If you could retire with unlimited funds....

[#UnleashSean]

One of the coastline cities on the slip of land in the gulf that clearwater is on.

Easily.

[StillAWarrior]

Chattanooga also a great place.

It really is.

I was a finalist for a job there a number of years ago, and had to remove myself from consideration because the family timing could not have been worse. While it was clearly the right decision, I found myself saying "why could this not have happened three or four years later?"

I've never been, but one of my kids was recruited by UT Chattanooga and every time I looked at pictures I'd ask, "Are you sure you're not interested?" It looks beautiful.

[StillAWarrior]

StillaWarrior

For years my retirement goal has been for my wife to alternate picking a city to live in for a year. Every second year one of us gets to pick a location pretty much anywhere in the world and go there for a year. Not that concerned on level of accommodations, more wanting to get the feel of the location. Want to get the feel of the city and live life enjoying a new location.

I have a long list of places that I could live for a year and hope we are healthy enough and can afford this endeavor, even if we only each get to pick one location. I would prefer doing this than owning a second home.

That sounds absolutely fantastic. I'd think even three months would be great. There are so many places - even in the US - that this would be a lot of fun. If you limited it to three months, you could cover the US in around ten years (depending on where you've lived before) and say you've lived in every state.

[dgies9156]

Mrs. Warriorfan and I have discussed this at length.
The requirements:
- no state income tax
- no tax on retirement income
- low property tax
- conservative political environment
- Good air travel links to everywhere
- Near Beach

Based on the above we probably end up in Dubai.

Sounds like Vero Beach.

[MU1in77]

With both our boys and grandchildren living in the Milwaukee area we would want to be near them. But with unlimited funds we could fly back at least once a month. That leaves cities with direct flights so I would choose between Charlotte & Salt Lake City. As much as we love skiing, Charlotte is a shorter flight and closer to the ocean.

Upon further consideration, with unlimited funds to buy my own jet, I would choose Carmel.

[SoCalEagle]

Eagle

Just because we are embedded in a city does mean that we can go home. Plus, I hope our kids love the idea and come home and visit.

Goose, you are absolutely correct.  I guess I keep getting caught in the land of confusion somewhere between vacation and retirement.  Am I going on vacation to a specific destination, or am I retiring there?  There is no right answer for me.  The key for me is to enjoy the moment, spend time exploring new things, etc., whether that be for an extended period of time or a shorter time.  Please indulge me for the following quick example (I realize it's unrelated to the OP's topic): Due to my family's conflicting schedule (teenagers and their sports schedules), it didn't look like we were going to take a vacation this summer.  However, I scoured the calendar and found that we had 5 days that we could string together for a nice break.  That very day, after consulting with Mrs. SCE, I booked flights and and great hotel on Waikiki Beach.  Fly all the way to Hawaii for only 5 days?  Yes, and I'm glad we did.  We explored the north shore, relaxed by the pool/beach, had great meals, and visited Pearl Harbor.  It was a whirlwind for sure.  The best part was the flight home when I asked my daughter what her favorite part of the trip was.  I expected to hear something about the pool, the hotel, the great food.  Instead she went on and on about the trip to Pearl Harbor and the history lesson she learned during our visit.  Priceless!!! 

[Goose]

Eagle

That is awesome. Very cool response by your daughter!!

[brewcity77]

My dad lived there for a year when he was in his mid-20s. After about eight months, he was ready to leave.  He had seen everything and been everywhere.  There just wasn't enough to do.

Obviously that was sixty years ago and it's different now. But St. Thomas is only 32 square miles - compared to Oahu's 600. So it's tiny. Charlotte Amalie only has 15,000 people.

From what the locals told us, you also don't want to be out in Charlotte Amalie after dark. They said during the day when the cruise ships are there it's very well patrolled, but told us we should get back to our hotel around 6-7 to be safe. Not sure if that was real or hyperbole, but we didn't test the theory in our two nights there before island hopping to the BVI.

[pbiflyer]

From what the locals told us, you also don't want to be out in Charlotte Amalie after dark. They said during the day when the cruise ships are there it's very well patrolled, but told us we should get back to our hotel around 6-7 to be safe. Not sure if that was real or hyperbole, but we didn't test the theory in our two nights there before island hopping to the BVI.

Depending on where. But yeah, it's either unsafe or completely shut down for the most part.
Red Hook is better but much smaller.

[MU82]

From what the locals told us, you also don't want to be out in Charlotte Amalie after dark. They said during the day when the cruise ships are there it's very well patrolled, but told us we should get back to our hotel around 6-7 to be safe. Not sure if that was real or hyperbole, but we didn't test the theory in our two nights there before island hopping to the BVI.

