I agree. It's a lovely area and the summers are milder. Prescott is also a good option but it might be too small. Santa Fe might be more interesting. One can buy a house for $2 million in any of these.

I’m not a huge fodorite but didn’t you post a moving to Ft Lauderdale topic not that long ago and then subsequently a moving to Bethesda (MD) topic? Since the move is likely temporary based on your history, it doesn’t really matter that much.

I just looked at the article again and it seems that they have corrected the tax amounts per property. When I first read it, they were completely wrong, they are more in line with reality now.

One can buy a house for $2 million in any of these.

Can't a person buy a house most places if they have two million dollars to do so?

It depends on the size and condition of the house you're willing to purchase for $2M. In my SoCal neighborhood, $2M buys you a "tear down" or older property that would benefit from a total remodel.

My SIL lives in a 55+ community in Vegas moving from Oregon. The Mrs. and I do notice she gushes how much she loves living in LV from about October to April. We hear almost nothing from May through September, just an observation.

Dukey, I am confused. I thought you wanted to move to a beach area.
Not much water near LV.

Interesting. You can certainly buy a single family home in nice residential neighborhoods of Seattle under 2 million. I was real estate shopping this summer so know that's current.

Not for Dukey, doesn't fit any of their wants. Just saying here 2 million wouldn't be a tear-down!

There are lots of places where $2M can get you a very nice house. But that's the point of checking websites like Zillow and Realtor to see what that budget buys in what cities/towns/neighborhoods. If weather and "views" are important, they are additional "filters." And, being 74, I would add access to comprehensive health care. I had relatives who retired to a lovely town in Northern California but eventually had to leave because of health issues that couldn't be treated without long drives to San Francisco.

Yes, this.
It is just too hot in summer. And LV is too cold in winter for me to gush about.
Where are there nice views (of nature)? I think it is ugly, beaten down.

In addition to access to medical care, Dukey, you might want to consider ease of transportation. In a new location, will you rely on driving a car for your everyday needs—groceries, veterinarian, concerts? Is it realistic to expect that you will still be driving for the time that you hope to be living there?
When we moved cross-country earlier this year, access to public transportation was one of our concerns. I know not everyone at our age would choose an urban location; it’s working for us. Music, museums, restaurants, family are a bus ride away. Or taxi. Or uber. Or Waymo. We no longer drive a car.

Dukey where would you be moving from? Do you live in Bethesda now? Can you say why you want to leave where you are?? Weather? Financial reasons??
Thanks,and very good luck to you.

Dukey, our immediate neighbor's fave place on the planet is Palm Springs. He is a retired investment banker from London. He's also a serious traveler and member of the Century Club.
He just returned from yet-another trip to PS.
Btw, we once heard an interesting fact about Vegas. It recently ranked #1 as the city where folks with limited education could still expect to find substantial careers.

Good Luck on your search!
I am done. the choices

your memory is quite good. I moved BACK to the Washington, DC, area from Fort Lauderdale after my husband of 49 years passed away. I have been here for three years now and am contemplating what I suspect will be my last move so there are a number of concerns at my present age of 81. My history consists of considerably more than appears on these pages I am happy to say but I appreciate your comments which I am convinced surely must have been offered to be helpful.

Nevada does not have any personal income tax. California certainly does.
Arizona does, but no where near as high as California's.

Just another factor if finances are a consideration.

How is your search progressing?

Although it’s 90% sure we will stay in Switzerland when we retire (hard to believe that with my pension, we’ll be getting paid to live in CH), there are some places in the US that do sound appealing.

Esp the retirement communities that are affiliated with universities. My husband particularly likes this place in Thousand Oaks, CA: uvto.com

He went to high school in Thousand Oaks and still has fond memories of the area. Sunny and warm but not as beastly hot as LV.

Lucky you WeisserTee, getting paid to live in Switzerland!

Thousand Oaks has a great climate but is in the danger zone for wildfires.

I have found memories of growing up in Los Angeles. But I wouldn't expect it to be even remotely the same if I moved back now. Guess I'd say that about anywhere from the distant past. I adored the time I spend in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. But moving back isn't going to reclaim those memories or that time of life. Meant with kindness...