@ChoatieMom re seeking a house like “The Light Between Oceans” - I assume you mean without all the random kids floating up and ensuing drama. 
@MoonKnight - I also think I’d like a larger house in retirement. I’d like space for each child and family to be able to come visit without being so crowded. We’ve never had more than 1700 sf and it’s small for a family of five (but bigger than when we had the same family in 1100 sf lol).
I’m not sure the location exists where I’d like the house to be, however. Combination of not wanting to shovel snow ever again, having liberal politics, and wanting a substantial Jewish community and also ethnic diversity. Also, I really dislike city living, which we have now, though I do like that our power outages are always very short if they happen, unlike my rural sister’s experience.
@fretfulmother Some parts of California and Florida experience little to no snow. I’m not sure about Florida but I know a few areas in California that is somewhat rural yet close enough to a city. California also has ethnic diversity. The only problem is the price of good houses and the cost of living is high.
@MoonKnight - we used to live in southern CA and it felt very non-diverse to me in the area that we were. But I know that these things change, and it’s been decades now. Thank you!
Some parents of Florida experience little to no snow? You don’t say!
Moon knight, why are you interested in a retirement home? You’re not even out of college yet. Seems an off the wall question for a 20 year old.
@MoonKnight , you claim to only be a high school student yet are posting all over the parent board, starting threads that are pertinent to only adults. Me thinks you may be toying with us. You have certainly generated many clicks and responses since the new format rolled out. Do you have a high school kid related question, or do you just want to discuss adult retirement and plan vacations? I would think as a HS kid your summer could be used in better ways. JMO
@CottonTales I’m sorry if you got any impression that I was toying with you. I’m not and I actually like looking at houses. I’ve even spent quite a bit of time searching for homes on Zillow. I know it is a little weird but I got to thinking a lot about retirement from everything my parents talked about it. They explained to me about the process of finding a retirement home and analyzing multiple factors such as the cost of living in the state, taxes, and weather. They motivated me to look for homes which is why I started this thread myself. Maybe you are right and I should have changed the thread to something more appropriate such as dream home rather than dream retirement.
I completely believe that a 20 year old has nothing better to do than post about dream homes, dogs, bargain jackets, vacations, sports class, dentists, Pepperdine, seizures, random questions, and so much more. And all in the last three days too!
It’s hard to resist answering so many questions, but I’m going to try. Good night, moon.
Good night @Lindagaf . Thanks for the support. I wouldn’t normally be asking all these questions if I was attending class during the fall or spring semester. Since it’s summer, I usually stay home all day so I have lots of free time on my hands. This gives me time to plan for things even if they are really far into the future. I apologize again to anyone who got the impression I was toying with them.
Wonder how no one dug up the Colonoscopy thread yet! ? ?
Whatever the motivation, it’s always fun to dream. Dreaming doesn’t need age limits. I’d like a Lake Michigan home without nearby neighbors (or neighbors that enjoy only quiet activities) with woods. And no building restrictions so I could have a compound with separate small buildings for guest houses. I’m not sure such a property exists but I might try to find!
A little off topic…but why don’t you get a summer job like most college bound kids?
Yes, this poster triggered my spidey sense too. Couldn’t come up with a seemingly realistic motive though.
Here’s a motive, @pishicaca
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/22329063#Comment_22329063
@Lindagaf Well I’ll be. Call me internet naive. I also found the ignore button from that thread, so double thank you!
My dream retirement house would be 3- 5 thousand square feet on a bluff overlooking an ocean (or sound). It would have an upstairs master bedroom, and another master on the main level for when DW and I are less mobile. It would also have a guest apartment to accommodate extended visits from kids and grandkids. As long as I’m dreaming, it would also have plenty of space for gardening. I’m imagining fruit trees, grape trellises, berries, tomatoes, etc.
DW agrees with all of the above, with the additional REQUIREMENT that the waterfront side of the house needs to face north, so that the view side of the house won’t need window coverings to shield us from the sun, neighbors, or passersby.
Does such a place exist?
A sunny large 2 - 3 BR apartment near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a beachfront home in Long Island, and a helicopter (small plane or transporter would also work) to take me back and forth.
@Lindagaf - omg I had no idea. Thanks for showing us.
My retirement plans will soon come to fruition. I recently purchased a small cottage-like home on the edge of a metro area down south, just a stones throw from a mid-size college down the road. The college interests me as a neighbor because it has a high quality music and arts venue where tickets are cheap or even free. I also plan to use the college fitness center and pool regularly. Maybe the best part is (besides the nearby farmers market) is that I will be regularly sitting on my screen-porch on those lovely spring and fall nights.
Love that idea @happy1 … Although helicopters scare me. Transporter or chauffeur however…