Where's The Best Places To Retire?

[woody]

As I'm sitting here on my comfy recliner, I can't help but notice the outdoor thermometer reads a chilling +6 degree F. Well it's got me thinking of warmer places to relocate, when I am able to finally retire. Obviously it's got to be somewhere much warmer than it is here, and it must be a place within a hour's drive of large body's of water, big enough to run a bass boat with a big motor, and within a short drive to a Wal-Mart too. lol

Originally I was looking at the town of Cookville Tennessee, located less than an hour south of Dale Hollow Lake and approximately 20 minutes from Center Hill Lake and also within a hour drive to Cordell Hull Lake. And being this far south you are able to fish year round which is a big plus. Cookville is also located along Interstate 40, so most of your major retailer have a brick and mortar locations: Super Wal-Mart and many auto parts stores, I ask you, what else does a man need! lol

Although, I also want to make mention that on days such as today, when the temps are in the single digits, the thought of retiring somewhere along the coast of Florida, fishing the salt water sounds even more appealing.

So, have you given any thought to where you would like to retire?



-Mark

[woody]

Like I said, flats fishing in Florida is looking very appealing!




-Mark

[bassboogieman]

Someplace you do not have to worry about hurricanes and tornadoes, but snow is a rare thing. Florida you also have to deal with the old people... oops, if you retire you'll fit right in. I've often thought of Henderson, N.C. as a good place - cost of living is low, Kerr Reservoir is there, then LMBV hit Kerr and the bass fishing the last few years has been dismal. Middle Tenn. sounds pretty good to me, fishing opportunities abound and COL is reasonable. My real problem is my wife will not relocate - all her family is here and she's much younger than I am and all her nieces & nephews are not teens yet. I would relocate in a heartbeat if she would only agree. I am so tired of snow and the cold. I would compromise and keep the house here in PA and winter in FL, but she's still working and won't let me go to FL all winter while she stays in PA and works. Big drawback to marrying a younger woman if I had only known and thought more with the big brain than the small one, I would probably be living south by now.

[woody]

Well I have at least another 15 years before retirement age, so I've got time plenty of time to decide how far south to retire.


-Mark

[bassinbob]

I think I'd like to go to Texas and be close to Falcon or any other of those big bass lakes. Also you would be somewhat to Cali. and those giant bass lakes there. I have no desire to fish the ocean.

[Tavery5]

Being in the Military for 20 years afforded me the opportunity to visit many different places in the world. One thing I can tell you is that none of them are as great as the USA. Of all the places I have lived or visited in the USA, my favorite is South Carolina, and when I retire I hope to have the opportunity to call the low country my home again.

[nobass]

TRAV did not know you where retired miltary thank you my vote is middle tn you are less than 5 hours from al the lakes in tn. ky. ohio. ala,

[Tavery5]

Originally Posted by nobass

TRAV did not know you where retired miltary thank you my vote is middle tn you are less than 5 hours from al the lakes in tn. ky. ohio. ala,

Thank You, I retired in 2005.

[coldbasser]

Here in Winterpeg Canada we have had an extended and early deep freeze this winter. - 35 and lower for 6 weeks but a dry cold and we have medicare

[woody]

Originally Posted by coldbasser

Here in Winterpeg Canada we have had an extended and early deep freeze this winter. - 35 and lower for 6 weeks but a dry cold and we have medicare

I can't even imagine.. try to stay warm, CB.

Middle Tennessee is looking better and better every day.


-Mark

[lilmule]

Middle tn runs to east bank of ky lake,all the sections are divided by the tn river where it comes in and out.
No state income tax,one time payment or tax on vehicles new to you,if you own it when you move here no additional tax just title it.Anywhere one lands just about an hr away from at least one lake.Tn will write off some medical if income is low.
Cons 11 percent sales tax capped at 1500 or so on vehicles etc. Almost no specialist drs in rural tn,chopper ride or drive 90-100 miles for heart,surgions etc.
I live close enough to ky line can shop up there if needed but most of the time gas cost equals savings.
Had thought id land around benten ky but vehicle tax every year,plus what property taxes we do have are lower.Exception is around or in major cities there it is high.
Its chilly much of winter little snow with some 50 f days tossed in,often wet.
Just below Dale is still in the jet stream,as it comes up or down it turns east along the ohio.Tad more south be out of it,still in reach of many lakes.

