<p>This thread is coming at a good moment for me. My DH and are in our early 50s, soon to be empty nesters and (with a little luck) retiring in about 8 years. We are also in the midst of a very big relocation to the Northeast. We are transfixed by all the different housing options before us - townhouse? rent? big house in anticipation of grandkids? small house near trains to NYC for fun weekend jaunts? It goes on and on.</p>
<p>My latest scheme is to rent and take the equity from current home and buy a vacation home some place cheap and warm and with either mountains or a beach. Does such a place exist? DH tells me I’m dreaming . . .</p>
<p>My in-laws moved someplace cheap and warm-- South Padre Island, TX. Their hope was that the grandkids would visit frequently but, because they are in such an out-of-the-way place (a minimum of three flights for us) and it is ungodly hot in the summer (when those with children would most likely visit), they have probably not had the traffic they’d hoped for. Nevertheless, they claim to be happy. I would be more inclined to buy someplace reasonably priced and warm, that had a little more to offer that just heat and a beach (say, a decent library).</p>
<p>Both my 19 year old son and 17 year old daughter spend quite a bit of unsupervised time with their respective GF and BF…all this talk of grandchildren makes me think it’s time for yet another speech about how there better not be grandchildren for some years to come!</p>
<p>We’re in different places, Missypie! my D and S are 27 and 24, so it’s not out of the realm of possible. (Well, for my D, anyway. I shudder at the idea of S as a parent at this time.)</p>
<p>Sewhappy, 1moremom–My shore home is in an area with tons of activities for both kids and adults. The nearby town runs zillions of kid programs (all kinds of nature stuff, boatingy activities. etc.) there’s a good sized amusement boardwalk ten minutes away. Minigolf around the corner, arcades fairly close. </p>
<p>And a really good library, too! :)</p>
<p>I’m not sure the area would be described as “cheap and warm”–maybe “affordable, and usually doesn’t get too cold or snow except for last winter but that was a fluke.”</p>
<p>I’m interested a cheap and warm place too. </p>
<p>Garland…I just love Cape May but I don’t see it as cheap…maybe I’m missing something? And not warm enough…unless I had the cash to escape to Florida or the islands for a couple of months per year (unlikely). It DOES sound like a fun place to hang out though - at least most of the time. </p>
<p>Maybe something in the Carolinas? Loved Asheville but didn’t think it was cheap at all.<br>
Maybe some place in northern Florida now that prices are so cheap. Fernandina Beach?
I’m dreaming again…just can’t see hanging out here with the snow and ice much longer. If I do, I will HAVE to escape, even if it means living in a tent in Florida.</p>
<p>Funny…my grad school DS heard I was going to a garage sale…and ASKED me to look for an ironing board!!!
Apparently, he doesn’t know how to shop correctly and many of his many white long sleeve dress shirts for concerts at school require that thing called ‘ironing’.</p>
<p>Me, I check tags carefully in store and only bring things home that can go directly from dryer to hanger.</p>
<p>I am more interested in a bay/sound property. We are more interested in canoe/kayaking than wave sports and I am guessing it would be cheaper and generally quieter. Have also looked a little at Asheville real estate (online, that is), which we like.</p>
<p>Does anyone know of a nice retirement town with the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Near a college/university</li>
<li>Near a winery/wine growing region</li>
<li>Near water - lake or ocean</li>
<li>Near mountains</li>
<li>Predominantly warm weather, tho some winter ok</li>
<li>Relatively inexpensive housing and taxes</li>
<li>Diverse community</li>
</ul>
<p>Sound Beach, NY and other “summer” communities on the North Fork of eastern LI. The old summer cottages are fairly reasonable.</p>
<p>Out here we have Stony Brook University, LI Sound, (Atlantic Ocean about 1/2 hr. a way), quite a few farms and wineries, NYC within two hours. An older house will have reasonable taxes.</p>
<p>I have friends who’ve left Florida for the northern Georgia mountains; they prefer the cooler weather; lakes and vineyards nearby—nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns. They were surprised at how many active retiree friends they’ve made, all from various parts of the country. They bought a lot for about 50K and built their retirement home. It’s a wonderful life–they’re only 60 years old…</p>
<p>They also enjoy being close to this ‘folk school’—they’ve take classes on a wide variety of interests.</p>
<p>I know several folks who have purchased mountain homes in the N Ga Blue Ridge mountains (though they may not be considered “mountains” by those used to the rockies and such).Popular areas are Jasper, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Cherry Log, Ellijay and up to Brasstown Bald and Young Harris. The more eastern areas are less mountainous-- but charming in their own way-- Helen, Dahlonega, Toccoa Falls, Tallulah Falls and up to Clayton, Raybun Gap, etc. Big Canoe is a popular retirement area. The problem with the cabin homes is that amny are on unpaved, windy roads with limited if any night lighting, they are multilevel and there are limited medical services there. All not conducive to older aduld lifestyles.</p>
<ul>
<li>Near a college/university</li>
<li>Near a winery/wine growing region</li>
<li>Near water - lake or ocean</li>
<li>Near mountains</li>
<li>Predominantly warm weather, tho some winter ok</li>
<li>Relatively inexpensive housing and taxes</li>
<li>Diverse community</li>
</ul>
<p>Sounds like the research triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) or the Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point) in North Carolina. </p>
<p>Congrats edad. It sounds like a great plan.</p>
<p>I would also say Northern Ca. It depends on what you consider inexpensive. I think some parts of Northern Ca are less expensive. The farther you go from the ocean the better the prices are. I haven’t been but I have friends who have gone wine tasting every year in Amador County. It would not be a far drive to Lake Tahoe. Also El Dorado County which is just below South Lake Tahoe. It is close to Sacramento which has a university.</p>
<p>Another area that would be a short drive to a university is the northern San Luis Obispo County area. You have Paso Robles and Atascadero. 15 minutes to Cal Poly and just a short ride over the hill to the ocean. Also a lake is nearby.</p>
<p>How about Oregon? Nice Pinot Noir and there’s U of O, OSU, Reed, Lewis and Clark . . . Great hiking in the mountains and oh yes - the Pacific Ocean.</p>