Looking to retire in Georgia
Aug 5th, 2005, 06:09 AM
#21
GoT...to continue the real estate discussion...
There are deals to be had here. We are headed down to the coast one of these weekends to look around Port Aransas area. The nice part of Windmill Harbor is that we could have kept our sailboat there--there are even locks to get out.
There's a new area around Port Aransas that is promising the same thing, but but at prices from the 370s to 800s. "The Moorings at Mustang Island...townhomes and condos between the Gulf and Corpus Christi Bay. Two private lagoon-style marinas (perfect protection and what we have now in St Pete) and boat slips for each home". Sounds too good to be true doesn't it? So, it proably is. www.livetheisland.com.
There are deals to be had here. We are headed down to the coast one of these weekends to look around Port Aransas area. The nice part of Windmill Harbor is that we could have kept our sailboat there--there are even locks to get out.
There's a new area around Port Aransas that is promising the same thing, but but at prices from the 370s to 800s. "The Moorings at Mustang Island...townhomes and condos between the Gulf and Corpus Christi Bay. Two private lagoon-style marinas (perfect protection and what we have now in St Pete) and boat slips for each home". Sounds too good to be true doesn't it? So, it proably is. www.livetheisland.com.
Aug 5th, 2005, 06:11 AM
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
OO, because it is surrounded by about 500,000 acres of protected maritime forests (Cape Romaine Refuge and Francis Marion National Forest), it isn't close to anything! Yikes!
However, that is one of the things I love about the town. We can still have dinner in town (Chas) and make the 30 minute drive home.
Whooda thunk I'd turn into such an enviromental nut? Mr.GoTravel calls me a lipstick enviromentalist (that's Chanel's CoCo Red thank you very much)
However, that is one of the things I love about the town. We can still have dinner in town (Chas) and make the 30 minute drive home.
Whooda thunk I'd turn into such an enviromental nut? Mr.GoTravel calls me a lipstick enviromentalist (that's Chanel's CoCo Red thank you very much)
Aug 5th, 2005, 06:24 AM
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
OO, if you want to be truly frightened, check out:
www.ionvillage.com
It is Pleasantville. I've never seen a planned community so utterly gorgeous. All the houses are wood siding, tin roofs, brick driveways, 8' porches, manacured to death yards.
It is like stepford neighborhood.
Homes start at $700,000 and go up. This isn't even on the water.
Loved LiveTheIsland.com! Those townhouses look great!
www.ionvillage.com
It is Pleasantville. I've never seen a planned community so utterly gorgeous. All the houses are wood siding, tin roofs, brick driveways, 8' porches, manacured to death yards.
It is like stepford neighborhood.
Homes start at $700,000 and go up. This isn't even on the water.
Loved LiveTheIsland.com! Those townhouses look great!
Aug 5th, 2005, 06:28 AM
#24
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
robbiegirl--I've been to Clarksville and other areas around there. Of course, it isn't near the ocean, which is OK by me. It's in the hilly country of north Georgia and is one of the more charming towns in that area. It's a little like an American version of an Italian hilltop village. The old downtown area sits on the crest of the hill with charming shops and restaurants. It has all the character and charm of a real "home town" and is the kind of place I'd consider retiring to, except that my wife likes Gulf coast Florida. But I do indeed like Clarksville very much.
Aug 5th, 2005, 06:44 AM
#25
Oh yes...I've heard of Ion Village, but hadn't seen their website! Pretty nice, but I burned my fingers just looking. 