We walked quite a ways to and from a restaurant in the evening and we never gave it a second thought. Nobody had warned us not to do so. It was a few years ago, though, so maybe things have changed for the worse ... or we were just lucky.

[Herman Cain]

Where would you live in the USA minus Hawaii?  But you can't have multiple residences.

I don't plan on retiring. The Missus is retired.

We agreed on no state income tax , good airport, top quality medical, walkable town and either on Ocean or Mountains.

We ended up on Ocean. Absolutely love it have a lot of friends , plenty of excellent restaurants , involved with community and local government  , great local traditions, pet friendly and majority of area residents with common values.

Goal is to acquire the neighboring  homes on our block, and create family compound on the beach .

[MuggsyB]

I don't plan on retiring. The Missus is.

We agreed on no state income tax , good airport, top quality medical, walkable town and either on Ocean or Mountains.

We ended up on Ocean. Absolutely love it have a lot of friends , plenty of excellent restaurants , involved with community and local government  , great local traditions, pet friendly and majority of area residents with common values.

Goal is to acquire the next door neighbors and create family compound on the beach .

You're going to usurp your next door neighbors Herman?? 

[Badgerhater]

Somewhere in WI close enough to get to Marquette games, and close enough to an airport that has my private jet so I can fly to all the away games.

[rocky_warrior]

Easy.  Vail.  Amazing Winters, fantastic summers.  Almost bought a condo there about a decade ago. Should have...

Alas, I have a similar climate now, and can still get there in less than 2 hours.

[Hards Alumni]

One thing that could change my answer is where my 17 year old settles after college.  My daughter's long term location is between Baltimore and DC.  If my son were to settle on the east coast, too, my wife and I are agreed that we could be very happy there.   Downsizing,  to be sure.   But we love the geography and the history.

Annapolis is great, much of my family is from the area.

[MU82]

You're going to usurp your next door neighbors Herman?? 

Not until after he roofies them.

[reinko]

Annapolis is great, much of my family is from the area.

I am in Bethesda, and we frequent Annapolis a fair amount.  Beautiful area right on the water, Naval Academy adds some local charm, maybe 30 minutes from BWI (very underrated airport and best one in the area by a mile).

[Hards Alumni]

I am in Bethesda, and we frequent Annapolis a fair amount.  Beautiful area right on the water, Naval Academy adds some local charm, maybe 30 minutes from BWI (very underrated airport and best one in the area by a mile).

LOL I absolutely despise BWI.

[JWags85]

LOL I absolutely despise BWI.

Its the tallest midget effect.  DCA is just whatever, IAD is a dump, and BWI is fine, which makes it exceptional in the DMV i suppose.  I don't much care for BWI either, but its like comparing EWR to LGA pre-renovation.  People hated on EWR but it was one of the Middle Eastern glamour airports compared to old LGA.  Thats how bad IAD is these days, IMO.

Now that I'm flying out of TPA, I regularly go through all the various United hubs to get to Asia or the elsewhere in the western US, and flying through SFO, IAH, EWR, and even ORD, is plush compared to dark and dingy Dulles.

[reinko]

LOL I absolutely despise BWI.

Compared to that armpit Dulles?  Could make an argument for DCA, just a pain in the ass to get there from me lol

[Scoop Snoop]

One thing that could change my answer is where my 17 year old settles after college.  My daughter's long term location is between Baltimore and DC.  If my son were to settle on the east coast, too, my wife and I are agreed that we could be very happy there.   Downsizing,  to be sure.   But we love the geography and the history.

I have no idea as to the type of area that you and your wife are partial to and how close to family you would want to be, but....

If you like to be a bit out of the metro areas, the Eastern Shore area of Maryland is very nice. If you would like to be live in a more "country" setting, I 66 brings you to the Blue Ridge Mountains area. Your $s will go much farther in housing costs. When my wife and I go to the DC area, we go North on Rt. 29 and take I 66 into the DC area. Timing is the key to minimizing traffic backups. We get off in Vienna and take the metro from there. Easy!

[reinko]

I have no idea as to the type of area that you and your wife are partial to and how close to family you would want to be, but....

If you like to be a bit out of the metro areas, the Eastern Shore area of Maryland is very nice. If you would like to be live in a more "country" setting, I 66 brings you to the Blue Ridge Mountains area. Your $s will go much farther in housing costs. When my wife and I go to the DC area, we go North on Rt. 29 and take I 66 into the DC area. Timing is the key to minimizing traffic backups. We get off in Vienna and take the metro from there. Easy!

Went to a wedding in St. Michaels, MD a few months ago (where Wedding Crashers did some filming), and you are spot on, really pretty part of the country.

[tower912]

5 years down the road.   They live near fort Meade.  Eastern Shore is lovely.

[Herman Cain]

You're going to usurp your next door neighbors Herman?? 

LOL Correction Noted