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OK, lockdown boredom... spending some time plotting out potential down-the-road retirement moves.  The Carolina's and Northern Georgia seem to be good targets.  Mild winter climates (I know, summer humidity is most everywhere not in the southwest), affordable living, good people, nice landscape, abundant college sports, golf, outdoor sports, good BBQ, can escape to the coast, et.  But, I haven't spent enough time there.

Looking for any more detailed feedback comparing those states against each other and about that region overall and know that many of you here in the HSBBW community live in the region.  

Last edited by cabbagedad
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Texas no state taxes, warn weather, tons of sports, very friendly people, kinda cheap homes, Golf, beer, bbq, it’s a slice of heaven did I say loads of sports. It gets hot but we’re used to it. I will add if I had the funds I am looking at Florida for the beaches. Landscape if mostly flat but some areas offer coastal and hills. You have to live here to appreciate it. Either you love it or hate it. No in between 

@NY posted:

Texas no state taxes, warn weather, tons of sports, very friendly people, kinda cheap homes, Golf, beer, bbq, it’s a slice of heaven did I say loads of sports. It gets hot but we’re used to it. I will add if I had the funds I am looking at Florida for the beaches. Landscape if mostly flat but some areas offer coastal and hills. You have to live here to appreciate it. Either you love it or hate it. No in between 

Thanks NY, Texas is actually the other most likely landing spot (behind staying where we're at) because of what you list and that daughter is most likely to end up there.  But, i didn't want to get too "shotgun" with the post. 

@cabbagedad posted:

Thanks NY, Texas is actually the other most likely landing spot (behind staying where we're at) because of what you list and that daughter is most likely to end up there.  But, i didn't want to get too "shotgun" with the post. 

We're still a good 10 years off, at least, but I'm thinking of the "half back" route.  I like the combo of weather, seasons, but still being closer to North East.  Raleigh area, Charleston, Davidson...all considerations.  I've had family in Florida forever, and even as it's gotten younger over the years (specifically Delray Beach) I still have a hard time seeing myself living there year round.  Love the beach vibe, but I'm not sure I could handle Summers and Florida is just...unique. As for Texas, I do like Austin but suspect more to visit.  And prices there have no gotten a bit out of hand.  Have heard Ft. Worth is up and coming, but I would literally not know a soul there.  

 Oh, man, if you could access my wife's Trulia history, you'd see hundreds if not thousands of "forever homes" she's checked out in the states you mentioned, plus VA, MD, DE (no taxes), CT, NY, NJ, PA, MA, ME, NH, RI, OR, NM, AZ, & CA, not to mention offshore locations. 

No TX as of yet, but we do like Austin and San Antonio.

Depending on your interests and tolerance for winter weather, NH has no sales tax, no income tax.  Ocean beaches, mountains, terrific lakes, lots of outdoor recreation.  Close to Boston in the southern third of the state.  Sports scene, not so much, unless you go to Boston for pro sports.  Manchester has the AA affiliate of the Blue Jays, there is good summer collegiate (NECBL and Futures) but that's about it.  Probably more expensive than many other areas mentioned too.

@NY posted:

Texas no state taxes, warn weather, tons of sports, very friendly people, kinda cheap homes, Golf, beer, bbq, it’s a slice of heaven did I say loads of sports. It gets hot but we’re used to it. I will add if I had the funds I am looking at Florida for the beaches. Landscape if mostly flat but some areas offer coastal and hills. You have to live here to appreciate it. Either you love it or hate it. No in between 

I'm im Rockport & love it! Lots of fishig, arts, Golf Carts & flip flops... & survived Harvey! Pop about 9000.  34m to Corpus Christi. Lots of us "retirees" dow here. 3 Hr to Housto, SA or Mexico.. (sorry, letter after m quit workig o laptop)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSyUMpySQqs

https://www.rockport-fulton.org/

 

Last edited by baseballmom
@baseballmom posted:

I'm im Rockport & love it! Lots of fishig, arts, Golf Carts & flip flops... & survived Harvey! Pop about 9000.  34m to Corpus Christi. Lots of us "retirees" dow here. 3 Hr to Housto, SA or Mexico.. (sorry, letter after m quit workig o laptop)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YribTUnlQg0

https://www.rockport-fulton.org/

 

Are you on a Windows machine?  Windows key + CTRL + O brings up a virtual keyboard.

Cabbage,

If you are thinking SC there are some serious tax issues for second homes.   I've seen where you live, and not sure why on God's green earth you'd want to leave...it is gorgeous there!.   I have a handful of friends who have recently bought primary residences in Wilmington (NC),Hilton Head (SC), Savannah (GA), Charleston area (SC) and haven't looked back.  Each of them is in a different stage of life (55-65), and moved there for different reasons.  My wife and I have also been playing the "what if" game, and we would be looking at these same areas in 5-10 years plus some others.  Florida is an absolute non-starter for my wife but I might be able to convince her on northern Florida (Ameilia Island area) for the right situation.

Cabbagedad - Was scoping the same stuff out in December.  A lot of people at my company are based in Atlanta and most have homes in South Carolina on lakes or near Charleston.   Below is a list that a guy gave me for South Carolina areas to look.  We will retire south too (we are CT) and are looking NC, SC, not Florida.  Thought about South East GA too but Teaching Elder above just made that a no.....

Sullivan’s island (his top pick)
Savanna - it’s 15 years behind Charleston.  Culture , restaurants ect
DeWees to Georgetown and all in between
McClellenville
Buford +
Awendaw +

I see myself in and around Charleston.  Notice Kiawah missing.  I love visiting Kiawah and could see living there too but more likely another island near Charleston.  I am thinking 6.5 years for us, yes specific but for a reason.  I do love Texas for many reasons but can't see ending up there.

Lots of people are moving to Charlotte, NC. I have a lot of friends who have moved there to follow their kids.

To live on the SE coastline is very expensive due to insurance.  Florida has some great beaches. I love where I live but I also love the west coast of Fl. Tampa/ ST Pete area is one of my favorite. 

@cabbagedad posted:

OK, lockdown boredom... spending some time plotting out potential down-the-road retirement moves.  The Carolina's and Northern Georgia seem to be good targets.  Mild winter climates (I know, summer humidity is most everywhere not in the southwest), affordable living, good people, nice landscape, abundant college sports, golf, outdoor sports, good BBQ, can escape to the coast, et.  But, I haven't spent enough time there.

Looking for any more detailed feedback comparing those states against each other and about that region overall and know that many of you here in the HSBBW community live in the region.  

I'd add Virginia to the mix except we do have personal property taxes on vehicles and boats.   Other than that real estate taxes are reasonable so long as you stay away from northern Virginia.   Lots of history here (Revolutionary War and Civil War) especially around Fredericksburg (home to 4 Civil War battlefields, George Washington's Mothers home and his early home (Ferry Farm)) and Richmond.

There's decent golf courses in the Williamsburg area and Richmond.  Plenty of college sports - UVA, Tech, Old Dominion to name a few.  Plenty of spots to go fishing - fresh and saltwater.

Personally, I'd stay away from the I-95 corridor - traffic there has been notoriously heavy (even on weekends) for years and until the virus was getting worse.

Definitely forget about north of Virginia - MD, PA, NY, NJ have much higher taxes.  

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