Time to move but where, appreciate helpful advice....
 

We've lived in California many years now but due to recent retirement, (high taxes and too liberal a climate) we're feeling the need to move. We feel like we're being taxed out of our home. Here are some facts that may be helpful. We'd really appreciate HONEST opinions if you live in a nice place...share with us. We're very open!<BR>1. healthy, mid 50's<BR>2. can afford home or condo approx. $450,000 (would like 3 bedrooms)<BR>3. near by golf course is a plus<BR>4. we're moderate Republicans (once in awhile have voted Democrat but not normally)<BR>5. VERY considerate smokers (can go awhile without a cigarette) so this might not matter.<BR>6. would like to be somewhat accessible to an airport to catch a flight to visit daughter in No. Calif. twice a year.<BR>7. a location in the Western States would be a plus, moderate climate year around would be great!<BR>8. Would probably prefer a town under 100,000 or at least a town with a &quot;small town&quot; feeling that might be accessible to larger metropolitan areas.<BR><BR>I'm not a troll or anything like this. I would appreciate suggestions that might be helpful for us to begin our search. We'd like to be moved in and settled within the next 9 months. Thanks so much!

Why not try out Orange County? You could certainly afford it, it seems, and it seems to fit your other criteria, but you'd have to scout out which burb has a small town feel.

I am sure you have considered Arizona, that would seem an obvious choice. A fellow employee on the East Coast where I reside has recently retired. Although I have never been there, he raves about San Marco's Texas. Great health care, and, and no taxes. ( I believe he was referring to property taxes.) Perhaps worth looking into.

traveller - i personally could go on about Lubbock, TX, but check out<BR>http://www.airreese.com/lubbock.htm<BR>for yourself. we'd love to have you!

Ashland, Oregon may be to your liking; politics in the town may be a little green for your tastes, but you can always go up to Grants Pass or Medford for a blast of Republicanism (or worse.) Lots of retired folks esp. clergy, as well as Shakespeare lovers and college types.<BR><BR>Sequim, Washington is at the top end of the Olympic Peninsula near Port Angeles, about 2 hours from Seattle. It's in the rain shadow of the Olympics, so has a pleasant dry climate, golf nearby, lots of retired folks, national park nearby, no state income tax in WA.<BR><BR>Also consider Coeur d'Alene Idaho or the greater Spokane area. Athough winters can be a little cold, it's not like the midwest.

What about Ventura County in CA? Homes are a tad more affordable than Orange County, less built up, more space, more moderate climate than metro LA.

I'm taken aback that you would even admit to being moderate Republicans. I'm so sorry! Perhaps the Texas Hill Country might be for you. Small towns, and the Shrub is from Crawford. Good luck, and I sincerely mean that.

Crawford is not the Hill Country of course. It is suburban Waco--if there is such an animal (as a suburb of Waco). Did you hear the Dixie Chicks recently got in trouble for announcing during a concert they were sorry Bush was from Texas? :&gt;<BR><BR>San Marcos, mentioned above IS the Hill Country. Diann, the tax your friend mentions not having is state income tax, not property tax unfortunately, which can be quite high. And now the Robin Hood school finance program is playing havoc with school systems resulting in increasing taxes in wealthier coutines in an attempt to counteract losses in tax revenue to the poorer counties. In effect, this is a state tax--simply lacking that name! <BR><BR>You czn get a lot of house in Texas for $450,000, but I think you'd miss CA, traveller333! Despite the tax situation (everyone has those problems it seems), CA has a lot going for it...not the least of which is your daughter still living there. Though I love where we live now, west coast of FL, my one lament is that we are too far from our kids (Dallas and Phoenix). It's not a factor to be taken lightly.

Thank you all! Does anyone know of a website or such that actually discusses and compares cities/states for retirees on fixed incomes? Also, I'm giving you my email if emailing me directly is easier: [email protected]<BR><BR>Thank you!

