20 Most Captivating Places to Retire for 2022

I look forward to your lists! Fun to read about and although I wouldn't consider Washington for retirement you have given me three great places to explore in that state and some other interesting places as well to visit. Can't wait to get traveling again, hopefully we'll all be able to this summer.

Aww, not everyone embraces the horrible southern heat and humidity! Washington and Oregon was the best you could do? I feel compelled to do a little cheerleading for those places farther north (okay, and east). I've seen Maine and Michigan come up on some recent lists so don't discount cooler weather too quickly. (A recent article I read, illustrated how cooler weather was actually much healthier and better for your body!) We landed in Maine, 4 years ago, and LOVE it! Another woman I know just moved to Alaska - maybe a list of "unusual" locations could be done in future.?

HEF, how is the 0 degree weather with wind chills down to minus 20 in Southern Maine this January working out for you? It may be healthier for you, but I am staying indoors!

RAF, I'm with you. I'm currently in Michigan and its freezing outside. With rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia I'm looking forward to warmer weather. HEF, can you share those articles? Its hard for me to believe that breathing the never changing indoor air, flavored by the constant running furnace is good for me. I would love to see the criteria the author was using. Thank you.

I live in Washington State, just south of Seattle, and love it. Was in Connecticut for 12 years with a job and couldn't wait to get back here. No place is perfect but people need to pick what works for them. As the world is changing, and getting warmer, even Western Washington isn't the way it used to be. Most of us never had AC. I finally gave in and put it in my house last year; the summers are much warmer than they used to be. Go where it makes you happy; or stay where you are. What ever floats your boat. By the way, Maine would be my second choice. Can't stand the heat.
Sharon

Right on, Sharon! You said it well.
Okay, it was -5 on our own thermometer this morning, with a wind chill. The radiators are heating up, the propane fire is going and the coffee it hot! Not so bad... Later, I'll put on my boots, coat, gloves and Patriots (so sad) pom-pom hat to re-fill the bird feeders and get some sun.
If you do a general search for "colder temps are healthier for you" DOZENS of articles come up. Besides that, we have just been able to gradually adapt. Plus, we did replace old windows this past year and it is a lot less drafty! We used to keep the inside temp set at 68 during the day and I would tell myself, if I'm cold, I'm not moving enough! (which was, and still is, pretty much true) I don't mind bundling up and shoveling a little bit. We have a Plow Guy for the driveway, which leaves the kitchen steps and a couple of short walkways to clear and once in a while, the neighbors just do them for us. If we get ice, we just stay home!
We installed a mini-split (heat pump?) in the living/family room and use the A/C during the unbearable summer weather, which we get more often now. Ceiling fans help circulate both heat and A/C. But we'd much rather have cooler/colder outside weather than HOT. I couldn't grow rhubarb in TN - too hot :-)

Sharon: We lived in Gig Harbor for a while. Loved Western Washington.

I also live south of Seattle and put in a heat pump. Glad I did because we had 1 day last year at 108 degrees and the house was nice and cool.
I grew up here and can't imagine living any place else.

United Van Lines annual survey is based on people it moves into and out of all 50 states. You can’t get a more accurate picture of the popularity of all the states, although the sample size is relatively small (just the people they move). And the most popular state, based on inflow vs outflow, is…Vermont! Wind chill Saturday was 20 below. Last year’s most popular state was Idaho. It could be the pandemic or other factors, but HEF is onto something. In New England winter cold, you can always add a layer; in Florida summer heat, there is just so much you can take off.

I've found Chatanooga to be not only hot, but very humid. Murphy, quite warm as well during the warmer times of the year. (I visited in mid-May.) Just a heads up for all you people who, like me, don't do well with excessive heat.

