Retirement location

kbg32 said:
Cal,

I found the same politeness in Texas. But at night, after work, these were the same people who covered themselves in bedsheets burning crosses on other peoples lawns......
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Really?

So, how many KKK cross burnings have you witnessed?

I consider this a ridiculous, politically motivated lie, unless you have proof!

And as my liberal friends are apt to say, "the seriousness of the charge requires investigation"!

I've lived along time in Texas, and frankly, the only KKK member I've ever seen is the now deceased Democrat Senator from West Virginia, Robert Byrd, who was a Grand Dragon of the KKK, and the longest serving member of the U S Congress in history - 51 years! Guess you missed him?

Texsport
 
If you don't mind a moderate climate with overcast, above-freezing winters, look at the following:

The Oregon Coast, particularly Florence, Manzanita and Gearhart. The last two are two hours from Portland. Gearhart is particularly special. The city of Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River is also worth checking out.

Port Townsend, Washington, roughly two hours from Seattle, a Victorian seaport with an eclectic, laid-back vibe.

Tofino, BC, an amazing place although more remote than the others.
 
I would retire to Portugal if I could swing it. I adore Lisbon and the countryside is nice too. Friendly people, mild weather (at least in the south), and English widely spoken.

Within North America, however, if you're looking for mild weather and moderate prices, I'd seriously investigate Oregon and far northern California (mainly on the coast). Ashland is attractive and retiree friendly and although house prices are somewhat high there are nearby areas (Medford) which are less expensive. The Arcata/Eureka area on the California coast has reasonable house prices, a state university, NPR, decent restaurants, very progressive politics, and lots of redwoods (and other vegetation which shall go nameless).
 
Texsport said:
Really?

So, how many KKK cross burnings have you witnessed?

I consider this a ridiculous, politically motivated lie, unless you have proof!

And as my liberal friends are apt to say, "the seriousness of the charge requires investigation"!

I've lived along time in Texas, and frankly, the only KKK member I've ever seen is the now deceased Democrat Senator from West Virginia, Robert Byrd, who was a Grand Dragon of the KKK, and the longest serving member of the U S Congress in history - 51 years! Guess you missed him?

Texsport
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Tex, would not surprise me if there are more KKK / white supremacist members here in Pennsylvania than you will find in Texas.

Randy
 
Dear Jon, I'll be here till the end of June (for now, hopefully I'll stay longer). We have a huge guest room available for you anytime you decide to come by! It will be great to meet you again!

Regards,

Boris
 
Vancouver, Washington. Mild climate year round.
No income tax in the state of Washington.
No sales tax in Oregon.
Live in Vancouver and cross the river and buy things in Portland, Oregon.
My retirement is several years away but I have a plan.
 
Eric T said:
Vancouver, Washington. Mild climate year round.
No income tax in the state of Washington.
No sales tax in Oregon.
Live in Vancouver and cross the river and buy things in Portland, Oregon.
My retirement is several years away but I have a plan.
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That's interesting: living in Florida and planning to retire in the northwest. 🙂
 
I've also thought about Albuquergue or Easterm TN or Western NC...

Flagstaff AZ was intersting, but have only spent one night there. Hated Sedona, found Jerome fascinating.

The food would be better in ABQ though.
 
I have chosen Nice, France, as the place I want to retire.

I chose Nice for a variety of reasons. First, it is next to the sea (important to my wife), next, I love the shops, buildings, and architecture. Also, the weather is good, much less humid than here in Tokyo, and warmer in the winter. Lastly, and importantly, the food there agrees with me. I love the food in Japan, and I love American food as well, but I have often had digestion problems. The food from around the mediterranean simply agrees with my body. Perhaps it is because my family originally came from France, they fled the revolution and emigrated to America.

Another reason is that I love cycling, and did a fair amount in southern Europe in past years.

My French is passable, but English is widely spoken in the area, because it is the common language of tourists and other retirees who have come from the UK and other parts of Europe.
 
Al Patterson said:
I've also thought about Albuquergue or Easterm TN or Western NC...

