Idiosyncratic retirement location question
May 22, 2010 9:17 AM Subscribe
Please give me some advice on where to go to retire at a relatively young age.
I recently suffered a pretty huge career setback (I lost an election, if you must know) and am considering relocating. I am in my mid-forties and (due to hard work, dumb luck, and a generous bequest) am able to consider either radically reducing my workload or retiring. Below are some factors that are weighty that I would to take into account.
1. The people are, relatively, intelligent and well-educated.
2. The cultural scene is somewhat interesting – that is, there are some used bookstores, good restaurants, live theatre, artsy museums, etc. Ideally a college town, and NOT a place where the culture is universally conservative Christian where there are strong expectations about showing up for church every Sunday, etc.
3. It’s a good place to raise a family (we have a couple of beloved little kids).
4. The climate is bearable, with (ideally) low humidity. There is an absence of weather extremes, such that I can go walking or running outside, comfortably, for a significant portion of the year without encountering 2 feet of snow or blazing heat.
5. Low crime rate, relatively non-corrupt and non-scandal-plagued and non-looming-disaster government.
6. Reasonably good schools.
7. Low cost of living, low taxes (yes, I am aware that this is in some sense by definition in tension with these other factors)
Where I currently live would get very low scores on 1 and 2 and 6 and OK scores on everything else. I would like to find a different place that would have better scores. I am NOT looking for high scores across the board; I am just looking for some place that would push all these scores near the median. I am open to something that has (relatively dull) suburbs near a (relatively interesting) city. I know that there are rankings of “Best Places to Live” – but I would be interested in your more impressionistic opinions about where to consider.
I recently suffered a pretty huge career setback (I lost an election, if you must know) and am considering relocating. I am in my mid-forties and (due to hard work, dumb luck, and a generous bequest) am able to consider either radically reducing my workload or retiring. Below are some factors that are weighty that I would to take into account.
1. The people are, relatively, intelligent and well-educated.
2. The cultural scene is somewhat interesting – that is, there are some used bookstores, good restaurants, live theatre, artsy museums, etc. Ideally a college town, and NOT a place where the culture is universally conservative Christian where there are strong expectations about showing up for church every Sunday, etc.
3. It’s a good place to raise a family (we have a couple of beloved little kids).
4. The climate is bearable, with (ideally) low humidity. There is an absence of weather extremes, such that I can go walking or running outside, comfortably, for a significant portion of the year without encountering 2 feet of snow or blazing heat.
5. Low crime rate, relatively non-corrupt and non-scandal-plagued and non-looming-disaster government.
6. Reasonably good schools.
7. Low cost of living, low taxes (yes, I am aware that this is in some sense by definition in tension with these other factors)
Where I currently live would get very low scores on 1 and 2 and 6 and OK scores on everything else. I would like to find a different place that would have better scores. I am NOT looking for high scores across the board; I am just looking for some place that would push all these scores near the median. I am open to something that has (relatively dull) suburbs near a (relatively interesting) city. I know that there are rankings of “Best Places to Live” – but I would be interested in your more impressionistic opinions about where to consider.
Seconding Eugene. Very laid back, good infrastructure, medium cost of living, low taxes, good schools, super low crime rate, great community. Feels like a very mild San Francisco.
posted by LudgerLassen at 9:52 AM on May 22, 2010
posted by LudgerLassen at 9:52 AM on May 22, 2010
If it weren't for point 4 I'd highly recommend Missoula, but Montana isn't known for mild winters. I subscribe to the "conservation of suck" theory of cities. Every city sucks roughly equally because if a city is extra nice, then people move there until it is overcrowded and expensive. Basically, I'd advise that you drop point 4 from consideration and move to Missoula. There are excellent winter weather running outfits that you will be able to easily purchase once you are there so that you'll be able to exercise year round. You won't be alone there, as other 40-something early semi-retirees tend to prefer it for its relatively liberal slant, low cost of living and proximity to other 40-something early semi-retirees. Finally, the schools are excellent.
posted by TeatimeGrommit at 9:59 AM on May 22, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by TeatimeGrommit at 9:59 AM on May 22, 2010 [3 favorites]
Eugene/Springfield would be good, actually any where in western oregon would be good and there are a lot of properties on the market right now that are good buys. There are a lot of towns in the Willamette valley that are cheap to live in and great if you don't have to find a good paying job. Income tax is kinda high, but there is no sales tax and property tax isn't too bad due to some measures that were passed limiting the rate at which they can increase. Land use laws are fairly restrictive as to where you can build a new subdivision so you don't have to worry about new suburbs next to you unless you buy within an urban growth boundary. The rain isn't all the bad, it is a gentle rain that you can walk around in and not get too wet, lightweight rain gear will keep you dry, and the usual low throughout the winter is usually just around freezing.
