I like mountains, rivers and streams and plenty of water for growing things. Not exactly sure where I'd relocate because I'll need good healthcare by then. A little winter and four seasons is ok, but I prefer the warmer winter and not much ice and snow. I like to look at the ocean, but don't like to snorkle or anything. I don't want to live near a bunch of other people who relocated there for the weather or scenery either. Colorado, California, and Hawaii are out as are Mississippi and Louisiana.

I don't like bugs or heat. Where I'm at is fine. A small mountain town, Manitou Springs Colorado. I might consider Estes Park as an alternative.

http://www.visitcos.com/Manitou-Springs

Jemdandy--is Henderson near Asheville? Do you know what Asheville is like? I loved Look Homeward Angel and have always wondered about contemporary Asheville. Thank you.

Nicole, I didn't know you lived in Manitou Springs. That was my favorite hang out town when we lived in Wheatridge. Such a cool little town. I have heard it's become more commercialized. We used to ride the Harleys there quite often. Little Bear in Evergreen was a regular hangout too. Beautiful areas there, I just could not handle the winters. Not Cajun weather lol.

Jim, I believe Costa Rica has a reputation for having very good quality health care.

As to the OP's question, I'm not sure off the top of my head. Probably a beach area of Southern CA, such as Coronado, or Santa Barbara.

I would either pick somewhere on the Gulf Coast of Florida or Western NC or Western Virginia.

I like Manitou Springs, too!

If I had to relocate, I'd move to southern Arkansas. Maybe the Fort Smith area, but not IN Fort Smith. In the countryside or a small town, because that's where I've always lived. Arkansas is warmer than here; they still have 4 seasons but their winters are shorter.

Or maybe east Texas, but not too far south.

NO where in the states. I like my own country and where I live.

Ditto what kathleen44 said.

three more days of rain in Southern Oregon, then it will be "Here" until late October when the rains come back and I want to be anywhere in California. I do love our summers, when they begin and until they end. Our last frost is soon, so we have a decent growing season and my tiny orchard is prolific and we have the BEST drinking water around!

I have never lived anywhere but PA. Born an hour from where I live now and 45 minutes from where I went to college. I am 3 hours from NYC, 3 hours from the ocean, less than 2 hours to DC, less than that to Baltimore and two hours to Philly. I like that we're so centrally located. I'd probably pick Nantucket to live on if family was there. I despise hot weather. Absolutely can't stand it.

To Annegriet:

I do know a little about Asheville, NC but have not been there year around. The company I worked for has a plant there. It did make industrial push-buttons and limit switches. I believe the push buttons were moved to Mexico, That plant was established when Cutler-Hammer moved that froduct from Milwaukee to Asheville in 1965. We also moved products to Bowling Green, KY. I noticed that the transferees who moved to Ashville were the happier of any who moved to other locations.

The elevation of Asheville is about 2500 ft and has night time cooling in summer. The humidity is about the same as many locations in the south half of NC. In fall, there is a tendency for morning fog, but not as much as for Franklin, NC. Ashville does have a winter with temperatures dipping into the freezing range at times, however, it is very mild compared to Illinois or Wisconisn. The one negative is ice storms. They tend to get one ice storm in January, but it soon melts away. The town does not have snow removal equipment. When ti ices or snows, they literally shut down until the roads are passable. It is my understanding that does not happen often. You'll need to check on this.

Spring weather in April is delightful, at least, I though so when I was there on a consulting job.

The university of NC is there. There is a nationally known teaching hospital. In summer, mountain music can be found. There are several good restaurants in the area offering a range of fare.

The town had a wide range of neighborhoods, from poor to exclusive rich. It best to survey that feature in person. There is a gated community that is filled largely with military officers with sizeable pensions. The surrounding scenery is some of the best and fall colors are gorgeous. The Blue Ridge Parkway passes nearby.

