Retiring Soon - Where should I live?
By katr0713
@katr0713 (92)
January 4, 2009 6:39pm CST
Ok, so I'm in the military and have a 14 months left before I hit my 20. In all probability, I will stay in for 21, since I am in Europe and have a committment until 2011.
Do you have any suggestions on good places to retire? I'd like to open a tea shop, so a large city probably wouldnt work very well. Good schools, decent cost of living, and I don't like alot of heat.
Kathy
3 people like this
5 responses
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
5 Jan 09
LOL..Well rule out Texas since we have horrible hot and humid weather in the Summer..otherwise we have everything else..
Do you want to stay in Europe? if not maybe a nice eastern State that enjoys Tea..
1 person likes this
@KatieDidit (989)
• United States
5 Jan 09
If you don't mind rain Oregon is usually pretty moderate temperature wise. This year we've had quite and unusual amount of snow in the valley though. A lot of years we don't see it on the valley floor and when we do it's usually just for a day or two.
I live at the southern end of the Willamette Valley in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains near Eugene.
Eugene / Springfield area is the second largest urban area of the state with a combined population of about 200,000.
Just a 10 minute drive out of Eugene / Springfield you're in the country and the bedroom communities.
We're an hour away from the coast, and hour away from winter skiing, two hours away from the desert. There are a lot of great lakes, forest land for hiking and camping. A tea shop would be something that Oregonians would welcome. We're rather bohemian here. We love our arts, our crafts, our natural foods etc.
If you want to go back to school both the University of Oregon (in Eugene) and Oregon State University (in Corvallis) are excellent schools.
@KatieDidit (989)
• United States
8 Jan 09
I've been to Olympia. It's a nice place too.
Cost of living. hhmmm I went to CNN Money and used their cost of living tools. Between Olympia and Eugene it would cost you:
24% more for Groceries
5% more for Utilities
5% more for Health care
2% more for Transportation
but
30% less for housing.
There are of course other factors to consider. Washington has the highest minimum wage law at $8.55 an hour. Oregon has the second highest. We just raised ours to $8.40 an hour.
In the last 5 years, Washington has been rated better for rate of state tax burden ranking from #35-38 among all the states, while Oregon as ranked from 20th to 26 among the states. Still we're at the average mark for the US.
One thing that is really nice about Oregon as a consumer is that we have no sales tax. If the price says $9.99 that's all you pay. A lot of people on the border of Oregon and Washington cross the river to buy here because it's cheaper. As a business owner, not having a sales tax is one less accounting headache!
@katr0713 (92)
•
5 Jan 09
I have lived in England for the past 6 1/2 years - how could I NOT like rain? Actually, I love this climate. It snowed today, and like Oregon, it only usually snows a couple of times a year. I'm thinking that this summer I will go visit my daughter in CA and take about a week to drive up though OR and WA.
Do you really think tea would go over well there? I somehow envision coffee being a big thing out there.
1 person likes this
@katr0713 (92)
•
6 Jan 09
Wow! see, this is the kind of input that I need. Is the cost of living in Eugene high? Living in the UK I have already amassed a collection of antiques which I had already considered as well as the local artisans. I used to be a massage therapist, so I am pretty into the holistic. This summer I will be visiting my daughter in CA and driving up to check out the area, I will have to add Eugene to my list. Do you know anything about Olympia WA?
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
16 Feb 09
Well, it would really all depend on what type of Environment you are looking for, and what Country would accept you and be easiest to live in as well. There are many beautiful areas around and it just depends on what you're looking for or wanting in your life that counts for sure. I have a brother who lives in Edinburgh and Loves it there. Eventually one of these days maybe I can somehow visit him there, but I would think that would be a wonderful place to want to live for sure.
@Jhordie (5115)
• Philippines
2 Feb 09
I hope you can consider my country, Philippines. Though its a tropical one but still there are some high places in my country where you could live comfortably with a tea shop in mind just to mention Baguio and tagaytay... better search for it in the internet and see what I am trying to say. If ever you'll have my country as the place you chose to retire in... be my guest and welcome to OUR country... Philippines
@mommamusic (882)
• United States
5 Jan 09
Well your maybe right about a large city but you never know. As for some where to live i dont know what to tell you on that one i live in North Carolina and gets hot here and cold but not the kind of cold your brother has i could stand that.but i wish you the best and glad to have a new friend.
@katr0713 (92)
•
5 Jan 09
I've looked into N.C., however I would prefer not to live in lots of humidity and big mosquitos. NC seems like a pretty nice state. A friend of mine's mom is a realtor there and she used to send me listings all the time. I was looking at either Boone or the triangle area. Thoughts?
1 person likes this
@mommamusic (882)
• United States
6 Jan 09
Boone is a beautiful place i have only lived in Greensboro for 30 years and i love it here,i live in the country,i enjoy it i am not a city person.But thats just me i would say you would like either place you spoke of.I was born and raised in way down deep South Georgia so i am a country girl well girl no more.But just about any where in NC would be could.I dont why i say this but i think Boone would be for you not sure why.But what ever you decide i am sure you will be happy.
