View Full Version : Retire to Warmer Climate
Retirement from work is probably ten years down the road for me. However, as another New England winter approaches, it is a nagging thought to move to a warmer climate. I am considering Virginia or North Carolina. I plan to travel down to Charlottesville VA in 2018 to check it all out.
Can anyone comment on making such a move? I've lived most of my life in the Northeast. I did live in NJ for several years but got terribly homesick and returned to MA. Things are different now. I am completely on my own with no family obligations of consideration at this time. I am also in pretty good health and hope it stays this way.
It is about cost, quality of life, milder climate and hope beyond hope, friendly living environment.
I can plan all I want, but one thing I have learned in life is all the plans go out the window when reality comes along.
sweetana3
12-20-16, 3:44pm
We moved from Alaska to Indiana and then, for awhile, down to North Carolina.
1. If you do move, give yourself plenty of time to become comfortable. At least 6 months to 2 years.
2. Take as little as possible. Use it as an opportunity to pare down, keep what is important, and get rid of the rest.
3. Realize no place is perfect. Keep in mind why you moved and remember that you always take yourself and your inner demons when you move.
We would still be in NC but the company moved us back. The only thing I really did not like were the suburbs and suburban issues. I wish we had moved to one of the cities. We did have 2 feet of snow one time that stopped the whole area for about 2 weeks. The mountains were dangerous because no one could get in or out. There were potential hurricanes but the news came early and often to give us a choice to get away. State income tax was 4% more in NC than in IN. Real estate taxes were high but services were good.
catherine
12-20-16, 4:03pm
I'm at that stage, too. I love the Northeast. I have lived here my whole life and my family goes back to the 1600s with roots in CT and MA. So I hear ya.
I don't think I could ever permanently leave. But when I think of cost of living, even though I have always said I would never live in Florida... well, there's a reason a lot of retirees are down there. It's very cheap--no income tax, houses that are affordable, etc.
We have friends that were Boston transplants to Vermont years and years ago. Well, they both retired and got a place in Florida for the winter. They LOVE it. They said it's like an amusement park for adults. Everyone is ready to have fun. While I could see being a snowbird, I could never move to Florida year-round.
I've also looked in NC. When I did some research on really nice, livable towns in NC, I found Beaufort. Charlottesville is also supposed to be really nice.
Of course, it's pricey, but I would love to be near Asheville. I recently researched a tiny house community there: The Villages of Wildflowers. (http://thevillageofwildflowers.com/rent-a-tiny-house/) They are currently offering a plan for people to purchase a tiny home and then offer it up for rental at the property. After you complete your commitment of 2 years as an owner of a tiny house rental there, you can do whatever you want--move the house, continue to keep it there and live there, rent it and/or live there... anything you want. Their first phase is closing in January and their second phase in June. I checked out the prices, but while the ROI looks good on paper, the cost of investment (around 80k) for the tiny house seems really high. In the end, I really think I am leaning toward one of the following three scenarios: move up near the kids in VT, or move to Florida in the winter, or do a NJ/VT thing.
Just a few thoughts. I'd love to hear what you come up with because I'm always looking for alternatives to the ridiculous cost of living in New Jersey.
I also might look at Delaware as an alternative. I am not sure if Rehoboth Beach has become overcrowded like Cape Cod. The area around Kennett Square PA, near the MD/DE border is really scenic. Not sure about costs of living but winters are milder for sure.
This will be on on-going project for sure. I cannot look at it like vacation trips, living trips. As long as I find a place where I can go for a swim in a clean lake in summer, I'll be happy.
When we went through this, we elected not for "warmer" but for "very temperate". The climate here is heavily impacted by the surrounding 50 degree ocean water and the mountains on the mainland that scrape off most of the bad weather before it gets here. So, it rarely freezes, and rarely gets much above the low-70s in the summer.
Teacher Terry
12-20-16, 7:23pm
WE have a fairly moderate climate in Northern Nevada. There is really low humidity and no state income tax. We have all 4 seasons but they are mild. When I moved here almost 20 years ago my kids were all grown and I was single so it took me about a year to make friends, etc. The COL is medium with the only 2 things being high are dentists and vets. Property taxes are low. I have been to Florida 4 times but it is too hot and humid even in Dec. We were just in Miami and it was 80. I was sweating like crazy. The retirement communities there sound fun but I could not handle the weather. The same type of communities here are fairly expensive.
