter months. This is particularly true if insulation and weather-sealing of doors and windows is better than average. Another factor is the use of surface foundations versus full basements - a surface foundation allows radon to move into the atmosphere instead of into the house. This is one of the reasons indoor radon levels in the south and southwest aren't as high as in the north - fewer houses with basements, even if they do have good insulation for the a/c. Take a look at the map and consider where basements are common!
Having lived in western Canada for many years, I was witness to some interesting discussions about whether the door and window seals should be purposefully left just a bit imperfect - so the radon levels wouldn't build too high.
If it matters/helps most the houses here are built on concrete slabs. When I lived in Oregon/Washington we had foundations with visqueen(vapor barrier) covering the ground below the house flooring.
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Can you work on bikes/vehicles in you garage ? Or start up an open exhaust vintage race bike with out a visit from association police?
I don't know anywhere depending how close your neighbors are that doing that for X length of time might not piss some neighbors off, including ME. :evil: How is that not being inconsiderate of your neighbors? Our assoc. does have some sheriffs living here so if you did that you may find out it wasn't a good idea if your neighbors complain. OTOH, there are parts of our development that are void of any houses so if you went out of your way to isolate yourself that way(would cost you more $ to build) you might get away with it.
We are 300 feet from the road on 10 acres. The nearest house is about 350 feet from ours... The neighbors aren't exactly quiet and there's plenty of barking dogs and target shooting.....I usually fire up the race bikes in the shop with the overhead door open during weekdays and it's maybe once a month for a few minutes.
I dislike having close neighbors, 350 feet is too close for me... :laugh: But I could live in adult HOA situation if people were respectful and quiet. Then I would be quiet..... As an electrician I learned to deal with anal inspectors...So dealing with a hovering Association would be just part of game of life...
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Tolerance of your neighbors should also bring the reciprocal respect from your neighbors. If they make noise once in awhile then they shouldn't get the nose out of joint when you fire a bike. If it's 2A then who's the jerk?
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We are 300 feet from the road on 10 acres. The nearest house is about 350 feet from ours... The neighbors aren't exactly quiet and there's plenty of barking dogs and target shooting.....I usually fire up the race bikes in the shop with the overhead door open during weekdays and it's maybe once a month for a few minutes.
I dislike having close neighbors, 350 feet is too close for me... :laugh: But I could live in adult HOA situation if people were respectful and quiet. Then I would be quiet..... As an electrician I learned to deal with anal inspectors...So dealing with a hovering Association would be just part of game of life...
Generally speaking it's quiet here except for the trains that pass by regularly going east/west at our end of this Assoc. near the entrance on Rte. 66. But if you're bent on regularly making noise from non muffled motors just because you can, I doubt you would fit in here. This is mainly a golf/retirement community. We like our peace & quiet. :grin: Tho some of my neighbors tell my wife I yell/cuss too much for their liking. She explains to them why. :angel:
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My favorite places that I have lived are Flagstaff and Chattanooga,
Flagstaff is great, except the cost of living. It has to be one the most expensive places to live in. We where there about 4 years. Loved the weather, and the scenery, but you need a bucket of money to exist there. For me, Arizona auto registrations were very high. Loved the state, but some of the taxes were high.
Chattanooga is great also. we were there about 2 years, Low cost of living, nice weather, excellent scenery, and lots of places to ride. Eastern Tenn is on my list of places for retirement.
Louisiana used to be pretty cheap place to live, but the last governor R, and the current governor D, have run this state into debt big time. The legislature is a joke and are easily bought off it seems. All my family and wife's family are here, but I can't wait to leave. Wife retires in 3 years and we will see what happens. Louisiana has its scenery, but it is hot, humid, and we only get about 2 weeks of fall here, no winter. summer 11 months of the year
It does have some of the finest fishing I have every experienced, but that doesn't make up for the other irritants in my book.
We really like Seattle, but the cost.
