Where have you thought of retiring?

[+ MasssageGuy]

Well, retirement is a few years off, but I've been looking at real estate outside of my SF Bay Area, and it's amazing what things go for outside of popular California cities. I could sell my 3 bedroom townhouse and easily buy this beauty in Austin TX, with plenty left over:

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Austin-TX/pmf,pf_pt/70352582_zpid/10221_rid/30.526187,-97.461434,30.058397,-98.109627_rect/10_zm/

 

To escape the Texas summers, I could easily buy this home in Lasne, Belgium, one of Brussels ritziest suburbs, and apparently the richest city in Wallonia:

http://www.immoweb.be/en/ad/villa/for-sale/ohain/1380/id6501507

 

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

 

I love California, but am I missing out by being a stickler for this area? Sometimes it seems nuts to live here...

Sorry, but this does not have a soul... I'd pass on this ....

[Guest]

Medellin

(seriously-check into it)

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/colombia-travel-warning.html

 

Security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, including in tourist and business travel destinations such as Bogota, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Medellin, and Cali. However, violence linked to narco-trafficking continues to affect some rural and urban areas. Despite significant decreases in overall crime in Colombia, continued vigilance is warranted due to an increase in recent months of violent crime, including crime resulting in the deaths of American citizens. This Travel Warning replaces the previous travel warning released on June 5, 2015... Violence associated with the BACRIM has spilled over into many of Colombia's major cities. These groups are heavily involved in the drug trade, extortion, kidnapping, and robbery... The incidence of kidnapping in Colombia has diminished significantly from its peak in 2000. However, kidnapping remains a threat. Terrorist groups and other criminal organizations continue to kidnap and hold civilians, including foreigners, for ransom. No one is immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors...

There are safer places I would consider in Latin America, but thanks.

[Epigonos]

In defense of Austin -- Austin is NOT a typical Texas city. It is a major university city and very liberal in both thinking and voting. It has a strong cultural life centered around the University of Texas. One of it elected members of the state legislature is an openly gay Democrat. And now most importantly of all, it is located in the very center of Texas hill country barbecue -- I often find myself dreaming about Louie Mueller's brisket and beef ribs.

[bigvalboy]

If I wanted to live in Boystown/WeHo, I'd need $2.2 million to afford this 1380 square foot dump, which is smaller than my townhouse...

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/West-Hollywood-CA/pmf,pf_pt/20517994_zpid/48424_rid/34.092322,-118.376795,34.078301,-118.397051_rect/15_zm/

 

I guess I'd need $2.8 million to get a house I'd like in WeHo...

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/West-Hollywood-CA/pmf,pf_pt/20534819_zpid/48424_rid/34.096973,-118.386231,34.089963,-118.396359_rect/16_zm/

 

In regards the 1300 sq ft dump. you're paying for the land, not the structure. It's a 7,000 sq ft lot, and can be developed into apartments and condo's and rents are aprox $4 sq ft and rising.

[+ Keith30309]

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/colombia-travel-warning.html

 

Security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, including in tourist and business travel destinations such as Bogota, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Medellin, and Cali. However, violence linked to narco-trafficking continues to affect some rural and urban areas. Despite significant decreases in overall crime in Colombia, continued vigilance is warranted due to an increase in recent months of violent crime, including crime resulting in the deaths of American citizens. This Travel Warning replaces the previous travel warning released on June 5, 2015... Violence associated with the BACRIM has spilled over into many of Colombia's major cities. These groups are heavily involved in the drug trade, extortion, kidnapping, and robbery... The incidence of kidnapping in Colombia has diminished significantly from its peak in 2000. However, kidnapping remains a threat. Terrorist groups and other criminal organizations continue to kidnap and hold civilians, including foreigners, for ransom. No one is immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors...

There are safer places I would consider in Latin America, but thanks.

 

GOV.UK

USA travel advice

Safety and security

Crime

 

Take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your property against petty crime. Don’t leave passports in rental cars, especially in the boot, as there have been a high number of thefts by gangs targeting the vehicles of those who appear to be tourists.

 

Violent crime, including gun crime, rarely involves tourists, but you should take care when travelling in unfamiliar areas. Crime associated with the illegal drugs trade is a major issue in Mexican states bordering Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. Some foreign nationals have been among the victims of crime in the border regions, but there is no evidence to suggest they have been targeted because of their nationality. Research your destination before travelling, be vigilant, and follow the advice of local authorities.

 

 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/safety-and-security

[bigvalboy]

+1 to anyone who recommended Fort Lauderdale. No state income tax, my pension is not taxed, and you can homestead your property, keeping increases to 3% a year.

