I need some input from my dear readers. In the next year or two Hubs and I will be leaving PA. Now that the kids are all grown and have left home we have little reason to live here. One son is nearby as well as one of Hubs' siblings and our nephew but I don't expect most of them to stay in this area for long.
Not our house. lolz
We have narrowed our search to a few states with the criteria of climate, taxes, proximity to family and healthcare access. We want to be closer to family(but not too close lol-we have family in LA, SC, VA, NJ, PA *for now*), be in a lower cost area(taxes and cost of housing), warmer state and an area with good healthcare(docs, hospitals, etc.)available as we age. We no longer want to be in the snow belt and I don't care to be in the Deep South of MS/AL/GA/FL. I grew up near the shore but I fear property is just too expensive to justify a move to the coast.
The areas we have on our short list are North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas(eastern/upper part near NW LA). Kentucky, Arkansas and West Virginia are not on the list due to inadequate healthcare facilities unless you know of areas in those states that prove that assumption wrong and have affordable housing, etc. as well.
We are looking to downsize from a 2,100+ Sq Ft. 4 bedroom/2.5 bath 2 story home w/a 2 car garage on 1/3 of an acre, to a 1,800 or less sq. ft. 3 bedroom/2 bath 1 story home w/a 2 car garage on more land. We would like to make a lateral move financially so about $300K or less would be preferable.
Anybody who has experience or lives in any of these targeted states have any input or information I'd love to hear your thoughts either in the comments or email me privately. I thought I'd ask before we start making trips to look at property in those states so we don't waste time looking in areas that just don't meet our criteria.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Sluggy
I have taken classes for "older" adults (over 50) via Duke University and have made some good virtual friends through that program. Those that live in the Raleigh Durham area seem to be happy for the most part. Lots of stuff to do, decent shopping and about equidistant from the mountains and the coast. It apparently gets humid in the summer though. Real estate prices have gone up in that area recently (like everywhere else).
ReplyDeleteThere are docs in the Triangle area that specialize in HS so it's on the list. I know real estate is higher everywhere. I suppose we should see a realtor here and get an accurate estimate on what we are selling, huh? Might be higher than we are thinking.
DeleteWe will eventually be in PA full time and Sluggy probably won't be there. Sigh. We have had quite a few friends and clients move to North Carolina in the last 5 years. Perhaps there?
ReplyDeleteMaybe NC. Close enough to relatives in VA and SC but not too close. ;-)
DeleteSorry I won't be here when y'all get here....
I live in the Upstate of SC and it seems that we are the destination of everyone in the USA right now. Traffic has become horrendous and every place they can cram some houses onto 1/6 of an acre they are doing so. Prices on everything have skyrocketed. This is the problem. There are only so many places that fit your description but they are very quickly becoming undesirable places because everyone seems to be looking for the same thing. Western NC is a very expensive area as is coastal SC. At this point you can probably still find a house in your price range but it will be on a very small lot in a neighborhood of monopoly houses unless you want to be in a very rural area. It is quickly getting to the point where anything affordable is not in a safe neighborhood. One HUGE thing to consider about SC is the culture shock. We are Southerners without apology. We hunt and and keep dogs and target practice with our guns in our yards. We are Southern polite but cannot abide people complaining about the way we are. As I type I can hear our neighbors two doors down target shooting in their woods. This is just life here. Many women that we know hunt and can drink just like the men. Our Southern Belle DIL can handle guns and drink beer as well as any man and then change into a darling dress to go out to dinner. I see people on Nextdoor complaining almost daily about us and saying they hate it here. Most are from PA and NY. Southerners are friendly but we are a very closed group. I know I am being hard on you but that is what you need to know. We do have excellent healthcare available if you live in the larger cities.
ReplyDeleteNo worries Lana. I am a G.R.I.T.S. through and through having been born and raised in southern VA. ;-) Thank You!
