<p>We’ve got at least five years, but can’t hurt to start contemplating retirement places, can it? Anybody else thinking about it? Anybody done it already?</p>
<p>I’m already where I want to be. I really like this area.</p>
<p>Hubby and I had a discussion once in the last year. We asked what we would want in our retirement location. I wanted somewhere I could play tennis all year round. He wanted somewhere he could run all year round. </p>
<p>We looked at each other and said, “We have that right now!” </p>
<p>Looks like we’ll retire in San Diego County…</p>
<p>^^ Howdy neighbor!</p>
<p>Well, ucsd<em>ucla</em>dad, as long as my neighborhood stays safe and I don’t need to sell the house to pay for living expenses…we’ll be in North County for a while.</p>
<p>I am dabbling with these thoughts right now. Don’t have to do anything right away, but the area I find will have to do with where my son locates, where my family is, where condo prices are within my price range and things like that…sunny days hopefully.</p>
<p>My parents recently build a house in Florida. It was on a whim, really. We happened to be in the area, and they happened to buy a house. :rolleyes: (Being the only child left at home, I also happened to accompany them on countless trips to check on the house, buy every piece of furniture that would be needed for the house, and even spend hours choosing and debating between different shades of white for the walls.)</p>
<p>Anyway, our “hometown” is also a bit of a destination spot and has quite a few retirees, even though I’ve lived there my whole life, so I think they’ve got it covered. They have looked at condos and other homes in our hometown but decided that our current home doesn’t compare, so they’ll be keeping it for now, thankfully… They are beginning to spend increasing amounts of time at the new (and gorgeous–it’s amazing to be able to decorate a home from the ground up) house in FL, and I believe that once they retire they will split time more equally between the two locations. </p>
<p>Feel free to PM me for the more specific locations.</p>
<p>Auckland, New Zealand.</p>
<p>Our criteria is to go someplace where we can indulge our passion for hiking and live simply. Ideally, we would be in a very small apartment or condo within walking distance of basic necessities (library, bagel shop) and within half an hour of a national park or forest. H liked Hot Springs Village in Arkansas where we went for vacation last year, but the town was too rural for me. I like parts of Utah. We are headed to the Sam Houston National Forest this spring break. We spend a lot of time in the Shenandoah National Park, but I think we want an area that is a little warmer.</p>
<p>We just moved back to New York City after spending the last decade in Michigan. We’re not sure we will ever be able to afford to really retire, but it sure is wonderful to have so much to do right outside our doorstep and, never having to drive again makes the city a nice place to grow old. Too bad everything costs twice what it did in Michigan, except for housing which is about five times the cost.</p>
<p>I like RozPal’s rationale about New York being a place where you don’t have to drive.</p>
<p>I don’t really care about the geography of where I live when I retire. I care about how well the place I live can accommodate the physical problems that tend to develop as people age. I value independence, and being independent can be as much a function of the place where you live as the state of your body. My ideal retirement environment would have no stairs, a wheelchair-accessible bathroom, all the outdoor work done by somebody else, and easy access to public transportation that makes accommodations for people with disabilities. And, since many older people do not drive but are otherwise quite physically independent, it would be nice to have a supermarket and other basic shopping facilities within walking distance.</p>
<p>This is going to be a very interesting situation for my husband and me. He will retire about 15 years before I do and he wants to go somewhere warm with golf. We may end up living separately for part of the year.</p>
<p>My ideal retirement place includes being near:</p>
<p>A college so there are cultural activities, intelligent people, etc.
Medical facilities that are top notch
A place with four seasons
My children and my (hoped-for) grandchildren
A place that provides work opportunities (either paid or volunteer) for me and DH
A house that is small enough to cost relatively little to run but large enough so the children and grandchildren can visit without too much strain or inconvenience
Other like-minded people (so for me, that precludes Arkansas and Utah – I’ll probably stay in the NorthEast)</p>
<p>I’ve always had a fantasy of NH or VT, but hubby points out that the winters can go on and on and on and on . . . still, I’d like to try it. Something about the “smallness” of it that appeals to me.</p>
<p>Four more days and I will be retired.</p>
<p>We just going to stay here. Houston is not that bas (except the summer). Living cost is cheap - dirt cheap for us (house is paid). It is hot and we like hot. Traffic is bad, but I would not be traveling during peak hours. Medical care is excellent. Five mile radius from my home and 99% of our daily needs are met. I don’t play golf, but there are several golf courses within two miles (more oxygen).Casinos are only 3 hrs away. LUV and CAL have major presence so air travel is modest. Our friends are here. What more a retired couple want?</p>
<p>Congrats Simba!! Wow – I’m jealous. Not of Houston, but of retirement! Sounds yummy!</p>
<p>We bought the house we are going to move to as soon as we can find work there, and retire in as soon as we can thereafter.</p>
<p>It’s a short walk from the Delaware Bay, couple miles north of Cape May. Near to all the kayaking, beachwalking, swimming, biking we can manage. Most amenities are in walking/biking distance. The shops, arty stuff, and restaurants of Cape May near by. A back yard for serious veg gardening, and H just got himself an oystering license.</p>
<p>CAn’t wait to leave North Jersey!</p>
<p>We think about this all the time. VT is wonderful, but winter does go on and on. We might decide to stay here most of the year and travel to warmer places in the winter.</p>
<p>I want to move back to Manhattan and my husband wants to be on a remote mountainside with a view of a lake. Any suggestions, oh wise CCers – other than divorce!</p>
<p>I guess many of us are in the same situation. With the last kid off at college, it is time to at least begin thinking about retirement. All of a sudden this is becoming one of my major concerns. I can’t afford to stay in this area of the NE so that means serious downsizing and a major change. Both are likely to be difficult. I have a basic list: affordable area, decent weather (absolutely no harsh winters), available outdoor activities, near major medical and city services, and an active, artsy, intellectual community. It is those last, vague requirements which are the most difficult. Right now I am leaning towards moving to somewhere in the western 3rd of the US. Any suggestions would be welcome.</p>
<p>Hey – let’s start a CC retirement community!! We can each live in our own condo, but have a “common area” for parties, movie nights, etc. </p>
<p>Hey – sounds like a college dorm!! (Wouldn’t that be ideal??)</p>