AARP Online Community and Discussion Forums - Re: Did You Have To Leave An Area You Loved Becaus... - Page 3

catrheaper · ‎04-12-2015

I live in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and I moved here about a dozen years ago. I love my friends, my church, my doctors (I am a cancer survivor, and we have a great health care system in the Bay State). The problem is, I don't have enough to retire here, because there is simply no affordable senior housing except subsidized housing that is tiny, depressing and few and far between with an incredibly long waiting list. With my ex-husband's social security that I would collect after I retire, it looks like I would have too much income to qualify for one of them anyway. I live in a small apartment as it is, and have no family here.

My sisters live in Florida, but they are constantly complaining about how the Republican government (I guess this is the case with the majority of Southern states) is making life harder and harder for the poor and elderly. I worry that I wouldn't be able to find the quality of medical care I have in Massachusetts, and if the Republican Congress does away with Medicare, it might be the only safe state to stay in where you can keep your health insurance.

Did any of you have to make this hard choice? Where did you live and where did you end up retiring to? Or did you just stay put, grit your teeth, tighten your belt and learn to live more lean? How did it go? Did you regret your decision? Did it turn out to be a good thing? Did you wish you had stayed put? Thanks!

SIMPLEGAL · ‎05-24-2015

Dear rm92968539,

I agree.....Florida here we come! May I ask where you plan to live in Florida?

rm92968539 wrote:
I have lived in CT for over 20 years and I love my neighborhood, church, friends, relatives, etc. the taxes and cost of living here is just unacceptable and not affordable. This is a Democrat controlled State so the economy is terrible and taxes too high. We are moving to Florida where the costs are much more reasonable. Follow the Republicans if you want a State with a strong economy, low taxes, better health care and overall quality of life.

goldye · ‎04-14-2015

Catrheaper - Welcome to My World! We live in a NYC suburb (more expensive than Cape Cod)

Retire in the NYC region after we've lived here our entire lives? Are we crazy? Currently, we've only been retired since Aug. 1st (last yr.). We spent the next 5 months taking care of my father in law who unfortunately passed away in Dec. Then we went into home renovation mode which just completed last month & we've been cleaning up, throwing unnecessary stuff out, donations, etc. At this stage, we haven't really enjoyed retirement yet. We've been tracking our budget & so far we're OK, but the future is a big ?. We live in a 2 bedroom co-op apartment and monthly maintenance (HOA) fee is $1100./month + utilities + mortgage + owning 2 cars + food, etc. Fortunately, our income is sufficient to cover our expenses, but I did my research & it's disheartening to learn how much cheaper cost of living & housing is esp. in the midwest & south.

For what it's worth, I did research on quality medical care & guess what - the best medical care in the U.S. is the Northeast, Midwest & Western states. Forget southern states - they rank dead last. So for us northeasterners living in high costly states, I'm ready to move to the midwest - good medical care, low cost of living & low taxes. Both of us will have to adjust to the culture - your Boston accent & my NY accent will have us marked immediately.

Winter2025VA · ‎04-13-2025

[Sunday 4/13/25]

@goldye , are you still living in the NYC area?

Take care,

Nicole 👵 (Retirement Forum)

[*** @goldye wrote:
Catrheaper - Welcome to My World! We live in a NYC suburb (more expensive than Cape Cod)
Retire in the NYC region after we've lived here our entire lives? Are we crazy? Currently, we've only been retired since Aug. 1st (last yr.). We spent the next 5 months taking care of my father in law who unfortunately passed away in Dec. Then we went into home renovation mode which just completed last month & we've been cleaning up, throwing unnecessary stuff out, donations, etc. At this stage, we haven't really enjoyed retirement yet. We've been tracking our budget & so far we're OK, but the future is a big ?. We live in a 2 bedroom co-op apartment and monthly maintenance (HOA) fee is $1100./month + utilities + mortgage + owning 2 cars + food, etc. Fortunately, our income is sufficient to cover our expenses, but I did my research & it's disheartening to learn how much cheaper cost of living & housing is esp. in the midwest & south.
For what it's worth, I did research on quality medical care & guess what - the best medical care in the U.S. is the Northeast, Midwest & Western states. Forget southern states - they rank dead last. So for us northeasterners living in high costly states, I'm ready to move to the midwest - good medical care, low cost of living & low taxes. Both of us will have to adjust to the culture - your Boston accent & my NY accent will have us marked immediately. ***]

oklagramma · ‎04-28-2015

Goldye, I don't know how you would classify Oklahoma. We live in a suburb considered affluent but we have a range of incomes. We have what we call the Oklahoma Standard--we relish in helping others. My neighbor of 20 years is NY born and bred and she totally loves OK. Because of our low cost of living, Northern/Northeastern companies often relocate here. Some of these transplants tell us they came here "kicking and screaming," but they could not imagine their good fortune. Some tell us they could buy a "mansion" here compared to their 2 or 3br frame home in the Northeast for similar or even cheaper money. They delight in knowing their neighbors and being able to "borrow that cup of sugar" or "conference on the driveways."

You mention medical care. OKC and Tulsa are superior. OKC in the last decade or so has become known nationally for its medical research. We have always found exceptional physicians, hospitals, therapists, etc.

Granted, you would find perhaps a different culture, medical component, etc. in the tiny rural towns that dot our state, but do give the large metropolitan areas a consideration.

bunny5580 · ‎10-25-2015

Oklahoma is and always has been high on our list for retirement places. We live in the upper Midwest so your climate would be a huge improvement for us. I have a few small health issues that make the cold we have here unbearable for me and that would be our main factor for moving further south since we don't live in a really high cost area.