Ideally, somewhere close to the mountains, moderate winters and summers, close to fishing and lots of roads to ride. Maybe western Arkansas or east Oklahoma? Who knows.
Old Head
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If you like more rural small town living might consider SE Kansas. Nice roads, fairly close to the Ozarks. If medical facilities are a concern you are not far from Joplin or Springfield.
$100-$150K will get you a nice home and $250K gets you a really, really nice home. Smaller, plain houses with say a one car garage but in nice condition can be had for $50-$80K.
GliderJohn
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Someone above mentioned Greenville/Spartanburg, SC. Looks to be a nice area, even if somewhat larger in population. Cost of housing not too bad if you are out away from the city centers. Mountains close by for camping/fishing and riding. Winters not bad. Inland enough not to get the brunt of hurricanes.
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The main reason for my moving home was the cultural aspect of being back in Hawaii. I figured that there are certain cultural aspects that would never be fulfilled in another state. Family is no. 2 with weather holding a strong 3rd.
Being on a island is not a factor as I have flight benefits as a airlines retiree. We're 2 flights from almost anywhere in the world.
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My favorite places that I have lived are Flagstaff and Chattanooga,
Flagstaff is great, except the cost of living. It has to be one the most expensive places to live in. We where there about 4 years. Loved the weather, and the scenery, but you need a bucket of money to exist there. For me, Arizona auto registrations were very high. Loved the state, but some of the taxes were high.
Chattanooga is great also. we were there about 2 years, Low cost of living, nice weather, excellent scenery, and lots of places to ride. Eastern Tenn is on my list of places for retirement.
Louisiana used to be pretty cheap place to live, but the last governor R, and the current governor D, have run this state into debt big time. The legislature is a joke and are easily bought off it seems. All my family and wife's family are here, but I can't wait to leave. Wife retires in 3 years and we will see what happens. Louisiana has its scenery, but it is hot, humid, and we only get about 2 weeks of fall here, no winter. summer 11 months of the year
It does have some of the finest fishing I have every experienced, but that doesn't make up for the other irritants in my book.
We really like Seattle, but the cost.
Ideally, somewhere close to the mountains, moderate winters and summers, close to fishing and lots of roads to ride. Maybe western Arkansas or east Oklahoma? Who knows.
Old Head
Like Kalif, don't judge the whole state of Arizona by 1 part of it. Here in Kingman there are no vehicle emissions tests, no air pollution, no high prop. taxes where we are, and home prices are reasonable too. Yes Prescott costs more to live and is more dense(pop.) than here(3,600').
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Prescott Valley is less. Sedona & RedRock nearby are expensive. Williams, Holbrook & Winslow are low IIRC but like here. "Location, location, location".
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Northern AZ is nice. You are in the mountains and out of the oppressive heat. Chattanooga is my family home and is quite progressive and a good place to live. Too bad it is surrounded by some of the most regressive politics you can find.
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I vote for midwestern small towns, thanks to all the young folks moving to the city you can get bargains in housing here- $100k will damn near buy you a mansion. Thanks to global warming, winters are getting shorter here- Even here in southwest Minnesota I'm still getting some riding in during december, and the riding season starts up again in march.
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Yes in the hot/humid. Have lived many places over the years and would rather have the humidity than the pure heat out here in the SW. Grew up in Phx and still don't like it there.
If we didn't have kids or family anywhere we'd probably just stay here where we are. Winters can get a little cold, but, summers are mild enough we don't need A/C (mountains east of Alb).
I'm just the opposite. I'll be leaving the heat and humidity of Arkansas for Northern New Mexico (permanently) at my first opportunity.
Will be spending a week there 18th-23rd of this month. Cimarron, Taos, Tres Piedras. Have rented a house in Tres Piedras and will be taking the horses. (no motorcycles this time).
Can't wait!
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By the way, here are the WORST states for retirement, according to one source, and in no particular order.
