OK, I've finally had about enough of the work routine and am looking to retire in 20 months. I want to get lots of riding and sight seeing in while I'm still healthy and before I leave the planet. I would like to relocate to great riding country, with a long riding season, where the cost of living is managable. Any suggestions on which state and town would fill the bill? Where would you go?
Where to retire?
30 posts Started 29 Nov 2010 Last recovered post 30 Nov 2010 Wayback Machine snapshot 12 Dec 2010
Chatanooga, Tenn!!
[image: View Post]Knife, on 29 November 2010 - 04:29 PM, said:
OK, I've finally had about enough of the work routine and am looking to retire in 20 months. I want to get lots of riding and sight seeing in while I'm still healthy and before I leave the planet. I would like to relocate to great riding country, with a long riding season, where the cost of living is managable. Any suggestions on which state and town would fill the bill? Where would you go?Fort Collins, Colorado.
I say check New Mexico - Albequerque or Rio Rancho. Great places I lived when I got out ot the Army. Came back to New York City - not a bad move just could have done better in terms of being able to enjoy life. Nowdays I am only interested in staying healthy, employed - chasing women and riding/tour on my bike.
Great riding you say...
Eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, northeast Georgia, northwest South Carolina. I moved to Greenville, SC twenty years ago and I like it here more each day.
Eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, northeast Georgia, northwest South Carolina. I moved to Greenville, SC twenty years ago and I like it here more each day.
Cashiers, North Carolina or general vicinity. Asheville, NC if you need city life. I'll be in this general area when I retire/relocate. Great riding and good weather 9 months out of the year. Cost of living is very reasonable.
[image: View Post]Earthshake, on 29 November 2010 - 04:57 PM, said:
Great riding you say...Eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, northeast Georgia, northwest South Carolina. I moved to Greenville, SC twenty years ago and I like it here more each day.
He just gave you the right answer.....Greenville..... :+1:
And here I thought he was going to ask about what tires to buy... :comp13:
:laughing6-hehe:
Retirement? What's that? I have another 35-40 years to go! :blink: :owned:
:laughing6-hehe:
Retirement? What's that? I have another 35-40 years to go! :blink: :owned:
Texas and Florida have long riding seasons and no state income tax, but I also really like Arizona and New Mexico. Good luck and if you want more info on Texas I'll gladly help
Arizona, great roads, ride year round, more great roads, lots of friendly riders, after exploring many areas for over 25 years I settled in Congress, AZ and you would have to drag my dead body to go somewhere else :fing02:
Check into Arkansas. A relatively poor state so your dollar will go far.
I had some neighbors who retired to one of the big lakes down there. I have another who retired to a fly-in community. The cost of living in Arkansas is very low and both couples live very nicely on finite resources. There used to be some tax advantages to retiring to Arkansas, but I'm not sure that is still the case.
I had some neighbors who retired to one of the big lakes down there. I have another who retired to a fly-in community. The cost of living in Arkansas is very low and both couples live very nicely on finite resources. There used to be some tax advantages to retiring to Arkansas, but I'm not sure that is still the case.
As an added bonus if you are an idiot, you don't have to wear a helmet in SC. Speaking of which, do any VFR riders ride without helmets?
[image: View Post]rufussrgnt, on 29 November 2010 - 06:57 PM, said:
As an added bonus if you are an idiot, you don't have to wear a helmet in SC. Speaking of which, do any VFR riders ride without helmets?Were you expecting a lot of responses to this interogatory?
California has the year round great riding and the weather of course but we are going under if the San Andreas fault does not get us first. :beatdeadhorse:
[image: View Post]rufussrgnt, on 29 November 2010 - 06:57 PM, said:
As an added bonus if you are an idiot, you don't have to wear a helmet in SC. Speaking of which, do any VFR riders ride without helmets?Yes please, will the idiots please speak up, and let it be known. :laughing6-hehe:
I can tell you where NOT to retire :laughing6-hehe:
NYC is pretty much exact opposite of what you're looking for.
Not tha tone would consider it as a retirement option :dry:
NYC is pretty much exact opposite of what you're looking for.
Not tha tone would consider it as a retirement option :dry:
Stay away from Az, we dont get to ride much here...way to hot and theres a bunch of us that dont want any more peeps cloggin the good roads up :laughing6-hehe:
J/K.... theres a lot of good riding to be had here, depends on what kind a summer you want to have to put up with, humid in the SE, Hot as heck here unless yer in the mountains. So many good roads in the great USA to be had it would be a tough decision :biggrin: Good luck, I'm jealous you get to retire and do what you want. IF you wind up here let us know, the NFR crew WILL show ya a good time :fing02:
Edit: You should let us know what else your looking for, bigger city lifestyle or country laid back livin cuz in Az it would make a big difference, cost of living and access to the better roads to explore.
