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Looking for a Warm, Sunny Retirement Haven?

Coastal Alabama

retired
NASA
Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:23 AM

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Don't forget Alabama. It's coastal area is tiny in comparison to Florida, but it has beautiful beaches around the Gulf Shores area. No, the hurricanes did not wipe the Gulf Coast out. In fact building is booming in Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida and property values continue to climb a lot each year. Pretty soon, this real estate will all be hard if not impossible for a retiree to afford.
One comment on Florida taxes--the state has been runniing a surplus the last several years and one way they have reduced taxes is to slash the rate of their intangibles tax. Plus, the Governor has asked the legislature (again) this year to eliminate the tax.

Thinking and thinking doesn't always work...

Consultant
N/A
Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:06 AM

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The advice here is good, and we repeatedly hear how we really must look before we leap.

True enough, but in the final analysis you just have to make the best decision that you can, and make the plung and see how it works out.

Although it would be wonderful if research and reason could forecast what we will think of our decision in 5 years, that really is not realistic.

We must choose, or remain paralyzed by the complexity of the choice...which is a choice too.

If it doesn't work out, then we make another choice, or learn to be happy with the one that we've already made.

There is no utopia on this earth.

Go ahead retire to Florida

HR Specialist
USDOJ
Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:08 PM

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My wife and I have already bought the land where we plan to build our retirement castle in a few years. Please head South to Florida. I'm not going to say where we bought, because we don't want the crowds of fellow retired Feds moving in around us. I'll just say that it's not back to New England, because my blood has thinned out after 30 years in DC. However, we'd like to see you head to Florida because we want the space to breath.

how about arizona?

Claims Rep
Social Security
Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:59 AM

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I'd love to see this type of column about Arizona and the different aspects of that state.

Re: how about arizona?

Tax Examing Technician
IRS
Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:21 PM
I checked that out, still can't afford living year although that climate would be the best for me. Going to Austin, Texas, cheaper housing.

Re: how about arizona?

Physician
Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:19 PM
Bad choice. Arizona's real estate prices are skyrocketing to unaffordable levels and the state is getting more and more crowded with consequent jambed roads, air pollution, environmental desecration with madcap development-gone-crazy. State and local politicos are bought and paid for by real estate developers, so the suburbs sprawl like cancers without check. Gangs are ascendent with drive-by shootings, rape and murder rates hitting national highs. The state is dead last in the nation in terms of public support for education and Guam is better at providing public funding for child and adult mental health services. Extreme malpractice liability is driving more doctors from the state and getting health care needs met is more and more difficult, costly. What's more, the state is running out of water and the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas may soon be drinking treated sewage effluent! Avoid Arizona for retirement at all cost. Minnesota would be better.

Re: how about arizona?

Purchasing Agent
Forest Service
Wed Feb 1, 2006 2:42 PM
How about El Paso Tx . The weather is good . Living is cheaper to.

Florida Retirement

Vice president
Private HR consulting firm
Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:02 AM

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Good article on all aspects of Florida retirement. Taxes are still relatively modest compared to higher-cost cities. Above all, watch out for those Chicago Cub fans! We are a goofy lot.

Affordable (Hilo) Hawai'i

Realtor Salesperson
Island Trust Properties
Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:49 PM

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Don't believe the misnomer that Hawaii is only for multi-millionaires! In the Puna district, homes are still start at $200k and house lots for $20k. Hilo town is charming, with plantation era history and a style of homes unique to each neighborhood. Property taxews are low too.

Re: Affordable (Hilo) Hawai'i

former employee
DOD
Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:23 PM
Hilo is nice if you like rain and don't require other than minimal medical services. Puna is nice if you like the company of druggies and minimal public water. sewers and the like. If you want to visit family on the mainland, it will cost you big time. In other words, price is not the only factor one should consider in moving to "affordable" Hilo.

Florida Retirement

Postal Employee
USPS
Wed Feb 1, 2006 8:17 AM

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Good article. I just moved to Florida from California and was I surprised. You forgot to mention the high cost of automobile insurance. Not to mention the ever increasing homeowners and flood insurance. Florida is no longer a cheap place to live.

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