Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
May 31, 2024 -- It is a sad state of affairs, but the reality is that politics are driving the decisions some people make about where to live in retirement. The NY Times wrote an article on the subject, "Sick of Your Blue State? These Real Estate Agents Have a Place for You". In it they describe how many retirees are moving to red states like South Carolina, Texas, and Florida from more liberal states in the Pacific Northwest or Northeast. One of their main reasons is to find a place with like minded people where their support of Trump, conservative politics, religion, and cultural issues are not ostracized.
Jen Hubbell is a real estate agent in Greenville, S.C. who has a clientle eager of people looking for more conservative pastures. Business is booming for her and for Greenville, one of the fastest growing Metros in the fastest growing state in the country. She points out that the city has hundreds of churches along with neighborhoods whose residents conservative values and morals. Another real estate person in this market is Paul Chabot, president of Conservative Move. His company has many retired clients who have expressed interest in moving to conservative states like Texas, Florida, and South Carolina.
Downtown Greenville
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Published on May 29, 2024
Comments 35
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
May 21, 2024 - When we ask people what they want in a place to retire, living near the beach is often their #1 desire. They like the idea of being close enough to the beach so they can walk, bike, or take a short drive to relax in the sun and enjoy the relaxing sound of the surf. That might mean a beach on the ocean, a bay, or even a big lake - any of those could fit the bill. Here are 10 great beach towns to consider for retirement. We welcome your suggestions for more.
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Published on May 20, 2024
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Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
April 13, 2024 -- When it comes to learning about the best places to retire in the Southeast, it turns out there is no better source than the faithful Members of Topretirements. A few weeks ago we wrote about Brian's where to retire quest. Immediately the comments and suggestions started rolling in, and they were both interesting and helpful. They were filled with details that you just can't find anywhere else.
So to help Brian, and anyone else struggling to find a place in the eastern part of the country that has mountains and outdoor life opportunities, here is a recap of the suggestions made in Comments to the original article. Feel free to pile on with more Comments at the end. Note: we did a little editing for brevity's sake.
One Editorial Comment:
One thing we have noticed lately is an uptick of retired people who are changing their plans. This comes not only from the comments we received here, but among our circle of friends. More folks seem to be deciding not to be snowbirds any more - because they want to travel more, or sometimes health concerns. A few appear to be capitalizing on their appreciated real estate. Are any of you seeing this?
Carol:
I am a New Englander but spent 6 years in Chattanooga. If you like the outdoor life AND cultural things to do (theater, music, TN Aquarium), along with a vibrant business energy, you definitely should check out Chattanooga.
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Published on April 12, 2024
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Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
April 10, 2024 – Last week we posed a situation for a hypothetical couple, eager to leave California for an active, outdoor lifestyle in the West somewhere. After thinking about it we suggested 4 very popular towns in as many states that might fit the bill, and asked our Members…
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Published on April 9, 2024
Comments 4
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
April 2, 2024 -- Following up on last week's very successful article, "Brian Struggles to Find His Best Place to Retire", we've created a similar scenario for a couple having a dilemma choosing a retirement location in the western half of the country. First we'll lay out a hypothetical retirement scenario using preferences common to many of our Members and visitors, and then ask you to choose which solution you would pick. We are hoping for lots of Comments too.
Bill and Carol Head West for Retirement
Our virtual couple, Bill and Carol, have lived and worked in California most of their adult lives. They like the sunny weather and enjoy the opportunity for endless recreational opportunities, from the beach to the mountains. They don't like the traffic and high prices for everything. Their children are grown and live in different parts of the country. Although they realize that being near all of them is not going to be possible, they are willing to travel to visit them and the grandchildren. They are not so sure about living in an active or 55+ community, but would be willing to if the situation looked right. Both of them are tired of rattling around in a house that is too big for two people, with the drawbacks of an upstairs MBR and significant maintenance and landscaping needs.
