I'm getting close to retirement and the girlfriend and I are both sick of winters, so we are considering selling and pulling up stakes when we finally get out of the rat race. Since we are both interested in maybe spending a year looking around to see where we might want to buy and settle in, I've enjoyed watching buying the beach and dreaming. Anyone ever rented an RV, curious if that is a practical approach, something we are going to look into in a year or so.

So help me with some choices, with the following criteria. Obiviously I'd go south to a more temperate climate, so at least the winters would be more bearable, yet the summers wouldn't be to oppressive. I'd want a fishery that I can target with light tackle, a jighead and some plastic, I'm thinking primarily redfish and possibly stripers in winter. Since I'm not interested in getting a bigger boat, I'm thinking a more protected watershed, where I can take the Mckee Craft 20 foot center console, where a trolling motor and relaxed pace work; again redfish seem to be what might make sense.

I'd like some good golf in the area, but that really shouldn't be any issue in the Carolina's or anywhere south for that matter. The girlfriend must have is a beach or good swimming close, she needs to get in for a swim in the salt every day. All this and in a place I'm not spending more that we can afford, so those million dollar gated retirement communities while attractive, aren't for us. Although I do see some that we might afford with golf, fishing and swimming; along with all the health clubs and amenities that come with them.

Just day dreaming:)

Sebastian inlet
Captain Hiram's for painkillers!
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Naples Florida area

The soon to be wife and I are considering moving next year too, figure do it now while were young

The fishery down there is epic, just look at Roy Ls Facebook page and all his pics

All kinds of crazy freshwater species, endless supply of saltwater species.

I fished a beach with a 7ft rod and quantum smoke 20 with 10lb braid and had a blast throwing gulp on jig heads to ladyfish, (the poor mans tarpon), caught a couple good size ones, along with lizard fish, permit or something similiar and all kinds of random fish.

Saw all kinds of fish just walking the beach and bridges, the fishing is endless.

I know Naples isn't the glamorous side if Florida, but tons of public access spots with free parking, beaches for dogs and owners only (something that would never be allowed up here), and endless kayak/small boat rivers and streams to explore

The more we talk about it, the better it sounds

Only thing keeping us here is my career and she owns her own business, but nothing we couldn't do in Florida
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Been thinking along the same lines myself. In term of taxes SC and FL seem to be the logical choices. Cost of housing depends a lot on exactly where within those two states, but real estate seems to be about 1/2 the price it is in New England.

Naples Florida area

The soon to be wife and I are considering moving next year too, figure do it now while were young

The fishery down there is epic, just look at Roy Ls Facebook page and all his pics

All kinds of crazy freshwater species, endless supply of saltwater species.

I fished a beach with a 7ft rod and quantum smoke 20 with 10lb braid and had a blast throwing gulp on jig heads to ladyfish, (the poor mans tarpon), caught a couple good size ones, along with lizard fish, permit or something similiar and all kinds of random fish.

Saw all kinds of fish just walking the beach and bridges, the fishing is endless.

I know Naples isn't the glamorous side if Florida, but tons of public access spots with free parking, beaches for dogs and owners only (something that would never be allowed up here), and endless kayak/small boat rivers and streams to explore

The more we talk about it, the better it sounds

Only thing keeping us here is my career and she owns her own business, but nothing we couldn't do in Florida
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I know someone who moved his family down there and lasted just over a year. Took a beating on selling his home and moved back. It's very diverse down there...

St Thomas. USVI
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Manteo NC is appealing to me. Good surf casting close by. Boat could go in the sound. Chesapeake tunnel/virginia beach area are relatively close if you wanna fish the bay. Not as busy as some parts of the outer banks and not as isolated as others. Charming town. Not as brutal as Florida or Louisiana in the summer.

Naples came to mind and if we decide to keep a summer cottage in Plymouth, that would probably be at the top of the list, but not for year round. I think the average 93 degrees and 9" of rain for June, July, August and Sept. would be a bit oppressive.

Naples Florida area

The soon to be wife and I are considering moving next year too, figure do it now while were young

The fishery down there is epic, just look at Roy Ls Facebook page and all his pics

All kinds of crazy freshwater species, endless supply of saltwater species.