Taxes for working people are no better than other places, but retirees get a break. (This is old information: Schools are not supported by property tax, but must come from other sources, thus a retiree will see low property tax. For example, a house in Waukesha or Milwaukee counties, WI that runs $3400 per year in NC might be less that $2000.) NC has other taxes that are significant such as restaurant and sales taxes.

Hendersonville is about 25 miles south of Asheville, but is at a lower elevation and has a little different weather. Both towns share an airport that lies midway between the towns. Southern apples are grown around Hendersonville.

Carl Sandburg was born in Illinois, but his home in later life is located about 3 miles out of Hendersonville.

A goodly number of "half-backs" live in the south half of NC. These are northern people who moved to Florida, didn't like it, and moved half way back.

If you go there, check out Hickory and Charlotte, NC as well.

Wow--thanks Jemdandy. That was a very comprehensive answer. I appreciate your time.

Somewhere warm and sunny where I could go for a walk barefoot alongside the ocean every morning relaxing with the sound of the waves.

Reason? I don't know. My job here is done with the kids being raised and gone I guess. And, I love waking up to the sound of the ocean.

Artemis--you are funny at 5:45 am! I'm not capable of witty banter until at least 7 am! Thanks for replying. Western Mass sounds great.

Hey JemDandy--how many days to see Asheville on a holiday? Would 3 days be enough including a day at the Biltmore? I posted this on Vacations and did not get a reply. I am thinking about a road trip! Thank you again--you seem very knowledgeable.

Lake Placid!!!

If I had a pile of money and could just go anywhere, I would move to Central Texas, probably to the town of New Braunfels. I loved it when I lived around that area. I LOVE the clear river water. I love the beaches more but hate the hurricanes.

Somewhere in rural Virginia where there are no drug problems, low crime rate, and roads that are passable all winter, in that order of importance. Does such a place exist? ;)

We just relocated from Monterey, CA, to the Philly suburbs for our retirement. Being close to family means everything.

I'd move closer to my kids.

ravencajun, littlebug...:0)

Raven....I lived in Wheatridge when I was in 3rd grade. Loved it! My father managed a country club next to the Coors Brewery.

Manitou Springs = 80829

What does your zip code say about you....enter your zip code to find out.

http://www.esri.com/landing-pages/tapestry/

I live close to my family and have the change of seasons. If I ever moved, it'd be back to Monterey, CA. I love the terrain, the wildlife, the food, the weather... I could go on forever. Funny that you just left it sushi, to be close to family. We're like two sides of the same coin! I have lived in Hawai'i and I'd not move back. As much as I love the ocean, it's a pain to live on an island and have to have everything imported. Some things don't ship well and it's really expensive!

DH's cousin and her husband moved to Hawaii a few years ago for retirement, but he's from there originally. She hates it. "Island fever" is very real.

We will miss Monterey, and our many friends, but this is a wonderful adventure. Cost of living is much less here and schools and social services seem well funded. And we can watch the grandkid grow up and have family dinners on Sunday nights. That's worth a fortune.

That's worth a fortune.

It is!

I'd leave the US. My dream home is in Wales.

We already did relocate from Ohio to Georgia and I am not moving again, except UP when God calls me home. I love living in Georgia.

I just did this last year. I had the choice to go anywhere I wanted and start over again. I came to the Gulf Coast of Florida just south of Tampa. I am close to a good heart hospital, the beach is 10 mins away, Orlando is less than and hour, The parks and activities available here are great for my son.

The weather gets hot no doubt but that is why I have AC and a Pool. Not mention compared to where I came from cost of living is much better, I get more bang for my buck here but car insurance woowee that one is a killer.

Aprile, you reminded me of a neighbor of a friend I have in Florida. This family has five kids. They were visiting Florida from Chicago. The mom told her husband she was not going back! Either he was in or out! He has a business in Chicago so they now have a "bicoastal" marriage.

On or near the beach (not more than two blocks away) in the San Diego area. The area is beautiful and the ocean breeze is wonderful.

