It is so interesting to learn that someone could have a strong aversion to soil and grass or be made uneasy by the proximity of woods.
Just goes to illustrate the variety of human experiences, and how we need to be empathetic and give people the benefit of the doubt.
I once met a woman who had grown up in a place that lacked trees, and now when the trees around her house rustled in the wind, it made her very nervous. It had never occurred to me that someone could feel like that.
I would love to live in a walkable community but this inevitably means living cheek to jowl with other people. As it is with our windows open, I can hear our neighbors talk on their cell phones in the backyard. And when the neighbors have backyard parties with amplified music it disturbs my peace and quiet.
I’ll take the sounds of the woods anytime.
Not to go off topic but I feel for myself that it is better for me to downsize now so that our kids don’t have to deal with sorting through our things and getting rid of our stuff and trying to sell a big home after we are gone. I have friends who have had to go through their parents things and it is a lot of work. Some have found money and other valuable things hidden in places least expected and I would hate to think something was thrown away that had something of value in it.
Virtually every sidewalk corner in NYC has a curb cut, and every single public bus is wheelchair-accessible, a feature used by many, with the assistance of every driver. More and more subway stations have elevators, and you can look up whether the elevator is in service on the internet (or on your cell phone) before you leave your apartment.
I am 68 and looking for a new place to cut my expenses and eliminate some of the many steps I need to climb to get home to my third-floor row house apartment. But I fully expect to move at least once more, when my daughter has a stable place of residence (whenever that is)–not to live with her but hopefully to be helpful with grandchildren (hope, hope, hope) and eventually to make it more convenient for her to help me if and when it’s necessary.
Many posters think they will be able to drive and otherwise completely manage their lives, and then die the very night they can’t, in their sleep. If only.
My town has become much more walkable the last ten years as they continue to put sidewalks in the neighborhoods. Can’t wait until my street is done. There has also been some clustered townhomes built for downsizers. They aren’t that small and not cheap (approx $500k) but they are on the main street, across from the library and about 3 short blocks from the town’s center -which has a gourmet market, a number of lovely restaurants, coffee shop, bookstore, gift store, the post office, etc. Then they just completed the section of a rail trail which runs from one end of town all the way to the adjoining city (and meets up with another trail.) it runs right behind the village center and the main shopping street in town. I started riding my bike to run some of my errands and we walk the dogs on it a lot.
It’s really important as we age to keep physically active - even if it’s only walking.
Every place has its pros and cons. Where you live in Florida makes a huge difference. Techmom99- Tampa would fit your great criteria except for the “hates Florida” part. btw-when son visited he commented on the horrible grass here, you would have no problem since it isn’t barefoot grass like the softer, finer northern grasses.
For others- there is the stereotypic Florida for retirees and then there are those of us who want what techmom99’s post # 26 states. Another consideration is finances- cost of living, state income tax et al. Plenty of transplants in our area (part of the city) to make feel like we belong as much as anyone.
I would be fine with Florida, but H just hates the whole state and the concept of it.
Other considerations I have include taxability of my private pensions, social security, my 401(k) and IRA distributions, how much I could spend for living accommodations, state taxes and the like.
My parents retired from NY to Nevada because my dad’s public pension wasn’t taxed there. I visited Vegas for the first time recently and really liked the surrounding areas, except that you need to drive. Maybe in a few years, they will add shuttle buses in those communities. My parents were in Carson City, which was retiree friendly but has snow, so it’s off my list.
That’s interesting about the public pension being taxed in NY as my H’s state pension is not taxable in NY. Maybe it’s only state employees whose pensions aren’t taxed.
We’re not planning on moving away, our house is perfect for aging in place. We’jj just rent someplace for 2 or 3 months in the winter. We do not want to own two homes. We’d like to do a different place each year (none of which will be Florida.) I’m thinking Mexico, Costa Rico, Hawaii types of places.
My dad worked for NYC, not the state. His pension was taxable in NYS but not in Nevada or some other states, He retired in the early 90’s. I understand that state pensions aren’t taxed because my uncle was a teacher.
I don’t understand the “hate Fl” motif. While I would never move to,a townhouse, without an elevator, there are many apartment and condo buildings near the ocean, that place one in walking distance to shops and grocery stores. Personally, while I see the social advantages of the 55+ communities, I like being surrounded by folks with strollers and those choosing my neighborhood for the school district.
My H’s grandmother lived in Florida and he has been there many times. I have only been there 3 times, once to Miani and twice to Disney. H doesn’t like the place. There are so many other areas of disagreement about our retirement that I am not willing to fight over Florida.
Didn’t see how ‘walkable’ and aging were going to converge happily.
While we won’t build a house with steps or stairs when we build the last one, we have been enlightened as to how rural deals with long walks when the old or disabled no longer can: those 4-wheel buggies that have a floorboard low to the ground. “Mules” or any of the knock-offs.
For me, the problems with FL and NV would be the humidity (FL) and heat (both) in the summer months. I don’t like heat as it is and can’t see that boding well for me in my old age.
Oh, for the record, I can get to several beaches in about an hour and a half from my NYC home. (There are some beaches within the 5 boroughs, though my fave is on Long Island but readily accessible via mass transit from the City.)
I’ve been going to Florida for the last 60 years as my grandparents lived in Miami Beach (Bay Harbor Island) and then my parents, as both snowbirds and permanent residents. I don’t want to retire there because I am bored with it. Plus, the traffic is horrid. And while I wouldn’t sneeze at a condo on the beach we can’t afford the millions that costs.
I’m there a lot now visiting my mom and while there are worse places to be, especially in the winter, it’s just not someplace H and I want to be for months on end.
I’ll likely inherit my mom’s place but hoping my sister will want to buy my share when the time comes or we will just sell it. At least It’s not in a 55 and over community.
You couldn’t pay me or H enough to move to Florida. Ever! No biggie - if everyone had the same taste, retirement would become completely unaffordable (and everyone would move to my favorite little town where we already own a vacation / retirement home ;-))
I’d like what Abasket listed in post 15, plus easy access to green spaces, hiking, and ideally beaches too.
Portland sounds pretty wonderful to me, but I worry about the dreary winters and significant rain.
Safety is also a big concern for me.
I’m not understanding why retirees in post #37 want lots of land (to take care of) and to be away from people. Hmm.
We never know what the future holds. I’m going to go with the mindset that my older aged life includes me being able to walk around well. If another hand is dealt, I’ll just hope that someone can push my wheelchair or walker to the farmer’s market, library, coffee shop and neighborhood grocer. 
I need to look up my current home’s walking score. I know it’s going to be awful…!
On walkscore.com my home gets a predicted awful walk score of “39”!
Interesting that the town that is chooses to show me how long it would take to drive/bike/walk to - is actually the town/neighborhood I want to live in!