[+ MasssageGuy]

+1 to anyone who recommended Fort Lauderdale. No state income tax, my pension is not taxed, and you can homestead your property, keeping increases to 3% a year.

Only two states in the Union offer "Homestead", Florida (FloriDUAH) and Texas (TexASS).

 

A huge benefit to retirees and those skirting the law...

[Guest]

 

Take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your property against petty crime. Don’t leave passports in rental cars, especially in the boot, as there have been a high number of thefts by gangs targeting the vehicles of those who appear to be tourists.

 

Violent crime, including gun crime, rarely involves tourists, but you should take care when travelling in unfamiliar areas. Crime associated with the illegal drugs trade is a major issue in Mexican states bordering Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. Some foreign nationals have been among the victims of crime in the border regions, but there is no evidence to suggest they have been targeted because of their nationality. Research your destination before travelling, be vigilant, and follow the advice of local authorities.

 

Surely you are not suggesting that the two travel warnings are similar in tone or in message. Leaving a passport in a car is just crazy, wherever you may be. When I travel in a country where I need my passport, it will be in one of two places: securely on my person, or locked in the hotel room safe. The scope of crime discussed in the two warnings is also very different.

[+ Keith30309]

[MikeyGMin]

and those skirting the law...

 

???????

[bigvalboy]

???????

 

+1 ....

[sincitymix]

i want to retire under tristan baldwin... or kurtis wolfe...

but im going to retire in my house that is paid for.. might not have any water left in vegas by then.. but meh.

[Guest]

Wow. So "don't leave passports in rental cars" seems similar in importance to you to "...crime involving death in US citizens" and "...extortion, kidnapping, and robbery." Amazing.

http://www.baconwrappedmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/funny-reality-check.jpg

[gallahadesquire]

I'm a native of Greater Chicagoland (from the Hamburger section of a relatively affluent suburb). got shipped to the east coast for Undergrad and Medical School.

 

I moved back in the mid-'80's after my mother had some health issues. They lived 15 miles west of Downtown Chicago, and I lived on the Lake Front, at Irving Park Road (and worked on the University of Chicago campus).

 

PROS: Incredibly intellectually stimulating. I sang under the Assistant Director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus (after five years with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus). We went to theatre sometimes. Eating out was always an adventure.

 

CONS: The weather. My mother sent me a clipping one year from the Trib: On July 4th, at Oak Street Beach, it hit 107. On the waterfront.

I remember it hitting -29. Not the wind chill. The noises the Lake made were incredible.

 

I also got incredibly depressed. My apartment building had parking, but it took 20 minutes lead time to get the car. Driving anywhere in the city proved difficult at best (though I daresay that Chicago is a perfect city for Uber).

 

I didn't find it that expensive, but that was after Boston, which is just downright ridiculous at this point.

 

SUMMARY: Chicago's great, but for six to eight seasons of the year, ya gotta stay indoors, or at least significantly insulated. And I know very few people there anymore. I'm retired in place in Central Massachusetts, which isn't too bad, except for years like 2015, when we had three feet of snow that lasted the entire winter.

 

Anyone willing to comment on Fort Myers florida, or Tucson, AZ?

 

 

I retired in Los Angeles 4 years ago at age 60 and moved to Chicago, which I have grown to love passionately. My criteria were simple - affordable housing. public transportation, an active cultural scene, and no taxes on my pension and Illinois does not tax pensions. The general opinion is that Chicago housing is expensive but I don't know where they're looking. I am in Edgewater/Rogers Park with a 1 bedroom, 3rd floor walk-up (the only disadvantage but it's good for me!) for $175 less a month than I paid for a studio apartment in L.A. I'm 5 minutes from a Red Line station, and there are 4 different bus lines that stop on my corner. I haven't had a car in 4 years and haven't missed it for a second. I spend between $50 and $70 a month on L and bus fares here as opposed to hundreds in car payments, insurance, maintenance and gas. The beach and Lake Michigan are a 10 minute walk from my place and in the summer, it's really heavenly. Today, for example, the lake temperature is 74 degrees. I walk down every day, swim, sit in the sun, and then walk home again when I've had enough. In L.A., going to the beach meant loading up the car, driving to Santa Monica, hunting for free parking, which usually meant a side street blocks away from the beach, hauling a chair and towel down to the beach, hunting for a place to sit that was far away from blaring music or noisy kids (not easy), swimming in the surf, which could be chilly even at the height of summer, then reversing the process to go home. My building in L.A. didn't have parking, so there was always a 15 to 25 minute hunt for a parking spot, even on a quiet Sunday, and if I was unfortunate enough to be on the wrong side of the street for Monday morning street sweeping, it meant getting up before 7 AM, throwing on some clothes, and then circling the block until I could find a spot on the right side of the street.