I fished a beach with a 7ft rod and quantum smoke 20 with 10lb braid and had a blast throwing gulp on jig heads to ladyfish, (the poor mans tarpon), caught a couple good size ones, along with lizard fish, permit or something similiar and all kinds of random fish.

Saw all kinds of fish just walking the beach and bridges, the fishing is endless.

I know Naples isn't the glamorous side if Florida, but tons of public access spots with free parking, beaches for dogs and owners only (something that would never be allowed up here), and endless kayak/small boat rivers and streams to explore

The more we talk about it, the better it sounds

Only thing keeping us here is my career and she owns her own business, but nothing we couldn't do in Florida
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Love the Emerald Coast area just west of Panama City .
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Islamorada in the Keys.
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I know someone who moved his family down there and lasted just over a year. Took a beating on selling his home and moved back. It's very diverse down there...

Naples is a friggin" nightmare in the winter. We have been going there for many years and the traffic on 41 just keeps getting worse. During the day, a trip of 10 miles to Ft Myers will take you an hour. From 4 till 7 it will be an hour and a half.
Now, if you want to talk Marco island, that's a different story. Get on the Island a you can walk almost everywhere you want. Down side is it's very pricy.

Manteo NC is appealing to me. Good surf casting close by. Boat could go in the sound. Chesapeake tunnel/virginia beach area are relatively close if you wanna fish the bay. Not as busy as some parts of the outer banks and not as isolated as others. Charming town. Not as brutal as Florida or Louisiana in the summer.

http://www.pirates-cove-sales.com/listing/98701799-150071074/531-pirates-way-unit531-manteo-nc-27954

That's not a bad price, too bad I'm not close enough to retirement to make a call to get more information, interesting location. Piemma has a good point and this place is certainly not the tourist trap a lot of these southern spots are. I golfed in Orlando this year in March and damn near missed some tee times, so I think I'd like to steer clear of the usual retirement spots, like to find that hidden gem and priced right. Some of the gated golf communities in the Carolina s are interesting.

MARATHON....:) :)

No matter where U go and going to live close proximity to the water check what flood insurance is going to cost UUUU if U R going to have a mortgage

Manteo NC is appealing to me. Good surf casting close by. Boat could go in the sound. Chesapeake tunnel/virginia beach area are relatively close if you wanna fish the bay. Not as busy as some parts of the outer banks and not as isolated as others. Charming town. Not as brutal as Florida or Louisiana in the summer.

i got married in Manteo 2 years ago. Great place/.

http://www.pirates-cove-sales.com/listing/98701799-150071074/531-pirates-way-unit531-manteo-nc-27954

That's not a bad price, too bad I'm not close enough to retirement to make a call to get more information, interesting location. Piemma has a good point and this place is certainly not the tourist trap a lot of these southern spots are. I golfed in Orlando this year in March and damn near missed some tee times, so I think I'd like to steer clear of the usual retirement spots, like to find that hidden gem and priced right. Some of the gated golf communities in the Carolina s are interesting.

Ive stayed in Pirates Cove. Could be the fishing capital of the East Coast. Id watch guys come back to the docks everyday at the tiki bar, with endless Mahi, yellows, ground fish. i wanted to move there immediatley.

New Zealand, or Australia.

You've got fresh water and saltwater fishing, GW's offshore, Bulls inshore (and up river), salt crocs and a dijeradoo too!

NZ has some goot trout fishing as well!

Hawaii.
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First off, I would recommend downsizing to the New England home you would return to for summers. Then you spend winter vacations in various spots until you decide which one is right for you. That process might take you into retirement years, when you could be renting for a winter.... Better to make a mistake renting as opposed to buying IMO. Having absolutely zero experience with vacations down south over the past twenty years, I will say I saw some attractive areas surrounding Savannah when I've been down to see my daughter at Savannah College of Art Design. I have also been in some steamy heat there in June.....

a Friend of mine is doing the RV thing....summers up here in New England (currently up in Maine) and the after the leaves change he heads down to Florida. Seems to work for him. actually has the same neighbors every where he goes

First off, I would recommend downsizing to the New England home you would return to for summers. Then you spend winter vacations in various spots until you decide which one is right for you. That process might take you into retirement years, when you could be renting for a winter.... Better to make a mistake renting as opposed to buying IMO. Having absolutely zero experience with vacations down south over the past twenty years, I will say I saw some attractive areas surrounding Savannah when I've been down to see my daughter at Savannah College of Art Design. I have also been in some steamy heat there in June.....

