Jay Michaels Retirement Tour Bus: 5 Years Later

And be sure to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and pedestrian-friendly East 4th Street.

Thanks for sharing your journey.

This couldn't be more timely for us! We're originally from Cleveland, now living in California, and seriously considering moving back as my husband retires this year. One kid in North Ridgeville, one in Avon Lake, 4 grandkids...all a big draw despite the ungodly weather:) Will definitely look into the developments you mention. And would love to hear more details if you want to contact me via email!

We too are seriously considering moving just one state over from IL to IN - still with cold, snowy winters. Our friends and some family who have relocated to warmer places think we might be crazy! We love the Indianapolis area....particularly the area northwest with small towns that seem more like home. But real Bonus, our daughter and family (3 young grands) live in that area. They too are excited with the idea of us moving closer. In fact, we said 45 minutes away and our daughter had a fit...no more than 20 and 5 minutes would be great. We know they could move on in time even if they don't think so now, though not likely soon. Then...we could too (who says it has to be our last move) but, also think the area is great for aging with way more medical and assisted living options - not to ignore, so much to do! Hopefully, we can winter away for a few weeks also. We know that we have to rebuild a life for ourselves with them in it, but not count on them only. Note: we both have lived our whole lives in our current town. Even if we are excited...it will be a BIG adjustment. Thanks for sharing.

Jay, Although we are not truly interested in any type of "retirement community", thanks for an enjoyable and interesting set of articles (and all the comments they generated!). I'm glad you've found a place to roost (and you are much closer to Denver and the Rockies than we are!). I liked you thoughts on Cleveland. We passed through once a few years ago and were actually struck by the "look". Nice to know there is substance behind that "look" even though your "winter analysis" confirms and solidifies our "no way" response -- but then, that applies to almost everywhere north of where we settled a little south of Fearrington Village, NC.

Since we have a daughter who lives just outside of Cleveland with her husband, three children and multiple pets, we read this article with interest.They all love Ohio and because I am a Midwestern girl at heart, I too appreciate its charms. Like many of the great Midwestern cities -- I grew up in Kansas City -- Cleveland certainly offers almost as many cultural amenities as some of the snootier eastern cities such as Boston where I've lived for 50 years. No one can match Boston for great sports teams (Yeah Pats! and here come the Red Sox in just a few weeks), but sounds like Cleveland can go one on one with Boston for its art museum. Based on Jay's recommendation, we'll go there next time we're in Ohio. Thanks for an interesting perspective, Jay.

The Cleveland area is great. Moved away 19 years ago but still consider it my home.

Thanks Jan. I forgot to mention these and should have-they both are great. I love the area in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where you could see a diagram showing musicians who influenced famous musicians with recordings of each influencer's music. Very educational and fun. And East 4th with no cars on the street rocks on a summer evening with indoor and outdoor dining and bars.

Sandy-glad to help if you could provide me with your email. I believe Pioneer Ridge is in North Ridgeville. North Ridgeville is not far from our home.

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

Thanks for the great update. As long as you get along with your kids who have grandchildren, I think it's a no-brainer to live near them. Yes, even if it's in the freezing North. (Today there is a huge snowstorm in the Northeast and I just biked 10 miles and am now at the pool in Miami Beach, where we own a condo.) Time moves fast; there is no reason, as long as you can afford it, to not live near them in the north 9 months of the year and spend up to 3 months renting someplace warmer so you can enjoy those months. We moved to Miami Beach for tax reasons, and we also bought a smaller house in Rhode Island, where our kids (not settled yet) still are and where we have spent the past 30 years. This year, we left for Miami in mid-October, went to India for three weeks, went to Chicago to see friends and then to RI for 3 holiday weeks in December. We came back to Miami Beach at the end of December, toting with us a daughter and her two children under 2 AND her 3-legged chihuahua, who stayed for 2 weeks. After that WE REALLY APPRECIATED being on our own with no responsibilities! And it's less than 3 months until we're back in RI with the grandkids. So, keep in mind that you don't have to live next door to them 12 months a year; you can be with them and still have time for yourself.

This is so funny. I grew up on the northeast coast. I was living in Florida when I met my husband. We relocated to NE Ohio for his job about 35 years ago. For years I said when he retired we would look around and move else where. Well we knew Florida wasn't for us but thought possibly the Carolinas. We ruled that out because as nice as it is we just can't handle the heat and humidity. We love VA. I agree it's just too expensive the traffic is rough and again it's very humid there too. Every time we returned home our enthusiasm for moving diminished. We absolutely love Cleveland. We decided we're staying put and are very thankful this ended up being the place we relocated to years ago haha. Also, Avon Lake is a great town. You're right in our neck of the woods! I keep meeting more people moving back here that have recently retired. Who would have guessed?

Kate - (Another Kate here) - Keep in mind that North Carolina has a diverse climate, and it's possible to avoid the worst of the heat in the Blue Ridge mountain area/Ashville. Likewise, VA is very diverse and it is much less expensive the further you get from Washington DC. I do understand your love of Cleveland though! One of my kids is works for the Cleveland Clinic, and lives near you. She sends me pictures from the extraordinary indoor Farmer's Market, the great beaches and weekend neighborhood fairs, multiple music events around the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and more. I also get listings from this kid of great one-level housing for surprisingly low prices since this kid tries to induce me to move to Cleveland...however, the Lake Effect snow is just too much for me. It looks beautiful...but I'd miss being able to go Christmas shopping in a sweater like I did this last year in Charlotte, NC.