[Abbeysdad]

You will not have a choice....when the time comes they will come for you with golf clubs and before you know it you'll be in a condo in Florida dodging all the 'merry widows'! LOL

[woody]

Originally Posted by Abbeysdad

You will not have a choice....when the time comes they will come for you with golf clubs and before you know it you'll be in a condo in Florida dodging all the 'merry widows'! LOL

Since I don't golf, you will find me find me fishing the inshore flats for reds, snook, cobia, and maybe some tarpon.

And dodging those merry widows will help in keeping me feeling young.

Although Florida's higher cost of living might keep me away.


-Mark

[Abbeysdad]

Originally Posted by woody

Since I don't golf, you will find me find me fishing the inshore flats for reds, snook, cobia, and maybe some tarpon.

And dodging those merry widows will help in keeping me feeling young.

Although Florida's higher cost of living might keep me away.


-Mark

Well you have a few years to decide what feels best...and even then you could change your mind. I've settled into early retirement here in the Northeast and it ain't so bad...although I'll admit that winter brings a degree of hibernation for me!

-Mike

[WTL]

Originally Posted by woody

I can't even imagine.. try to stay warm, CB.

Middle Tennessee is looking better and better every day.


-Mark

Florida is a strange state. Los of high cost of living places, but a lot of very rural areas aswell. Look in to Polk county, and maybe Osceola.

[woody]

Originally Posted by WTL

Florida is a strange state. Los of high cost of living places, but a lot of very rural areas aswell. Look in to Polk county, and maybe Osceola.

Polk and Osceola.. I will be taking a look. The counties bordering Lake Okeechobee also look very interesting.


-Mark

[Bubba_Bruiser]

I always heard that they say California is the place you wanna be, so load up the Skeeter and move to Beverly!

[woody]

Originally Posted by Bubba_Bruiser

I always heard that they say California is the place you wanna be, so load up the Skeeter and move to Beverly!

Not in a million years! hahaha


-Mark

[WTL]

Any of those middle florida counties not on the coast will have more opportunities for a fisherman with the good qualities you possess, Sir, so yeah, near Okeechobee, Istopaga and Kissimmee. The coasts draw the yankees and undesirables, but follow highway 27 from Haines City south and you might find some community that meets your needs. Look for some tucked in enclave of bass fishermen with golf carts, pabst blue ribbons and old outboards in the yard with subtropical plants clinging to them.

[woody]

Originally Posted by WTL

Any of those middle florida counties not on the coast will have more opportunities for a fisherman with the good qualities you possess, Sir, so yeah, near Okeechobee, Istopaga and Kissimmee. The coasts draw the yankees and undesirables, but follow highway 27 from Haines City south and you might find some community that meets your needs. Look for some tucked in enclave of bass fishermen with golf carts, pabst blue ribbons and old outboards in the yard with subtropical plants clinging to them.

After taking a virtual drive from Haines City down highway 27 to Lake Okeechobee, I now see why you would say, that I would have more opportunities to fish. I couldn't help but notice how many freshwater lakes and small fishing communities there were along the way; almost a bassfishing mecca. If it's good enough for Roland Martin, I'm sure it will be good enough for me.

Billy, I have my eye on this place now; I appreciate all of your insightfulness!


-Mark

[bassboogieman]

I've fished a couple of the lakes around Haines and Lakeland, FL and that area would be a decent location. The phosphate pits are good too - Tenoroc Mines just E/o Lakeland is a neat area that is only open on weekends and by permit to control the access to that water. Full of gators, birds and fish, of course.

[lilmule]

Just as up north many have winter homes away from home to escape the cold,many in fla have one farther north to escape the heat of summer like around Ashville nc.You have plenty of time to study and take trips to those places to decide.
Somewhere inbetween sand fleas,firents,gators and eastern diamondbacks with 5 other venomous snakes and countless released pet phythons,monitor lizards etc and hard water.
Somewhere you will find what you re looking for

[Captmikestarrett]

I am looking for a place to hang my Guide sign and relax a bit. Not too much but maybe only have one job this time.. Looking at Beaufort NC with some reds in the the rivers and some offshore stuff too.
Plus some LGMouth in the inter-coastal.

Capt Mike

[woody]

Originally Posted by Captmikestarrett

I am looking for a place to hang my Guide sign and relax a bit. Not too much but maybe only have one job this time.. Looking at Beaufort NC with some reds in the the rivers and some offshore stuff too.
Plus some LGMouth in the inter-coastal.

Capt Mike

It sounds like a man with a plan.. and I am sure you can make it happen.


-Mark

[3dkicker]

Need to have fresh and salt water fishing along with good hunting for me. Gulf coast or mid-atlantic works. Can't go any farther north than VA. VA beach area is nice in winter.