The older I get the more heat I can tolerate, but 4 months of 93 and humidity isn't for me. I definitely won't be rushing into anything and do plan a few winters of renting south to do some exploring, we may just decide that renting in a different spot for 4 months each winter or a couple years back to back is a nice way to explore a different area. In a way, I like that idea and the flexibility that comes with it, be nice to see new water, new golf courses, new local places and faces every other year.

i've pulled stakes and left a few times
always came back....
no seasons is cool for a year or two
then you'll want a walk in freezer.

it's not just about weather and good fishin
you have to love the people there
so VACATION til you find them -> those people

then plan the move there.....

I will be going to Maine!!! Yup!! Maine!!!
:uhuh:

Great topic!
For the past few years my better half and I discussed moving to the Carolinas.
Our only draw back currently is we have one entering thier second year of college and our other offspring is entering thier sophomore in highschool. So our plan is, in six years when our youngest will complete college (hopefully)we can escape to the mid south.
I'm a mechanic for commercial and Industrial HVAC. Plus I've contracted for Aosmith for the last 9 years and have a better than par relationship with them,not to mention they are based out of South Carolina.
My wife is an insurance broker so we hope to apply our disciplines as time carrys on or the time line draws close.We will be taking trips as interviews will be lined up.
Not to sound cocky but hot water,heating and A/C is an essential.insurance isn't going any where soon so hopefully we could get lucky.

So after 13yrs if stuipd payments to the bank our house will be close to halfway paid off,and hopefully we can sell it "at a high"(yeah right)sell it and buy a new or close to new for less than what we'll sell ours for,if that's the case we could potentially put cash in the bank and have the mortgage paid off have a whole new out look of life instead of this rat race and constantly rubbing two Penny's together.
Man I'm sick of the race!

My elders will have passed/expired so I will really have no reason to stay,chit the way I see it N.E.Will always be in my soul and will always be my home but it's adapt and move on or fail and perish.
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I will be going to Maine!!! Yup!! Maine!!!
:uhuh:

Go to NH....Maine taxes the chit outta ya. Thats my plan....I can always visit Maine :hee:

here's a few tips for those that are searchin for their Utopia
google EARTH is indispensable for outlining terrain and seeing local photo's
then you can drag the little man down to the "STREET View" and take a look
around plus it allows you to see what's nearby that's desirable or NOT!
use craig's list to get leads using their real estate section which can lead
to the names of Realtors. You'll want to be near a city close enough so
that when the time comes to call 9 1 1 your taken to a GOOD Hospital.
figure 20 miles away is about right...

My house, I plan to stay since I finally own it! I like 4 seasons and a place to park my boat with good access to saltwater from Montauk to Gloucester. Also good friends with boats.....
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CC. :uhuh:

Me 2. CC
I like 3 seasons, hate 1 but I make it by, unwillingly most years

Although S Carolina has always been a greAt place visit over the years.
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While I prefer the Miami to Sanibel region, as well as the Stuart area ... if you want a more temperate environment ... a couple of areas to consider would be the First Coast area (Jacksonville) ... or the Big Bend and PanHandle area ... but would recommend not being too close to the water there, as when the hurricanes hit it hard, it is hit hard, so it pays to be a little inland ... the fishing is awesome, good redfish and seatrout in both ... plus in the Pan Handle you get good cobia, summer time tarpon, flounder and some good offshore action a little farther out for grouper and snapper on the bottom and kings and other offshore species higher up. The fishing options are extensive.

Great topic!
For the past few years my better half and I discussed moving to the Carolinas.
Our only draw back currently is we have one entering thier second year of college and our other offspring is entering thier sophomore in highschool. So our plan is, in six years when our youngest will complete college (hopefully)we can escape to the mid south.
I'm a mechanic for commercial and Industrial HVAC. Plus I've contracted for Aosmith for the last 9 years and have a better than par relationship with them,not to mention they are based out of South Carolina.
My wife is an insurance broker so we hope to apply our disciplines as time carrys on or the time line draws close.We will be taking trips as interviews will be lined up.
Not to sound cocky but hot water,heating and A/C is an essential.insurance isn't going any where soon so hopefully we could get lucky.