Having recently moved myself, you might find this website helpful:<BR>http://www.bestplaces.net/<BR>You can punch in your parameters, and it selects the best places for you!<BR>

You need to try findyourspot.com - it let's you answer a bunch of questions and then lists the best matches for a place to live that fits your criteria. I would think you would look seriously at Washington and Oregon, they would keep you in close proximity to your daughter (major consideration) and both have many beautiful &quot;small town&quot; areas that are close to large town amenities. Good luck!

You would have no problem finding an excellent home in Corpus Christi, Texas for $450,000. HGTV did a special on their &quot;Dream Drives&quot; last night about CC. We are on the water. There is no income tax. The town is appx 250,000 with a very small-town feel. We have a diverse culture. It is a 3 hour drive to San Antonio, a 5 hour drive to Houston, and a 3 hour drive to Mexico--all on highways with minimum traffic. We also have a beautiful, newly-remodeled airport with direct flights to Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta.

No one has mentioned Las Vegas either - no state income tax in Nevada, housing very affordable, proximity to an international airport, plenty of entertainment, smoking not a social disease and plenty of golfing. Although the political climate is more libertarian and the weather isn't moderate, you would probably have your own pool to cool down in.<BR>There are plenty of new developments within the Vegas metro area. I've been sorely tempted by LV in the past, but I really need to be near the ocean to be happy

A few ideas:<BR>Bend, Oregon (not moderate climate...but wonderful seasons)<BR>Salem, Oregon<BR>several areas around Portland, Oregon<BR>several areas around Seattle, WA<BR><BR>I know some people are going to think I'm nuts suggesting OR or WA for a moderate climate...but it really is not a washout all the time. Portland is quite a bit drier than up here in the Seattle area if that makes a difference for you.

Seems to me there is a magizine that compares the top retirement areas of the country...cannot remember the name, but visit a well stock magizine shop.<BR>Remember reading the article on Squim, Wa. (I live in Everett, Wa.) and have been to Squim several times...nice area...good weather...property taxes???<BR>generally on the higher side in Wa.<BR>Good hunting

You can find peace and quiet, along with LOW TAXES and wonderful neighbors in Goldsboro, NC. 100 miles from Atlantic Ocean, 50 miles from the Capitol of Raleigh, which has everything possible to satisfy your taste--Arts, Great dining. easy access North and South is available per IS 95. Walnut Creek has great residential surroundings and has a wonderful golf course. It would be a wonderful place to fulfill your housing lifestyle.<BR>The airport RDU is 70 miles away. Have fun!!

You mention 3 issues.<BR>1. High taxes. I do not know the tax regulations of the U.S. However, some mention that Nevada and Washington do not have state income tax. Oregon does not have sales tax, but you can only buy so many shoes.<BR><BR>2. Liberal climate. Most of the west coast is liberal but there are conservative areas in smaller cities. As far as left wing government, just stay out of Oakland and Santa Monica. Sorry, I can't help much here.<BR><BR>3. close to daughter. This limits you to the west coast and possibly mountain states. If you live in Texas or NC, you will be too far from your daughter.<BR><BR>Perhaps you can consider the Seattle/Tacoma area, Vancouver WA, Spokane WA, San Juan Islands WA, Reno, or Las Vegas. Phoenix and Tucson have state income tax but some like it and some think it is too hot.

GOLDSBORO NORTH CAROLINA????!!!<BR>Huh?<BR><BR>Yes it is a town under 100,000 population where $450,000 will buy a lot of house, but Goldsboro?<BR><BR>The main claim to fame is Seymor Johnson Air Force Base. If you want planes flying over you house at all times (when the town isn't deployed) sure, go for Goldsboro. I love the idea of a bunch of hunky guys around at all times, but still, Goldsboro?!?<BR><BR>The climate is not moderate. It has some of the highest temperatures for the state in the summer months with humidity to match. The terrain is flatter than a pancake though the Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is a nice small park.<BR><BR>If North Carolina is in traveller333's future there are better places than Goldsboro.<BR><BR>Traveller, try the relocaiton web sites mentioned by others or the places rated almanac. Your local public library should have a copy of it.