We have this discussion every six months or so and we can't think of a single place where we want to move to where we don't think we would get bored after a little while. We like it here in Northwest Arkansas and we live on property so it's nice and private and wooded and there's lots of nature but it's also a lot of work and we're not getting any younger. We keep thinking we should downsize and get something easier to take care of but we can't decide on where.

I have been presented with this question twice in 40 years. No job, no ties, where would you go? 1st time, left Connecticut during winter of 93 to move toward family in Sunny Arizona. Good for a while, but in 2006, hubby had enough of that. (115 degrees, sitting on top of SS bulk milk, semi-trailer in the middle of an aromatic dairy operation in Mesa -- something snapped.) He said, let's move, now. Two days later I agreed. Within 3 months we had sold house, bought house, and moved to Fargo ND in the middle of December. Have been glad we did so.

My only wish to relocate now is to my permanent retirement home on a lake in Minnesota. 4 seasons, lake, wildlife, gardens, peace, quiet. Cool breezes in the summer, cozy warmth in the winter. Only an hour to all the shopping and healthcare you would ever need. Only steps to all the enjoyment we would ever need.

we lived in san diego...but not on the "right" side...we had a mountain although small, it blocked the cooling fog so was hot! as for Coronado unless you have big bucks, or in the navy...we did move for a job to Detroit! I get cold but rarely a day with smog...

Oh dear, I just realized how cold my reply sounds.

Let me say that I never considered being a mom a job. However, if it were a job it would have been the most rewarding job I could have ever chosen.

I was a stay at home mom and I consider those years to be the best years of my life.

Just felt the need to add that. ;)

I'm fine right where I am..south of Denver, outside of Pueblo...I don't care about beaches, don't care for humidity...I know not many would chose here but I lived in San Diego years ago, it was crowded and expensive then..have relatives in the south and didn't care for it either.

Oh, I doubt you want to LIVE in Hawaii.

We own a condo on Maui. It's one thing to vacation there and quite another to live/own property there. It's fine for three months in winter, but HOME is north of Chicago. We are lifelong suburbanites here. DH swears the lake 'protects' us from violent winds -- as well as providing great water. And...our DS, DIL and two grandchildren are in the city!

cynic -- Some of the best health care in the US is in Minneapolis!

This coastal California native lived in Europe for several years and has enjoyed visiting about 40 US states and about the same number of countries. My point is, I haven't liked anywhere I've visited (as a place to live permanently) better than where I am. I'm flexible north and south (within the temperate, inhabited and relatively dry part of the state) but I will remain where I've lived my entire life, not too far from the ocean and in the Golden State.

My BFF and I grew up in So Cal. After college I moved to the DC area and am still here. She lived mostly in Juneau Alaska while raising her kids. She divorced about 9 years ago and moved back to So Cal....she never liked Alaska. Her son was living on Kauai and she moved there about two years ago. She loves it and swears she'll never leave. She rents a house, lives frugally but is very content there.

If $ were no object I'd probably go to the central California coast, but DH doesn't want to be that far from the kids and doubt we could afford anything decent there. I would love the temperate climate. We're thinking NC, SC or FL but haven't a clue. I'm waiting for him to retire so we can spend some time in each place. I know I will "hibernate" during the summer months like I do here in DC.....the humidity zaps my energy.

Next month DH and I are looking at The Villages near Orlando. We are interested in a Jan-Mar set up. We do own a home in Naples, but we rent it out. My DH would like a community that is active and The Villages seem packed with activities. We are staying for a week so we should get a good idea.

We own real estate which is like a full time job for DH. Unless we liquidate, we can't actually retire and move away.

My twin sister lived in Florida for 30 years. They visited Asheville and her DH said, "We could live here!" He's a pharmacist working in rehab, she a physical therapist. The both got jobs very quickly. It's a lovely town, but it wouldn't be a snow bird location, so not for us. I do think it's a nice place to retire full time.