If we had a grand daughter, she would have to wear hand-smocked dresses only when she came to visit. Style-wise it reminds me of the community they built just over the Beaufort bridge from The Point area...it had a Southern Living Idea home in it...I'm blanking on the name of the development now. That seemed a bit Stepfordish too, and VERY definitely Celebration does. We saw a boy riding his bike through downtown Celebration with a fishing pole over the handlebars and my DH was positive it was an actor. LOL
If we had a grand daughter, she would have to wear hand-smocked dresses only when she came to visit. Style-wise it reminds me of the community they built just over the Beaufort bridge from The Point area...it had a Southern Living Idea home in it...I'm blanking on the name of the development now. That seemed a bit Stepfordish too, and VERY definitely Celebration does. We saw a boy riding his bike through downtown Celebration with a fishing pole over the handlebars and my DH was positive it was an actor. LOL
Aug 5th, 2005, 07:23 AM
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
We drove through it Sunday afternoon, wanting to see how the other half lives, and I swear we didn't see a single soul for the first 30 minutes ("everyone hide! Someone let the riffraff in!")
They have Canals exactly like some I've seen in Venice that are painted to look 1000 years old.
It was too perfect. Simply gorgeous.
They have Canals exactly like some I've seen in Venice that are painted to look 1000 years old.
It was too perfect. Simply gorgeous.
Aug 5th, 2005, 01:11 PM
#27
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is a lot of great advice posted. My parents always wanted to live in Florida, hating Wisconsin weather. They did a lot of traveling along the Gulf coast and finally decided to rent a small house in a small town in Florida. They liked it so much after a year or so that they bought it. However, they also kept their house in Wisconsin and use that from May to October, when it is too hot to live in Florida.
My mother had a stroke last year and was fortunate enough to have been in Ocala at the time. She was brought to a major medical center there and had excellent treatment. However, this brings up the point that if they had been at home, the results would have been much different. They live about 20 miles from Ocala, without a good medical center nearby. She could be paralyzed in a wheelchair now.
My sister also lived in SC for several years. She was able to build a beautiful masonry home (you don't want wood siding or components in the South due to termite and insect problems.) However, it got so hot spring through fall that if you didn't also have a pool, you were pretty much stuck in the house all day. My sister and her husband enjoy art, cultural events and a diverse circle of friends. They were shocked to find they could not have a drink in a restaurant on Sunday. The entire culture was centered around the Baptist church. They had a hard time finding a decent restaurant that was not a chain that specialized in fried food. She also loves gourmet cooking and found it hard to find great quality beef, seafood and bread, if you can believe it. They finally found some of their best friends became the gays who ran a notable "Wine Spectator" listed restaurant. They definitely did not fit into the southern lifestyle and culture and were estatic when he was transferred back to Wisconsin.
Several people I know who live in Phoenix make the point that it is too hot to leave the house for a good part of the year except in early morning or after the sun sets. They also mention having to replace auto tires regularly due to the pavement heat melting the tires. And they need to be vigilant bout skin cancer treatment. There are some downsides to all that sunny weather.
Another valid point is the distance to major highways and airports. My parents live in a very rural area of Florida, and it's about 1.5 hour's drive to either Tampa or Orlando. They are disappointed that the kids don't visit more often but it's expensive and time consuming to travel there, between the two days travel time to and from on the airline and in a rental car. Other acquaintances and relatives living in Palm Springs, Greenville, SC have similar tales: Long, expensive plane trips with multiple stops and changes to get from the midwest to their homes, with a rental car at the end always an additional expense. This discourages relatives and friends from visiting.
Moral of the story: Look carefully before you leap. Weather and taxes aren't everything.
My mother had a stroke last year and was fortunate enough to have been in Ocala at the time. She was brought to a major medical center there and had excellent treatment. However, this brings up the point that if they had been at home, the results would have been much different. They live about 20 miles from Ocala, without a good medical center nearby. She could be paralyzed in a wheelchair now.
My sister also lived in SC for several years. She was able to build a beautiful masonry home (you don't want wood siding or components in the South due to termite and insect problems.) However, it got so hot spring through fall that if you didn't also have a pool, you were pretty much stuck in the house all day. My sister and her husband enjoy art, cultural events and a diverse circle of friends. They were shocked to find they could not have a drink in a restaurant on Sunday. The entire culture was centered around the Baptist church. They had a hard time finding a decent restaurant that was not a chain that specialized in fried food. She also loves gourmet cooking and found it hard to find great quality beef, seafood and bread, if you can believe it. They finally found some of their best friends became the gays who ran a notable "Wine Spectator" listed restaurant. They definitely did not fit into the southern lifestyle and culture and were estatic when he was transferred back to Wisconsin.
