Did you find a place Cynthia? Many retirees move here to my region, southern Oregon.
It is a 2 hour drive to the Oregon coast, but housing prices are much lower than other places. We have great culture - Rogue Valley Symphony, community bands and theatre, art galleries, Oregon Shakespeare Festival (in Ashland), thriving farmer's markets. And the healthcare system, Asante, is pretty good. I retired there after 15 years as a nurse in 2020. We have 4 seasons with a little bit of snow. The main drawback is that we have forest fires nearby so it is usually smokey in August and September.
Meanwhile, I'd rather be in Chicago myself, as my daughter lives in Indianapolis and it is too far to visit her.
I would Love to retire in Hawaii, why? The people are sooooo friendly. But, the taxes will Eat you alive. I have lived there for 30 years. But, everything keeps rising, everytime you turn around, really. You get a raise at work, good, right, then they raise your rent, then grocery items go up, then the bus rates go up, then you think that's not too bad but then they raise the tax on EVERYTHING YOU BUY! So, your literally swimming in taxes!
Hawaii is a Tourist Trap and A Tax Trap as well. Great weather, beautiful skies, but swimming is only good on the North Shore, it's not polluted yet.
Its nice to buy a home if your a millionaire but then they Raise the property taxes, again and again and again, till it chokes families.
So,Where to go? How about Las Vegas? blue skies, people are friendly, your NOT taxed on everything,plus there are so many people from Hawaii owing to Nevada, tons! You can afford to buy a house. There are four seasons but not so cold( actually it's only really cold for 4 months). No mosquitos and No cockroaches!! ( In Hawaii, there are TONS!!). There are mountains to hike and the summers are warm ( gets super hot sometimes), but I prefer the heat better than the cold, any day. Plus, you can travel anywhere by car, train,plane, whatever you so desire. What about gambling? Stay with a limit when you go in and walk out when your done but the best place is Primm, a lottery, you never know if your the lucky one today, so instead of giving all that TAX money to Hawaii's government, try your LUCK at Primm!
back in 2004, while we were still snowbirding to Florida...
We lit, feel comfortable for the rest of our lives, for whatever may happen. We live in a "Villa"... a regular 1500 s.f. home but have access to the apartments, assisted living, nursing home or memory care as needed... A great midwest town, with low trafiic and all stores and entertainment needs within a few miles.
This is the way future Continuing Care facilities willbe all over the US. If you go to the site, go to the FAQ... part and watch the short video... (that's our home in one of the videos.)
Could not be happier. Feel safe, social, healthy (full service health/exercise center) and transportation if and when we need it.
I retired at 64 after living for 20 years in the Chicago suburbs. We wanted warmth and a city environment. We chose the Victoria Park neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, Fl walking distance to Las Olas Shops and restaurants and a short bike ride from the beach. We have a small three bedroom house with a large yard and a great pool. We could not be happier with our choice. The kids love to come down winter and spring and we spend our summers at our condo in downtown Chicago
I have lived in Los Angeles all of my life and now that I am retiring, I want to move to GA. I have a 3 year old grandson there that I want to bond with, and I am ready to leave California.