Arizona is the place. You will have money to spare after purchasing your house. Everything is less there -- gasoline, housing, sales tax, etc. I would check out Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tucson. Southwest has cheap fares into Phoenix and Tucson. You can get a great rate on cars and hotels on Priceline. It only takes a bit more than an hour to get there. Make a trip out there to check it out. Many folks I know have moved there.<BR><BR>

You don't say where you are living in California, so you may be dismissing the entire state due to a high income tax, but have you thought about the Mendocino coast area? Fort Bragg is a growing retirement community from what I've read, but it is very small town. I'm pretty sure you can get a house there with no problem at that price, it has a moderate climate, and there are lots of outdoors recreation opportunities. I don't think there are outstanding golf courses, but there is one (and Pebble Beach isn't too far). Given the military army base there, and some military retirees, I imagine it won't be that liberal. Nearby Mendocino is a quaint, attractive artsy town, but is more expensive. You could easily visit your daughter by driving from there, I imagine. <BR><BR>I just can't imagine Orange or Ventura counties being any solution to your high cost problem. I used to live in Santa Monica many years and moved mainly for that reason, myself. I also have friends who live in Redlands who like it very much. That might be more like what you want -- about 60K population, more golf courses, a local college, more activities, etc. I don't think the housing is that expensive there, and I'm not positive, but I don't think it's that liberal, either. There's a Mormon community there, for one thing, so I'd guess not.

After living in california for more than 30 years and LOVING it, I never thought I'd move but last year....we too found ourself in the same situation you're in. It is a fact that 20% of the California tax payers pay more than 80% of the total tax revenue. We found ourselves paying for services we never needed or used and just felt like legislators kept enacting more and more rules and regulations. Between the high taxes and liberalism, we just didn't feel like we fit in anymore. (we too consider ourselves moderates) We have since moved to Henderson, NV...just outside Las Vegas. We are so much happier here and doing well. It is a booming area but you can get a lot of home for the $. I'm not sure that this is our final move as my husband has 19 months of work left and then we'll decide for sure. For what it's worth....do keep an open mind. I will always love California and it has so much going for it, maybe someday we can return but NOT the way things are currently. Good luck to you! PatsyO.

San Angelo, Texas<BR><BR>Very Republican town, reasonable real estate prices, LOTS of retirees, good university in town that brings in good speakers and produces good theatre, several good golf courses, close to Midland and DFW airports, moderate climate, and only 110,000 population!

I went to the suggested websites (thank you!) and took their tests. The results all point towards Arizona. Maybe we'll take a weekend trip and visit. The two which came up on both test were Phoenix and Scottsdale. Thanks again...now I'm interested in learning more about Arizona before

The magazine referred to by an earlier post is &quot;Where to Retire&quot;, available by subscription and in bookstores and newsracks. I've found it very useful in comparing possible areas to retire. Among the other recommendations here, I haven't seen any references to Boulder City, NV, just down the road from Henderson. IMO, it has a lot to recommend it.

I don't know if anyone mentioned either of the following web sites but they may be helpful: www.retirementliving.com and www.bestplaces.net<BR>

Hello Everyone,<BR><BR> Now that we're on the topic, what's it like tax wise living in Fresno, California? Please let me know. Thanks Patricia

Traveller333 -<BR>I live in Sonoma County and work at the local community college. Many people from this area have retired to southern and western Oregon. One member of our staff retired to Florence, Oregon and loves it there. She is one hour from Eugene and about 10 hours from Sonoma County. Florence has a moderate climate, but can get some dramatic storms off the ocean in the winter. The town is charming, and Eugene has a lot to offer as it is a college town. Oregon tends to be less liberal than northern California so I think you would have like-minded neighbors. Your $450,000 should go far when buying a home on the Oregon coast. My husband and I have vacationed in this area as well as areas inland and wouldn't hesitate to consider living there after retirement. Good luck with your search--we always hear that once you leave California, it's almost impossible to return as property is so expensive here so I understand why you would want to carefully research this move.

You might try www.findyourspot.com Its kinda fun.