Close to 50yo.... Where to retire?

[+ Charlie]

Malibu has a university: Pepperdine.

Yes, it does, but it is hundreds of miles from Carmel (though just as expensive as a place to retire).

[+ WilliamM]

Yes, it does, but it is hundreds of miles from Carmel (though just as expensive as a place to retire).

 

Hey, man. I know California as well as you. I am aware Carmel and Malibu are hundreds of miles apart.

[Guest]

There's a saying in San Miguel de Allende, people there are looking for a nurse, a purse, or a hearse. It's also a beautiful city that offers a downtown area that's affordable and within walking distance to most things you would need. Unlike other parts of Mexico, it's not on the coast, so you're not dealing with annual threat of evacuation. Living there is cheap by US standards, the food is incredible and living there while maintaining you US citizenship is fairy easy to do.

Well, if you're considering living in another country, Ajijic meets nearly all of the OP's criteria, other than not having a university (there are, of course, universities in Guadalajara, which isn't too far). About a quarter of the city's residents are foreigners, so you'd be among many. Also has low-cost long-term care if you need it and don't have long-term care insurance. If I couldn't retire in the US, I would give this serious consideration. Just to be aware that Medicare does't cover anything outside the US, so you'd have to get separate Mexican health insurance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajijic

"Ajijic is located (at 20°18"N, 103°15"W) 5,046 feet (1,538 m) above sea level in the vast central Mexican plateau that is home to the Sierra Madre mountain range.

 

The Chapala Lake basin has a year-round average temperature of about 19 °C (66 °F).[2] Due to Ajijic's tropical latitude, the sun is warm year-round; due to its relatively high elevation, it is seldom unpleasantly hot or humid. The rainy season begins in June and lasts until October. The average rainfall is 793 millimetres (31.2 in). Even during the rainy season, precipitation generally occurs during the evening or at night.

 

December and January are the coolest months with nighttime lows just above 40 °F (4 °C). May is the hottest, just before the onset of the rainy season. Overall, there is very little temperature variation year round: daytime highs in January are around 75 °F (24 °C); daytime highs in May are around 80 °F (27 °C) to 90 °F (32 °C)."

"The rain may never fall till after sundown

By eight, the morning fog must disappear

In short, there's simply not a more congenial spot

For happily ever after in than here in Ajijic"

Edited December 19, 2019 by Unicorn