Retirement: several questions for you - Page 5

tarsmom · ‎03-21-2010

@Mindy D wrote:
If you decide to move to Florida do not move to a place in an evacuation zone. Check what your homeowners insurance will be for the place you are considering. Prices for this insurance are skyrocketing. Buildings physically deteriorate here at a fast rate, so if you're consideraing a condo check to see what improvements have recently been done so you don't get hit with costly special assessments for putting on a new roof, changing the HVAC system, redoing all the cement exterior balconies, treating for certain species of termites in a high rise (there is an aggressuve Asian species that's very expensive, possibly Formosan, and I'm not sure of the name). If you're buying in a senior development or a development of single family homes check for the type and age of the roof. Find out what your taxes will be on the place you are considering. If you are near the ocean and buying a home you can expect very high property taxes. Remember that you will be aging so check for amenities nearby such as hospitals, physicians, grocery stores, gas stations, availability of transportation.

Mindy - thank you for all the details to look for. I will keep this in mind

Diamonds22 · ‎03-09-2010

Have you thought about North Carolina? I think Raleigh/Durham is a very good area & isn't Duke University Hospital near there? At least they have 4 seasons & their winters are not near as bad as up north. Also you would be closer to Florida to visit your son instead of the distance from Michigan. I love South Carolina too but make sure you are more inland to be away from the hurricanes.

ID2 · ‎06-25-2012

I lived in the Detroit area my entire life until retirement. We retired 5 years ago and moved up north to our summer home to live full time. Yup, we moved where there is more cold and more snow but we LOVE it here! We live on a lake and thoroughly enjoy our Summers here. Couldn't give that up! Our children live a few hours away. Our new grandbaby lives a few hours away. I would never move out of Michigan. Love it here too much.

"Pure Michigan"

joviolin · ‎04-20-2020

My husband and I retired this year and moved from Colorado to Texas. We couldn't take winters there any longer and I wanted access to much more culture. Well, Covid has certainly derailed that plan! Anyways, we wanted to live in a college town in a house with more acreage. Before purchasing our home, we made sure it wasn't in a floodplain. I love our small neighborhood, the people ("Texas-friendly" is genuine!), and the close proximity of shopping, doctors, etc.

If traveling via plane is important to you, then I'd advise you to pick a place that is relatively close to a major airport. Much easier for your travels as well as for friends/family to visit you. Our daughter lives 30 minutes away, so we see her often. However, our son still lives in Colorado and has no plans (presently) to move. But he can hop on a plane and be here in less than 2 hours.

Also, visit where you want to move when weather is at its worst to see if you can physically handle it. We first came here in late summer when it is quite hot. I have no problem staying inside, and hubby built himself an air-conditioned shed for a break when he is working outside. I would take heat over snow any day because heat won't prevent you from getting places. Driving on ice in a whiteout and finding an airport closed is something I never wanted to experience in retirement!

If you want "instant friends," you may want to consider a 55+, "active lifestyle" community. Neighborhood friends of ours recently moved 5 minutes away to such a place. They have a smaller, yet beautiful home, with a much smaller yard to take care of. There are activities and amenities galore and you can socialize as much or as little as you like. It can be difficult to make new friends when you move to a new area, so this type of arrangement would certainly help with that issue.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@tarsmom wrote:
@Kachina624

funny you should mention RV FT. My DH has brought this up a time or two. We have done some research. I am more of a worrier than he is (what if he passes away, what do I do now??)

But, it definitely is something to think about. We watch lots of Youtube videos and follow a few people on RV forums.

It's a thought

@tarsmom That was the first thing I thought of when that idea was brought up. What if one of you had a medical emergency that was not a quick fix....or one of you died? Would make me think twice about this option. Not that we should always live in the WHAT IF state of mind.....but, after a certain age, you kindof need to keep WHAT IF'S in the game plan more so than say a 40 year old would.