best place to retire in the southwet

[rory_h]

looking for best combo weather/affordability

ok, I'm cheap, plus hate the heat and humidity of north texas. I'm thinking of the the southern mountains of new mexico, maybe some place like ruidoso or alamogordo. Ruidoso is really nice, but i'm afraid i would'nt be able to play much golf in the winter. I hear there are some really nice places in arizona, but they are expensive..Anyone here been down this road?

thanks,

[4224]

Rory Been down that road. Retired from pnw to St George, Utah. That (Utah) place was already getting crowed at 160.000 and the projections were 450,000 in 10 years!! Also golf was $30.+ (off season) at the courses that were maybe one step up from the local Muni's. Several nice courses around there but prices go up fast. Out of range for
SS people. One more thing about thoese type of places (retirement mecca's ) I built a
storage shed and this is what was needed... permit like the house, stucco siding like the house, tile roof like the house, final inspection like the house. We're talking about a small shed here. Not to mention ground cost about $100,000 for a not so big lot.
Fast forward a few years. We moved almost due east until we found a place where the
weather was roughly the same (golfing weather) but with an affordable cost. What follows is about what I'm paying for comparable items. Golf $500. per year I play most everyday. Taxes $600. + ($1500. Utah), abode about 35% or more less. Also we built
a 24x24 shop for my Hot Rod, no permit no inspection (country living )
Very light traffic, on the courses too if your smart. There's lots more but the course beckons.
I know, you want to know where I'm talking about. I could tell you but then I'd have
to kill you!!! Seriouly we're in w Tn. but you can find the same deals anywhere around
within 750 mi. or so. Thats the good news the bad news you still have to deal
with the Feds anywhere you live in this country. Luck to you in your search

[Tstiles]

Not sure if you will like the winter , but don't missing looking at Hot Springs Village.

Outstanding golf , great value .... wide range of real estate options

[weten2]

Check out this site. [url="http://www.retirementplacesreport.com/"]http://www.retirementplacesreport.com/[/url]. There are other sites similar to this if you google "affordable places to retire". Have fun finding your place.

[rory_h]

thanks everyone,
We just spent a week in ruidosa nm., and i have to say it really is an awesome place. The weather being very ideal. Avg. daily highs in the summer around 80 deg.,a and more importantly, avg. daily highs in the dead of winter almost 50 deg,not to mention the great mountain scenery.. So there would not be alot of golf down time.the golf is a little high there tho. We have been to Hot Springs village and it has some great golf courses, but it's pretty hot in the summer and the golf is a little pricey.. We will be checking out the Buena Vista area in nw. Ark. in a few weeks..Also we are going to see my son in ohio, so i hope to get a peek at some stuff in tennessee....

[AlohaJim]

Cave Creek or similar areas North or North East of Scottsdale Arizona. Lot's of golf. Climate is moderate. Cosmopolitan atmosphere. Retirement friendly.

[wrmiller]

It's too hot here in Tucson for you! Don't come here!

Right now, the place is crawling (and I mean crawling literally) with snowbirds. The good news is that these folks with money come here in the winter, pay the elevated golf rates from Oct to April, then leave so us residents can have our golf courses back and at a decent rate. But overall, Tucson is not the cheapest place to live.

I guess it all works out in the end. I just wish they'd (snowbirds) learn to drive AT LEAST the speed limit.

[ZonaHooker]

[quote name='wrmiller' date='14 February 2010 - 09:53 AM' timestamp='1266159213' post='2250588']
... But overall, Tucson is not the cheapest place to live..
[/quote]


Really? I know its not as pricey as some areas of Phoenix, but in my opinion, as far as livable cities in Arizona, I don't consider Tucson to be expensive. Then again, after living in Tucson, then going to Phx/Scottsdale, then in NYC for the past 4 years, nothing gets as expensive as NY...

[wrmiller]

True, we have everything from the trailer slums to the foothills and their[b] [/b]Bentleys and Ferraris, and everything in between. I lived/worked in Silicon Valley during the heydays of the 90s and I remember a newspaper article claiming the South Bay being the most expensive place to live, at that time. Mid 90s?

Tucson is much cheaper, by comparison, but not as cheap as the mid-west or south, where my daughter lives. But then I get to play golf every week, so it all works out in the end!

[gfggolf]

Kingman, Arizona check it out