Maryland - Connecticut - Alaska - Oklahoma - Hawaii - Louisiana - Arkansas - Oregon - West Virginia - and New York!
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By the way, here are the WORST states for retirement, according to one source, and in no particular order.
Maryland - Connecticut - Alaska - Oklahoma - Hawaii - Louisiana - Arkansas - Oregon - West Virginia - and New York!
Not a very good list, because West Virginia is actually one of the BEST states for retirement!
I'd like to see someone prove that it's not .....
Lannis
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Not a very good list, because West Virginia is actually one of the BEST states for retirement!
I'd like to see someone prove that it's not .....
Lannis
And, based on the numbers of midwesterners who retire here to Arkansas, hard to believe it's among the worst.
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By the way, here are the WORST states for retirement, according to one source, and in no particular order.
Maryland - Connecticut - Alaska - Oklahoma - Hawaii - Louisiana - Arkansas - Oregon - West Virginia - and New York!
Different strokes for different folks............ne ed details, like property taxes cost, housing prices, weather, etc......tho I'm already locked into my final residence........ but for others to figure out.
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'ey JJ..... what source? Would like to read the criteria for their choices.
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'ey JJ..... what source? Would like to read the criteria for their choices.
Tom, I'm tellin' ya - it's the same criteria that would be used for "Who is the Best Bond Villain?" or "What is the Best MGM Musical?"
It's just click-bait. It CAN'T be anything else. Just look at the responses that people on this very list tell us are driving their retirement decisions. They're aesthetic, they're subjective, they're qualitative, and they're all over the map.
Would you expect anything else?
Lannis
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All silly and all subjective, (IMHO) - from the link "The 10 Worst States For Retirement" (I think posted above...?)
I mean, C'mon...West Virginia? Arkansas? I understand NY and CT, because I am from that area...but Geeez!
Louisiana is probably cheap, and I assume Oklahoma is also.
Maryland, Oregon, Hawaii, and Alaska, I hear are expensive, but who knows?
Housing, property taxes, cost of living (food, health care, etc.) I am sure are all factors...but again, just one data point.
I am amazed California did not make the list. Flora, Fauna, mountains, ocean and weather are all spectacular, but everything else is silly expensive, and mainly for "the well heeled...." I lived in NORCAL twice, so I am qualified to say so...
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JJ , more like we ARE cheap in Oklahoma :rolleyes:
Seriously , if humidity doesn't bother you , Eastern OK would be a decent place to retire . Lots of lakes , decent scenery , the metro area in Tulsa has music , museums , and good food available . I however am becoming less tolerant of HIF's in the 110 range , West of here is looking good .
Dusty
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I would probably not mind north central NM for retirement for a number of reasons. But, I do not want to be that far away from a larger city for mostly medical reasons.
Cost of living can be quite a bargain in smaller communities, especially since you can do most of your purchasing online these days. As long as state taxes and fees won't kill you like they can in AZ, CA, WA, etc.
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What the hell do you base that on? Do you really think I'd be living in Kingman, Az. if any of that was true after having lived in Calif, Oregon, Wash. State? :rolleyes: Your experiences and mine are opposites, that's for sure. :boxing: Every state has high cost and lower cost of living areas. I've always lived in the lower cost of living areas. :boozing: Any time you want to compare housing costs, property taxes, etc. let me know.
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Damn , didn't think a thread about places to retire could turn into a heated topic :shocked:
Dusty
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Damn , didn't think a thread about places to retire could turn into a heated topic :shocked:
Dusty
When someone recommends it's best to retire @ X they better know WTF they're talking about and consider all the points involved. This subject is a can of worms just waiting to explode. Everyone has a different idea of what it means to them. What I prefer, you prefer could be exact opposites. It's like an oil thread. :copcar: Sorry I got a bit heated. :embarassed:
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Is the answer sober :boozing: :boozing:
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IF I leave Germany for the States, I sure as hell ain't moving back to Phoenix!
