Places to Retire

[The Duke]

name your top 3 *financially realistic* retirement destinations. I can’t buy Necker Island, even after the hurricane damage.

My current top 3 (wife and I):
- Santa Fe
- Stillwater
- somewhere in the Hill Country of Texas

 

[BigBobBarker]

Florida or Texas. For retirement plans you pay state income tax on where your primary residence is at time of withdrawal not on where the money was earned. Even more reason with the decrease in the ability to write off state income taxes on federal income tax.

 

[osu_orangestreak]

USVI Worried about medical access if something happened
Marco Island
Siesta Key area

 

[SquinkY5786]

We have thought about this. I have young retirement or old retirement. I think toward the end of my retirement I probably end up in urban areas where I can walk to food and other things. Young I have thought about Colorado, Stillwater, or a beach crosses my mind. With the beach I love just having to throw on a T-shirt, shorts, and flip flops. I think it really depends on what my kids end up doing.

 

[1981grad]

I retired in June of 2016 and moved to Cedar City, Utah which is located in southwest Utah, and here are the reasons why:

1. I have all of the outdoor activities you could want.
a. Outstanding hiking and hunting
b. Plenty of snowmobiling and ATV opportunities
c. Good fishing
b. If I played golf, I would be within an hour of 10 golf courses
2. It is a small town, approximately 30,000 people, that has a low cost of living
3. Great medical facilities in S. George which is 45 minutes away
4. Great climate

The key to retirement is that you have to keep yourself busy

 

[trapped_in_tx]

I've contemplated splitting time between Wyoming and Arizona, which would require rather humble dwellings in either location unless some things turn out much better than average for me in the next 20 years.

I have plenty of time though so my plans are fluid.

 

[cableok]

Probably someplace in Caribbean, but somewhere warm and where I can scuba dive. Almost bought a property in Ambergris Caye (island off Belize) two years ago. May go there, but more likely now Puerto Rico or USVI.

 

[The Duke]

but more likely now Puerto Rico or USVI.

Love the BVIs and USVIs but get a good generator or three and some big diesel tanks. And solar ;-)

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

name your top 3 *financially realistic* retirement destinations. I can’t buy Necker Island, even after the hurricane damage.

My current top 3 (wife and I):
- Santa Fe
- Stillwater
- somewhere in the Hill Country of Texas

Mine are:

• Somewhere in the Hill Country of Texas
• Durango, CO (or possibly Fort Collins)
• Stillwater

 

[The Duke]

Mine are:

• Somewhere in the Hill Country of Texas
• Durango, CO (or possibly Fort Collins)
• Stillwater

I would throw in the Pagosa Springs area as #4. I know Durango is a larger town, hear good things but haven’t been there yet.

 

[1981grad]

Durango has to may tourists and traffic

 

[BluegrassPoke]

We will retire somewhere between Ft. Meyers and Naples.

Why:

Warm weather
Live off the coast
Not heavily populated
Year round golf

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

nm

 

[cableok]

We will retire somewhere between Ft. Meyers and Naples.

Why:

Warm weather
Live off the coast
Not heavily populated
Year round golf

Not heavily populated? I guess that is relative.

My father has lived in Bonita Springs for last 25 years. Winter time has a lot of people down there. But beaches are beautiful and lots of great golf.

 

[BluegrassPoke]

Not heavily populated? I guess that is relative.

My father has lived in Bonita Springs for last 25 years. Winter time has a lot of people down there. But beaches are beautiful and lots of great golf.

Let me make this relative. I have lived in NYC and now Dallas. For me, not that populated.

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

Let me make this relative. I have lived in NYC and now Dallas. For me, not that populated.

Pretty pricey. Not NYC pricey, but high end for sure. Most nicer retirement areas are though.

 

[BluegrassPoke]

Not heavily populated? I guess that is relative.

My father has lived in Bonita Springs for last 25 years. Winter time has a lot of people down there. But beaches are beautiful and lots of great golf.

Bonita Springs and Estero are very nice.

Port Charlotte is also a place we will consider.