Everyone says that they would not want to be in Florida in the summer. My friend's mom says it's the same as being in NY in the winter. Each has a season where you stay inside!

I agree it is either too hot down here or too cold up there. One thing I do not miss is shoveling and driving in the snow. It sure is pretty to watch it fall but that is it. I thought when I moved down here last year I would miss the snow but since the climate never got cold enough to feel like snow I didn't even miss it.

Nicole - LOVED the Esri site. That was fun, and it captured our diverse neighborhood quite well. I'm afraid DH and I are "City Lights" but with an "Urban Chic" lifestyle....LOL!

We enjoy where we live. We are pretty close in regards to driving distance from my family. If they move away, we might consider moving elsewhere. Living in the city is our preference.

An hour away from the hospital is 45 min too long for us. If I hadn't been able to get my DH to the hospital in less than 15 min after his hemorrhagic stroke, he'd be a vegetable now. Instead, no one but us can tell he even had a stroke, let alone a major one.

I am relocating to the gulf coast in Florida!

Because I met the most incredible guy there, and he loves me.

We relocated last year from FL to TN. I Love TN. I love the mountains, the colors other than green, the polite & sweet culture, the actual four seasons here, the beautiful hikes in the spring & fall while breathing cool air, and I love being able to sit on my backporch after dinner without sweating buckets. It's also alot cheaper here. Our utilities, insurance, property tax, etc..all went down. That was a bonus for sure. The only thing I miss about living in FL is getting the FL residents discounts to Walt Disney World :)

Congrats OklaMoni.........I have two brothers living on the Gulf Coast and they love it. One retired there about 5 years ago and the other last year.

Eld6161.......my brothers say the humidity isn't that bad and a friend in Boca, who lived here in DC for 25 years, says Florida is not much different in the summer than DC in terms of humidity. When DH retires, I want to spend some time there specifically in the summer to see if I can stand it.

We took the kids to Orlando three years ago and then drove down to Ft Myers and the beaches. Houston had worse heat and humidity than Florida did. I was really surprised.

WOW....been 'wondering' about Moni.....and here on this thread my suspicions were confirmed. NOTHING could make me happier than to have one of our family (KT family) moving for love. OH MY!!!! Congratulations.....may this be the best move of your life!

Joanie, perhaps you can split your time between two small places? There is no shortage of inventory in Florida. There literally is something for every budget.

Personally, I would not want to live in Florida all year. Humidity aside, there is the hurricane season. Some years worse than others. I think this is what tilted the table for my sister and her DH.

Again, as far as humidity in the summer, think about it as your down time, while you will be able to enjoy nice weather for most of the year. December and January can be quite cool in some parts of Florida, requiring a light jacket.

For full time, I would concentrate more on NC and SC. Also, since you have your kids up north, a 12 hour drive is a bit more doable than a 24 hour drive if you don't want to rely on flying.

i've lived in Southern California for a long time. Moved to Orange County four years ago to be close to my daughter. i can't think of anywhere i'd rather live, and i moved around a lot as a kid.

To Annegriet

I think you could "get the lay of the land" in Asheville in 3 days plus an extra day for the Builtmore. You should add some time to check out Hendersonville and Bevard.

The Biltmore is a monument to extravagance. There is a fee for entering the property. I do not know the price these days, but I thought it was a bit much. However, if you are an antique buff, it should be a thrill. This structure was built to compete with French Chateaus and possibly an upmanship to prove that the French did not have it all.

Expensive estates in the Blue Ridge area of NC lost their allure after the advent of home air conditioning and World War 2. Air conditioning removed a major reason for spending summers in the hills.

For myself, the farthermost west in NC I would consider is Franklin. West of that region, the landscape is ok, but the region is economically depressed and remote from basic goods and services. In Franklin, cancer patients make the long drive to Asheville for chemotherapy. The next retiree haven west of there is in north Georgia around Young Harris.