Northern California (like Humboldt county) is also similar. I personally also like New Mexico but the winters can be bad at the higher elevations and the summers are bad at the lower elevations. It has a low population density and it is pretty cheap to live there outside of Santa Fe and Taos, and there is a lot of history and recreation opportunities on all the public land. My recommendation would be somewhere on the east side of Sandia or the Manzanos at a lower elevation if you want to be close to a big city (Albuquerque) and if you want to live in the boonies Las Vegas, Silver City or Cloudcroft depeding on taste.
If really cold winters are ok take a look at Lander, Wyoming.
posted by bartonlong at 10:20 AM on May 22, 2010
Northern California (like Humboldt county) is also similar. I personally also like New Mexico but the winters can be bad at the higher elevations and the summers are bad at the lower elevations. It has a low population density and it is pretty cheap to live there outside of Santa Fe and Taos, and there is a lot of history and recreation opportunities on all the public land. My recommendation would be somewhere on the east side of Sandia or the Manzanos at a lower elevation if you want to be close to a big city (Albuquerque) and if you want to live in the boonies Las Vegas, Silver City or Cloudcroft depeding on taste.
If really cold winters are ok take a look at Lander, Wyoming.
posted by bartonlong at 10:20 AM on May 22, 2010
I'm not sure if it has been posted on Metafilter before, but a couple of weeks ago I learned somewhere (think it was Hacker News) that if you put in WolframAlpha a request like this:
relocating from Chicago to Seattle with a salary of $100000
it will give you charts of those cities comparing information about crime rates, cost of living,climate...and so on. So you can just replace Chicago, Seattle and the 100000 with whatever you like and it will return you a neat comparison.
posted by Vidamond at 10:37 AM on May 22, 2010 [8 favorites]
relocating from Chicago to Seattle with a salary of $100000
it will give you charts of those cities comparing information about crime rates, cost of living,climate...and so on. So you can just replace Chicago, Seattle and the 100000 with whatever you like and it will return you a neat comparison.
posted by Vidamond at 10:37 AM on May 22, 2010 [8 favorites]
Asheville, NC
posted by Daily Alice at 10:59 AM on May 22, 2010
posted by Daily Alice at 10:59 AM on May 22, 2010
Boulder, CO might be a possibility. Colorado sounds colder than it really is. 300 sunny days a year, no problems with humidity. Lots of interesting cultural things, very liberal, and a gorgeous environment.
posted by dantekgeek at 11:14 AM on May 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by dantekgeek at 11:14 AM on May 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Portland would fit your criteria.
posted by grapesaresour at 12:07 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by grapesaresour at 12:07 PM on May 22, 2010
>I'd advise that you drop point 4 from consideration
FWIW and IMHO, winter sports are fun and you can always buy and wear clothing to deal with winter weather.
Meanwhile, in the summer/high humidity there are only so many clothes you can take off while remaining socially acceptable.
In short, you're better off in a place with cold winters & mild summers (because winter can be dealt with and summer is pleasant) than with mild winters and unbearable summers (because in the summer you're basically locked into places with air conditioning unless you have a lot more fortitude than the average American).
posted by flug at 12:47 PM on May 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
FWIW and IMHO, winter sports are fun and you can always buy and wear clothing to deal with winter weather.
Meanwhile, in the summer/high humidity there are only so many clothes you can take off while remaining socially acceptable.
In short, you're better off in a place with cold winters & mild summers (because winter can be dealt with and summer is pleasant) than with mild winters and unbearable summers (because in the summer you're basically locked into places with air conditioning unless you have a lot more fortitude than the average American).
posted by flug at 12:47 PM on May 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
I’m in North Carolina’s Triangle area -- Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill -- which has a lot going for it. Although the county school district that includes Raleigh was recently taken over in an off-year election by conservatives who are intent on “neighborhood” schools.
This area is a bit bifurcated. We are awash in Baptist churches, as well as universities and high-tech campuses. It’s a fine place to raise a family, but there are also some really good restaurants, etc, where Mom and Pop might spend an evening sans offspring.
Low humidity is uncommon here. Summers are hot and sticky, with the occasional nasty storm. Winters are mild, but temps do drop below freezing and snow and freezing are not uncommon. Snow happens, but accumulation beyond a few inches is rare. And, it always gets warmer and the stuff melts.
