Where to retire when humidity is a problem and sick of snow

[Semi-retired]

Tough decision to make when the time comes. We keep mulling over the places and what we want. We are both in our late 60's, professionals but want to gear back our lifestyle financially. I have Asthma so humidity is a double problem for me. Our four children and their families are all in New England. We love New England where we live but are anxious to leave the snow, ice and cold weather. Wife loves the ocean, beaches, long walks with me on the sand etc.

We want:
1. Good housing with a gated community, no under 55 year olds except visits
2. Golf for me, pool for Nancy, walking trails, nice scenery, possibly shore or mountains (Nanc loves the shore)
3. Warm most of the year, range 38 lows to 80’s and not HUMID most of the year
4. Good medical facilities as we figure to see them more in older age
5. Airport a reasonable distance away so we can see family or have them visit
6. Security … no high crime areas and plenty of good police and guards etc.
7. Affordable cost of living (let’s face it…CT, NY, RI, MA are very expensive cost of living and housing)
8. Suitable cultural attractions: restaurants, arts, theater, museums, educational opportunities (colleges areas are great)
9. Shared interests such as golf, football, books, religion, psychology, philosophy, history
10. Tax advantages such as little or no taxes on pensions, investment income, social security, home etc.
11. Climate hazards minimal: we don’t look forward to hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, insects, snakes, alligators

A perfect day for us in retirement would be:

• Coffee and paper outside or overlooking beautiful scenery from the inside
• Morning golf and reading or walking trails alternated with cardio/weight workouts
• Light lunch with friends and talking about politics, books etc.
• Afternoon hobby work or walking, shopping
• Late afternoon sitting near pool or water enjoying the end of a beautiful day
• Dinner together or with friends, seldom a big dress up affair just casual and light
• Evening walk, theater, movie, or music

Compatible with political atmosphere of the area. We are not conservatives politically. We don't mind opposite views but do not want to be locked in the middle of an area where we share none of the views.

Religion is important and we are Roman Catholic.

• Start all over again

[Arlene]

The place you describe doesn't exist ... believe me, we've looked. The best we have found is north Texas... we live in an active 55+ called Robson Ranch in Denton TX. Unfortunately, we have to move for family issues, and our home is on the market. We're on the golf course (incredible views) and have our own pool. Winters are generally mild (last winter was an exception) and while it's hot for 2 months in the summer, the humidity is generally fairly low. We do have a chance of tornadoes, but the majority of the country has them, and we have not had any problems. We do get some hail. Cost of living is good, no state income tax. No tax on food or Rx. Medical facilities are outstanding.
The community is outstanding ... you won't be bored. Folks are very friendly and welcome you warmly. Politics is a mixed bag, like anywhere. We have a Catholic club here, so you could join that.
We are gated, guarded, and patrolled. No kids here except to visit. If there's anything else you want to know, just holler, our place is for sale.

[brad purfeerst]

Good luck on finding that retirement spot. My wife and I have been looking to and have not found that place either but when you do please let us know as I will be packing up tomarrow. Just got back from Las Vegas and saw some nice buys but the summer temps. are a bit over the top for us. No humidity, no beach, but alot of sun and things to do.

[bubbajog]

You are looking for utopia. It doesn't exist.

[Semi-retired]

Thanks to all who commented. You just never know when someone has an idea or has been somewhere that meets a good many of the criteria we are seeking.

My wife loves Ponte Vedra and of course, I love the golfing there but the problem of humidity and hot, hot summers still exist.

We live in New England and it is nearly picture perfect. Our town is beautiful and has everything we like except for 67 inches of snow last winter. Also the cost of living here for seniors is off the roof. We fear getting older and losing mobility with ice, snows, and bone chilling cold so that is the reason behind looking for a more southerly place.

While I appreciate the comment from the lady in North Texas, it would be very difficult in having easy access via airport and attractions to see the New England grandchildren often.

So, please do keep us in mind if any ideas occur. I am leaning toward the Ashville, NC area as it is beautiful, has golf, and I understand it has a good community life.

Thanks!!

[mebohio]

We are retiring in 2013 and have a lot of the same criteria. We have ruled out FL because of the heat and same for the southwest. We are also leaning towards Asheville but so far that is based on research alone. We have been to other parts of NC and are spending a week in Asheville in Sept. to check it out. I'll repost and give you my thoughts after our visit.

[Arlene]

Semi-Retired -- you questioned access to airports to see the grands ... we are 30 minutes from DFW International Airport. In our community, we even have an airport car service to get you there. I'd say that was convenient -- We are 30 minutes from Ft. Worth, and 40 minutes from Dallas. We are less than an hour from a casino in Oklahoma. Sorry, beach is a bit farther away, but we have the pool in the back yard and the house is for sale.

But, alas, it is a give-and-take for utopia. But here in north Texas, we don't have those weather extremes for months on end.

Arlene

[scottp]

Semi-Retired - Not sure if you've taken a look thru my thread, but here are some of my comments.

I haven't lived there, but I believe NC (even Asheville) can get humid in the summer.

For low humidity, I've been focusing on Rocky Mountain area, especially around Denver CO. Yes, they get snow, but not to the extent we get in the Northeast.

Prescott AZ might be a good fit for you, another place I'm keeping my eye on. However, Arlene commented in my post that she has lived there and the traffic was a big issue when trying to get around the area.

Lastly, have you read the 'Sandy' article in the latest TopRetirements Newsletter? That may be an option. You can keep the place you love in NE and just lease a fairly inexpensive place in Florida or some other warm climate in the summer. Check it out.

[Semi-retired]

I did see your thread and that is what got me around to asking about our set of criteria for retirement location.

Over the course of my career, I have spend considerable time in California, Arizona, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, and all of New England (yes, NY too).

Ashville does have humidity but supposedly less oppressively than closer to the East due to the altitude. I can promise you the worst humidity other than Florida was in South Carolina where every footstep was a bucket full (one of my sons played football for Clemson and the summer there was unbearable). So, I was thinking good medical facilities, higher altitude, more shade, etc. and great golf might make Ashville the answer.

I really have a problem with being somewhere that is so politically opposite us that it would be hell to be there. So, Arizona is not one of my targets plus I hate being several time zones away from easy communication with three of my sons who are in New England and one is in California.

I will check out the cited reference you mentioned. Thanks!!!!

[gingermc]

The climate you want is northern California, but you probably don't want the expense. You might want to look at New Mexico which has lovely climate in certain areas, and is very affordable. Albuquerque has a good airport, and if you were in Las Cruces you could fly in and out of El Paso. Lawrence kansas is also a lovely college town, very multi-cultural and hip. but more humidity. Moving east, I would look in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, which has moderate humity, mild winters and is very nice, but a little more expensive. Colorado was mentioned and also has some nice areas and low humity. In the same vane is Utah, especially southern Utah. Reno Nv is dry and has a mild winter. Moderate prices. I am personally looking in the Prescott, Cottonwood, Dewey area of Arizona, and I also like Tucson (I can tolerate more heat if no humidity), but it sounds like you aren't excited about Arizona. but if you want a dry climate, you will probably have to go west. I wish you luck and let us know if you find the place.

[gingermc]

the dewpoint is what you want to be conccerned with; this is what tells you how much water is in the air. if you look at humidity you would find that Tampa, Fl and New York are virtually the same. But the dewpoint in Tampa is much higher. So when you are searching the internet, be sure to check the dewpoint averages for the place you are researching. That will tell you the most about how comfortable the weather is in that place.