I was wondering if you have ever done a profile of what retirement spots offer the best mass transit systems. My perception Is the Sun Belt states/locales are rather weak compared to NYC/DC/Boston etc.
Any info will be appreciated.

Editor: Thanks for taking the time to write with your suggestion. We haven’t really done what you are suggesting, but it might be interesting. Part of the issue is that only the biggest towns can afford to invest in mass transit.

I tend to agree with you that NYC/DC/Boston/Chicago areas excel at mass transit. However a lot of towns elsewhere, especially in the sunbelt and west are trying. For example Miami has a great train system in south Florida if you are going north and south between towns. Phoenix, San Diego/LA, Denver, Seattle are all trying. San Francisco’s Bart is terrific. Light rail is popular as long as the money holds out to build it. When new stations open up it does wonders for local real estate. We will think about doing an article about this. Meanwhile i think i will post your question as a comment to our “Best of ” article – maybe other folks can help us fill in the blanks about public transport in their towns!

January 3rd, 2013 | #

One factor I do not see discussed in your blogs is income. I would like to
retire somewhere that at least some of the other retirees live on arouond $25k
a year. Perhaps that means I cannot afford to move to a retirement community.
If that is true, I will stop doing research.

I have learned a lot from your blogs, but am no closer to finding a retirement home. The one representative that I talked to by phone seemed
annoyed by the subject. “We do not sit around discussing each others’ income.” But beyond home cost, income determines social activities. I
do not want a yacht or golf course. I would like to be near a lake and go
swimming and biking. Is there anyplace between “luxurious” and recreational
vehicle or trailer park?

January 4th, 2013 | #

That is a wonderful questions as my husband and I are in the same situation …so any help out there?

January 5th, 2013 | #

Rather than asking income, it is probably best to estimate costs including “home costs” insurance, taxes hoa’s etc. as well as foods, transportation, recreation, etc. This site is a good source of things that we often do not think about. It takes work and I understand that it is easier to find a few areas first and then fine tune. You may wish to find how the states are taxing your income whether SSI, pensions, 401k’s etc. That is fairly easy to find (look around Topretirement’s sit and search the rest of web), but there are no guarantees that they will not change. Good luck and share with us if you find some good places or ideas on searching. We all need help!

PS Some mobile homes (with foundations) or manufactured homes are often less expensive and can be very nice. Of course, you will still need to estimate you costs and with many mobile home there is a land lease.

January 5th, 2013 | #

GENE: Great question. We are interested in places with good mass transit too so some info. on that would be great. ERIC, ANGELA & STEPHANIE: I think its important to find out about taxes on pensions and state taxes. As well, its important to factor in the costs of home ownership. Even if you can afford the mortgage/taxes/flood insurance/hazard home insurance monthly costs, there might be monthly or annual HOA – not to mention the cost of fixing something that breaks (think air conditioning/roof) and either shoveling snow or keeping the landscaping neat. On income: even though we are lucky enough to have excellent pension income we are already looking at planning ahead for when one of us is gone and our pension income is cut in half or less than half of what it is now. We don’t want to have to do this again when that happens. So along with wanting to find someplace where there is access to great social activities and doctors who take Medicare and good hospitals, we have to consider a reduced income when there’s only one left. We are trying to be practical about this stuff now, as we know it will happen at some point. Looking at all of this will help determine what you can afford and where that is, I believe. Hope you’ll share once you think you’ve found it…

January 5th, 2013 | #

Stephanie and Angela…comments right on the money. Eric and Shelia…great insight. Thank you for your candor and problem solving skill.

January 7th, 2013 | #

My husband and I have started our search this year and discovered that same developer/home in different locations can be $30-50k different. We have had to rule out locations due to price point.

January 8th, 2013 | #