 

As far as gay life goes here, it's active and there if you want it. At my age, I've stopped hunting but there are several bars in Boys Town that I like because they have good music and friendly people. I'm not looking to get laid, so I can't give you much useful information on that score, but what I have noticed is that there is much less of an emphasis on youth here than - obviously! - there was in L.A., the mecca for Golden Gays, as we used to call them. Being 64 isn't anathema here. I'm an actor/singer/dancer and take classes 3 to 4 times a week. I'm always the oldest person in class but the young dancers here think I'm cool and the remarks I get are always, "God, I hope I'm that good at your age." I also took lots and lots of classes in L.A. and I was frowned on and treated very condescendingly. I once heard 2 guys in the changing room saying that there should be an age limit for class and that someone like me shouldn't be allowed in, no matter how good I was.

 

The winters here can be brutal. The ancient radiator in my bedroom hisses like a locomotive and when it gets down in -25 in January, I just want to huddle under a comforter but even a sunny, freezing day in this town is better because of the congenial and friendly atmosphere here. I'm glad every day that I made the move. In about 10 years, I probably won't want to climb those 3 flights of stairs to my apartment anymore but right now, I don't have 1 damn thing to complain about. And I can tell you that my money goes a hell of a lot further here than it ever would in L.A.

[+ WilliamM]

Sorry, but this does not have a soul... I'd pass on this ....

Wow. So "don't leave passports in rental cars" seems similar in importance to you to "...crime involving death in US citizens" and "...extortion, kidnapping, and robbery." Amazing.

http://www.baconwrappedmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/funny-reality-check.jpg

 

Life is not always completely safe when you travel, unless you book a tour. I flew to Rio by myself in 1974 and walked throughout the city, including places I perhaps should not have gone. The same is true of St. Petersburg, Russia in June 2005 when it was still light at 3 a.m. and people were drinking vodka in the city parks. I agree with you about the passport. But, otherwise, please calm down. There are many ways to travel, not just your way.

[+ MasssageGuy]

I'm a native of Greater Chicagoland (from the Hamburger section of a relatively affluent suburb). got shipped to the east coast for Undergrad and Medical School.

 

I moved back in the mid-'80's after my mother had some health issues. They lived 15 miles west of Downtown Chicago, and I lived on the Lake Front, at Irving Park Road (and worked on the University of Chicago campus).

 

PROS: Incredibly intellectually stimulating. I sang under the Assistant Director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus (after five years with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus). We went to theatre sometimes. Eating out was always an adventure.

 

CONS: The weather. My mother sent me a clipping one year from the Trib: On July 4th, at Oak Street Beach, it hit 107. On the waterfront.

I remember it hitting -29. Not the wind chill. The noises the Lake made were incredible.

 

I also got incredibly depressed. My apartment building had parking, but it took 20 minutes lead time to get the car. Driving anywhere in the city proved difficult at best (though I daresay that Chicago is a perfect city for Uber).

 

I didn't find it that expensive, but that was after Boston, which is just downright ridiculous at this point.

 

SUMMARY: Chicago's great, but for six to eight seasons of the year, ya gotta stay indoors, or at least significantly insulated. And I know very few people there anymore. I'm retired in place in Central Massachusetts, which isn't too bad, except for years like 2015, when we had three feet of snow that lasted the entire winter.

 

Anyone willing to comment on Fort Myers florida, or Tucson, AZ?

Arizona = Arid Zone(a) - State is hostile to minorities. Income tax. Sales tax on apartment rents. If you don't pay your medical bills, the hospital and/or doctor can put a lien on your home. These make it hostile to retirees, in my opinion.

 

Fort Myers is growing rapidly. I'd go a few miles south and check out Naples and Collier County. Much better run county than Lee County (Fort Myers). No income tax in state. Florida is HOT and HUMID in summer. 55" of rain per year in summer. About 1,000 people A DAY are moving to Florida.

[+ MasssageGuy]

Real estate taxes in Florida are high.

The homestead exemption will significantly lower your real estate tax in Florida.

[+ saminseattle]

those skirting the law

 

???????

 

I’m just guessing here, but isn’t the homestead exemption quite generous or perhaps even unlimited in Texas and Florida? I have heard stories about doctors putting all their extra money in a huge house in these states just in case they are sued for malpractice. So, even if there were a huge verdict, a plaintiff couldn’t go after the mansion. I would call this tactic taking advantage of the law rather than skirting it, but regardless of legalities, I suppose that some might consider it morally questionable.

