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Best State to Retire To


Aunt Jen

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What is the best state to retire to?

 

I don't mean gun laws, I live in CA, now, and I deal w it.

 

I mean everything: lower cost of living; housing costs; cultural qualities/events/things to do, from plays to arena sports to amusement parks; climate; etc.

 

??

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Well, I decided to retire in Arizona.

 

Here is what Forbes recommends.

 

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eehd45eejif/10th-best-state-texas-tie/

Funny that the number one state has a cost of living that makes coastal California look like a bargain.

 

Tax wise South Dakota has a lot of advantages.

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We chose Texas. No state income tax but most will say high property tax. Coming from Mid Atlantic even with the high property taxes you get more house for the money so taxes are in effect lower. Nice climate, as bones now hate the cold and if I want to see snow, I will travel to see it. Currently in El Paso where the temps are high, but first place I have lived where the heat index is lower than the actual temp. Retiring about 40 miles south of DFW in the Brazos river valley. Has trees and small town atmosphere but 30 minutes to what some call culture of a big city. Main thing for us is state is very military and retiree friendly. Get free vehicle tags being a vet, lower tuition costs, free hunting and fishing licenses, free parking, etc. Little things add up. Also people are very friendly. They wave with their whole hand and not just one finger like mid Atlantic..... :)

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I pay about 30% less in taxes since I moved to Texas from California. House here is valued the same as the one I had in California. Texas property taxes are higher but not paying income taxes results in a substantial net savings.

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These "Best State" lists make me chuckle. Some goober in a NYC magazine office assesses where you and I should retire based upon.....where most people have already retired. Everyone is going to approach this differently. For my bride and I, we're looking at trying to make it affordable to live where our family and friends already are. I can cut expenses and make a little money, but it's harder to cut out family connections and make new friends. So we'll try to stay in MA (on the Cape) by downsizing into our cottage year-round, selling the suburban Boston house, modifying our lifestyle a bit, and, in the first place, working to 70 to maximize the SS payments. God willing, our health will hold long enough to enjoy the eventual retirement.

 

As for the Southwest tax havens with longer life expectancies - I couldn't live out of sight and sound of the ocean. Even in a smaller, old man sailboat, nothing restores my soul like a day on the water. And I think, at 70, I will need that.

 

LL

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Look at North Carolina. From the Parkway in the mountains to the Outer Banks, the parks are excellent and the variety is. Highest mountains on the east coast. Outer Banks. Variety? Excellence?

 

Half the guys in the 3 radio control model airplane clubs I'm in retired to here from out of state. The majority of shooters in the gun clubs around here are from out of state. Did you notice the mention of clubs was plural?

 

After living in Minnesnowta (MSP), Atlanta, Miami, and a couple other "cultural centers", we're tickled to be within a short drive of Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh. We're even more tickled to NOT live in those 3. Our neighborhood has a couple of deer herds that call our neighborhood's "community property" home. They like the private walking trail area where Muddy and Mill creeks come together.

 

The 15 minute drive to an indoor range goes through the middle of the town Lord Cornwallis and his troops stopped in on the way to the two battles that lost the Revolution for him. I turn right at the house he slept in. I understand he wasn't happy with the area. Personal opinions are often biased. The people in Bethania, Bathabara, and "old" Salem (it was actually new then) liked it enough to move there for much the same reasons you're looking for.

 

We recently enjoyed the US Skating Championships in GSO. The ice dancing was what Alice really enjoyed most. We used to skate in Minneapolis. We can do that at the Dixie Classic Fairground in town (where the US Championships (for model airplanes) was held some years back). Pro sports isn't much but that's partly because of the interest in college sports has always been very strong. Tickets are getting easier to come by thanks to the changes in students nowadays.

 

Within about an hours drive there are 6-8 very good gun clubs that do monthly matches and have top notch towns built. Also in that drive time there are gardens like Duke Gardens, at Duke University an eyeful in itself. We've got iris starting to show in the front yard. The Azalea Festival in Wilmington is coming.

 

Lots of things, every year.

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I agree with Loophole, I need the ocean.

A lot of retirees are flocking to Maine. ?? Which I don't understand, we have long winters, high taxes, & a high cost of living.

But for me it is great, only 3 1/2 hours from my girls and Fenway. Also we don't have to restrictive gun laws and pretty good hunting.

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What is the best state to retire to?

 

I don't mean gun laws, I live in CA, now, and I deal w it.