 

[FMPoke]

USVI Worried about medical access if something happened
Marco Island
Siesta Key area

Love Siesta Key but how's the Cost of Living there. Have never paid much attention but it seems like it would be pretty pricey real estate.

 

[Deepfork]

I may just stay in Nashville. Pretty much year round golf, lot's of friends, low cost of living, no state income taxes, and great medical facilities.
Other areas I may consider:
Texas
Stillwater/Tulsa
Hot Springs

 

[Ostatedchi]

Belize
Amsterdam
Bruges Belgium

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

Belize
Amsterdam
Bruges Belgium

Belize would be my highest rated non USA possibility.

 

[SquinkY5786]

What about Belize safety and medical

 

[cableok]

What about Belize safety and medical

I have vacationed there twice, but both times on the Ambgris Caye island. Appeared very safe to me. Ambergris Caye is the island Madonna sang about in “La Isla Bonita” FWIW.
Currency in Belize is tied to USD, which is convenient. And you can use USD everywhere.

Don’t know about medical.

 

[The Duke]

Surprised nobody has mentioned Costa Rica yet.

 

[squeak]

Edmond, OKC, or near my kids (wherever that is).

 

[N. Pappagiorgio]

My wife is from East Texas. Our retirement options are Stillwater, East Texas or Hawaii.
I guess me and @RCPorky are going to be neighbors.

 

[wyomingosualum]

I've contemplated splitting time between Wyoming and Arizona, which would require rather humble dwellings in either location unless some things turn out much better than average for me in the next 20 years.

I have plenty of time though so my plans are fluid.

My wife and I have started talking about this. Her parents live in the Tucson area and we visited them over Christmas break. The weather was spectacular. Once the kids are gone, I can easily envision us dragging the travel trailer down there for a month or more every winter.

I have a buddy in Lake Havasu City. If you live there less than half the year, you don’t get docked for state income tax. He said the state is very proactive about checking utility records and such to see how much time you spend there. Maybe somebody who lives there can provide more info on this,

Anyway, I’m liking the snowbird idea and we are about 4 years out.

 

[EvilPOKES]

Flagstaff, AZ
Stillwater, OK
Aosta, Italy

 

[EvilPOKES]

Belize
Amsterdam
Bruges Belgium

Bruges is a beautiful, beautiful city.

 

[osu_orangestreak]

Stillwater in the summer, 110 and nothing going on. I will pass on that.

 

[Ostatedchi]

Bruges is a beautiful, beautiful city.

I loved being there. And it is close to St. Sixtus Abby. It was one of the most serene places I've ever been on the planet.

 

[EvilPOKES]

I loved being there. And it is close to St. Sixtus Abby. It was one of the most serene places I've ever been on the planet.

Not far from Melle...where my favorite brew is made

 

[Ostatedchi]

Not far from Melle...where my favorite brew is made

Went to the Abby just to get some West Vleteren 12. But you are probably talking about Delirium.

 

[NipponPoke]

Nice to see all the love for Oklahoma on here.

 

[squeak]

Stillwater in the summer, 110 and nothing going on. I will pass on that.

Good. Less traffic.

 

[BluegrassPoke]

Flagstaff, AZ
Stillwater, OK
Aosta, Italy

You know we are bros but Flagstaff is a shithole.

 

[BluegrassPoke]

The only international destination I would consider is Vermont/Hermanus, South Africa.

Some of you that know me realize I spend a lot of time in South Africa. I love the people and the pure beauty of the land. Since it is in the Southern Hemisphere I could live in warm weather year round and do whale watching in September. The wine is incredible. My wife is always concerned I will move the family there full time.

The biggest downside is the long ass flight but it is worth it.

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

You know we are bros but Flagstaff is a shithole.

The city itself? Agreed.

 

[trapped_in_tx]

The city itself? Agreed.

I've been through a couple times and didn't explore much but this assessment doesn't surprise me.

I have an old friend who lives a bit southwest of town. Out in the woods seems better... Until it's fire season. Not sure I'd want that stress in retirement.

 

[EvilPOKES]

You know we are bros but Flagstaff is a shithole.

Flagstaff proper maybe, but the outskirts are my jam! The skiing be good!