Several people I know who live in Phoenix make the point that it is too hot to leave the house for a good part of the year except in early morning or after the sun sets. They also mention having to replace auto tires regularly due to the pavement heat melting the tires. And they need to be vigilant bout skin cancer treatment. There are some downsides to all that sunny weather.
Another valid point is the distance to major highways and airports. My parents live in a very rural area of Florida, and it's about 1.5 hour's drive to either Tampa or Orlando. They are disappointed that the kids don't visit more often but it's expensive and time consuming to travel there, between the two days travel time to and from on the airline and in a rental car. Other acquaintances and relatives living in Palm Springs, Greenville, SC have similar tales: Long, expensive plane trips with multiple stops and changes to get from the midwest to their homes, with a rental car at the end always an additional expense. This discourages relatives and friends from visiting.
Moral of the story: Look carefully before you leap. Weather and taxes aren't everything.
Aug 6th, 2005, 08:42 AM
#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey, shorebrau--There are several million people who will be surprised to hear (quoting you) that "it's too hot to live in Florida from May to October." Are we all dead and don't know it?
Of course, there is a saying around southern Florida retirement areas that "the average age of south Floridians is -- deceased."
Of course, there is a saying around southern Florida retirement areas that "the average age of south Floridians is -- deceased."
Aug 6th, 2005, 09:20 AM
#29
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A few thoughts -
The comments about finding gourmet foodstuffs, varied ethnic restaurants, etc. in South Georgia may be true - but is true elsewhere in this country once you get more than an hour or so from a major city. I've heard friends/ family express similar experiences when moving to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in the valley in CA and in the midwest. The comments made earlier are not specific to South Georgia.
Yes, it is the Bible Belt - and Southern Baptist predominantly. I found driving from GA to FL after 9/11 on a weekly basis more than a bit scary when I heard some of the radio broadcasts that were "normal" programming. Of course, I hear equally scary commentary when I walk into my parents' house and hear the icky (to me) "news" channel that is on most of the time in that house.
Savannah is hot. Charleston is hot. Florida is hot. Period. I spent the day yesterday traveling with a friend who was thrilled to be transferred from Charleston to the upstate (SC). Quality of life in terms of heat and humidity (and bugs) increased measurably. After a few years, they sold the Charleston house and would never move back to the coast.
I'd check on insurance rates (of all coverages) before buying on or near the ocean.
Planned, gated communities give me the creeps. I moved out of one that had 4 pools and 11 tennis courts. That lifestyle isn't for me. Try to determine if it's for you before you buy.
For retirement, I would lean toward the cooler temps in North Georgia, upstate SC and/or Western NC. I'd rather have that quality of life than live on/near the coast on a fulltime basis.
Many friends who live within 20 minutes of a beach rarely go. I would love morning walks on the beach - but would not drive an hour to walk on one every morning.
I'd suggest renting a house in the areas you think you may be interested in for a week up to a month before buying.
The comments about finding gourmet foodstuffs, varied ethnic restaurants, etc. in South Georgia may be true - but is true elsewhere in this country once you get more than an hour or so from a major city. I've heard friends/ family express similar experiences when moving to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in the valley in CA and in the midwest. The comments made earlier are not specific to South Georgia.
Yes, it is the Bible Belt - and Southern Baptist predominantly. I found driving from GA to FL after 9/11 on a weekly basis more than a bit scary when I heard some of the radio broadcasts that were "normal" programming. Of course, I hear equally scary commentary when I walk into my parents' house and hear the icky (to me) "news" channel that is on most of the time in that house.