I always did like Eastern AZ or New Mexico.
Tom
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Damn , didn't think a thread about places to retire could turn into a heated topic :shocked:
Dusty
With all do respect, you come off as a person who treats any form of disagreement as something to be avoided...I believe many of us here enjoy a heated discussion....A person with passion is a person with life...
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One reason not to move in retirement is taxes. All states need a bunch of money to run and the way that they gather it changes with administrations, the economy, and other variables.
When I moved to NJ there was no income tax and a 1% sales tax. Boy have times changed!
The minute you move to a state that doesn't tax retirement income, the following year(s) it will be taxed due to a fiscal shortage! :sad:
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When someone recommends it's best to retire @ X they better know WTF they're talking about and consider all the points involved. This subject is a can of worms just waiting to explode. Everyone has a different idea of what it means to them. What I prefer, you prefer could be exact opposites. It's like an oil thread. :copcar: Sorry I got a bit heated. :embarassed:
I've never seen an exploding can of worms but I'll bet it's messy.
There's no need for anyone to "explode" over this subject, any more than there's any need to explode over "What's your favorite color?" Unless, of course, someone says "Anyone who likes Purple is a poopyhead". THAT could lead to a fight, I suppose.
Lannis
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Yes, AZ can have high taxes and fees compared to other places. Grew up in Phx and lived in Mesa a number of years. Compared to NM and many other states it is expensive. We found it almost as expensive as NY state. Just vehicle registration is a shock compared to others if you have a newer vehicle.
Remember I also said that living in smaller communities can be much less expensive that way, whatever state you are in. For one thing, bigger cities tend to have higher property taxes than smaller ones.
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I like it here, no complaints.
Dean
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With all do respect, you come off as a person who treats any form of disagreement as something to be avoided...I believe many of us here enjoy a heated discussion....A person with passion is a person with life...
Dude you aren't paying attention . Besides , you live in NY , why would anyone live
there ? :tongue:
Oh , almost forgot to say "with all due respect"
Dusty
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I'm just the opposite. I'll be leaving the heat and humidity of Arkansas for Northern New Mexico (permanently) at my first opportunity.
Will be spending a week there 18th-23rd of this month. Cimarron, Taos, Tres Piedras. Have rented a house in Tres Piedras and will be taking the horses. (no motorcycles this time).
Can't wait!
Make sure when you move there you have room for visitors and their RV. :laugh:
If you want to be in the less populated areas, you might try the Carson Forrest south of Taos and north of Las Vegas. Seems to be scenic but a little depressed. I would bet there are some bargain properties there. The downside is a couple of hours from anywhere.
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May try the 6000 mile loop for awhile.
Start out here in the Gulf of Mexico & head for the Mississippi then North to the Great Lakes, East to the Hudson, down the East Coast to the Inland waterway, around Florida & back to the Gulf.
I've been looking for a trawler to convert but they have gotten popular in the last few years so the price has gone up.
So I'm thinking about building my own & building small enough to explore other rivers along the way.
No property taxes on the water.
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Dude you aren't paying attention . Besides , you live in NY , why would anyone live
there ? :tongue:
Oh , almost forgot to say "with all due respect"
Dusty
Dude, What does NY have to do with my comment?
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Make sure when you move there you have room for visitors and their RV. :laugh:
If you want to be in the less populated areas, you might try the Carson Forrest south of Taos and north of Las Vegas. Seems to be scenic but a little depressed. I would bet there are some bargain properties there. The downside is a couple of hours from anywhere.
I've yet to find any bargains anywhere in Northern New Mexico that have electricity and are within a few miles of pavement! But hey, I live in a place with pretty cheap real estate.
Probably couldn't afford anything close to Santa Fe or Taos, but have seen some nice things in Colfax County, on the eastern side of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. And they have grass and water there!
Cimarron, Miami, Springer, Maxwell, etc...
