Worst states for retirement

[rboe]

It's when they pay to "please, don't show up". 

[JJ]

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...
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.   

[charlie b]

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.

[Lannis]

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

[oldbike54]

 Uh Charlie , you are aware that Columbia SC is really hot and humid 6 months a year , just so you know .

 Dusty

[Rough Edge racing]

 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.

[donn]

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

[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.

[charlie b]

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).

[Penderic]

And then there is the backround radiation to think about.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

Also factor in rideable days.
 http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-rideable-days-poster.html

[PeteS]

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

[Arizona Wayne]

And then there is the backround radiation to think about.

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."   

[Arizona Wayne]

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. 

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.

[Lannis]

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)

[Rough Edge racing]

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. 

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   

[Lannis]

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   

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

[rodekyll]

And then there is the backround radiation to think about.

Interesting that the map roughly coincides cratons with radon.  Cratons are the oldest bits of continent.

[ITSec]

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.

[Arizona Wayne]

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   

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.

[Arizona Wayne]

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.    There's 900+ residents here with plenty of empty lots for more.  Yard maintenance is almost non existent since we live in high desert. 

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.

[Arizona Wayne]

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.    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.

[Arizona Wayne]

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.

[Rough Edge racing]

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.    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... 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...

[Tom]

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?

[Arizona Wayne]

  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... 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.  Tho some of my neighbors tell my wife I yell/cuss too much for their liking.   She explains to them why. 

[old head]

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

[Gliderjohn]

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

[charlie b]

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.

[Tom]

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.

[Arizona Wayne]

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').