Plentiful water is a good criteria and something I take for granted. I’m reminded by this thread how accustomed we are to our environments. I can’t imagine water rationing while others can’t fathom dealing with Palmetto bugs (i.e. flying coach roaches). The first Palmetto bug I encountered 30+ years ago sent me shrieking onto a nearby sofa. I still hate those things. But now, when the occasional Palmetto bug invades, I calmly zap it with Raid. Just another thing.
You may be on to something though @doschios. Maybe if I publicize the Palmetto bugs, I can deter the influx of people to my City. It could be the answer to the traffic problems
Not surprised to see that while SC generally has low costs, it is one of the worst states in terms of real per capita income. In my area the costs are higher than other parts of the State, but, sadly,
the salaries are the same or lower.
I have 2 sets of friends who have sold their houses in the suburbs and bought apartments in NYC. My H won’t consider living in Manhattan but I would consider the Forest Hills area. I regret not buying my little studio down the block from Baruch when it went co-op the same week we found out I was pregnant with number 1 son; I should have taken a 401 (k) loan and done it but H panicked and insisted we buy a house in Queens right away. I now live in the suburbs and absolutely despise it. I hate my house, I hate my town and I hate my taxes. The schools aren’t even so great. If I’d stayed in the city, my daughter could’ve gone to a performing arts HS, my middle son would’ve made Science or Tech in a heartbeat and the rest could have gone to H’s alma mater, a highly rated public HS with a wide array of interesting programs. Anyway, I’d really love to sell my house in a couple of years but H wants to die here. His mom is 92 and still in her house, so there’s already a really bad example there.
However, I dream about selling this house and moving to a bungalow we own in the same town, which is fully paid for. My ultimate goal is to sell that house as well and live in my mother in law’s house when she no longer needs it. Then, using that as a base, I would like to rent a different place over several winters to decide where I want to be. The places I have in mind are the San Diego area, North Carolina, Tennessee, possibly Alabama or SC. I have to check out those places in terms of retirement taxes and the like. H hates Florida so it’s out but as I noted earlier, my main concerns are no snow and low taxes, and if possible, low or no taxes on private pensions.
One other thing to consider is “political climate.” It can be awkward if you’re VERY out-of-synch with all those around you–neighbors, people you see in the community, etc. I married a man who voted for the opposite candidate for every election until the presidential election 4 years ago. This is NOT meant to be political, just something about being comfortable and having people you are comfortable around.
Interesting comment HImom. I indicated in one of my earlier posts that I was looking for a place with at least some Jewish culture because I have never lived in a place where being Jewish put me in a minority. My best friend and I are at totally opposite ends of the political spectrum. Despite that, we have been close for 20 years and are even thinking of going into business together. We know each other’s views and respect them and don’t try to change each other’s minds. I am interested in politics but I have the ability to keep my mouth shut and not participate if the conversation is in the other direction. I don’t feel the need to share my POV and I think that I could avoid arguments. I argue enough for my job, I try to avoid it in my personal life.
We carefully considered many factors in picking our present Bay Area location to live, work and raise a family. Now 39 years later, we know we’ve made a good decision and this is still the best place for us to retire. My H works 2-3 days a week and can take up to 3 weeks off several times a year. He plans to do this several more years before full retirement. I’ve been retired for a while.
Our kids are on the opposite coast but they have said they would look to return to CA if there are changes to their jobs. Meanwhile, we recently bought a pied-à-terre within a couple of miles from my son and 8 miles from my daughter so we could stay close for longer periods and enjoy our grandchildren.
H and I get along great–I’d just feel awkward if people were very vocal in opinions I feel are bigoted, racist, sexist, etc. H is none of those, but we would both find such settings uncomfortable.
“One other thing to consider is “political climate.” It can be awkward if you’re VERY out-of-synch with all those around you–neighbors, people you see in the community, etc.”
That’s the town we live in now and a strong reason why I’d consider relocating, even just to another place in the same region. People are nice enough but it makes it challenging to make strong friendships when core values are so different. We’re the duck out of water here.
@HImom I’ve always wondered how folks who are at the opposite end of the political spectrum handle marriage. You must have more patience than I do for tolerating differences.
It works pretty well, honestly. It has been interesting since we now AGREE on more than we used to. We do NOT discuss our differences about guns–both of us are pretty set I. Our positions there.
My dad and I have rarely agreed about anything related to politics either, until 4 years ago. That was definitely a watershed election.
I didn’t plan it but my kids are pretty aligned with me and we ask dad to explain his viewpoints, so we can calmly consider the other side; it is good to hear a reasoned view of others–not screaming or insults. I’m not sure whether it is because I was with the kids much more of their waking hours OR most of our state leans the same direction I do.
Random thoughts–someone mentioned wondering what that thunder sound was–I would be really sad to live in a place with no or rare thunderstorms–they’re one of the joys of summer!
Political leaning–oddly, we’ll be moving from an end of the state which leans one way (ours) to one that is decidedly the opposite. I figure there are compatible people everywhere, and I do have some more same-minded friends in the area. It is interesting though, how the culture can be so different from one end to another of a very small state.
I know I paint a rosy picture of middle Tennessee, but one of the drawbacks for someone who is very invested in the political climate is that it is a politically conservative state. Nashville and surrounding area is more tolerable for a liberal, for sure, but the state legislature and its members absolutely infuriate my liberal priest daughter and, frankly, it is a career problem for her that there is still a very southern conservative element in the leadership of her diocese.
I deal with it OK, myself, but I’m at a different stage of life.
My friends retired to the mountains. Simply beautiful. The real estate agent made it clear that the conservatives live on one mountain ridge and the liberals on a different mountain ridge. She was serious. They love the neighborhood they are in but everybody is of one political party. The real estate agent was not kidding.
Political climate needs to be considered for us. I guess that’s part of DH’s reason for wanting a college town (altho he also wants to take classes). One of our misgivings about Asheville is the political climate in NC. Although Asheville is more progressive, the majority of NC is decidedly not.
Although we’re not particularly religious, we do look at the Jewish community that’s available in whatever area we’re considering. We did like that Asheville had an active JCC, and 2 temples. But is this more important to me than being near a good airport, which Asheville is not.
One of the reasons I want to stay in MA is that my political views are in sync with most of the other folks who live here. That being said, my bff is an independent who always votes for Republicans (maybe not this election). We agree about almost everything and just don’t talk politics.