 

I mean everything: lower cost of living; housing costs; cultural qualities/events/things to do, from plays to arena sports to amusement parks; climate; etc.

 

??

 

Maybe not a matter of what "state" . . . . all states have a multitude of different areas / conditions. Maybe a matter of where in what state.

 

I'm here in California . . . . but where I'm at suits me . . . .

 

. . . in a sort of a semi- remote area . . . near Landers . . . White Horse Movie Ranch just 3/4 mile from my own 5 acres. A "real town" ( yucky valley ) not too far away for shopping. Property cheap. Bought my 5 acres with a slab and usable framed cottage on it for 7,000 cash. Pioneer Town not too far away for mingling with other reenactors and participating in western skits. I am involved in a movie production this coming Fri., Sat., Sunday at White Horse . . . will be a fun three days visiting with others who do movie background / bit parts as part of their western hobby. Elevation 3,000 ft. Not too hot in summer ( like low desert ) . . not really wintery in the winter. Lots of open territory between my place and the neighbors . . . . most of it BLM land that will not get built up ( at least in my life time ). Many other places around the area available at low cost. Some are "re build projects" ( like mine ), some inhabitable as they are.

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Howdy,

Ive been rethinking the best place to retire.

One good friend retired to Missouri and he had some convincing homework

as to taxes and so on.

Taxes means property tax, income tax, sales tax and gas tax.

Also if property is over valued then the tax is higher, sneaky huh?

 

The medical facilities. A good friend moved to Kentucky, said I was a fool for

staying in Illinois. I had a dental problem, I went to the dentist, went to a specialist,

had things under control within a day. He had a similar problem and it took him

a MONTH to get his situation under control.

 

Another consideration is availability of part time jobs.

Some folks want to stay at a job of some kind.

 

And as to gun friendly, If you stay in a non friendly state and help get rid of

anti laws, it is a bit of a victory.

good luck with your quest.

Best

CR

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You look a little young to be retiring Aunt Jen, I seen the picture of you with Griz, must say you do not look old enough to retire and I might say you are a very good looking woman, just thought I would throw that out, but if you can retire looking like that, more power to you, I know people that have retired at a young age, just wished I could have but it wasn't in the cards, I am retired now and have been for 4 years after putting in 37 years at my job

 

 

All for now JD Trampas

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Back in the 80's, my wife and I spent 10 years looking for that ideal spot to spend our "golden years". We almost retired in Payson, Az., but couldn't make a deal in the piece of property we were interested in. Finally bought some acerage in SW Colorado. Love this area and have been here 15 years. Don't like the Denver area and I-25 corridor, just too damn many people.

 

Finding your perfect retirement place is a very personal choice. Both of us were born and raised in southern California and realized we wanted to spend our retirement years in a rural setting. Took awhile to find it, and we feel very lucky to have done just that.

 

Good luck in your search!

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We will be buying land in MT soon, preparing to build our 'forever' home. MT is my original home so I'm looking forward to getting back there. Since we love the cold and winter, it's not a big deal.

 

On a recent trip to MT, my bride of nearly 31 years remarked: "It's a lot like Colorado but with water."

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Hmmm... Good info al. Tks, JD. I'm looking into it, though. Need to know before it's needed, and flying teaches me it's wise to look ahead.

 

Also, I'm learning so I can consider long-term house price changes, cultural values as they evolve, etc. I do sense problems in Oxnard, CA, where I am now. Neighborhood's not as good. Need to be aware of possible move.

 

I have to say, also, that while it is easy to see good things about other areas, I feel anchored here, as of yet, because of places I went with my husband. I could retire somewhere with great advantages, even well-appreciated lower costs, yet find myself missing places we shared a lot, as they're all I have left.

 

One of those is the ocean. I have a small sailboat. I sail just offshore---/that, or standing on the beach, gives me vision, clarity.

 

I see, as these years approach, a growing disparity: on the one hand, a logical move for practicality, cost, fresh change; on the other, staying so I do not lament the loss of our haunts. I fear living with good surroundings, but then a pain that I can no longer go to an ocean beach.

 

I don't think both well and fast at the same time. Remember how long it took me to choose a Sharps? To agree to reload? :)

 

It's important I work on this, learn, and grow into something.

 

So QUESTION: When you move to a new area, do you lament the loss of the old?

