10 Best Places to Reinvent Your Life in Retirement

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"Mexico, you have got to be kidding me? 'It you like it HOT. If you like filth! ...and don't forget to bring your drinking water.

Robert Anderson of AK 5:30PM April 03, 2011

TRY THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY OF TEXAS. THOUSANDS OF WINTER TEXANS CREATE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO DANCE, PLAY GOLF AND FISH ALL AT A LOWER COST OF LIVING. ALSO BEAUTIFUL WINTER WEATHER.

SRANK of TX 2:10PM February 22, 2011

Mexico, you have got to be kidding me. Don't forget to clean and oil your AK47 tonight

Ted of FL 2:18PM February 13, 2011

I am very impressed with the links you have provided. I will pass the word on my blog.
We reinvented our life when we bought an RV and traveled for 6 months for several years and then bought in Tucson AZ. While Tucson is not a upper end city city, it does have a small town feel. Communities of retirees have gathered in 55+ RV resorts and planned modular communities. We have come to love it here.
b
http://www.retireinstyleblog.com

Barbara-b of OR 11:34PM February 10, 2011

Wish I had had the benefit of your information a few years ago.

Janice Coon Smith of PA 9:28AM February 08, 2011

San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful town in the safe, serene mountains of central Mexico, a few hours from Mexico City. Although it is one of the most expensive places in Mexico (because so many Americans and Canadians live here) you can still get by on $1500 a month quite nicely. There are all sorts of classes of every kind--people really do come here to re-invent themselves in their "golden years"--plus the second biggest English-language library in Mexico, as well as friendly natives, inexpensive maids and gardeners, many artists and craftspeople, and of course all the modern-world things we depend on--wi-fi, cable TV... whatever. This is a colonial town filled with 18th century (or 18th c. style) houses lining cobbled streets and a park-like central square filled with bay trees and benches, facing one of the many European-looking churches, this one in Italian style. I really don't know how anyone can consider Peru or Ecuador when Mexico is so close and so amazingly wonderful.

Carol Wheeler of NY 10:04PM January 22, 2011

The Chapel Hill area is certainly nice, but the cost of living doesn't work for a 1500 a month income. However, there are plenty of places in NC that are very inexpensive, depending on your requirements, and what style of living you expect for the income you have. The Raleigh area has three major universities, UNC, NC State, and Duke along with several smaller schools and all the activities they offer. Also, Raleigh is four hours from the mountains, two hours from the coast. I like the area because of the weather, fantastic health care, very good airport, proximity to fishing and water, cost of living, and the ability to travel to different areas by car. There is a wide variety of housing choices to fit most budgets, but don't expect maid service or beach side accommodations for peanuts as some have indicated that is available in Central/South America. Property taxes are reasonable, and the cost of living is not really that much less than other areas of the USA.

Garry Rooks of IL 1:35PM January 17, 2011

One should take into consideration the following when thinking of relocating
to a different country than your own:
!) climate (humidity, heat, etc.)
2) language
3) cultural difference
4) foods (moving to another country will not offer the foods you are
accustomed to eating.
It may sound interesting to leave your own country for a cheaper retirement
but it may not bring you happiness. So keep in mind cheaper is not
necessarily better !!

J. Moore of CO 5:35PM December 10, 2010

George,
Saw your question regarding Peru. I retired here 7 years ago and love it! Like most of Central and South America prices of R.E. have doubled over the past 3 years, so it is not nearly as affordable as it was. Still, for the food and Women there is no place better in this hemisphere.
I live in Lima on the coast and this is the most expensive area. Further north there are still bargains on Beachfront and prices are still cheap in the Jungle or Mountains.

Ed 4:34PM November 13, 2010

I would recomment cohousing to boomers ready to retire. Senior, or active adult, cohousing has a dymamic balance of privacy, with fully equipped single units, and community, with generous common areas, including a huge kitchen and dining room for common dinners. In cohousing, the members co-design their neithborhood with an architect according to their own collective values and they manage their own lives and activities, both independent and communal. Once built, all members comprise the HOA and make all decisions by consensus. Cohousing is also green built and energy efficient, lowering the carbon foodprint of its members. I am a member of Wolf Creek Lodge cohousing in Grass Valley, Ca. For more information, go to www.wolfcreeklodge.org and cohousingpartners.com. It;s fun, it's smart, and it's cool.

Suzanne of CA 2:06PM November 13, 2010