Flagstaff AZ was intersting, but have only spent one night there. Hated Sedona, found Jerome fascinating.

The food would be better in ABQ though.
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I have lived in Albuquerque (any dish with green chile is wonderful), and spent time in Flagstaff, Sedona, and even Jerome. When I was very young, my father owned a gasoline station/garage on Route 66, west of Albuquerque. I spent a lot of time in the back seat of my father's un-airconditioned '59 Chevy, as my parents drove to places as far away as Kingman, Yuma, Carlsbad, or Amarillo. Few children ever asked "are we there yet?" as much as I did.

Jerome is an interesting place, as you say, but is a little touristy nowadays. When I was younger, it truly was the ghost town it was claimed to be, and quite a spooky place. I explored the hillsides, abandoned buildings, and the old mines (as far as I dared), and spooky as the place was, it was appealing to me in a way. I used to count the wrecks of the cars which had gone over the edge of the highway as it switches back and forth to the top of Mingus mountain.

Sedona has become a sphere of, what? empty-headed would-be hippies born in the wrong era (though some are authentic hippies, grey now, hair still long, though less of it remains), or wrong planet. Crystals, turquoise jewellery; psychics, shamans and witch doctors with painted white faces and indian names. The scenery is beautiful, and the selection of vegetarian dishes is great, but I would go nuts if I had to live among such people for more than two hours.

The world is a big place, take a look at as many places as possible before choosing.
 
Eric T said:
Vancouver, Washington. Mild climate year round.
No income tax in the state of Washington.
No sales tax in Oregon.
Live in Vancouver and cross the river and buy things in Portland, Oregon.
My retirement is several years away but I have a plan.
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I agree. I live in Portland but the taxes are income and property and sometimes kinda high. Good access to health care and easy access to both the mountains and the beach. Plus the beauty of the Columbia Gorge and with climate change, really mild winters! There is the occasional snow storm and every winter a wind storm comes through and uproots a tree or two. Just remember, health care is one of the major expenses for retirees. Have fun planning.
 
San Miguel de Allende: great year-round climate, relatively affordable, safe and friendly, good healthy food, large resident anglophone expat community. Somewhat hard on the feet (cobblestones, no sidewalks).
 
I've travelled extensively (although not yet to America) through work - particularly in Asia. I've got two suggestions:

1) Retirement locations are like cameras, one size does not fit all and there is no single perfect location. All places have good and bad points.

To deal with this: Outline your requirements from 'essential' through to 'nice to have'. From language, medical, living expenses, weather, people, proximity, population density.... there are many factors you need to consider and this will help you narrow down the options.

2) Travel. If I were looking for a place to retire, after narrowing it down to a few countries - travel them extensively.
 
I've travelled a fair bit around the world from my home in England and I've lived in Wales and Scotland. Ultimately, however, I always look forward to getting back home. Yes, it rains too much and it's far from cheap to live over here and there's too many cars and the trains are perpetually late or cancelled. But give me a little house on a small patch of ground, somewhere "up north" where there's a few hills in which to roam and a river to sit by and I'll be happy.
 
If I possibly could, I'd move to Hawai'i in a heartbeat, but even if I could get a visa, which I couldn't, the cost of living I think is very high indeed.
 
Frank
The most important item you have to worry about is out of country medical coverage. This is serious stuff and you cannot get the "quality" coverage over the bank counter. Any previous medical history must be put down as they have ways of not paying. When you reach 3 score and 10 or more like me the rates are through the roof; "if they will even cover you and your partner". Be selective on the firm you select as you will need the coverage in time. Good Luck, as weather is one small item you have to think about.
 
Another important factor, at least for me, is the ability to travel from where I live. In the UK I used to fly on silly-cheap short-notice packages, e.g. Malta at £99 each for two weeks (that was 15 years ago). Now I can drive anywhere in Europe quickly and easily, e.g. down to Spain to buy superb hams or over to Hungary for the spas.

This, incidentally, is why I wouldn't fancy Portugal, delightful though most of it is: you have to cross a lot of Spain before you even get to France, and then a lot of France to get to Central Europe.

Cheers,

R.
 
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