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Take your time and enjoy the search. I would think you would lament the loss of the old but that would soon pass to a degree especially if you really liked the new place. We were going to move to Camp Verde, Az. last year but my wife has five sisters here in San Diego county and leaving them wasn't something she wanted to do. We live on nine acres that need lots of maintenance and we're starting to really see that we can't continue to do it. We'll be making changes in the not so distant future but probably not to far from where we are now.

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Maybe not a matter of what "state" . . . . all states have a multitude of different areas / conditions. Maybe a matter of where in what state.

 

I'm here in California . . . . but where I'm at suits me . . . .

 

. . . in a sort of a semi- remote area . . . near Landers . . . White Horse Movie Ranch just 3/4 mile from my own 5 acres. A "real town" ( yucky valley ) not too far away for shopping. Property cheap. Bought my 5 acres with a slab and usable framed cottage on it for 7,000 cash. Pioneer Town not too far away for mingling with other reenactors and participating in western skits. I am involved in a movie production this coming Fri., Sat., Sunday at White Horse . . . will be a fun three days visiting with others who do movie background / bit parts as part of their western hobby. Elevation 3,000 ft. Not too hot in summer ( like low desert ) . . not really wintery in the winter. Lots of open territory between my place and the neighbors . . . . most of it BLM land that will not get built up ( at least in my life time ). Many other places around the area available at low cost. Some are "re build projects" ( like mine ), some inhabitable as they are.

I spent 9 years at China Lake. Wife and I loved the high desert. Problem was we were too far from family. Took 2 or 3 days of driving to see any of the kids and both our parents were in Mo and TN. Move to TX was a compromise on driving distances and where I could get a job. Hated my last one but stuck it out 2 years till I landed this one.

 

We miss the high desert but will probably never go back because we want to be closer to family.

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.........

So QUESTION: When you move to a new area, do you lament the loss of the old?

Of course we do. At least the places that were good and memorable. They really aren't lost. We also find it pleasant to go back for visits.

 

The people we met along the trail who made the way better are never lost. And they wouldn't want us to stop our journey.

 

Want to see what's over the rise? An example of a Tarheel cowtown..... http://www.walnutgroverangers.com/

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Aunt Jen,

 

My wife and I just moved from SoCal, (Pasadena Area) from a town that I was born in, to Idaho in a semi rural area 20 miles outside Boise. I have been enjoying it my wife not so much, the cost of living is lower and the pace of life is slower and it is nice to see something other then people and cars. The people are friendly and open, and there is more money left at the end of the month rather then more month left at the end of the money. The change in seasons is quite nice, make sure you have winter clothing. I do miss the places I use to know and go to but they are not as I remember or too crowed.

 

Old Top

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My wife and I have decided to move away from Philadelphia PA to the Pocono mountains, where we have our vacation home. 3 SASS clubs within a 45 minute drive. At least 6 gun clubs within 30 minutes. Relatives nearby. Between New Years and the end of March, we're going to "make the rounds" of the relatives who have homes in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.

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One of the more popular themes is to be close to family. However, I have none as such. I have them, but they're scattered to the four winds, literally from the midwest to New Zealand, and even if they were closer, I"m on a very different page than they. Oil and water, where neither is bad; just different and don't mix. So I think I need to look to the community/surroundings/area for entertainment and connection.

 

I'm guessing it'll be something near (edges) of a major city that is growing, full of new things to see and do --- just haven't found that yet, and, while most of anything I'd do would transfer, the boat... I'd miss sailing to Catalina, or something like that. Phoenix has a lot of good to offer, but Florida has an ocean... :) Just thinking.

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I grew up in Idaho, all of my family is in the Northwest still. Like Aunt Jen just said though... Oil and water there.

 

All that aside, I'd love to live out there again, but last time my wife and I looked, we'd either have to seriously downgrade our quality of life, or I'd have to win the lottery.

 

Price for land and especially land with a house on it, has gone through the roof out there.

 

The place we're in now in TN, would cost us three times as much where I grew up in central Idaho, or more.

 

So, pretty sure I'm in my retirement state, and home. We're not far from her family in KY.

 

I don't know how TN compares for property tax to some of the other places, but property tax is less than 15% of our home note each month. And we have no income tax. We're about an hour from the KY border, so we try to plan and make large purchases there. TN has a pretty steep sales tax, but fuel is lower on average throughout the state.

 

Edit: Just remembered our property tax is actually "farm" tax... Residential is a different rate, might not be much less than elsewhere.