 

In terms of retirement, I’d love to retire here in Seattle. It’s not cheap, but it’s pretty and there are lots of cultural amenities. The winter months are rather dreary, but maybe by the time I retire, I’ll be able to buy a condo on Maui for the winter. Retirement is many many years away for me, so it’s all pretty theoretical at this point. Still, fun to think about…

[+ MasssageGuy]

I’m just guessing here, but isn’t the homestead exemption quite generous or perhaps even unlimited in Texas and Florida? I have heard stories about doctors putting all their extra money in a huge house in these states just in case they are sued for malpractice. So, even if there were a huge verdict, a plaintiff couldn’t go after the mansion. I would call this tactic taking advantage of the law rather than skirting it, but regardless of legalities, I suppose that some might consider it morally questionable.

 

In terms of retirement, I’d love to retire here in Seattle. It’s not cheap, but it’s pretty and there are lots of cultural amenities. The winter months are rather dreary, but maybe by the time I retire, I’ll be able to buy a condo on Maui for the winter. Retirement is many many years away for me, so it’s all pretty theoretical at this point. Still, fun to think about…

 

The homestead exemption is in Florida's constitution. It was put there to attract people to the state years ago. There is nothing "illegal" about it. Yes it is limited to Texas and Florida as far as I know.

[body2body]

I’m just guessing here, but isn’t the homestead exemption quite generous or perhaps even unlimited in Texas and Florida? I have heard stories about doctors putting all their extra money in a huge house in these states just in case they are sued for malpractice. So, even if there were a huge verdict, a plaintiff couldn’t go after the mansion. I would call this tactic taking advantage of the law rather than skirting it, but regardless of legalities, I suppose that some might consider it morally questionable.

 

In terms of retirement, I’d love to retire here in Seattle. It’s not cheap, but it’s pretty and there are lots of cultural amenities. The winter months are rather dreary, but maybe by the time I retire, I’ll be able to buy a condo on Maui for the winter. Retirement is many many years away for me, so it’s all pretty theoretical at this point. Still, fun to think about…

As an example:

After O.J. Simpson was acquitted of murdering his wife and Ron Goldman, on advise of his attorneys, he immediately purchased a home in Florida. He was advised that if he lost the civil suit brought against him by Nicole's family, and the Goldmans, his home in Florida could not be touched, nor could his NFL pension. If I remember correctly, Kenneth Lay of Enron did the same thing. I think this is what saminseattle is referring to.

[mattr]

Someplace where there are handsome muscular men in speedos who will have wild passionate dirty sex with me....even if I have to leave an envelope on the dresser

[Guest]

Fort Lauderdale ain't as cheap as Austin, but it's a lot cheaper than California. I could see a summer home in Fort Lauderdale, and a winter home in the Pacific NW?

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Fort-Lauderdale-FL/pmf,pf_pt/43191186_zpid/31606_rid/26.158654,-80.103915,26.128258,-80.144427_rect/14_zm/

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Fort-Lauderdale-FL/pmf,pf_pt/43104501_zpid/31606_rid/26.148754,-80.101469,26.118356,-80.141981_rect/14_zm/

 

Yikes! Seattle seems to be just as expensive as California! This place is smaller than my place as almost worth as much!

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Seattle-WA/pmf,pf_pt/58389019_zpid/16037_rid/47.633412,-122.299827,47.610589,-122.340339_rect/14_zm/

 

Vancouver's no better:

http://www.homes.com/property/1081-scantlings-vancouver-bc-v6h-3n9/id-266434923/

 

You can get a bit more in Portland OR

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Portland-OR/pmf,pf_pt/13373_rid/45.548107,-122.655702,45.500662,-122.736726_rect/13_zm/

 

Tsawwassen's pretty expensive, too

http://www.rew.ca/properties/R2046754/5526-6a-avenue-delta

 

Hey, Point Roberts WA seems to have good deals...

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Point-Roberts-WA/pmf,pf_pt/23671941_zpid/15829_rid/48.997416,-123.030165,48.991862,-123.040293_rect/16_zm/

[Guest]

This might make a nice summer home...

 

http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=1112633

[instudiocity]

As an example:

After O.J. Simpson was acquitted of murdering his wife and Ron Goldman, on advise of his attorneys, he immediately purchased a home in Florida. He was advised that if he lost the civil suit brought against him by Nicole's family, and the Goldmans, his home in Florida could not be touched, nor could his NFL pension. If I remember correctly, Kenneth Lay of Enron did the same thing. I think this is what saminseattle is referring to.

OJ never bought a house in Florida. He always rented because if he owned something Goldman's dad would lien the property. His only income was a $14K/month pension from the NFL that was protected in the asset forfeiture. But in Florida, he could still play golf everyday and his home rentals were relatively small in comparison to Los Angeles at about $2500/month.

[+ smara]

For a person with moderate earnings in retirement from SS, 401(k) & IRA, is Las Vegas or Reno a good option?