Vibrant Nation

For your list Hattie, I would suggest suburbs outside of Washington DC, NY or Boston, but more the later two.  If including Canada, I would add Montreal and Toronto.

I would like a place in New England, Lake Tahoe and a place in the Florida Keys.  Where's my lotto ticket!

I have lived in the NY metro area for most of my life. Although is has so very much to offer, I have always been drawn to New England towns. When thinking about retirement my mind always goes to Cape Cod. But, alas, is does get a bit desolate in the winter and depending on where one lives there, you could end up being very isolated. However, towns like Chatham, Orleans, and Hyannis are more suburban like settings and will offer more services year round. I am drawn to New England because I cannot imagine life without the 4 seasons; crazy as it may seem, I love the snow, but, the humidity of northern NJ makes me miserable. I was watching CBS Sunday Morning several months ago and saw a wonderful story on Asheville, N.C. It certainly has a lot to offer and seems to fulfill all my needs (physical, emotional, medical, etc). Here's the link to the story. Please check it out. It puts a new spin on the possibilities retirement has to offer us as we age. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5020563n

I agree with your comment about the network of friends.  I have done some retirement planning for clients and among some of the things we discuss, is do NOT move away from friends and family because you need that support system and its difficult to build up such a network later in life.  Consider this when deciding where you will move to.  Its a great idea to "get away" for a few months but not permanently.  Having said that, I live in Ontario and the entire province is absolutely beautiful so this may be a place you'd come to get away!

I think Santa Cruz is also a great place.  You are so close to the forest, the ocean and downtown.  It is also close to San Francisco.  I do have a circle of friends in Los Angeles and moving alone to S.C. is a little scary.  It is not easy to meet new friends when one is no longer studying or working.

Hi -- you've inspired me to add to my post above about staying put in the Dallas area.  I am divorced, have no children and have only one sibling, a sister who has never married.  So we're "it," and she lives in Colorado, which is a nice place to visit.  Our folks died when we were in our early twenties, and they happened to be the ones in their families who moved far from home, so my sister and I were never close to our cousins on either side, all of whom are now enjoying retirement near kids and grandkids. I'm not whining, just saying.  So over the years, I've worked hard to build a kind of family in each place I've lived, and since I think this job north of Dallas is my last one, why not continue to use the area as my home base.  I used to consider buying into that "dream" of moving to the "ideal" spot they try to sell retirees. I grew up in Florida and watched plenty of people move down for it.  (Some stayed and loved it, some stayed and griped about the heat and mosqitoes and prices and hurricanes, and some moved back to where they came from.)  So the prospect of chasing that idea makes me tired.  So much of it is marketing.  Nowhere is it written that "thou shalt raise up thy bones at 65 and once again seek greener pastures."  ;-)

My husband and I have no kids and small families. We already live in Omaha and the rest of the family lives back east. Omaha is a great place and I'd love to be able to keep our home here. We just bought a place in Utah near a ski area we like - skiing must be part of my husband's retirement - he lives for it. Also, I'd like to do something near a beach.

After doing a lot of thinking, my first choice is to be near excellent and affordable healthcare. That cuts a lot out right there. We don't want to have to leave a market if we're dealing with a health condition, nor do we want to fight hideous traffic to get to our various appointments - let's face it retired people spend a lot of time in doc offices. Luckily we have good friends here (but my Mom's friends back east have all moved away to retire - so there's no guarantee).

My former partner and his wife had lived all over the country - south, north, northeast, midwest. They had no kids. When it was time to pick a place where they wanted to be - they picked Omaha. He's since moved out and he's wishing to be back.

We went to Tuscon this month and yes it is hot but it is dry heat which is tolerable.  Tucson is one of our favorite cities.  You have the mountains  nearby and the beautiful scenery.  I really like the low key living and no traffic.   Cost of living seems ok because we looked at homes there but I believe they do have  personal state tax.  Here in Texas we do not have that and it is nice. 

Hi, Queen Bee: I have not lived in Gainesville, but am a Floridian who has been there many times. I have a friend who lives there now -- many South Floridians retire to Gainesville or central Florida -- and loves it. It is a pretty college town, small city really, and reminds me a lot of the University of Missouri, where I went to school. Excellent medical center. Some cultural activities, as the college is there. Housing costs are going up but its cheaper than down here. Also, if you like the outdoors, is close to some nice wildlife preserves and hiking areas like the Ocala National Forest. You do have a change of seasons and a fall, although its not a lovely full autumn like further north, but no snow or bitter cold. Growing numbers of retirees, so its not like you will be the only one and surrounded by young students.

Downsides: It truly is in the middle of nowhere. So if you are a person who needs some city life (Broadway touring companies, unusual stores, diverse restaurants), you are going to feel pretty isolated. Somewhat conservative, even for a college town. At least an hour from any major airport. Really hot and sticky during the summer, as there are no ocean breezes (but at least they don't get hit as often by hurricanes, although storms do go across the center of the state). Life pretty much centers around the university; it's the major employer in town. Football weekends a nightmare.   

So... like any place, it will have it pluses and minuses. Do you know anyone there? I am not sure how easy it would be to make a new circle of friends. However, my friend has met people through the UU church there and she seems very happy.

The Northern west coast was next in line to visit.  It does have mountains and ocean which are two of my favorite things.  I love  Maine and would not mind having a house there but the winters are too harsh  I am a southern girl and do not think I can make it.  Maybe the subject I started is should you have 2 smaill homes or rent one out during the year to go to your favorite place and not worry about owning anything else.