Older guys...do you recommend any great places to retire?

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  Dec 05, 2013 11:00 PM GMT

  Eventually all of us have to retire somewhere hopefully where there is a slower pace away from the city. What has been your experience with smaller cities where there seems to be a nice mix of people, gay, straight, athletic and a warm climate?
  
  Thanks for your suggestions. I've been to all of the places mentioned below but nothing pops out. I guess the suggestion of public transportation, things to do, friends to visit, water to continue sports, good weather are important to me. Sydney or Maui are in my dreams though.

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  Dec 06, 2013 1:21 AM GMT

  woodsmen saidOregon. No sales tax. There is an income tax but if you are retiring you are not creating new income so no income tax.

  
  I'm retired and retirement income is still income so it's taxed like earned income.
  
  Probably about the only income that's tax free is whatever income you might get from municipal bonds. But I'm not an accountant or tax consultant so take this with a grain of salt.

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  Dec 06, 2013 1:25 AM GMT

  Keep in mind that you probably don't want to be too remote. You'll eventually need more medical attention as your body starts falling apart.

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  Dec 06, 2013 2:14 AM GMT

  woodsmen saidOregon. No sales tax. There is an income tax but if you are retiring you are not creating new income so no income tax.

  Not quite - if you can afford to retire, you will have income, and all except social security would be taxed by Oregon. That said, it is a bit warmer in the winter than Illinois or New York.

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  Dec 06, 2013 2:19 AM GMT

  San Jose, Costa Rica? Warm, friendly, no drug mafias, and not too much crime. Lots of US retirees there. Unfortunately (for US retirees), all that Medicare tax you have paid all your life will be totally wasted, since US Medicare won't pay for any medical treatment outside the US.

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  Dec 06, 2013 2:21 AM GMT

  Florida is perpetual summer. If you want snow for winter you can always go north for a few weeks, as we did last year. Otherwise you stay where it never gets cold.
  
  The politics are regrettably Red, and so of course retarded and anti-gay.
  
  But the long term trend is favorable, and South Florida is very gay friendly.

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• metta
  
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  Dec 06, 2013 3:01 AM GMT

  I think that really depends on the persons situation. If you have a lot of money, you have a lot more options.
  
  
  I will most likely will have to downsize but I would like something by the water....even if it is a lake. Oceanfront is way too expensive for me. I love the idea of getting one of those rowing boats. I don't like the cold so I don't want to live in a cold area, or one that is high in humidity, or one that you need nets to enjoy your backyard. And I would probably stay out of the red states, being that they generally treat their elderly and other people terrible. At the moment, that really only leaves me California in the USA. But, things could change by the time I have to retire.
  
  
  
  
  

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  Dec 06, 2013 3:44 AM GMT

  I'll probably live out the rest of my life in Washington (maybe Oregon). Possibly start off doing some snow bird stuff in an RV(?)initially when I retire (at 56?). Just go fly fishing and let the bad weather chase me out and return in the spring. Dispersed camping w/little or no fees and the traditional utilities, property taxes and such a home drains out of you.
  The west side (of WA/northern 2/3 of OR) and it's rainy winter weather suits me and the summers are awesome either side of the Cascades. You can drive to the snow in an hour from Portland or Seattle (Olympia, Eugene, Corvallis) or go live in it if that's what ya want. The small towns of eastern WA and OR are pleasant, relatively inexpensive and very livable but not a lot of 'mos or the cultural elements you have grown used to. I live in WA along the border of WA and OR (Columbia River)and work in OR so I pay OR income tax and try to make all my big purchases/shop in OR to at least avoid WA sales tax.
  I know several folks who liquidated and moved to Costa Rica and Belize. They are pretty happy and living large.

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  Dec 06, 2013 4:47 AM GMT

  woodsmen saidYou guys (Lumpy, Hiker) need to make sure you guys are not double-taxed.
  
  

  HikerSkier said

  woodsmen saidOregon. No sales tax. There is an income tax but if you are retiring you are not creating new income so no income tax.

