pgabier

Hi, my husband will be retiring from the military soon and we finally have a chance to choose where we would like to live. I can work anywhere in the U.S. since I work from home or travel. My husband can work almost anywhere--he is in medicine.

We would really love to have some input of places you've lived or traveled in the U.S. that may fit our needs/wants. While together, we have lived in San Diego, a Fort Lauderdale suburb, Chesapeake Virginia, and New Bern NC. Separately, we have lived in Annapolis, South Shore Boston, Western Massachusetts, Reno Nevada, and SE Texas.

We are looking for the following:
--A great high school for the kids
--Close to the water. We have a large boat--and could even live on it (again) if the location were right.
--A smaller town feel where we could walk or bike-ride to shops and restaurants
--Fairly liberal attitudes--not a staunchly religious community
--Outdoor sports, such as biking, hiking, etc.
--Wineries nearby would be nice but not a requirement
--Light traffic (if possible)

We are thinking somewhere in Oregon or Maryland but we would love to hear your opinions! Thank you very much...

tchoiniere

Someplace along CT shore would meet most of those too. Stonington, Saybrook, etc

Dukey1

define "in medicine"...might make a difference

Except for the "light traffic" I might suggest Annapolis but it is pricey

assume you've decided against any and eveywhere in Florida, correct?

And concerns about cost of living because that WILL make a BIG difference in recommendations

Dukey1

when you say a "smaller town feel" I assume that means you really don't want to be IN a smaller town.

BTW, how important are the possibilities of having a commissary/PX-BX/possible healthcare facilities you can use close by?

Dukey1

I ask the above because one of the consistently higher rated "where to retire" states is Delaware

Fodorite018

I am in Oregon, and DH is a retired military officer. We came back "home" when he retired a few years ago. Portland has traffic, but it really isn't that bad and all the other stuff makes up for that. We are 90 minutes from the ocean, have the Cascade Mountains for lots of stuff to do(hiking,climbing,biking), several wine regions, downtown is liberal, and some areas that have great schools.

A couple of downsides. OR does tax military retirement pay and it is at 10%. Also there are no bases here in the state, so no commissary, etc. The closest one is in WA up at JBLM.

All that said, take a look at WA as well. Traffic is not light, but it fits the bill for everything else and there is no state income tax. DH actually works up there during the week and so is a WA resident.

Dukey1

I am not certain how up to date this site is but if you haven't looked at it you might:

http://www.retirementliving.com/taxes-by-state

Gardyloo

Do some research on Olympia, Washington.

On protected salt water, the open ocean is an hour, Seattle is an hour, Portland is under two hours. Mount Rainier is 90 min., Olympic NP also 90, wineries in Yakima 3 hours and Oregon 2 1/2, JBLM PX etc. is 20 min.

Olympia is a small town but because it's the state capital, it's got a big-town feel. Bike to shops or cafes? Join the crowd. Fantastic little farmer's market, some of the best city parks in the state, housing fairly affordable (at least as far as Puget Sound goes.) Good medical/hospital facilities, a good university close by. No state income tax.

Might be worth investigating.

rizzo0904

great schools, medical field, ocean, liberal, not religious....this points me to New England. There are wineries, but mostly fruit wines. But there are great breweries!

Portland Maine suburb, Rye NH, Newburyport Mass. I wouldn't go north of Portland. You could also look at RI..maybe Portsmouth? I'm not super familiar with RI.

Dukey1

I still want to hear about any cost of living concerns

pgabier

Wow, everyone here has been amazing! I just posted a bit ago! We would not need to be near a base or commissary, medical etc. My husband is a radiologist and may decide to do locum tenens (so he would travel to different areas to work) instead of full-time practice.

We do like smaller towns--we really like it here in New Bern (which is riverfront and connects to the bay/ocean) but there are some drawbacks here. I like places that are a bit "artsy" (Nevada City, CA comes up as an example.) Strangely, we prefer the west coast for some reasons and the east coast for others so we really are open to both sides of the country. Re: cost of living--moderate would be best. It doesn't have to be very low cost of living but I would prefer it weren't exceptionally high either!

We haven't ruled out Florida completely but I have to say I am really looking forward to living somewhere that has at least hills! We have considered a suburb of Annapolis too, and if there are any on the Eastern Shore with great schools and a town we can walk to, that would be great. A walking town is definitely on the top end of our priorities. We love that we can do that here and hope to have that where we end up.

Please keep your recommendations coming! I will check out those towns in CT, as well as Delaware, Olympia, Portland, etc. Any others are very welcome!

AustinTraveler

Have you looked into the San Luis Obispo area? It seems to have everything on your list.

pgabier

We loved Portsmouth, NH (my brother lived there), but it is just too cold for us long-term...

happytrailstoyou

I don't have any suggestion except to say that many towns on the Oregon coast have quite a bit of rain--averaging 25 to 35 more inches of rain each year than Portland.

HTtY

Dukey1

Thanks for your reply and having been through this whole thing I understand how difficult it can be.

BTW Florida, even SOUTH Florida does have hills (I guess you didn't notice when you were there): overpasses and landfills.

Best wishes.

Bobmrg

Edmonds, WA. Water, arts, small community, good schools, Navy BX/commissary in Marysville even if you don't need it. Thirty-some miles from Seattle if you ever feel the need.

During my career we lived in New London, Galveston, Panama City, Norfolk, and the DC area (twice) before moving to the Seattle area. This morning the sky is blue, high for the day will be in the low 70s, and the Olympic Mountains are etched in white against the sky. We will never leave.

sunbum1944

I second Edmonds Wa- beautiful spot, easy access to the big city if you want, big marina, active yacht club - always enjoy my visits there.

Second choice would be Pt Townsend in Wa- great little town, I friend of mine lives there and they love it!

Fodorite018

Another vote for Edmonds, but only the main downtown area. Plus there is a really good dentist there, lol!

Dukey1

OK, Bob, please dispel the incorrect notion now: just how often DOES the sun actually get through the clouds out there????

happytrailstoyou

Washington state has many good options on Puget Sound. Whidbey Island is another favorite.