Moving on -- I guess

jyber209
Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:32:07 +0000

OK, H and I, both turning 60 this year, are starting to discuss eventual retirement locations.
Here’s my list:
– walkable town – good walkability with sidewalks; should be able to walk (my preferred form of exercise) to do most routine errands (grocery shop, go to library, etc.); hope to be able to have just one car for the two of us
– no further North than NYC or perhaps CT and preferably mid-Atlantic region; would consider MD or D.C. area; do not want Boston, Chicago, etc. Prefer to stay on East coast, as assume kids will remain there (realize no guarantee re that)
– want an aesthetic location with good services (currently live in a town on the “Main Line” train line near Philadelphia; nice location but not walkable; too car dependent for my taste)
– would like access to a sophisticated city or location with decent theater, etc.; otherwise perhaps a nice college town
– good medical care services
– low crime rate; friendly neighborhood with good interactions
– recently visited and ruled out Asheville, NC because the city/downtown did not have much greenery and it also has developed an issue with street people and crime
– townhouse living OK as long as it is “in town” or else a VERY low-maintenance home – but do hope to garden, including maintaining a vegetable garden, which I love; currently live on an acre and want much less property to maintain in future
– willing to pay up for home if the community is really attractive/appealing to us; have no mortgage on current home so could simply flip that to retirement home