If you could....

[madmom]

If you had the opportunity to movie anywhere in the lower 48, where would you go and why? This may be an opportunity for someone who is retired so there are no work or school requirements, just acceptable cost of living (living on modest pension and disability). Not wanting to buy, but not wanting crowded, city apartment life either.

[geckosfeet]

1. Interesting question for someone considering checking out of the grind. I am thinking New Mexico.

[Siwsan]

2. My 3 to 5 year plan is to move to the Asheville, NC area

I will have worked long enough at my job to qualify for the company extended health care benefit and I've been saving money my entire working life to supplement taking a lower paying job and/or collecting social security.

North Carolina is beautiful, and my wonderful nephew and niece would love for me to move closer to them. Asheville is a hotbed of liberalism in a 'purple-ish' state. As a proud, aging hippie, I think it will be a good fit for me.

[Honeycombe8]

8. That's a good tip. That state is on my list of considerations. nt

[graham4anything]

3. people in NJ seem to gravitate to NC because Florida is too hot but I pick the beach of Calif.

I personally would love to live on Santa Monica or Venice beach in California if I had the money to move cross country and afford a beachfront place.
I would though care about the politics of a place I moved to, which now takes out Arizona or other red states.

Possibly Austin, Tx with their music and college atmosphere keeping one young if the state can turn blue again with a Gov. Castro one day.

the DC area is also a great area (the further into VA the less snow)

(older I get, the worst I hate winter weather, so north is not an option, it would have to be south.)

If the cold don't bother you, the Ithaca NY area is a great area but its really bad winters

In reality, I wouldn't mind moving to parts of France, UK, Austria or Switzerland but that is not in your question.

[Siwsan]

4. Venice Beach and Santa Monica are two of my favorite places - but pretty expensive

I've spent a lot of memoriable time, walking the beach from Venice to the Santa Monica Pier. Tea at the Tudor House, coffee at The Fig Tree. Love those places. But I know I could never afford to live there - unfortunately.

If I were to move overseas, it would be back to North Wales. I'm a little prejudiced, but I think it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. And, I happen to really like the Welsh people.

[graham4anything]

10. one of the places I want to still get to is North Wales

I am not a fan of flying much since three bad flying experiences in a row in 1990s and Reagan's 1980s union busting, and have only flown once in 2004 overseas because of that.

(drove coast to coast a few years ago due to my dislike of planes and want to do so again maybe next year or so).

You are right, it is very expensive on the beaches in California and just a pipe dream to being able to live there.

But imagine retiring there and sitting on the pier watching the water, the people, watching the rides there, with some sort of laptop or smart phone day after day after day.

(ah to win the mega millions or powerball) lol

[Siwsan]

11. I loved standing on Santa Monica Pier, watching the sun set, and applauding it with the crowd

North Wales is magical. Well, the whole country is magical, but I'm atavistically drawn to the North. I also recommend the north of Scotland. Beautiful country and amazing people. I love London and Edinburgh, but I'd rather live in a quiet, rural, hilly setting, not too far from the sea. Or, in Asheville.

[graham4anything]

13. yup, would love to have six weeks in the entire area, two in London itself, the rest around

I love London, the sights, the atmosphere (and the cab drivers, just to talk to regular people instead of the underground) the buildings, the history.
And I was at Wembley a couple of times, but need to hit all the other places and would need at least a month to six weeks to do it right.

you make me want to leave today.

[monmouth]

15. You are living my fantasy. Santa Monica is definitely on my bucket list..

[SmileyRose]

5. We are in the same boat and here's how I'm deciding

1. Ability to access family (for me it's needy parents, grown siblings, nieces nephews cousins etc - we don't have kids).
2. Ability to access stores, medical care etc WITHOUT A CAR (for when one of us has to stop driving)
3. Ability to socialize.
4. Ability to volunteer.
5. Climate and location within our budget.

I guess what I'm saying is decide what qualities of life you want first and THEN decide where. You can change your mind later and move again. Our world gets smaller as we get older. Moving to a place and in a community with a lot of services will help you live small on a daily basis but the support system will help you live larger.

In decent health in the 60's might be too young for the "active adult community" but by 80's having the support system of sponsored group tours, bus to the grocery store and "doctor days" where professionals come to the community for minor things and basic advice is extremely helpful regardless of what climate one is in.

If you make it to 90's you'll need more intense support from loved ones and you'll want to be convenient to them.

No matter where you go eventually you'll want to look at something different, so make sure you are able to get out.

[graham4anything]

12. #2 is something one really needs to consider

we live in northern nj (which is NOT the stereotypical NJ one hears about, we have trees and lakes and all, but nothing accessable but a deli unless you have a car.

1-2 miles down big hill to stores, walking is impossible,especially when ice/snow around.

and no public transportation.

NYC(Manhattan or the boros) of course is way too expensive, but has the first 4 but not the 5th.

People from NJ like NC as it is cheaper, and has lakes and trees and is comparatable and warmer in winter.

If only the train / bus system was built back up nationwide, would make other areas accessable without a car.

And good hospitals are a must. And older one gets, the more important it is in easy reach(not just in emergency but for tests and visits, etc.) And a place to get meds (let alone food).

[GoCubsGo]

6. Given the "acceptable cost of living" caveat...

I guess I'd have to say Tucson or Albuquerque. I love the Southwest, and they seem to be reasonably-priced, smallish cities. They are also fairly friendly to those on the left side of the political spectrum. If money were not an issue, the decision would be tougher. Portland, OR and Santa Fe are at the top of my list, although just about anywhere in western Oregon or Washington would fit the bill. These areas are beautiful AND progressive, for the most part. Lots of opportunities to get out into nature, and for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking and paddling. And, the Pacific Northwest, especially is great for sampling craft beers. If I was filthy rich, I'd move to the shores of Puget Sound, where I would take up sea kayaking and salmon fishing.

I will also put in a good word for Ashville, NC. That would be my only choice if I couldn't move west.

[Honeycombe8]

7. I've actually been looking into that for a couple of years.

My "wish" places would be in northeast or northwest (Maine, Oregon, Washington state). Next would be the beautiful east coast states like NC, SC, GA.

But the northeast and northwest are far too expensive. I mean WOW expensive. You have to live there and earn the high wages there, to afford to retire there.

I'm still considering the east coast southern states, but some of those places can be expensive, too.

I'm in Texas. Just FYI: It's hard to beat the cost of living here. I found that out, when comparing the various COL around the U.S.

I'll probably stay in TX but move to the eastern part, where it's more attractive and the soil is better (I want to garden as my main hobby in my retirement years).

[obxhead]

9. More info needed.

There are many factors to consider. Medical conditions and weather preferences being two of the biggest that jump to my mind.

[madmom]

14. It's funny because most of the places mentioned here are

ones we were talking about. We love the southwest, but politics is a concern. Also wondering about the temperature changes and wondering how bad the heat and drought will be in a few years. Health wise about average, not bad but not great. The disability has to do with an inner ear problem that brings on unexpected dizzy spells. We've thought about senior living also, but our adult daughter still lives with us and is in no position to live on her own as of now, so unless she can live with us for awhile that is out also.
All these ideas/tips are great and giving me somethings to think about. thanks all!

[lonestarnot]

17. Tucson.

[HopeHoops]

16. Actually, I'm happy right where I am, in the house I'm in, with the yard I have.

It's large enough for a substantial garden but not too large to mow in an hour and a half (with water breaks). The house is just right. The routes to wherever I need to go are numerous with plenty of alternatives if I run into a mess. Can't complain.