Savannah is hot. Charleston is hot. Florida is hot. Period. I spent the day yesterday traveling with a friend who was thrilled to be transferred from Charleston to the upstate (SC). Quality of life in terms of heat and humidity (and bugs) increased measurably. After a few years, they sold the Charleston house and would never move back to the coast.
I'd check on insurance rates (of all coverages) before buying on or near the ocean.
Planned, gated communities give me the creeps. I moved out of one that had 4 pools and 11 tennis courts. That lifestyle isn't for me. Try to determine if it's for you before you buy.
For retirement, I would lean toward the cooler temps in North Georgia, upstate SC and/or Western NC. I'd rather have that quality of life than live on/near the coast on a fulltime basis.
Many friends who live within 20 minutes of a beach rarely go. I would love morning walks on the beach - but would not drive an hour to walk on one every morning.
I'd suggest renting a house in the areas you think you may be interested in for a week up to a month before buying.
Aug 6th, 2005, 02:32 PM
#30
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You might check into the following towns:
Statesboro, GA: College town (Georgia Southern Univ.)1 hour from Savannah west on I-16.
Vidalia, GA: Growing small town, known for it's sweet onions, that recently got a Lowe's. About 90 miles west of Savannah near I-16.
Both of these towns are growing but still have that small town feel. Relatively inexpensive housing and taxes, good medical amenities, low crime.
Statesboro, GA: College town (Georgia Southern Univ.)1 hour from Savannah west on I-16.
Vidalia, GA: Growing small town, known for it's sweet onions, that recently got a Lowe's. About 90 miles west of Savannah near I-16.
Both of these towns are growing but still have that small town feel. Relatively inexpensive housing and taxes, good medical amenities, low crime.
Aug 7th, 2005, 08:43 AM
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
shorebrau, please do tell where you cannot have a drink on Sunday in South Carolina in a restaurant?
Also, my 50 year old house is made of wood. It sits on wooden pilings with wooden siding. My decks are wood. My neighbors houses are wood.
Where did your sister live? In the middle of a termite nest at Bob Jones University?
Also, my 50 year old house is made of wood. It sits on wooden pilings with wooden siding. My decks are wood. My neighbors houses are wood.
Where did your sister live? In the middle of a termite nest at Bob Jones University?
Aug 7th, 2005, 09:00 AM
#32
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No one (I don't think...hard to digest all of this quickly) has mentioned the Darien/Shellman's Bluff area of GA located on the coast between Savannah and Brunswick. Close to beaches with some 'upscale' housing and proximity to the all important (to a retiree) adequate health care. I grew up in the 'fringe' areas of Savannah mentioned here and can assure you that many of them have health care adequate for first aid, but to find a specialist you will need to go to Savannah or Brunswick.
Aug 13th, 2005, 05:57 PM
#34
Sand gnats, yes. Serious issues. They like to be out when humans do...not too hot and not too cold.
Deer flies? In 4 years living in Savannah, I ran into them...or they ran into me, only once. I walked innocently into the woods, was covered by them, and ran out. We'd wondered why we saw one of the employees in beekeeper outfit at the Oatland Island Preserve when we arrived. LOL It wasn't the bees.
Humidity...pshaw...Coastal GA ain't seen nuttin'. We moved from there to Tampa. Tampa is humid. GA is dewy. Great for the skin. Take a coastal Georgian away from the coast and they age 10 years instantly.
Sulfur taste to the water? Where? I could drink the water there with no problem, but haven't been able to in the next two moves: Tampa and San Antonio. San Antonio water tastes like dirt. I'll take sulfur over dirt. Me thinks you've been sniffing too many paper mills, bsam. Smell and taste are intertwined. Get away from Union Camp or the mills around Brunswick and your perception of the water will change.
Deer flies? In 4 years living in Savannah, I ran into them...or they ran into me, only once. I walked innocently into the woods, was covered by them, and ran out. We'd wondered why we saw one of the employees in beekeeper outfit at the Oatland Island Preserve when we arrived. LOL It wasn't the bees.