DeleteSounds like a very accurate description of where I live. lol
DeleteMemphis has good weather and excellent healthcare. Nashville is humid, stifling, with ice in winter and flooding! But, it has excellent healthcare. East Tennessee area is snowy, icy. I have no idea about the health care. I doubt you would care for the mores of the area. Remember, Arkansas is right next to Memphis with excellent healthcare. But, the people of Memphis are not fond of people in West Memphis for a good reason.
ReplyDeleteNorth Mississippi is well-developed and is really close to Memphis and the distance does not make the area any hotter than TN would be.
I suppose you will check where RA is located...lol.
Don't care about any Rite-Aids at the moment. Been to Memphis, don't care for it unless I am eating ribs. lol
Deleteslugmama,
DeleteNo one moves to Memphis, just to small towns around it. I am from Memphis but I would move to north Mississippi or 30 miles from Memphis but in Tennessee.
One thing about Tennessee ~ so very beautiful ~ however sales tax is 10% and food is taxed!!
ReplyDeleteI have learned it is best to move near where there is family and friends already established, especially as we age.
ReplyDeleteNorthern Kentucky (Cincinnati area) is affordable and has adequate/more than adequate health care but I don't know if those two things are enough for you're situation. There are many towns that feel small town but also have the amenities of the "big city" Might be worth a look if you haven't already.
ReplyDeleteMy in-laws lived in SC, outside of Orangeburg. It felt like deep south to me, but I was raised in New England. That said, we could, and DID manage to buy a condo on the coast there in our younger days...not sure what property is like there now. The beaches are every bit, if not warmer than FL beaches, and, frankly, more beautiful, because they are less built up.
ReplyDeleteWe're looking too but a few years longer. Lana describes a nightmare for me, and I think I'd likely be at loggerheads with neighbors, so I appreciate the honesty. We'll probably end up southwest, but hopefully near lakes.
ReplyDeleteI think you should change your attitude about the south. We do have air conditioning!
ReplyDeleteIf moving I would choose Winchester Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, mainly for the weather they have all four seasons but they are mild because of being in the Valley. They have a wonderful website showing the area.
ReplyDeleteLexington, KY
ReplyDeletei am here for the comments, love your question.
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting time! I've got nothing, because I'm west coast for life, but love that you are getting this chance to plan your next phase!
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ReplyDeleteBe careful if you choose Tennessee to not move to such a rural area that it lacks good Internet, which is what we have here. Plenty of places with good Internet here. Just ask before you buy. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm here for the comments too. Not that I know any of these places but it all sounds so exciting!
ReplyDeleteTN gets a lot of ice. Just had Daughter's 1 family move back to Ohio for that reason. I liked Radford and Blacksburg VA when I was working in that area.
ReplyDeleteHow cool! We live in Hokie country! :)
DeleteMy brother is a graduate of VA Tech. Go Hokies!
DeleteCool! My husband is a graduate of VA Tech too. Great school!
DeleteI actually like living here for the most part. Good hospitals and doctors, and we are a couple hours away from UVA and about 3 hours from Duke. Housing isn't too bad, esp if you are out of B-burg. We do have the conservative base and the liberal professors and the college kids who are everything in between. Crime isn't too bad if you discount the VT massacre.:( But then you have the amazing first responders and doctors and nurses. Pretty good folks overall.
You can audit classes at the universities and there are the arts and community theaters. We have the mountains and Blue Ridge parkway which is a lovely drive.
Weatherwise, we have the four seasons which includes snow/ice some winters. Some humidity in the summer too.
Have fun exploring and checking out your options. Maybe move within driving distance to any possible grandchildren? Good luck.
I will take Texas as it is closer to me. But Virginia has some great places with very liitle snow.
ReplyDeleteYes, where I grew up but it's too crowded, too expensive and too close to my brother. lolz
DeleteWe were looking into Texas at one point and Temple, north of Austin seemed very reasonably priced as far as housing and it's within driving distance to the city where I would imagine there would be good medical care, but I don't know. Austin is currently one of the most expensive cities to live in. Driving there would take years off my life I think. lol
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