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Published on April 1, 2024
Comments 12
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
March 24, 2024 -- We recently had a request from longtime Member Brian, who is struggling to find his right place to retire. He misses our Retirement Ranger, which was an unfortunate casualty of last year's site improvements. The Ranger was replaced by the Community Explorer, which helps Members narrow down the community search.
Brian's search for his best place to retire
"I’m getting close to retirement, and here’s my obstacle. Grew up in East Haven, CT, and I love New England and seasons. Lived in New Hampshire 1995 on Lake Winnipesaukee. Spent 3 yrs between Venice and Sarasota, FL, and loved it. Except for May through Sept, but liked being near Tampa for sports.
Lived in Baton Rouge 20 yrs , it’s cheap but not much to do. Now have spent 3 yrs. in Bluffton next to Hilton Head, SC. Great climate , clean, but nothing to do as I don’t golf or boat.
I need to leave! I can’t afford New England, but I like seasons with some snow. I like mountains over beaches. Property taxes for the Northeast are a killer even though Portland ,Maine and even the Poconos seem to be okay .
I was told to checkout Asheville or Boone , NC.
I need some insight and advice.
My son says come back to Louisiana.
My brother says go back to Venice.
On a bright side I built my home for 181k 5 yrs ago and it would sell for 400k within 5 days, most of that as equity."
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Published on March 23, 2024
Comments 35
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
March 21, 2024 -- Four of Florida’s interior Metros are among the five fastest growth in the country.(#3 is Myrtle Beach, SC). The data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s population growth figures from 2022- 2023. We speculate that much of the reason for the growth is coming the Metro's more affordable home prices and better insurance environment. The South in general is experiencing the most rapid numerical growth in the country.
The top 5 fastest growing Metros in the country
The Villages/Wildwood - The Villages, the giant active adult community with well over 120,000 residents, extends over 3 counties south of Ocala, and grew 4.7% in the year. When it comes to real estate prices, the popularity of The Villages makes it an outlier. With a Zillow Home Value Index of $407,000, it is the most expensive Metro to make the top 5.
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Published on March 20, 2024
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Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
March 3, 2024 – We periodically update the facts and figures in our exhaustive list of over 65 mini-retirement guides to U.S. states and popular retirement countries. The Florida mini-guide is the latest to be put up to date. The Sunshine State now has over 21.5 million residents and is…
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Published on March 3, 2024
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Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
February 12, 2024 -- People looking to retire in a charming European town on a budget have many fine choices beyond the obvious destinations like France, Ireland, and Scotland. They can be terrific places to retire, but countries like Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Italy, and Bulgaria offer affordable rents, much lower cost of living, and sometimes liberal policies about permanent residency. They can also provide an ideal lifestyle for adventurous retirees.
Affordable, stable countries in Europe to retire on a budget
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Published on February 18, 2024
Comments 8
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
January 28, 2024 -- People ask, should I retire in New Mexico? The answer is easy if you are looking for a place to retire that has a varied climate, mountains, deserts, a big city (Albuquerque), small towns, ski resorts, and plenty of wide open spaces. It is also much less crowded than more traditional and popular retirement destinations like Florida, Arizona, and the Carolinas. In this article we will explore the pluses and minuses of a New Mexico retirement, along with some of the best places to retire in the Land of Enchantment.
New Mexico Climate
The State has a climate that many people will find as excellently suited for retirement. For folks who like low humidity, New Mexico is dry with a semi-arid climate. The northern sections experience winter, while the southern realms have warm winters. Generally the altitude is high and even has some mountains over 12,000 feet. The eastern portion of the State is more like the Great Plains. The southern portion borders on El Paso, TX, and Cuidad Juarez, Mexico.
New Mexico Taxes in Retirement
Tax Burden: At 10.2% the total tax burden in New Mexico is the 25th lowest of all the states (TaxFoundation.org).
Marginal Income Tax Rates: The New Mexico income tax has marginal rates from 1.7% to 5.9%.
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Published on January 28, 2024
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