I live in Huntington Beach, Ca. I love the weather, but the crowds of So. Cal are ridiculous. Iam an outdoor enthusiast, but I hate deep winters. Iam willing to spend up to $800,000. Any suggestions?

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My parents went from SoCal to FL and are still seeking a retirement place. The south-east is too cold/hot/buggy/muggy/full of old people for them. Texas gulf is too Republican. Anyplace else has a chance of snow. Don't laugh, but they have been looking at Portugal, because it offers a Mediteranean climate, property values are (were?) very good, and apparently there is large community of reitred Americans there. But they opted against it because they wouldn't be able to use their Medicare and now that they are over 65 their medical insurance has essentially excluded anything covered by Medicare.

They are now looking at US territories like Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. I find it odd that they have yet to consider Hawai`i, but perhaps I should count my blessings. They COULD just decide to come move in with me!

If I were ready to retire, I'd probably look at North Carolina. Somewhere close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had friends who had a little retirement home in East Flat Rock, NC. They were just a few minutes from the Carl Sandburg home, and it wasn't a long drive to get on the Parkway. I loved my summers in NC! It snows every now and then, but they have fairly mild winters, and wonderful summers!

Aaaaah, I'm so glad I have friends and family to visit in NC!

Well, for outside the US, (not sure about the insurance thing that heretoday mentions), but Puerta Vallerta Mexico has a growing US retirement community.
Australia might be a place to also consider - lots of areas Sydney on up the coast with mild to warm winters and hot summers. Obviously, distance is the problem (makes for a great winter getaway with the reverse seasons if you can afford it).

For kenmat:
Southern Florida is certainly not cold during the winter, but is humid and hot in the summer and you're not really escaping crowds. Also, outside of water-related activities, and tennis, golf, etc., not really a haven of outdoor activities (I usually think of mountains for that term).

Might want to look into the AZ desert - winters are really just cool nights and mild days, of course hot as *#W& in the summer.

Clearly CA is one ideal place, but that depends on your financial resources. From experience, I'd also suggest looking at several places - we did - and even buy a place or time share and try it out. I can attest to the fact that your first choice may wind up being the wrong one, and you'll need to sell and try agian. Or you can cut to the chase and do what some have done, select CA.

Though I retired in Montana and would NEVER leave, If it's great weather your looking for try San Jose, Costa Rica. Large contingency of U.S. residents, freindly natives, perfect weather in San Jose highlands and GREAT coffee!

Our neighbors have retired here from CA. We live N of New Orleans in ST Tammany Parish. The weather is usually temperate & hurricanes aren't that much of a problem. The winters are usually mild & summer shouldn't be hotter than CA. If you like the outdoors then there are many things here for you. Our neighbors were thrilled with the house they got- way less than what they sold their home for in CA.For the money you are speaking of you could get something really nice in a semi-rural setting.There are several communities with a small town/ artist colony type feel in the area.

I am not sure what kinds of interests you have but I have a few recommendations. Asheville NC is a very nice area. I have only visited the Biltmore Estate, but the climate is moderate. I have heard that the area is kind of an artist community and it is absolutely beautiful. The other area I was thinking is much smaller. It is a German town called Fredericksburg Texas. Another artist community in the Texas Hill Country and it is one of my favorite spots. Anywhere in the hill country could be a possibility and depending on where you go you are close to Austin or San Antonio. Good luck!

For me, the place isn't nearly as important as the people. I wouldn't consider moving somewhere for retirement unless all my friends have left here.