So after 13yrs if stuipd payments to the bank our house will be close to halfway paid off,and hopefully we can sell it "at a high"(yeah right)sell it and buy a new or close to new for less than what we'll sell ours for,if that's the case we could potentially put cash in the bank and have the mortgage paid off have a whole new out look of life instead of this rat race and constantly rubbing two Penny's together.
Man I'm sick of the race!

My elders will have passed/expired so I will really have no reason to stay,chit the way I see it N.E.Will always be in my soul and will always be my home but it's adapt and move on or fail and perish.
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Well thought out plan but you left out one thing, grandchildren. Grandmothers' from what I observe want to be with their grandchildren so if that should happen in the near future here in New England then add at least 10 years to your projected 6 years.
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Go somewhere to retire? Isn't that what basements are for?

When I retire I will be found living on a 60 foot sail boat. Winters between Puerto Rico and Grenada. Summers between Long Island and Greenland.
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Well thought out plan but you left out one thing, grandchildren. Grandmothers' from what I observe want to be with their grandchildren so if that should happen in the near future here in New England then add at least 10 years to your projected 6 years.
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Absolutely !!! You'll see Bob :uhuh:

West coast of Puerto Rico somewhere between Isabela (the town my first born is named after) and Rincon
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The short answer is that my plan (more of an obsession, lately) is to buy out some other relatives and make the move to the Cape, renovate my grandparents' retirement home turning it into a salt shaker with plenty of room for guests, grandchildren and fishermen and a porch so we can enjoy Scrabble and Cribbage and watching sunsets on Bass River. My father's health isn't that great, so I need to be there for him. I just know that's where I'm happies and where I need to be. But that's the short answer, there's so much to do and think about, including having a 100+ year old house on the property razed, planning for 3 mor years of college and potentially two weddings, my wife has about 6-7 years left working for the state of NJ to get her pension while after 30 years there, I'm so stressed with work I'm on the verge of accepting a "package" and start a new phase in my life (which I have no idea where that may take me.

The short answer is that my plan (more of an obsession, lately) is to buy out some other relatives and make the move to the Cape, renovate my grandparents' retirement home turning it into a salt shaker with plenty of room for guests, grandchildren and fishermen and a porch so we can enjoy Scrabble and Cribbage and watching sunsets on Bass River. My father's health isn't that great, so I need to be there for him. I just know that's where I'm happies and where I need to be. But that's the short answer, there's so much to do and think about, including having a 100+ year old house on the property razed, planning for 3 mor years of college and potentially two weddings, my wife has about 6-7 years left working for the state of NJ to get her pension while after 30 years there, I'm so stressed with work I'm on the verge of accepting a "package" and start a new phase in my life (which I have no idea where that may take me.

woo,,, little too much coffee this morning Jim? LOL
come on down,, I'll help ya :uhuh:

Same Jimbo. 1 more year for 30 and I'm done. Just finished up the remodel of the family's LBI home (earlier then planned thanks to Sandy). Scrabble on the back deck sounds good!
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I know Larry loves Maine, but there isn't one hospital up there that you want to have to use them for any more than a few stitches. Have known many people who originally came fom Maine that moved back only to die. Several others moved home, so to speak, and moved back down here when illness hit, one guy after the nurse in the hospital said to the wife, they are killing your husband here, you need to move him to Boston. That was twenty years ago and the old fart is still kicking. I love Maine as well, camping on the coast, renting around Winnie, Isleboro, and all along there. Love to own a small place for warm weather. Sister owns six acres at the very top of a small mountain up by 3rd Conn. Lake in N.H. that you have to be a billy goat to get to. For aloneness that frickin place ia tops.
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Don, good luck to you and glad you were able to recover. It still is very depressing the devastation from Sandy that still exisits. Actually it will be a front porch, we're on the Dennis side.
Guppy, if I can swing it I'll definitely be in touch! I almost tried when I was up two weeks ago, but my father had other plans keeping me busy driving him to doctor visits and down the Cape (memory lane for him).

Florida and Maine ??

Heaven's waiting room !!!!!!:yak5:



Go for the Caribbean.
I'll meet you there.:jump1:

...there's so much to do and think about, including having a 100+ year old house on the property razed, planning for 3 mor years of college and potentially two weddings, my wife has about 6-7 years left working for the state of NJ to get her pension while after 30 years there...

