I want to move to Arizona from Illinois when I retire in less than 2 years...I am moving because they have a lot of sun and warm weather...I'm tired of the cold...
Do you have any idea where in Arizona? I live in the Southern area (think Tombstone). the Northern area is beautiful too, cooler climates, snow, more evergreen. Phoenix (central) can be unbearbly hot in summer. Ive been here since 2008 this time but lived here (military) 3 other times in my life. I'm in same situation like you under 2 years. Originally from Indiana, I'm heading to Tennessee for cooler temps, like you are for hotter temps.
Property taxes and sales tax in IL are near the highest in the nation and going up, if they’re not the highest. I live in a starter home in an area that hasn’t recovered as well economically as most others and for a small property I’m paying $5,600/year in real estate taxes. People who live in areas that have recovered faster can pay up to $14,000 a year in real estate taxes - over a thousand dollars a month. That’s a huge chunk of most retirees’ Budget.
Hope you have LOTS of money. It's a very expensive place to live. Traffic is atrocious, people aren't friendly, and the crime rate, depending on where you are, can be quite high. Also, depending on where you live, there may not be bus service or a grocery store within miles. Flooding is rampant in certain spots. Flood insurance is a must in pretty much any area. Oh, and it's hot from May to November, and even when it's not, it's humid (which makes it seem even colder when it's cold).
We've lived here 23 years, and that's been 22 years too long.
Anywhere on the beach along the Gulf Coast. Even with hurricanes it would be a great place to live there again. Live in North Texas now. We are in Tornado Alley. My house has been hit 3 times so there would be much difference.
I'm 66, planning on retiring at 68. I'll have at least $60,000/year in retirement income, unitl the day I die. My passion is the American Southwest, where I plan to move, from Illinois. Tentatively, Cortez, CO appeals to me, with Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients and more, in the vicinity.
I'm a fairly accomplished photographer, particularly with landscapes. I plan on hiking and shooting most every day, weather accommodating. Some days, I may shoot people and cut-off their heads.
I hope their is a community, or two, in the area there, that I can join. There's always the American Legion. But, I need more.
Before I commit to a place, I will spend some time in more than one location in the region. It may be that I end up near my children, wherever one of them land, 2 currently in Boston and one near Peoria.
Yes, the area around Cortez is lovely, as a desert SW landscape. I was a BLM ranger at Mesa Verde and lived in Durango. The problem is water, or the lack of it. You must be sure you have an adequate supply for whatever dwelling, as many communities are now restricting water hauling and new wells are expensive as well as possibly not allowed. There has been a severe drought in the area for several years. Weather can be either too hot or too cold. The people are not quite as friendly as in Durango area. Cost of living is fairly low, but so is the income. The Ute Mtn Ute reservation is just south, with a casino, and there are lots of tourists, year around. Very small airport, and limited health care. Durango, again, is closest for real amenities. If you really want the experience, then several CO towns would be great, including Pueblo and Trinidad. Farmington, NM is also a choice.