Rank these locations in order of where you'd rather retire and why

[justme6272]

You've probably read articles online about 'best places to retire' and there are even websites where you can answer a survey of what's important to you and they process it and spit out suggestions based on things like climate, population, continuing education opportunity, cost of living, tax burden, quality of health care, hobbies such as hiking, or scenery such as beaches, mountains, etc.

Think about the things you would want, but with the limitations listed below, ranking them in order from 1 to 7, along with any comments you may have as to why. There's only one stipulation....for housing, you've only got $125,000 to work with, be it house, condo, or townhouse. If you prefer to rent, then the limit on rent is whatever a $125,000 house would rent for in that respective market. I know that's not much, but consider that there may be less expensive housing in smaller cities not too far from the big city, where demand is less. Or, there may come a recession where housing prices plummet and that's your chance to pounce.

If you don't like any of the city choices due to them being too crowded, just list the state and I'll assume it to mean a smaller city/town in that state. The choices are:

1. Las Vegas, NV
2. Colorado Springs, CO
3. Nashville, TN
4. Albuquerque, NM
5. Your choice of city in TX
6. Your choice of city in FL
7. Your choice of city in either of the Carolinas

Yes you can mix your own choices in with the above if you wish, but my main concern is still your order of the ones listed. Just numbers is ok, without having to type them all out. List reasons if you can, such as "I've always been great at poker and would make a killing in Vegas," or, "I haven't given up my dream of country music stardom, so Nashville."

This doesn't have to be about just your preferences necessarily. i.e. - "I have to be close to my kids and grandkids and they can't be more than 2 hours from a ski slope."

Thanks for participating.

 

[Basil the Great]

This was a hobby of mine about 20 years ago. I actually spent hundreds of hours researching the best place for my retirement. For multiple reasons, I have been retired now for a few years and decided to stay and not relocate, though I suppose that I could always change my mind.

First, while some of the basic facts apply to most everyone, we must remember that much of this is personal. We all have our specials needs, likes, dislikes, etc. However, seniors need health care more than younger folks, so it is usually important to at least live relatively close to a decent sized hospital, though one's own health status determines much of the importance in this area.

Now, as far as what you listed, much of it did not apply to my top list of possibilities, but some did.
(7) FL is too crowded, too humid, too much crime, etc for my tastes. Never did I have a single town in FL on my top 50 list of possible retirement cities.
(6) I suppose Nashville is next. It is also hot and humid and a fair amount of crime I suspect. No place in TN made it onto my list of possibles.
(5) Las Vegas might have the pretty sunsets of the desert, but I am not a gambler and sooner or later I have to believe that this fast growing metro area will run low on water. I believe that the crime rate there is also pretty high. Even with your option of picking another town in the state, and I will take you up on that very soon, but I do not think that there is one for me in NV.
(4) I guess Colorado/Colorado Springs is next. This choice has some merit. The climate is relatively mild and you have scenery. However, the altitude in much of CO is probably too high for me. I do recommend though that others consider the state.
(3) The Carolinas..... well, again these states are too hot and humid for my taste, as well as high crime rates in many areas. I guess Boone, in the NC mountains, but not too high like much of CO, would be a pretty good place. There is even a college there. However, it might be a drive to a major hospital.
(2) Texas - I did consider Fredericksburg for a short time and Alpine, a small town in SW TX. Finally, I decided that Canyon, a small college town in the Panhandle, a little south of Amarillo, was/is the top place in TX for me.
(1) No, definitely not Albuquerque. i do not like big cities with their traffic and high crime rates. However, Alamogordo in the S/SE part of the state I did seriously consider. It is a small to medium sized town with a low crime rate for NM. It has the beauty of White Sands nearby and no doubt spectacular sunsets.
(0) You did not list AZ and that surprises me some, since many retire there or are snowbirds only and go for the winter. I did consider Prescott, as well as Payson. Both are in the mountains, but not as high as CO Springs.

Honestly, much of this is so very personal. Some love the ocean views and other prefer the deserts. Some like it hot and others prefer a more temperate climate, though few seniors choose to go further North. If you need to ski, then that might be why you skipped AZ, though I do believe that the San Francisco Peaks at Flagstaff might suffice and that is certainly within driving distance to Prescott. There are mountains just to the East of Alamogordo. I do not know. You could do research and see if they have skiing available. Obviously, no skiing in FL at all and I guess none in TX. I am sure that there is some near Sante Fe and certainly at Taos, so Northern NM is an option. As for NC, there might be some skiing in the mountains, but none in SC it would seem. It would seem like CO Springs might be your best option, but keep doping your research. I wish to you the best of luck.