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Dude, What does NY have to do with my comment?
[/quote
Sorry you missed my point , which is that when we say things that don't make sense with the express purpose of starting an argument it always leads to , well , an argument . There is a difference between heat and light . Heat is fine when it is cold , but it is light that illuminates .
Dusty
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Yes Mike , East of the Sangre De Cristos :thumb: Springer seems a nice place .
Dusty
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Dude, What does NY have to do with my comment?
[/quote
Sorry you missed my point , which is that when we say things that don't make sense with the express purpose of starting an argument it always leads to , well , an argument . There is a difference between heat and light . Heat is fine when it is cold , but it is light that illuminates .
Dusty
Oh, my opinion was you hover too much...Be more like Rocker and let the boys argue some.........
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Oh, my opinion was you hover too much...Be more like Rocker and let the boys argue some.........
There are arguments going on all over WG , my problem is when people start calling each other out, especially over a complete misunderstanding .
The Sky is Blue , no it isn't , it is Blue , and you are a fool for thinking the sky is Blue .
Dusty
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I've yet to find any bargains anywhere in Northern New Mexico that have electricity and are within a few miles of pavement! But hey, I live in a place with pretty cheap real estate.
Probably couldn't afford anything close to Santa Fe or Taos, but have seen some nice things in Colfax County, on the eastern side of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. And they have grass and water there!
Cimarron, Miami, Springer, Maxwell, etc...
You might see what's off Hwy 518. It looked like there are several possibilities at least from the couple times through there.
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You might see what's off Hwy 518. It looked like there are several possibilities at least from the couple times through there.
Yeah. Mora is on that road. Pretty cool area, and just "over the hill" from Taos. Great motorcycle run!
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The thread has turn into the campfire discussion with the "3 Stooges". :grin: :grin: :grin: Entertaining to say the least. :shocked: :shocked: :popcorn:
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Yeah. Mora is on that road. Pretty cool area, and just "over the hill" from Taos. Great motorcycle run!
lots of acreages under $200k
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Mora_NM
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You can get some really cheap properties along many of the highways out here, as long as you aren't close to a town :)
Heck, NM still has 'fence' law. If you fence off a section of land and pay the taxes (along with back taxes) on it for seven years (I think) then it is yours. The idea being if anyone wants to contest it they can bring it up in court, or knock your fence down. Now days you have to make proper legal announcements and such, but, it is still on the books. Back taxes on some land can be quite a bit of money too. ;)
The area around Quemado and Datil is really cheap as well. A guy I knew went up there and bought 100 acres for $100 an acre. He put in his own solar and wind generation, dug a well and such. Satellite comm system. Living off grid. Only problem is he has 10 miles of dirt road to get to a highway. Then another 10miles to get to Quemado, which is about an hour from Springerville (nearest medical facilities). During winter snow and wet seasons he can't get out.
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Kev posted this morning that Guzzi riders are predisposed to not be very social. Don't know if that's true or not but my wife is the social one in our family and she reoriented me toward the idea that a good place to live is where you can have good times with people. Wild idea, huh?
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Heck, NM still has 'fence' law.
"Adverse Possession" is legal in lots of places.
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"Adverse Possession" is legal in lots of places.
And it can used to try and take land from legitimate owners...
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Yep. The wild west is alive and well in some places. :)
Kev posted this morning that Guzzi riders are predisposed to not be very social. Don't know if that's true or not but my wife is the social one in our family and she reoriented me toward the idea that a good place to live is where you can have good times with people. Wild idea, huh?
My wife keeps telling me that too. Being an anti-social Guzzi owner and an introvert engineer is an even 'better' combination. :)
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Squatting instead of fencing has different legal procedures to "get them off". A lot of states would entail would be establishing legal ownership and writ of possession then execution of the writ, aka eviction.
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What is this "retirement" thing?
Yeah some of us have that problem, to many Ex's.
I' expect to retire when I'm planted.