Starting to think about where to move for retirement . . . .

Coach BBBBB wrote:

I'm not sure that the LetsRun Message Board is really the best place to ask this, but here goes:

We will be moving in the next 5 years or so . . . . Three priorities:

1 A town big enough that there are good medical resources in the area. We're healthy, but as folks get older, health issues can arise, so having good hospitals is a plus.

2. Within an hour's drive of a decent-sized airport. We have grandkids across the country, so being able to fly and see them is a priority, and the larger the airport, the better section of flights.

3. Good recreation area. We like to bicycle, run, and cross country ski, so access to a Nordic ski center within an hour's drive would be nice.

4. I don't need to move to designated "running hotbed" as pretty much any decent sized town or city will have a running community, and it's not like I'm training for USATF champs.

Rich in CA 991 wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

I find this very interesting and have the same kinds of questions you do. I am retired, but my wife is still working and may want to do so for maybe 4 more years. We don't need her income, so it's really just about when she wants to no longer work.

I HAVE done some research in this area, and I also don't like super cold or cloudy weather, so keep that in mind.

These are the metro areas I personally would consider retiring to in no particular order, and I believe they all meet the criteria you listed (except for maybe the nordic ski area).

1) In and around Phoenix, AZ. Definitely some cons there (air pollution, lack of water, weird politics). If Phoenix itself is too hot, head to Flagstaff. It's just 2 hours away.

2) Tucson, AZ. Air pollution not the problem it is in Phoenix. Good airport there, and less than 2 hours away from Phoenix.

3) Los Angeles, CA. I know that many immediately say no to that, but there are areas to the east of LA that are very nice, affordable, and yet close enough to things when you want to travel just a little bit. Loma Linda, CA for example is the only Blue Zone in the United States, and the Seventh Day Adventists who make it so are big into exercise, so biking, hiking, running, weight lifting, healthy food...it's all there. LA is just a little more than an hour away.

4) Nashville, TN. Lots to do here. Mild winters and an easy day's drive to the ocean if you want to do that.

5) Asheville, NC. [copied from internet]: "The nearest airport to Asheville is Asheville (AVL) Airport which is 11.6 miles away. Other nearby airports include Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP) (52.9 miles), Knoxville (TYS) (82.3 miles) and Charlotte (CLT) (94.9 miles). It is beautiful there and close to many fun things to do. I am going there this summer for a week.

6) Atlanta, GA. Atlanta itself might not be the best place, but small towns and suburbs around it might be. Hot and humid in the summer of course.

7) Austin, TX. For me, it's the only town in TX that I could possibly live in, but while it's on my list, I likely wouldn't pull the trigger to live there.

8) Carson City, NV. This city has recently popped up as a good place to retire to...low cost of living, lots of seniors living there already along with amenities for them, warm weather. 103 miles to Sacramento, CA airport, but just 23 miles to the one in Reno, NV.

9) Denver, CO. Really the only cold winter area on my list, and it is to because there are still a LOT of sunny days there. Obviously skiing is close.

10) Beyond the above metro areas, I would consider Oregon and Washington State also, but I need to do a little more research about where.

Anyway, good luck!

Hey a$hole , you said you were moving to Burbank.

Flagpole wrote:

Coach BBBBB wrote:

I'm not sure that the LetsRun Message Board is really the best place to ask this, but here goes:

We will be moving in the next 5 years or so . . . . Three priorities:

1 A town big enough that there are good medical resources in the area. We're healthy, but as folks get older, health issues can arise, so having good hospitals is a plus.

2. Within an hour's drive of a decent-sized airport. We have grandkids across the country, so being able to fly and see them is a priority, and the larger the airport, the better section of flights.

3. Good recreation area. We like to bicycle, run, and cross country ski, so access to a Nordic ski center within an hour's drive would be nice.

4. I don't need to move to designated "running hotbed" as pretty much any decent sized town or city will have a running community, and it's not like I'm training for USATF champs.

I find this very interesting and have the same kinds of questions you do. I am retired, but my wife is still working and may want to do so for maybe 4 more years. We don't need her income, so it's really just about when she wants to no longer work.

I HAVE done some research in this area, and I also don't like super cold or cloudy weather, so keep that in mind.

These are the metro areas I personally would consider retiring to in no particular order, and I believe they all meet the criteria you listed (except for maybe the nordic ski area).

1) In and around Phoenix, AZ. Definitely some cons there (air pollution, lack of water, weird politics). If Phoenix itself is too hot, head to Flagstaff. It's just 2 hours away.

2) Tucson, AZ. Air pollution not the problem it is in Phoenix. Good airport there, and less than 2 hours away from Phoenix.

3) Los Angeles, CA. I know that many immediately say no to that, but there are areas to the east of LA that are very nice, affordable, and yet close enough to things when you want to travel just a little bit. Loma Linda, CA for example is the only Blue Zone in the United States, and the Seventh Day Adventists who make it so are big into exercise, so biking, hiking, running, weight lifting, healthy food...it's all there. LA is just a little more than an hour away.

4) Nashville, TN. Lots to do here. Mild winters and an easy day's drive to the ocean if you want to do that.

5) Asheville, NC. [copied from internet]: "The nearest airport to Asheville is Asheville (AVL) Airport which is 11.6 miles away. Other nearby airports include Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP) (52.9 miles), Knoxville (TYS) (82.3 miles) and Charlotte (CLT) (94.9 miles). It is beautiful there and close to many fun things to do. I am going there this summer for a week.

6) Atlanta, GA. Atlanta itself might not be the best place, but small towns and suburbs around it might be. Hot and humid in the summer of course.

7) Austin, TX. For me, it's the only town in TX that I could possibly live in, but while it's on my list, I likely wouldn't pull the trigger to live there.

8) Carson City, NV. This city has recently popped up as a good place to retire to...low cost of living, lots of seniors living there already along with amenities for them, warm weather. 103 miles to Sacramento, CA airport, but just 23 miles to the one in Reno, NV.

9) Denver, CO. Really the only cold winter area on my list, and it is to because there are still a LOT of sunny days there. Obviously skiing is close.

10) Beyond the above metro areas, I would consider Oregon and Washington State also, but I need to do a little more research about where.

Anyway, good luck!

Coach BBBBB wrote:

I'm not sure that the LetsRun Message Board is really the best place to ask this, but here goes:

We will be moving in the next 5 years or so . . . . Three priorities:

1 A town big enough that there are good medical resources in the area. We're healthy, but as folks get older, health issues can arise, so having good hospitals is a plus.

2. Within an hour's drive of a decent-sized airport. We have grandkids across the country, so being able to fly and see them is a priority, and the larger the airport, the better section of flights.

3. Good recreation area. We like to bicycle, run, and cross country ski, so access to a Nordic ski center within an hour's drive would be nice.

4. I don't need to move to designated "running hotbed" as pretty much any decent sized town or city will have a running community, and it's not like I'm training for USATF champs.

Coach BBBBB wrote:

I'm not sure that the LetsRun Message Board is really the best place to ask this, but here goes:

We will be moving in the next 5 years or so . . . . Three priorities:

1 A town big enough that there are good medical resources in the area. We're healthy, but as folks get older, health issues can arise, so having good hospitals is a plus.

2. Within an hour's drive of a decent-sized airport. We have grandkids across the country, so being able to fly and see them is a priority, and the larger the airport, the better section of flights.

3. Good recreation area. We like to bicycle, run, and cross country ski, so access to a Nordic ski center within an hour's drive would be nice.

4. I don't need to move to designated "running hotbed" as pretty much any decent sized town or city will have a running community, and it's not like I'm training for USATF champs.