Crime is low compared with national stats. Schools are good, even excellent, assuming the conservatives don’t screw things up.
Housing costs are relatively low compared many other attractive parts of the country.
The local airport is convenient, with non-stop service to most major East coast cities, and one-stop service to the rest of the country, often through Atlanta. There is a daily nonstop to and from Heathrow.
Caveat: Rural North Carolina does not have much going for it, at all. The sticks are still the sticks.
posted by justcorbly at 4:12 PM on May 22, 2010
This area is a bit bifurcated. We are awash in Baptist churches, as well as universities and high-tech campuses. It’s a fine place to raise a family, but there are also some really good restaurants, etc, where Mom and Pop might spend an evening sans offspring.
Low humidity is uncommon here. Summers are hot and sticky, with the occasional nasty storm. Winters are mild, but temps do drop below freezing and snow and freezing are not uncommon. Snow happens, but accumulation beyond a few inches is rare. And, it always gets warmer and the stuff melts.
Crime is low compared with national stats. Schools are good, even excellent, assuming the conservatives don’t screw things up.
Housing costs are relatively low compared many other attractive parts of the country.
The local airport is convenient, with non-stop service to most major East coast cities, and one-stop service to the rest of the country, often through Atlanta. There is a daily nonstop to and from Heathrow.
Caveat: Rural North Carolina does not have much going for it, at all. The sticks are still the sticks.
posted by justcorbly at 4:12 PM on May 22, 2010
I'm from Oregon; I love the Willamette Valley and think Eugene or somewhere else in the valley has a lot to offer you.
That being said, the state government is having a tough time of it lately; there is a high unemployment rate in the state and some statewide budget shortfalls. But I think Oregon is slowly recovering from the recession, and, really, it's not the kind of crisis that California is staring down.
Income tax is moderately high, but there is no sales tax. Overall it's very affordable, especially south of Portland. Don't be scared off by the tales of Pacific Northwest weather. Yes, it's rainy, but it doesn't snow much and it also doesn't get too ridiculously hot in the summer (a few 90F days here and there). Overall it's very mild, and the weather changes frequently.
Eugene particularly is the stereotype of crunchy PNW: a hippie, liberal college town (it's the location of UO). Schools and crime rates are favorable. Definitely you'd be more worried about your bike being stolen than being mugged.
posted by asciident at 5:01 PM on May 22, 2010
That being said, the state government is having a tough time of it lately; there is a high unemployment rate in the state and some statewide budget shortfalls. But I think Oregon is slowly recovering from the recession, and, really, it's not the kind of crisis that California is staring down.
Income tax is moderately high, but there is no sales tax. Overall it's very affordable, especially south of Portland. Don't be scared off by the tales of Pacific Northwest weather. Yes, it's rainy, but it doesn't snow much and it also doesn't get too ridiculously hot in the summer (a few 90F days here and there). Overall it's very mild, and the weather changes frequently.
Eugene particularly is the stereotype of crunchy PNW: a hippie, liberal college town (it's the location of UO). Schools and crime rates are favorable. Definitely you'd be more worried about your bike being stolen than being mugged.
posted by asciident at 5:01 PM on May 22, 2010
Personally, I've got my eye on Albuquerque or Santa Fe area for when I retire. The caveat is that I've had two near-misses in Albuquerque on the job front and hence remain an admirer from afar--so I don't know the nitty-gritty about tax rates or government scandals and so on.
posted by drlith at 7:13 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by drlith at 7:13 PM on May 22, 2010
Toronto has everything on your list except #4.
posted by heatherann at 1:35 PM on May 23, 2010
posted by heatherann at 1:35 PM on May 23, 2010
Fort Collins, CO--can be very cold in winter but has lots of sunny days.
I can't speak to the schools but everything else seems to fit. It's a beautiful college town with quite affordable and lovely houses.
posted by exceptinsects at 4:06 PM on May 23, 2010
I can't speak to the schools but everything else seems to fit. It's a beautiful college town with quite affordable and lovely houses.
posted by exceptinsects at 4:06 PM on May 23, 2010
FWIW, it's easier to add clothes and be comfortable outdoors in cold weather than it is to be comfortable outdoors in hot weather. "There's no such thing as too cold out, only inappropriate clothing selection."
posted by exphysicist345 at 10:53 PM on May 24, 2010
posted by exphysicist345 at 10:53 PM on May 24, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Happydaz at 9:37 AM on May 22, 2010 [1 favorite]