My search for the (almost) perfect retirement climate

[win2354@comcast.net]

I haven't found anything yet for the 55 and beyond in Reno. At one time there was some talk about developing the downtown to include housing. I've lost track where that is.

[scottp]

OK, I've got a couple replies to catch up on ...

2putz - Thanks for chiming in. I had never even considered Hawaii until you mentioned it, but you are right, it's cost of living is too rich for my blood. Thanks for tossing out Alamogordo. I see it's just south of Ruidoso NM, another spot I had bookmarked. I love the "goldilocks" reference, you are right, it may be impossible to find that perfect spot. Which is why I put the "(almost)" in the title of this thread.

setabt - I see "win" has already chimed in here, I haven't been focusing that much on the 55+ communities.

retirehappy - checked the areas you mentioned but I think too hot and humid for me in the summer. I actually think areas in WV might be more to my liking !

geaudy1103 - The concept of leasing a retirement home is new to me. It sounds interesting. The ameneties make it sound like an all inclusive resort! I'd like to learn more about how that works? I would assume that is more expensive than I'm ready to bite off right now, but always good to learn.

[scottp]

Hi again. I forgot to mention that my co-worker in Oregon has now tossed out ...

Bend, OR

I checked it out and it's climate numbers looked good. TopRetirements has a nice review on it and I saw one other glowing review of the area, but then saw another that said it was very brown, even in the summer (almost desert-like). Any of the Oregon posters want to comment?

[LuluM]

Colorado does seem to suit your requirements, but you've missed the obvious choice. Take a look at the Grand Junction area. Lots of golf courses and the climate more closely resembles the southwest. Housing prices are very reasonable. Check it out and tell us what you think!

[sandimcg]

I like the Houston area but hate the humidity. They have fantastic medical facilities, VERY reasonable prices on nice-sized homes, umpteen golf courses and golf schools, great just about everything. There are all sorts of areas outside of Houston proper - the Woodlands, Clear Lake City, etc. I just don't like the humidity.

My favorite spot is northern CA because of the sunny pleasant days and crispy nights. But, of course, the state is in a fiscal mess brought on by 30 years of credit card spending. The taxes are already high and only going higher. Alas, I doubt they'll get out of that mess before we retire.

[suzq]

i live in the mid-atlantic region (maryland). my retirement mantra is "no mosquitos; no humidity; no snow". unlike the author, i don't mind the heat for for hubby and me it's the southwest - tucson especially, but maybe new mexico. susan

[aulthatjaz@yahoo.com]

I read your blog with much interest as my husband and I are also searching for that perfect place to retire. We currently live in southern California and will not be able to afford retirement here so we made a list of cities and after visiting them all, we are most interested in Fort Collins Colorado. It is a beautiful college town with mild weather(except this one sounds pretty horrible)Check it out! We also loved Ashland Oregon put its gotten a little too expensive. We have been told to check nearby Medford. Also, we love Bend Oregon, but its so remote. Good luck

[MelitaParker]

My husband and I live in Southern California in a great college town - Claremont. We have awesome weather with a very active/supportive community for retirement. But California is not a place to retire if you want to have any $$$. We are #1 in the nation for taxes. We have plenty of diversity here, since we support the majority of the illegal immigrants in this fine nation of ours with our tax dollars. So even though I am a 5th generation native of California, I will be leaving this place upon retirement. I will be heading Southeast - my sights are on South Carolina (Clemson in particular) where they love their football. I think it is always wise to live in college towns. They retain their property values and they offer cultural activities and continued learning opportunities. I know the humidity is going to be tough - something I definitely have not had to deal with. But I am willing to scratch my mosquito bites if it allows me to live more comfortably in my golden years. My husband and I still have grandparents alive in their 90's - so we have to plan on being around awhile and we definitely cannot see how staying in California is wise.

[LaurenInLA]

First a shout out to MelitaParker. DH and I lived i Claremont for 25 years. LOVED IT! We retired in 2009 and moved to a condo that we own on Mercer Island. The Island is perfectly located in between Seattle & Bellevue but is going to be too pricey for the requirements that are listed. We are taking a serious look at Whidbey Island because one of our requirements is the beach. It is cool here in the winter but generally not anything that we can't deal with. Oak Harbor has several active adult communities that are interesting to me. They are free standing homes that come with a small yard and the association fees include yard maintenance and all outside maintenance on the structure (including roof). 2 bedroom 1500 sq feet are about $199K. I like the idea because it gives me a little patch of ground but takes away a lot of the maintenance issues that I don't want to deal with. It is about an hour and a half drive to either Bellingham or Seatac. I would also advise that you check on Medicare programs available in the area as well. Policies vary widely in terms of contribution from location to location and there are of course more options available near major metropolitan areas.

[garyfitch]

Scott-Your co-workers suggestion of Bend, OR is a good match for your climate criteria, but you should take a good look at the real estate prices. A lot of Californians started moving there a few years ago and drove home price out of sight (and also created some resentment among the locals). The market has probably cooled off, along with the rest of the country, but is probably still relatively high.

FYI, I have not lived in Bend, but I have a client there and have spent a couple of months there at different times of the year.

[scottp]

Wow, I'm gonna have a hard time keeping up with all you guys, but I'll try ...

LuluM - Thanks for tossing out Grand Junction CO. I took quick a look, but it seems from what I've seen that it's temperature extremes (summmer highs, winter lows) are greater than what I'm looking at in Canon City. But the precipitation and sunshine numbers are great ! It's up to the individual reader here if that is in their wheel house or not.

Sandimcg - I am personaly not considering CA for those very reasons.

[scottp]

Aulthatjazz / MelitaParker / LaurenInLa -

The Southern CA contigent comes online ! Funny that we should get 3 posts in a row from that area.

For starters I'm thinking that MelitaParker might want to talk to Suzq about switching homes for a few weeks in the summer? Count me as one who hates mosquitoes.

MelitaParker - You might want to check out Ft. Collins that Aulthatjazz has suggested. A college town with alot less humidy (and mosquitoes).

LaurenInLa - I think your tip about Medicare Programs is spot on.

[scottp]

garyfitch -

Thanks for your feedback about Bend, OR. I went back and looked at my research, which is data for 2008. Home sales were hovering just above 200K, but the existing property values are around $287K. That does stretch my criteria a bit. Thanks for the heads up.

Also, I had the same concern that aulthatjaz had raised, about it's remote-ness. But I just read there is a regional airpot in nearby Redmond, that has commercial service.

And the climate numbers DO look sweet ...

[NPerez]

I've been watching all the traffic and a lot of good locations are coming up, but what about Georgetown TX (just north of Austin TX). Housing cost less than $250K in Dell Webb-Sun City. Property Tax about $4K, but no state income tax.

Temperatures seem pleasing, although it does get near 100 degrees in summer and does get below freezing in winter. I haven't lived there but understand that the humidity isn't the worst in the country.

Thoughts??

[mcoletta]

Scott - As with the others, I too am looking for that perfect retirement area with great weather. I have been to and we are going to return to Ashville, NC. I did some research and had some great reviews right here on Top Retirements, so I went to the National Weather Service and looked at the Temp and Humidity and It is really great. At first glance the humidity looks high just like Hickory, but if you understand it if the humidity is lower in the afternoon than the mornings, which it is, that means the humidity is good. Bad humidity is worse in the afternoons and evenings. Like in FL. We are going for a seek to spend more time this spring.