  Not quite - if you can afford to retire, you will have income, and all except social security would be taxed by Oregon. That said, it is a bit warmer in the winter than Illinois or New York.

  
  I use Turbotax, which I trust.

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  Dec 06, 2013 5:19 AM GMT

  metta8 saidI think that really depends on the persons situation. If you have a lot of money, you have a lot more options.
  
  
  I will most likely will have to downsize but I would like something by the water....even if it is a lake. Oceanfront is way too expensive for me. I love the idea of getting one of those rowing boats. I don't like the cold so I don't want to live in a cold area, or one that is high in humidity, or one that you need nets to enjoy your backyard. And I would probably stay out of the red states, being that they generally treat their elderly and other people terrible. At the moment, that really only leaves me California in the USA. But, things could change by the time I have to retire.
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Er... owning a rowing shell is a bit of a pain. Do you realize how much longer they are than a subaru? And how hard it is for a 70-y/o to shoulder one of them? Better to find some place with a rowing club that keeps boats right on the water. Sevilla has rowing clubs with storage in crypts under Avenida Cristobol Colon, and should be pretty cheap for a while, and relatively warm.
  
  Of course, if you've got enough money stashed away, you could always keep 4 - 8 boys to do the work and just lounge in the stern eating grapes...

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  Dec 06, 2013 5:22 AM GMT

  pellaz saidLocate in an area with lite rail and functional public transportation.

  
  Very good point.

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  Dec 06, 2013 5:29 AM GMT

  
  Why choose? Keep moving as long as you can...

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  Dec 06, 2013 6:16 AM GMT

  A lesbian NYC developer I used to know created an all-gay retirement community in Santa Fe (more appear to be springing up):
  
  http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/06/11/aging-gays-fuel-specialized-housing-market/
  
  The article brings up some very important considerations for late life gays.

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  Dec 06, 2013 6:24 AM GMT

  Suburbs outside a major city. Like San Jose/Half Moon Bay or East bay (close to San Francisco). Orange County, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, OC area (Outside of Los Angeles). When I retire, I want a cute 2 bedroom/bath house with a little yard, maybe a little dog, 2 aquariums, 1 adopted kid... with my husband waiting at home for me !! Very suburban feel.

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  Dec 06, 2013 6:26 AM GMT

  eagermuscle saidA lesbian NYC developer I used to know created an all-gay retirement community in Santa Fe (more appear to be springing up):
  
  http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2006-07-02-gay-seniors_x.htm
  
  The article brings up some very important considerations for late life gays.

  
  
  There is actually one just down the road from the "retirement community" where my Mom lives. It looks a little shabby...
  
  Now, if they have go-go boys and a pool, count me in I'll take my social security check in singles...

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  Dec 06, 2013 6:28 AM GMT

  I retired in Izmir Turkey and love it... the climate food people beaches life.....

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  Dec 06, 2013 8:07 AM GMT

  metta8 saidI think that really depends on the persons situation. If you have a lot of money, you have a lot more options.
  
  
  I will most likely will have to downsize but I would like something by the water....even if it is a lake. Oceanfront is way too expensive for me. I love the idea of getting one of those rowing boats. I don't like the cold so I don't want to live in a cold area, or one that is high in humidity, or one that you need nets to enjoy your backyard. And I would probably stay out of the red states, being that they generally treat their elderly and other people terrible. At the moment, that really only leaves me California in the USA. But, things could change by the time I have to retire.
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Forget California- TAXES will eat you alive. I already explored this with my CPA and Financial Planner, they are proposing Arizona, Nevada, and even Utah. Exploring other states as well.

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• wellwell
  
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  Dec 06, 2013 11:05 AM GMT

  If Amsterdam is out of the question, Amsterquerque is delightful !

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  Dec 06, 2013 11:52 AM GMT

  Slower place to retire????
  
  First off, "retire"? That sounds "old". I don't think I will ever "retire" like my dad did. He went from active to rocking chair in one day.
  
  Also, any place can be a "slower place to retire"
  
  Not sure if I can help there either. I'm finding that I'm getting more active as I'm "growing older". That's because I don't want to "get old".
  
  There is a difference.
  