I so much like reading these blogs. We grew up in northern Michigan and moved to Chicago fresh out of high school lived in Chicago for many years and moved out to near suburb for the last 17 years. We’re both 64 and looking to retire soon but we’re tired of the cold and the snow. Florida has always been on our list but we think it gets too hot and humid for most of the time. We have been to Asheville fell in love with it however it does seem like it’s getting a lot more crowded as time goes on. We have looked at outlying areas near Asheville those are a possibility as well. We’ve heard some things about Greenville South Carolina and was wondering if anyone had any information on that area. We are looking for a 55+ community preferably in a manufactured home community. If anyone has any information it would be greatly appreciated. Again really like hearing from everyone and their perspective no matter how different they are.

Larry am rather surprised to hear Vermont as #1 moving into. From local news do know people moved here because of the low Covid rate & how quickly everyone rally to fight it getting vaccinated saying in placed/masked etc. The downside cost of living, no tax breaks for retirees, property taxes & lack of affordable housing. Upside if you can manage a long Vermont/New England winter, don't mind that you may not leave your house for almost a week & say it is a heat wave when temp hits 20's then make your bags & move where you can breath good clean fresh air (except spring when manure is being spread!). Agree with HEF Maine is a beautiful place & who doesn't love the ocean. Saying is if you can manage a Yankee winter you come from good healthy stock!

Sharon - Like you, I can't stand the heat. I'm in SoCal now, having moved back here after an 18 year absence, and am looking for my next landing spot because it's just far too hot for me here now that I'm in my 70s. I lived in Redmond, WA for 5 years and was never bothered by the rain or gray skies. So - as I plan my escape from the heat, the Eastside of Lake Washington is back on my list, together with the Bay Area, where I grew up. I'm not going anywhere as long as Covid still makes it risky to get on a plane and check out homes, but I'm planning ahead. The one thing that makes it hard is that there are so few one story houses there - and even when there is a house with one story living, stairs are usually needed to get to the backyard. Fingers crossed that (a) when I'm ready to move I'll find just the right house, and (b) prices in the area settle down a bit (a 3 bedroom condo recently sold in Bellevue for $1.3 MM after just a day or two on the market. Wow!)

Thanks Flo, still am interested if anyone has any advice. I find that sometimes folks will reply to posts in many different areas/blogs. Thanks again for the info

JoAnne, I lived in Seattle many years but when I decided to come back it was just too expensive for me now. I am settled in Olympia, the State Capital, which is about 60 miles south of the Seattle. Still close enough to make trips if you want. I am 78 now and don't do that much driving any more but did when I first moved here. I have now been here 11 years and love it. Where I live is close to getting to the shore if you want. If you want more info, I'd be glad to share what I know. Good luck.
Sharon

Here is an alternate lifestyle for those who want to get away from it all!
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/storylines-residential-cruise-ship-concept/index.html. Here is the brochure: https://www.storylines.com/our-brochure
Editor's comment: Check out Topretirements' 2010 luncheon visit and tour of The World, a very high end residential ship. It was in Newport Harbor and well, very eye-opening! It is currently enroute to Honolulu.
https://www.topretirements.com/blog/travel/retirement-on-a-cruise-ship-combines-adventure-with-convenience.html/

All of your posts are informative and fun, Louise. My mind went instantly to the arks built to save a sliver of (rich) mankind in the science fiction (?) movie 2012. Wonder what the pandemic precautions would be since “owners are welcome to invite guests on board, and have the option to rent out their residences when they're not using them.” Could this become a floating time-share, if so, I hope they make naughty neighbors walk the plank.

Here is another interesting place in no man's land!
Click on the video below. Very interesting place!
https://lakeofthewoodsmn.com/the-northernmost-point-of-the-contiguous-u-s-the-nw-angle/

Spent several years in St Petersburg, loved the spring and fall, hated the summers. That’s why so many of us have two homes.

For those of you thinking of retiring in CA, read this article. Some people are no longer California Dreamin'.
https://nypost.com/2022/01/22/former-residents-reveal-why-we-left-california-for-good/