J/K.... theres a lot of good riding to be had here, depends on what kind a summer you want to have to put up with, humid in the SE, Hot as heck here unless yer in the mountains. So many good roads in the great USA to be had it would be a tough decision :biggrin: Good luck, I'm jealous you get to retire and do what you want. IF you wind up here let us know, the NFR crew WILL show ya a good time :fing02:
Edit: You should let us know what else your looking for, bigger city lifestyle or country laid back livin cuz in Az it would make a big difference, cost of living and access to the better roads to explore.
Ok I will confess. I drove my motorcycle helmet-less while smoking a cigarette on a back road beside my company. Of course that was before finding this website and the nicotine patch. :). I too must vote for NC since I live here. Charlotte is 2 hours from Greenville, 4 from Franklin, and 2 from Asheville. Can't beat it!
San Diego except for that whole cost of living thing... If you're thinking CA, then Redding may not be a bad option.
Are you going to have a military/government retirement package? There seem to be a fair number of military retirees here in Huntsville, Alabama. Decent riding weather most of the year, too, and good roads are not too far away.
But you might look at the other suggestions for eastern Tennessee (including Chattanooga) and/or western North Carolina.
Good luck (and an early 'Congrats' :beer: on the retirement!)
Ron
But you might look at the other suggestions for eastern Tennessee (including Chattanooga) and/or western North Carolina.
Good luck (and an early 'Congrats' :beer: on the retirement!)
Ron
South - Yes I would say Applicia in the mountains or near them, relatively cheap cost of living and awsome near year around riding. . Arkansas is nice the Ozarks are nice riding, love it around the top near Missouri, just need to beware its all bible belt and stuff shuts down on sundays pretty much, lots of dry counties in the south too.
North East - Dont know much about the northern eastern states - too crowded I suppose and all that nasty winter weather.
West - The western states are more depressed not as much riding but not bad, Arizona is temerate around Flagstaff but its sort of expensive compared to the south. I really liked Oregon, lots of great riding there - hard to find a job though. The country was very much a throw back to days gone past and the roads were awsome! Northern California is similar not as crowded and great roads. Nevada sucks for riding, Utah is beautiful most of the population is along a narrow corridor of 1-15 along the salt lake, good living I love how late the sun goes down in the summer its like 10pm or somthing like that you can ride forever it seems! Wyoming is cheap but the people are a bit zenophobic, decent riding not as good as colorado though, Montana is about the same as wyoming however the people are much more friendly just as sparce though and good roads are few and far between, new mexico is very nice expensive though not as expensive as colorado stay away from the resort towns and you will be alright, way down south in the gila national forest would be a great place to retire along the nm az boarder some great roads there. Idaho is very nice got some good riding there near Boise and the people are super nice, jobs are scarce though. Food in Idaho is good, cheap easy touring from Idaho too lots of great places to go from there.
If it was me I would think more about Kentuky, Tn, NC, West Virginia, North Georgia along the great smokies.
North East - Dont know much about the northern eastern states - too crowded I suppose and all that nasty winter weather.
West - The western states are more depressed not as much riding but not bad, Arizona is temerate around Flagstaff but its sort of expensive compared to the south. I really liked Oregon, lots of great riding there - hard to find a job though. The country was very much a throw back to days gone past and the roads were awsome! Northern California is similar not as crowded and great roads. Nevada sucks for riding, Utah is beautiful most of the population is along a narrow corridor of 1-15 along the salt lake, good living I love how late the sun goes down in the summer its like 10pm or somthing like that you can ride forever it seems! Wyoming is cheap but the people are a bit zenophobic, decent riding not as good as colorado though, Montana is about the same as wyoming however the people are much more friendly just as sparce though and good roads are few and far between, new mexico is very nice expensive though not as expensive as colorado stay away from the resort towns and you will be alright, way down south in the gila national forest would be a great place to retire along the nm az boarder some great roads there. Idaho is very nice got some good riding there near Boise and the people are super nice, jobs are scarce though. Food in Idaho is good, cheap easy touring from Idaho too lots of great places to go from there.
If it was me I would think more about Kentuky, Tn, NC, West Virginia, North Georgia along the great smokies.
Asheville gets my vote. The perfect blend of country and city living. Awesome roads, mild winters, and beautiful scenery. I'm trying to figure out a way to get my job transferred down there, sort of a pre-retirement move, paid by my company.