  Sorry of my response doesn't help picking a location.
  
  

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  Dec 06, 2013 5:52 PM GMT

  TURKISHDELIGHTS saidI retired in Izmir Turkey and love it... the climate food people beaches life.....

  
  Never been there, except to change planes.
  
  the existence of gaylife? totally closeted? overt hostility? acceptance by non-gays?

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  Dec 06, 2013 5:56 PM GMT

  I heard of a gay only retirement home in Germany. Apparently they were at it like rabbits (and why not).

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• metta
  
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  Dec 06, 2013 6:00 PM GMT

  uombroca said

  metta8 saidI think that really depends on the persons situation. If you have a lot of money, you have a lot more options.
  
  
  I will most likely will have to downsize but I would like something by the water....even if it is a lake. Oceanfront is way too expensive for me. I love the idea of getting one of those rowing boats. I don't like the cold so I don't want to live in a cold area, or one that is high in humidity, or one that you need nets to enjoy your backyard. And I would probably stay out of the red states, being that they generally treat their elderly and other people terrible. At the moment, that really only leaves me California in the USA. But, things could change by the time I have to retire.
  
  
  
  
  Forget California- TAXES will eat you alive. I already explored this with my CPA and Financial Planner, they are proposing Arizona, Nevada, and even Utah. Exploring other states as well.

  
  
  Thanks but...
  Arizona - They do have Sedona, but I have known too many people who lived there and hated it. Arizona gets very humid from the monsoons. And look who they elect. They bus their injured homeless out to other states rather than doing the humane thing and taking care of them.
  
  Nevada and Utah - Gets too cold and too hot.
  
  I would consider moving to another country, like Thailand or one of the countries around the Mediterranean, before considering one of those States.
  
  

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  Dec 06, 2013 6:17 PM GMT

  A cemetary.

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  Dec 06, 2013 6:22 PM GMT

  Having been raised in a family with a good number of older people who knew how to live beautifully, I can offer a bit of what I've observed in certain places around the U.S............
  
  * In West Palm Beach, I saw retirees having fun, dressing up, going to lunches & dinners or shopping - enjoying the weather and other friends. WPB is a beautiful, sunny place to spend winters.
  
  * In Scottsdale, I saw the exact same thing. I even had a house there myself for a dozen years. We lived around the pools, golf courses, tennis courts. I was younger than a lot of people, but I loved the sun and weather, the beauty and cleanliness. Also - the dollar went quite far, in other words, you got a whole lot of house for your money, compared to California.
  
  * In the Tahoe area, there are trees, there is skiing, there is natural beauty, and it would be a good place to retire, but there isn't a heck of a lot to do, really.
  
  * Manhattan is where our family has a co-op full floor apartment. It is fun and exhilarating being there, and across the street is the park. There are countless restaurants and things to do - parties to go to - people and activity. A great place to live - and weekends you can get invited to South or East Hampton. Not inexpensive living, but a lot of fun.
  
  * Denver and the area around it - especially Boulder would be a lively, fun place to live - with plenty of stimulating people and diversity. I've spent a lot of time there and love it. You have skiing close by - but you have winter to deal with, which can be good or - not so good.
  
  * The Bay Area - especially Palo Alto would be the best choice - IMHO. There is a lot to do, and interesting and diverse people to meet and pal around with. The weather is terrific. You can get to The City (SF), Napa, Tahoe, Carmel, Montecito, West L.A. fairly easily. The best thing is you can stay connected to your alma matter (or other groups) where you can do more than just play golf or swim, or go to lunch. The Bay Area offers so much stimulation and physical activity. This would be an ideal place to live and stay connected, not just sit back and watch life go by. I think it is vitally important for retirees to stay active and busy - healthy - happy.

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  Dec 06, 2013 9:40 PM GMT

  Costa Rica with a perpetual tropical summer, with an average temperature of 72ºF all the year. Nice beaches ( 2 coasts, Pacific coast and Caribbean Coast), nice and friendly people, a country with an army since 1948. A lot of exentric nature, near the United States, great health system, and one of the top worldwide turist destinations.

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