Does your wife know you are planning to get married two more times?:devil2:

Where ever you're thinking of going, before you buy, I'd spend some time there first esp in the summer months to see how you like it. My job has taken me to Florida a few times in the summer where I've had to work outside for much of the day. No thanks, the intensity of the sun that far south takes too much out of you.

The nice condo developments down there I saw on the intercoastal waterway were pretty much empty at that time of year too. All the snowbirds were back north.

Arizona and Palm Springs CA are both nice. Very very hot in the summer. We have spend some time in both places.

Since I'm retired we decided to keep the place here in RI and probably rent for Jan and Feb someplace warm. Much cheaper than buying a second home. No insurance, upkeep, taxes, etc.

So you end up spending $4 or $5K for 2 months and then back up north for March to get the boat ready. :uhuh:
The upside is you can go someplace different every year.

West coast of Puerto Rico somewhere between Isabela (the town my first born is named after) and Rincon
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Puerto Rico will tax the crap out of you. Worse than any New England state.

Absolutely !!! You'll see Bob :uhuh:

Hey Guppy,I know it's funny we tried to escape down South 20 years ago and those dreams fell through the floor due my wife's Dad passing away and didn't want to leave her Mother stranded, but yet ky wifes brother picked up and moved away,so we were locked in to stay.

Deep down I know you guys are 100% right & I'm sure it's from experience or have witnessed it first hand,but If the future holds us to the ten year plan I'll be ok with that.Chit I be in my early 50's or close to it and should be still fully functional to keep doing what I do.
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God Bless, Bob. You deserve, and have worked hard for, the good things that are coming down the road...

i'd like to retire on a 60' viking in the keys. with a 20' seacraft as my runabout. dreams.

i'd like to retire on a 60' viking in the keys. with a 20' seacraft as my runabout. dreams.

you and NeBeN should collaborate...

Enjoy the ride Bob

BB that's a good one :uhuh:

I am with Piemma. Rent for three months during the winter, if the hurricane comes a blows the roof off, tell the landlord and return north....no taxes, upkeep, headaches, and freedom to change. Yep...thats the current plan. My parents did it, my wife likes it...and I would miss the northeast...as a hunter and a fisherman.

MV

I am with Piemma. Rent for three months during the winter, if the hurricane comes a blows the roof off, tell the landlord and return north....no taxes, upkeep, headaches, and freedom to change. Yep...thats the current plan. My parents did it, my wife likes it...and I would miss the northeast...as a hunter and a fisherman.

That's the direction I'd like to go, it's the flexibility and the fact you don't have to worry about a 2nd property, that is attractive to me. My parent's actually did the reverse, they retired in Marathon Key and rented up here every summer to be with the extended family for 4 months of the year. That is the option I'd consider, renting up here for the summer can probably be had for less money with us knowing so many cottage owners now.

Unfortunately when their health started to go, they sold :( the place on then canal and moved back up north and the family ran a constant shuttle service for them both for their remaining years to N.E. Babtist hospital. That of course is one of the main reasons to stay north and rent south winters, you won't get health care anywhere the comes close to what we have in Boston.

heard of a guy who spends his winter months in Hawaii
and the rest in NEW Hampshire .... food for thought

keep in mind that GREENLAND is going to melt
and don't buy shore property ..... lol

Been doing a lot of researching about this. To rent somewhere warm for the winter and come back to RI for the rest of the year sounds like my best option. I have to see if renting for three months allows me to declare residency in that state so as to avoid pension taxes. RI (and other states) tax the hell out of retirement pensions. Would love to rent somewhere in the desert southwest but there are not many places with fishing opportunities in a desert. But the weather is so much nicer than Florida. Plenty of resources available like "Where to Retire" magazine - do your homework.

A possibility for me is the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I can keep an eye on the Striped Bass spawning in the Chesapeake, row my classic St Lawrence River Skiff and still drive up 6 hours to a CT Surfcasters Meeting once in a while.

Dennis- I do not think 3 months is enough to get away from RI taxes. Think you have to be out of RI for 183 days.

You have to be careful about declaring residency on your taxes. It does vary by state, some look at time (more than 6 months), others who assume a lot of people will lie about time will look at where your residency or spouse is set up, where you vote, have drivers licenses and cars registered.

