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.