We just moved from one extreme to the other. 105 summers in Texas and now sub-zero in our new place in Colorado. What was I thinking? :) I am hoping the milder summers here will make up for the cold as I hate being hot and humid. I have found the city-data forums to be helpful with info on places and retirement in general.
Simplemind
12-20-16, 9:29pm
We have been scoping out places during our travels the past several years. Right now we are tied to home due to our parents. I do love where we are most months of the year. It is Jan-Mar that have me out on the ledge. I don't need warmth but I do need sun. Our little corner of Oregon can get so dreary during the winter.
iris lilies
12-20-16, 10:22pm
We have been scoping out places during our travels the past several years. Right now we are tied to home due to our parents. I do love where we are most months of the year. It is Jan-Mar that have me out on the ledge. I don't need warmth but I do need sun. Our little corner of Oregon can get so dreary during the winter.
See, thats the problem, no place in the U.S is really perfect. Oregon is probably my closest choice weather wise, but that lack if sun worries me a little.
if I were rich, San Francisco would be my favored climate here in the States.
I do not like the desert so many of the desert states are out.
I really just want to live in England with those beautiful light rains where the sun breaks through periodically through the day and I can grow anything and never have to water it. I suppose there is lack of sun for stretches there, too.
Iris, I agree with you that San Francisco's climate is pretty great. Even in the winter we get a fair number of sunny days, although sometimes my tolerance (basically 7 days) of lack of sunshine gets pushed to the edge. One of the things I love about living here is that we spend pretty much zero on heating and cooling, and can have the windows open for most of the year.
My absolute perfect climate is actually just north of the city. Much of the eastern part of Marin County runs 5-10 degrees warmer than San Francisco and gets less fog in the summer. Not enough of a difference to be uncomfortable. Just enough to mean a lot more days of lounging outside on the deck, even after the sun has gone down. We'd probably want a/c for our bedroom though.
See, thats the problem, no place in the U.S is really perfect.
Wrong :-)
The San Juan Islands.
iris lilies
12-20-16, 11:35pm
Wrong :-)
The San Juan Islands.
Maybe, doesnt it rain there a lot, too?also, there is a sad lack of city life. I need a city. Sorry! You wont entice me there with all of those trees (shudder.)
Maybe, doesnt it rain there a lot, too?also, there is a sad lack of city life. I need a city. Sorry! You wont entice me there with all of those trees (shudder.)
Very little rain, except up on the mountains. The whole county is in what we call "The Blue Hole", and is sunny even through much of the winter. The Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges on the mainland, along with the mountains on Vancouver Island, scrape off all the bad weather before it gets here, usually.
Yossarian
12-21-16, 9:20am
can have the windows open for most of the year.
Meh, same for us in Chicago.
:laff:
I think the Northwest in general, Seattle area in particular, is pretty much perfect, but I'm not well-traveled, so that may just be my provincial take on it.
Yes, the trees would drive you crazy, Iris Lily. They're everywhere and can be a menace during windstorms. The rain doesn't bother me at all; it's what makes us green, and gives us plenty of water. I wouldn't live in the Southeast.
I have lived on both coasts, but settled on the Upper Midwest. I like my climate with a bit of variety and a little bite to it. I also like living among people who aren't especially intimidated by snow and cold.
I would definitely have fun planning trips to a few different places. As Catherine said, Beaufort NC is very nice--right on the water, with banks visible from the shore, and nice historic house section--the Episcopal church is lovely, built by ship builders using ship techniques, like an upended ship above you. Neat pirate history and the furthest north live oak trees can grow, or at least that is what they told me when I was investigating moving there 25 years ago.
I liked Seattle, but too expensive for my life and means. But it was very neat, and I could see living there if one had the money.
The Southeast coast is where I was born, so I prefer it, but have also lived in Virginia, and I think you might like Charlottesville a lot. We've considered Lexington, which is also nice.
LIved in Delaware as a kid and Rehobeth might not suit you, although have you thought of the Eastern Shore of Maryland and VA? I loved the housing stock, gorgeous, but with hurricanes being what they are, and my needing to reach family easily, it would be too remote for me. But have loved that area since reading Misty of Chincoteague and going there once for vacation. If I had no family, that is where I would move!