There are a lot people driving cars with FL plates who really don't spend that much time there and if I were them I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. If you are trying to skirt the law by playing a shell game I think someday the states with big deficits are going to try and get the tax dollars from you.

If your not really commited to relocate full time it's best to consult a professional on this one.

Been doing a lot of researching about this. To rent somewhere warm for the winter and come back to RI for the rest of the year sounds like my best option. I have to see if renting for three months allows me to declare residency in that state so as to avoid pension taxes. RI (and other states) tax the hell out of retirement pensions. Would love to rent somewhere in the desert southwest but there are not many places with fishing opportunities in a desert. But the weather is so much nicer than Florida. Plenty of resources available like "Where to Retire" magazine - do your homework.

Plenty of landlocked striper fishing in the west, not sure how reliable or if winter is prime time or not.

Been doing a lot of researching about this. To rent somewhere warm for the winter and come back to RI for the rest of the year sounds like my best option. I have to see if renting for three months allows me to declare residency in that state so as to avoid pension taxes. RI (and other states) tax the hell out of retirement pensions.

Without going into all the ins and outs, most states use a 183 day rule.

. Would love to rent somewhere in the desert southwest but there are not many places with fishing opportunities in a desert. But the weather is so much nicer than Florida. Plenty of resources available like "Where to Retire" magazine - do your homework.

desert and fishin.... only one state really
that offers both
with excellent fishing both inland and salt is texas

Thanks guys - will be meeting with our financial advisor before it all goes down. I'm sure those questions come up all the time.

I will be in the old country for winters and summers here chasing fish :)
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Cape cod for May through October (coincidence that it is similar to Striped Bass?). Visit Kids and grandkids in TX (Dallas and Austin) in April and November and December. Live with Relatives in FL Jan, Feb and March and do lots of day and week trips all over FL in that time (also redfish, snook, seatrout, tarpon and ladyfish) and my annual March Madness trip in Marathon during start of NCAA hoops.

TX too hot in summer (100 degrees every day). That is why my daughter and her girls spend a month with us in July and early August. We are in Austin TX now and it is 100.

FL hot in summer (but sea breezes near coasts- either one) so better than TX.

Grand kids are definitely a REAL draw for some grandmas too so the kids locations must be accounted for too.

One good home base especially RI or MA for striped bass lovers. Then plan on lots of travel the other months.

Don't permanently move until you try a cycle or two. Make sure family is 100% on board, when wife is happy, everyone is happy.

Residency thing is real and 183 days minimum and a few other tests too that are well documented. States want their $.

Retirement second only to marrying my wife. I tell the kids they are a distant third.

Still practicing and fine tuning but 1st 2 years very good.

Bill

Tuscany
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Puerto Rico will tax the crap out of you. Worse than any New England state.

It's a pipe dream given my family history etc I'll retire to a crematorium. In any case if I a am so lucky to retire with my faculties it's where I'd want to be
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Now, I would just as soon be as far away from "good" hospitals as I could get. My wife helped a 90+ year old guy for a number of years. He didn't really need anything but she went a couple of times a week and did his laundry etc. Never had been sick to speak of. Went to the ER for some reason and died the next day, she said it was terrible. I thought it was perfect, 90+ years of healthy living and gone in a couple of days. Who wants things dragged out badly for years.

Downsize to a condo in New England to spend our summers here with kids and grandkids. Eventually fishing boat will become luxury cruiser. I'll fish on my sons' boats.
Phoenix in the winter for golf and my wife's family. We bought a house in Anthem Country Club (2 18 hole courses and clubhouses).
Taxes, HOA and Social Membership $450/ month.
The whole town was built in 1999.
January will be for a month of travel until too old to enjoy.
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http://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Anthem-Golf-Country-Club

Wife is pestering me with VT and NC. BIL is out Asheville, NC. He says lots of people bounce back from FL.
Anyone look at Charleston, NC?

I will probably never completely retire and would be looking for a place to get some part time IT work, hopefully, remote.

i'm not planning to retire anywhere they have wild HOGS
or Fire ANTS. The Hogs become vessels of new SWINE flu strains
and the mosquitoes feast on them relentlessly.

if You get stung
by a fire ANT and you literally want to scratch your flesh off
until you look like a ZOMBIE.