Freeper Suggestions on Where to Retire

Me | 4 Dec 2001 | Me

[hattend]

I am looking for suggestions from FReepers in lower 48 for city/state recommendations on where to retire.

I have pretty much decided on the western US (excluding the Pacific Coast states) and would lean to the southwestern states. I would stay in Alaska but I am tired of the long winter nights.

Would prefer acreage but you can try to convince me to live in town. :-)

If you know of any on-line newspaper links that have the classified, a URL would be appreciated.

Thanks
Don

[Balata]

Interesting comments on your thread. Obviously some people won't be happy no matter where they live and other people will be happy wherever they live. With that in mind, let me add to the discussion on Colorado. Many areas of Colorado are rated very high for retirement. An area of the state considered a diamond in the rough by some is the Spanish Peaks area. The Spanish Peaks were recently designated a wilderness area. The view is spectacular, the cost of living is low, it is located in the Southern part of the state with easy access to the front range in winter and summer. It is close enough to the metropolatain area for health care, cultural events, professional sporting events, but far enough to have the serenity of the mountains. Check out the towns of LaVeta and Cuchara in this area. Good luck on your search.

[alaskanfan]

One word dude, Homer. You would like Alaska more if you didn't live in the interior.

[andysandmikesmom]

Well, here is my two cents worth....I have lived in three very different parts of the country....first off, I lived in Chicago for the first 32 years of my life...then we lived in Fayetteville North Carolina for five years...and we have been out in the Pacific northwest for almost 20 yrs now...three different places, each with their own drawbacks and each with something to attract....

In Chicago, I loved the hustle and bustle of the big city, the museums, the zoos, the stores, the cultural attractions...

In North Carolina, we loved the food, the warmth of the people, the beachs of the coast, and the history of the past...

In the Pacific Northwest we love the mountains, the forests, the ocean, the food, the climate{yes, even with all the rain, we prefer the temperate climates}

So I guess I try to look for the good in the places we live....

In four years the hubby and I will be retiring..Where? Well, no where specific...we plan to become elderly gypsies, living out of our RV most of the year, driving the highways, driving the backroads, seeing what there is to see, hoping to visit new states, seeing new sights, meeting new folks...

And we plan to keep going that way, until our son decides we are a menace to the highways, and commits us to a nursing home, or until we die, and they need to pry our hands from the steering wheel...

For us anyway, retirement means getting out there, and seeing what there is to see, and doing what there is to do...

[Jethro Tull]

"Is he part of the Distinguished Speaker Series?"

He's being hosted by the Penn State College Republicans. I just happened to pick up a copy of The Daily Collegian and spotted the ad.

What are you doing in Chester?

Can't you find a way to earn a living here???

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

Sitting on a park bench
Eying deep fried turkey with bad intent!!

[NittanyLion]

What are you doing in Chester?

Working.

Can't you find a way to earn a living here???

I sure wish I could, but in my field the vast majority of folks work for sizable corporations. If I come back to State College it'll be to teach, but that's a ways off.

[Jethro Tull]

#145: Great tune, Eh?

Speaking of tunes.

Bob Dylan was here last month. He sang exactly one song I knew, "All along the Watchtower."

Well, if you thought he had no voice in the 60's...

[paul51]

Can you be specific when mentioning SC and NC. Looking to buy near the coast with some property/privacy.

Yup. That's the ticket. I'll be right behind you.

[Jethro Tull]

I understand....

Young Tull is sitting for a Patton Township PD exam.

They're paying $34K to keep the bears in line....

[hattend]

One word dude, Homer. You would like Alaska more if you didn't live in the interior.

I love Alaska!!! But right now it is 11:30AM and the sun just came up. It'll set in another 3 hours. In 3 weeks we're down to 1.5 hours of "sun".

You're right, the coastal region is warmer, has a little more light...but my job is here (for now until that retirement date) so I can't/won't move.

The long nights over the winter get me down, the long days in the summer make me irritable. It's just me, the state is great!!!

I retire in a few years and I'm looking to buy a house or property in the next year or so...hence the thread.

[TC Rider]

I wouldn't even consider NC. We have hurricanes almost constantly.

If you like sports, our teams are all overrated.

Don't buy into the lies about year round golf either.

Seriously, my Mom and Dad retired to Boulder City, Nevada about 15 years ago and still love it. It's about 15 miles south of Vegas, very quiet and sedate. Need a little action, hop in the car and head up the road.

My parents never cook, they manage to track down a free buffet nearly every night and breakfast is only $.99, 24/7, all over town.

[Viet Vet in Augusta GA]

Lots of golf courses, several public. Augusta National (where they play the Masters) ain't the only course in town.

[Hardcorps]

May I suggest Arkansas. Wait! don't stop reading. Arkansas is a compilation of people from all walks and beliefs. I have lived in 14 different states but Arkansas is the only one that makes sense. Whatever you like or dislike will be here but not in spades. I never lock my doors or car, it is not unusual for me to return home and discover that my house has been cleaned from top to bottom by neighbors out of the kindness of their heart. Why, I don't know why.... that is what makes it great.

[HardStarboard]

>>>Sequim, Washington. Outside of Seattle, Washington is Bush Country.<<<

Sequim may be Bush country - but the State of Washington is as socialist/liberal/antiWTO/antiRetaliation for 911 as you can get - particularly the Puget Sound area.

One other draw back to Sequim, WA - your 2.5 hours and a ferry ride away from Seattle and any of the "big city" necessities like first class medical care and Nordstroms (if thats your thing). Other than that its very pretty and its in a rain-shadow banna-belt kind of location.

[maxwell]

FLORIDA!

(Just kidding...)

[StarFan]

Thanks for the links. I am familiar with realtor.com which is somewhat limited with the information they provide (having been spoiled by sites which have virtual tours or interior photos). Will certainly check out Beaufort, NC and hope a beach is nearby. Do have any knowledge about Mount Pleasant or James Island in SC?

Hattend - try www.ired.com (international real estate digest) which shows new communities, properties for sale by owner, etc., throughout the US. I believe they also have demographics regarding different communites which is most helpful.

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

Yeah.....ahem.......that old voice warn't so bad after all

[hattend]

www.ired.com

Thanks!

[1L]

Augusta National (where they play the Masters) ain't the only course in town.

That's the one I (and millions of my friends) am interested in.