Humidity...pshaw...Coastal GA ain't seen nuttin'. We moved from there to Tampa. Tampa is humid. GA is dewy. Great for the skin. Take a coastal Georgian away from the coast and they age 10 years instantly.
Sulfur taste to the water? Where? I could drink the water there with no problem, but haven't been able to in the next two moves: Tampa and San Antonio. San Antonio water tastes like dirt. I'll take sulfur over dirt. Me thinks you've been sniffing too many paper mills, bsam. Smell and taste are intertwined. Get away from Union Camp or the mills around Brunswick and your perception of the water will change.
Aug 13th, 2005, 06:33 PM
#35
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OO--You are reminding me of why we were very happy to leave SE coastal GA, lol! Sand gnats, yellow flies, paper mills, sulfur smell, fire ants, etc. We were just not cut out for that area. Those yellow flies were the worst!
Aug 13th, 2005, 07:40 PM
#36
mms...those sand gnats were wicked, weren't they? No doubt about it. I don't know yellow flies--what are they? Were you in St Mary's, am I remembering right?
You can put up with a lot of negatives in a location if everything else is pretty good. Savannah had gnats, small town politics, "War of Northern Aggression" alive and well, but gosh, otherwise, it had so very much to offer, we wouldn't give the negatives a 2nd thought. Good restaurants, better symphony than Atlanta, live theater. It was a terrific place to live. There was a zero adjustment period to that town, which is a first for me. Most places, for me anyway, require at least 4 or 5 years living to begin to be likable and feel like home. Not Savannah.
You can put up with a lot of negatives in a location if everything else is pretty good. Savannah had gnats, small town politics, "War of Northern Aggression" alive and well, but gosh, otherwise, it had so very much to offer, we wouldn't give the negatives a 2nd thought. Good restaurants, better symphony than Atlanta, live theater. It was a terrific place to live. There was a zero adjustment period to that town, which is a first for me. Most places, for me anyway, require at least 4 or 5 years living to begin to be likable and feel like home. Not Savannah.
Aug 13th, 2005, 07:49 PM
#37
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OO--Yes, St. Marys. The yellow flies were the size of a housefly, but were sort of a neon yellow color and oh their bites were awful! The worst part is that they would bite you repeatedly. You are so right in that if there are enough positives it will outweigh the negatives...where we were the positives were that we could get in the car and go elsewhere, lol! we were they for 3 1/2 years. I did enjoy various areas nearby, but not where we lived. Most of our friends stationed there with us were also counting the days til new orders arrived, lol!
Aug 14th, 2005, 05:21 AM
#38
mms, Yup that was a pretty small town. I can't imagine it, myself. It looked sort of pretty though...I went through there to catch the ferry to Cumberland. I'm sure you can only go there so many times before it too loses its appeal and you are yearning for great restaurants and a change of scenery. Did you ever get to the Greyfield Inn?
I've never run into a yellow fly...good thing from your description! My dh used to refer to the gnats as flying teeth. They were misery near the marsh!! Imagine the early settlers in coastal GA. They had to be a strong and determined bunch!
I've never run into a yellow fly...good thing from your description!
My dh used to refer to the gnats as flying teeth. They were misery near the marsh!! Imagine the early settlers in coastal GA. They had to be a strong and determined bunch!
Aug 14th, 2005, 08:08 AM
#39
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OO--Unfortunately we never made it to the Greyfield Inn. The kids were babies, literally, and with DH deployed half the time, I was just lucky to get by day to day. Day trips were all we managed while we lived there. Did go to Fernandia Beach a lot (DS was born there). I did like Jeckyl and St. Simons Islands, and St. Augustine. Oh, and I did have the best hairdresser in St. Marys! lol! Priorities, you know
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SShprints
United States
4
Nov 24th, 2006 05:48 PM