 

[PloverWing]

Beautiful natural scenery and nearness to a large body of water are very important to me, if I get to pick where I retire. (Constraints like nearness to family might override my preferences, but if I really get to pick...)

Other items I look for include cultural diversity, nearness to a college/university, warm climate, and affordability.

With that in mind, it probably comes out like this:

6 - FL (a coastal city, maybe the Tampa area)
7 - NC (a coastal city, maybe Elizabeth City)
5 - TX (again, a coastal city, maybe Galveston or Houston)

The other spots are way too far inland, but if you must...

3 - Nashville
2 - Colorado Springs
4 - Albuquerque
1 - Las Vegas

Places I've seriously considered retiring are Florida, the Chesapeake Bay area, Massachusetts, and the area of Vermont near Lake Champlain (but that last has a wicked climate!).

 

[bèlla]

Boston, MA.

Great business climate. Educated population (and great schools). Strong economy. Low crime. Moderate taxes. Good proximity to neighboring states. Eco-friendly with a good farming community. Excellent health care. Promotes wellness and physical fitness. Numerous lifelong learning opportunities for young and old. Burgeoning community of artisans and craftsmen. Good culture.

I have a great affinity for Boston and haven't developed the same with other areas in the states. The cold has its drawbacks. A winter retreat in a warmer area is a likely outcome. Overall, its a wonderful place to live and I've enjoyed my visits every time.

~Bella

 

[Little Lantern]

2 Colorado Springs- The atmosphere is light and invigorating, and
a number of ministries I like are nearby
7 Carolinas- North Carolina specifically
6 Florida- Warm and coastal
5 Texas
3 Nashville
4 Albuquerque
1 Las Vegas

 

[gym_class_hero]

I spent a couple years in NC as a Marine and have an affinity for NC/SC so I’d have to go with the Outer Banks or Charleston. Charleston is pretty trendy now tho so maybe one of the smaller cities nearby. You have the ocean, the history and the cool old southern architecture. plus a minor league baseball team. I’ve often thought a part time gig at a Mlb stadium would be a cool retirement gig. My nephew owns a small charter fishing outfit in the Outer Banks area so that would be cool as well.

 

[returntosender]

England
I recently started watching a show on DABL that has realtors in Areas of England selling available properties. I am amazed at the beauty of the properties and the difference in costs from the US. There is so much beauty in their housing.
Artistic, there is a better word I just can't think of it right now.
Our houses are square boxes next to asphalt.
nothing beautiful or creative. Their houses would sell for double here because of the beauty not to mention the rolling hills of green. The views are breathtaking Too late for me now but I can still dream. Next wish would be by the ocean. Probably San Diego.

 

[Joyous Song]

You've probably read articles online about 'best places to retire' and there are even websites where you can answer a survey of what's important to you and they process it and spit out suggestions based on things like climate, population, continuing education opportunity, cost of living, tax burden, quality of health care, hobbies such as hiking, or scenery such as beaches, mountains, etc.

Think about the things you would want, but with the limitations listed below, ranking them in order from 1 to 7, along with any comments you may have as to why. There's only one stipulation....for housing, you've only got $125,000 to work with, be it house, condo, or townhouse. If you prefer to rent, then the limit on rent is whatever a $125,000 house would rent for in that respective market. I know that's not much, but consider that there may be less expensive housing in smaller cities not too far from the big city, where demand is less. Or, there may come a recession where housing prices plummet and that's your chance to pounce.

If you don't like any of the city choices due to them being too crowded, just list the state and I'll assume it to mean a smaller city/town in that state. The choices are:

1. Las Vegas, NV
2. Colorado Springs, CO
3. Nashville, TN
4. Albuquerque, NM
5. Your choice of city in TX
6. Your choice of city in FL
7. Your choice of city in either of the Carolinas

Yes you can mix your own choices in with the above if you wish, but my main concern is still your order of the ones listed. Just numbers is ok, without having to type them all out. List reasons if you can, such as "I've always been great at poker and would make a killing in Vegas," or, "I haven't given up my dream of country music stardom, so Nashville."

This doesn't have to be about just your preferences necessarily. i.e. - "I have to be close to my kids and grandkids and they can't be more than 2 hours from a ski slope."

Thanks for participating.

I like to retire right were we are. can't beat the people around us.