Interesting Article - Best & Worst States To Retire

[mitch5252]

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I haven't read the entire article yet...

http://www.walletpop.com/2011/03/28/best-and-worst-states-for-retirement/?ncid=webmail

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[bluepinecones]

Did you notice that TN in #3 on the best list?

[AlmostThere]

I would question the list as CA is on both!

[Liz]

Did you notice that TN in #3 on the best list?

That's because The Blue Marlin is there! That's where I want to retire.

[bluepinecones]

Great idea, Liz. The Blue Marlin Retirement community would be a fun place for sure!

[mitch5252]

I would question the list as CA is on both!

I thought that was weird, too, until I read further:

You'll note that California made both the worst and best lists, because the best list was based on visits to the site's state retirement guides. Obviously, climate played a huge part here.

[JudyJB]

California has a lot of things going for it for retirement, but in most places the cost of living is horribly high. My son lives in Napa, even more incredibly expensive--not just property, but I have noticed gas prices, groceries, and even fast food is more expensive. Last time I was out there, I paid $1.38 for a McDonald's small coke which would have cost me $1.06 in Michigan. Ditto for carryout pizza--about 30% more than in Michigan. Only good deals are on wine!!!

Property has gone done considerably, but other costs are still really high.

Doesn't sound like they take things like traffic congestion into consideration, either.

[kdmac]

As much as I have enjoyed trips to Cailiforina in the long ago past, I never go there now only because it is just waaayyy too expensive for EVERYTHING!!! but mainly gas prices are prohibitive. On April 15, I am leaving the coast here and just moving to the Rogue River area of southern Oregon to wait for true Spring to come so I can cross the varioius mountain passes on my way to southern Utah. My sister wants to come down that way and pick me up for a trip to the Redwoods. So,after twisting my arm and threatening my life, she convinced me to break my "No California Rule" since we will be sharing costs.

The Rogue River area in Oregon is only 80 miles from the Redwoods and we will leave my RV behind and just do the motel thing. I have lived in Washington all my life and it was a common thing as teenagers to do the California things from time-to-time, but no one does it anymore. It can actually be cheaper for families to do Disney World in Florida than take a trip to California...I am certain California must be feeling the loss of tourism dollars.

[OregonLuvr]

Well now KD, my house is in Ashland......not that far from Rogue area (about 25 miles) When are you heading over there. I am coming home the end of April for a few days, would love to meet up with you.

Karen

edited to add it is 80 long windy miles to the coast ha ha I drive it once a month in my car. Actually the whole 80 miles isnt curvy just about 25 of em

[mtngal]

UH OH, another one of those lists! They always crack me up. Austin is often listed at the top......best place to live or retire, best place to drink, best sex. As you might guess, some of these are heavily influenced by UT. ; )

Re: CA.....I'm often asked what it is I 'like' about CA, so much prejudice around the country against CA that I didn't know about until I started traveling! Let's see...mountains, desert, coast, city, yosemite, king's canyon, redwoods, wine country....all an easy drive from my central CA location. That said, yes, it's more expensive, gas is usually 50-60 cents a gallon more than in Texas. Groceries depend
on where I shop. Low property taxes, but high income tax. Weather is unpredictable! But always beats humidity!

Bottom line, IMHO, traveling is the best solution, we get to pick the perfect location at the perfect time of year to do what we like best.

[Rufflesgurl]

Good post Diana from another Californian!! I've got gripes about CA but I'm thinking people in all states also have their complaints too?? Personally, I would not like the humidity nor the several months of long snowy winters or rain on and on and on in lots of other states. Oh well, guess that's why we live where we want and travel to other areas to check those places out. We do have lots of spectacular scenery and lots of easily accessible things to do in CA like you said. Guess we are known as the renegades??

To each her own.

Linda

[pattyk]

I agree with both Diana and Linda.

[Excel]

Personally, I think we Californians should encourage the gripers....Let them come here on vacation & spend their $$$, but then go home....Keeps the revenue up & the population down (somewhat) that way....I'm from Chicago & have lived here in California over 50 years....Have never, never missed Chicago, except for family there....So, my point is...traveling is great, but coming home is pretty darn good too...

[BarbaraRose]

I love the diversity out here in CA. In just over an hour, I can either be at the beach, up in the mountains, or basking in the desert. There is always a trade-off no matter where you live. I traded 5 months of winter and 4 months of mosquitoes, humidity and tornadoes, for 12 months of great weather and maybe an occasional earthquake (haven't felt on yet in the almost 6 months I have been here). However, I do miss all the lakes back home. There are affordable areas out here as well. You don't have to live at the beach to enjoy the beach. I live an hour from the beach and pay about the same rent here as I did in MN.
It all depends on what you like and don't like. That is why people live all over the country! If we all liked the same things, we would all be living in the same place! To each his/her own