Teacher Terry
12-21-16, 2:10pm
For me the most important thing about where I live is the quality of my friends. I have lived in 5 states and have been happy in all of them. Of course some I like better then others. Kansas was flat and ugly where I lived but the people were awesome. I love to be outside and our mild 4 seasons allow me to get out and walk an hour daily.
bae, is it expensive to live in the San Juan Islands? My husband visited there once and would love to move there. Weather/climate hazards like earthquakes, fires, etc?
flowerseverywhere
1-23-17, 10:54pm
We made our 17th move to retire in Florida. My favorite place ever to live. We live in Central Florida north of Orlando. Great weather, and many great other retired friends. Renting here for Jan-March is very expensive because everyone wants to do that. We take a few month camping trip each summer to the National and state parks north. Love my life.
Teacher Terry
1-24-17, 1:54pm
We were in Miami in Dec after a cruise and it was 80 and humid. Ugh! If I lived there I would never go outside.
ApatheticNoMore
1-24-17, 1:58pm
Yea but inland Florida has always been humid. If in Florida the nice place to be is by the beach. Ok maybe rent and don't buy property with Florida scheduled to be underwater with climate change. And watch out for those hurricanes. But the beaches are darn nice otherwise and not that humid.
Teacher Terry
1-24-17, 2:08pm
I have been to Tampa twice in April and unless you are in the water it is too hot and humid. horrible actually.
I went to school for four years in Miami. LOVED the weather. LOVED the beach. Didn't really love the city so much so I left, but if weather was my only deciding factor Miami would definitely be a contender.
simplelife4me
2-3-17, 7:27am
What about San Diego?
iris lilies
2-3-17, 8:10am
What about San Diego?
Hugely expensive.
Simplemind
2-3-17, 11:52pm
We just got back from two weeks in Maui. We have been four times and it now is starting to feel like home away from home. I know I couldn't live there all the time but wouldn't mind a couple of months in the winter. Talk about high cost of living..... holy moly. I would definitely feel like I needed to find something to do after a certain amount of time. I always feel great when I am there or in my second fave place - San Diego. As soon as we got back we were sucked back into gray cold skies and freezing rain. I can feel my vitamin D levels dropping.
We loved Maui also and will probably go back in the next couple of years for a longer stay. I don't think I'd want to live anywhere in HI full time though. Just too far from the rest of the world.
Teacher Terry
2-5-17, 1:49pm
Both Sand Diego and Maui are wonderful and expensive.
We just got back from two weeks in Maui. We have been four times and it now is starting to feel like home away from home. I know I couldn't live there all the time but wouldn't mind a couple of months in the winter. Talk about high cost of living..... holy moly. I would definitely feel like I needed to find something to do after a certain amount of time. I always feel great when I am there or in my second fave place - San Diego. As soon as we got back we were sucked back into gray cold skies and freezing rain. I can feel my vitamin D levels dropping.
Ha! Two of my Oregonian friends just got back from Maui--they sent pictures of icicles hanging from their roofline to announce their return.
Simplemind
2-6-17, 12:56am
It was a toss up today, either another foot of snow or flooding rain. Looks like the rain is winning out. This has been a hell of a winter. I need to find someplace dry with sun. doesn't even need to be warm..... just some sunshine for the love of GOD.
We got the snow this time--an inch or two. Just the excuse I needed to admire the noise-damping whiteness from inside. My empty refrigerator is reproaching me for not making a grocery run over the weekend. Oh well--I have bacon and eggs and cheese, coffee and cream. I'm set.
iris lilies
2-6-17, 2:08pm
Out winter has been pretty mild. Yesterday we worked outside. i already have two gardens cleaned up and mulched, spring weok performed in January and February.
IL don't you just love it when you can get spring work done in the winter! I weeded the blueberries yesterday....still much more to do, but it was so great to be out in the sunshine in FEBRUARY.
IL don't you just love it when you can get spring work done in the winter! I weeded the blueberries yesterday....still much more to do, but it was so great to be out in the sunshine in FEBRUARY.
Global warming?
We broke the record this winter for most days in a row without sun. This winter has truly been depressing.
We have had hardly any snow. It's going to be 60 on Wednesday. The meteorologists are trying like crazy to get our attention every time there's a snowflake or a gust of wind.
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