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You should never lament the loss of the old or even consider it a loss. You should treasure fond memories instead.

As far as a place to retire, it's far to individual a decision for me to make recommendations. We tokk several years and logged thousands of milesmin our search. Taxes, cost of living, facilities, climate, population, infrastructure, etc etc are all factors that we considered. We are content with our decision.

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I agree with Loophole, I need the ocean.

A lot of retirees are flocking to Maine. ?? Which I don't understand, we have long winters, high taxes, & a high cost of living.

But for me it is great, only 3 1/2 hours from my girls and Fenway. Also we don't have to restrictive gun laws and pretty good hunting.

 

And you have the Kittery Trading Post and the York Harbor Inn!!!!

 

LL

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Guest Hoss Carpenter, SASS Life 7843

As Farmer Tom says about Tennessee; East TN is a great place to retire. Especially the Chattanooga area; it is a "Big Small" town in so many ways. Lots of beauty, history, music and on the Tenn River. Up River 8 miles past the Dam is a 36,000 acre Lake loaded with Bass and boating, to include a ton of Sail Boats.

 

No State Income Tax and very low Property taxes; food and adult beverages reasonable, and some of the lowest gas prices in the country. Biggest good deal, four good SASS Clubs close by; you can shoot every Sat at a different Club!

 

Good Luck, Hoss

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Living in SoCal and spending lots of time at Catalina in our boat are all missed. BUT....not enough to return. We still see our friends and family when they come to visit. We have our memories of the ocean, fishing and diving, but now have a smaller boat (22' pontoon) and spend lots of time at the local lakes and Lake Powell. We love the slower pace and living in the "country".

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I'm way too rooted here to even think of retiring someplace else. One thing about the Puget Sound area, you have salt water and big mountains an hour apart. I'm a serious cross-country skier and backpacker so this is where it's at.

 

In addition, of our 12 grandkids, 9 are in walking distance and the other 3 are 30 miles away. This is another great advantage of this area, by and large, your kids stay in the area, because it's beautiful and, on balance, the economy stays strong over the years and decades.

 

Ain't going nowhere! The really hard thing for me is deciding to retire....

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Thank youall. Your comments are helpful.

 

I'm hearing Washington, Utah, Arizona, California, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Maine, Massachusetts...

 

Sometimes I thinhk all new, new house, etc., is revitalizing.

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Hi Aunt Jen,

 

The dream interpreters would tell yo uthat dreams about houses are dreams about sould, and changing houses is about making changes in our own soul, ourself. Won't get into a philosophical debate on that issue, other than to say that I do tend to agree with it a bit.

 

We have just returned from living overseas for a few years, and during the time leading up to our departure we had been discussing where to retire to; stay in Puget Sounds, or move to Baker City Oregon.

 

Economically Baker City makes sense, as cost of most things is about 2/3 what it is here in King County, Wa. That's like a 50% pay raise in retirement income. Their weather is tolerable - a bit of snow in the winter and it do get hotter in the summer. There is a good SASS club some 40 miles away, and a lot of National Parks and other cool stuff a day drive or so away.

 

There are on-line cost of living calculators that will compare two cities, using a few dozen markers to give you a feel for relative costs, check one out (google is your friend).

 

However as we discovered, we're not ready to move away from kids and grandkids, two years away was a long time! Further, as we age, our desire to have benign weather starts taking higher precedence, and Puget Sound is pretty nice even if it does rain a mite.

 

King county is killing us with taxes, it's truly left coast mentality, but there are other counties, and moving to Skagit Valley has a great deal of appeal to us. We still think Baker City could happen, as could parts of Idaho, but until the kids settle down one way or the other, we're staying loose. We only want to move one more time, so it's worth taking a few years to dwell on it, and to take trips in both summer and winter and check it out. Getting the local news papers will also give you a touch on the pulse of the town.

 

No rush to decide, sometimes the fantasy is better than reality as well . . .

 

Shadow Catcher

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Thank youall. Your comments are helpful.

 

I'm hearing Washington, Utah, Arizona, California, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Maine, Massachusetts...

 

Sometimes I thinhk all new, new house, etc., is revitalizing.

 

Every place I've moved into was new.

To me.

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Guest Hoss Carpenter, SASS Life 7843

Aunt Jen, just remember this : Everybody has to be somewhere".

 

All the places "we" have talked about are great; it is up to you to settle on a place.

 

Cheers Hoss

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