I wouldn't personally want to live in small town OK, but then again, I'd never again live in a small town up here either. The COL is lower in OK then in most of the country. My husband is on medicare now, but I still need ins. and your premiums are a spit in the ocean compared to most areas, including mine. The cost of apartments, utilities, gas, etc.are well below the national average.

We prefer the eastern side of OK and I doubt many people know what a beautiful area it is. We have a friend who has battled cancer twice and has to travel over 600 miles to get there, but goes to Tulsa to the Cancer Institute and raves about it. The people seem friendly and welcoming so we couldn't ask for much more.

Adopt an older pet. Help them remember what it feels like to be loved.

sh70419902 · ‎10-26-2015

Bunny5580: my husband and I moved to Enid, Oklahoma from central Texas two years ago. We did it because there was no way we would ever be able to pay off our home there and still retire and as I had enormous medical bills it just made sense to sell the place, pay off the bills and move. I have to admit I wasn't thrilled with the idea of moving here at first, but Enid has a small town feel to it even though there are over 50K people living here. The COL is so much better than it was in Texas too. Our home , a small two bedroom bungalow, just over 1000 sq ft, was less than 20K...our 1200 sq ft home in Texas was 95K........the added state income tax is neglible compared to the sales taxes in Texas...........the income for most jobs is on average >65 per hour less but the benefits are enormous. After 11 years in the same jobs and home in Texas we 'knew" 3 couples nearby and were able to count on one couple as friends...here we have found many couples that we can easily count on when we need assistance. It was honestly the best move we ever made.

goldye · ‎04-28-2015

Thanks. I would consider OK City and Tulsa. Not fond of rural towns.

nyadrn · ‎04-12-2015

@catrheaper wrote:
I live in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and I moved here about a dozen years ago. I love my friends, my church, my doctors (I am a cancer survivor, and we have a great health care system in the Bay State). The problem is, I don't have enough to retire here, because there is simply no affordable senior housing except subsidized housing that is tiny, depressing and few and far between with an incredibly long waiting list. With my ex-husband's social security that I would collect after I retire, it looks like I would have too much income to qualify for one of them anyway. I live in a small apartment as it is, and have no family here.
My sisters live in Florida, but they are constantly complaining about how the Republican government (I guess this is the case with the majority of Southern states) is making life harder and harder for the poor and elderly. I worry that I wouldn't be able to find the quality of medical care I have in Massachusetts, and if the Republican Congress does away with Medicare, it might be the only safe state to stay in where you can keep your health insurance.
Did any of you have to make this hard choice? Where did you live and where did you end up retiring to? Or did you just stay put, grit your teeth, tighten your belt and learn to live more lean? How did it go? Did you regret your decision? Did it turn out to be a good thing? Did you wish you had stayed put? Thanks!

You live in a beautiful area.. after spending some time there I called it Mercedes world. We talked to some of the local workers who said that living there was extremely difficult cost wise, kind of like NYC. So considering the costs; is there the possibility of co-housing, shared living with a friend or relative? It is sad that you have to make a choice but at least you do have family that you would be near and as we age that is important as well. Can you take some time to stay in Florida and see how you would like it?

Life's a Journey, not a Destination" Aerosmith

catrheaper · ‎04-12-2015

I was considering Florida because my sisters live there, but I kid you not, they just announced on Facebook that when they are retired they are moving back to West Virginia where we grew up. I don't know how that would go; everybody we knew has either moved away or passed away. I moved away from home before either of them - I have lived almost twice as long in the Northeast than I ever did in WV. Even though I have very fond memories, it's not my home anymore and I can't see ever moving back.

nyadrn · ‎04-12-2015

@catrheaper wrote:
I was considering Florida because my sisters live there, but I kid you not, they just announced on Facebook that when they are retired they are moving back to West Virginia where we grew up. I don't know how that would go; everybody we knew has either moved away or passed away. I moved away from home before either of them - I have lived almost twice as long in the Northeast than I ever did in WV. Even though I have very fond memories, it's not my home anymore and I can't see ever moving back.

Well West Virginia is a beautiful state.. wonderful for hiking and kayaking and lots of outdoor activities but with the economic difficulties I think that one would be a tough one..

Did you give any thought to sharing a home? Any place you have loved to vacation in?

Life's a Journey, not a Destination" Aerosmith

loveabull · ‎04-12-2015

I'm considering that right now...half the town is gentrified with Whole Foods and "Shoppes", huge condo complexes catering to the tri-state commuter crowd. While the other side is urban wasteland. Can we afford the taxes when it will be on my paycheck? **** no...the house was inheritated but the taxes...no. I'm trying to get ready for that day.

nctarheel · ‎04-12-2015

I have a similar situation but from a little different perspective. As you are not supposed to do, we retired with a bit of our mortgage left; we can afford it no problem. The problem arises when we think of moving to downsize.

We love the area we are in. Close to a primo hospital, restaurants, financial institution, etc. When we start looking though, anything we look at, in our immediate area, that is any newer than where we live, is $100,000 more than we can afford.....even if we downsize. While our home has increased in value, newer homes have exponentially increased in value in this area. Our mortgage payment roughly equals a one bedroom apartment rent in the area.

So I guess I am staying where I am although it is getting harder to climb stairs so one day I might have to face moving.