East-central AZ (NE of Tucson) is at a high enough elevation as to not be too hot during the summer, but the winter is extremely brief. Same is true of SW NM. The cost of living in the general area is relatively low and twisty roads are plentiful. Additionally, you would be just a few hours away from some of the most scenic and best riding areas in the USA---areas like the San Juan Mts. of SW CO and SE Utah.
I plan to retire soon and am thinking about moving to near Silver City, NM or to near Oracle, AZ.
Jon
I plan to retire soon and am thinking about moving to near Silver City, NM or to near Oracle, AZ.
Jon
I've been pretty happy in Athens, GA. 1.5 hrs to the mountains, an hour to Atlanta, not much snow, and a college town so there is always something going on. It does get pretty damn hot though in the summer. Because of that, I might go north some, but then again the chances of snow get higher in the winter. Anywhere around Chattanooga, northern Georgia, Greenville SC, or North Carolina would be nice.
Chattanooga's nice, I lived there for about a year when I got out of the Air Force. As a bonus, there's no state income tax in Tennessee.
Mals
Mals
How about another country as a possibility? Not sure I'd actually do it, but moving to someplace like Montevideo, Uruguay, would be interesting. Nice temperate climate, large ex-pat community, low cost of living, great infrastructure (roads, internet, health care), good government, and all of South America to explore by bike. There is incredible riding in Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
I live in NC; it�s very nice. Western NC (around Asheville) would be fabulous. There is a lot going on in Asheville, some wonderful restaurants, good music, lots of outdoor activities, etc. NC, TN, VA, and WV have superb riding, too.
I live in NC; it�s very nice. Western NC (around Asheville) would be fabulous. There is a lot going on in Asheville, some wonderful restaurants, good music, lots of outdoor activities, etc. NC, TN, VA, and WV have superb riding, too.
[image: View Post]Earthshake, on 29 November 2010 - 04:57 PM, said:
Great riding you say...Eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, northeast Georgia, northwest South Carolina. I moved to Greenville, SC twenty years ago and I like it here more each day.
I agree. Greenville is a great place to retire too. The mountains are just north of Greenville and fantastic.
HS was right the Flagstaff area gives you plenty of great places to ride to....and the cost of housing will run you out.
The South Eastern states have much to offer. Good roads shorter winters and SEC Football. :cheerleader: However the South is still depressed, Southern Georgia and Northern Florida are as beautiful as it is poor. So you can not be a bleeding heart and live there. Great places have been mentioned like Greenville and Ashville are in the heart of good riding but, the cost of housing is climbing fast. These hippy like towns have been number one picks for years now and deliver the culture but, at a cost as they grow. Maybe you can find a nice condo witha sweet garage so you don't have to worry about cutting grass while riding south for gumbo... :fing02: If I had the time to look I might start in these areas and look an hour away. The roads around Gatlenburg are great in any direction just be sure you can handle being in a dry county or move just outside one. Alabama did not get alot of mention but it should, the area is beautiful but in the same economic area as the rest. Still it is worth a look. Barber Race Track lives there.
Again HS is right about Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas. The land is great the roads are great but, it does get winter blasts that snap from Springfield all the way to St. Louis. One place I forgot to toss out there Branson Missouri. This is just the area HS was talking about. I really like cycling in this area as much as riding the motorcycle. The roads are twisty and climb up and down. For a sick in the head cyclist like me, it is the perfect place to suffer. the area offers housing of all types. The culture is not too bad. This is a place that should be on your list to look at. Don't forget to take in a show or two when you visit. Really it has a lot to offer. You do get taxed here but, then again you are not in a poor as dirt state like Illinois right now. Oh, and if you ever want to be an artist or maybe you are and artist, then Branson is a good place to relax. You can work part time as a blacksmith in Silver Dollar City or make stained glass in Branson.
MY SUGGESTION go see it all first. VISIT the VFRD members and see for yourself. Stop by, I will buy ya a beer.
The South Eastern states have much to offer. Good roads shorter winters and SEC Football. :cheerleader: However the South is still depressed, Southern Georgia and Northern Florida are as beautiful as it is poor. So you can not be a bleeding heart and live there. Great places have been mentioned like Greenville and Ashville are in the heart of good riding but, the cost of housing is climbing fast. These hippy like towns have been number one picks for years now and deliver the culture but, at a cost as they grow. Maybe you can find a nice condo witha sweet garage so you don't have to worry about cutting grass while riding south for gumbo... :fing02: If I had the time to look I might start in these areas and look an hour away. The roads around Gatlenburg are great in any direction just be sure you can handle being in a dry county or move just outside one. Alabama did not get alot of mention but it should, the area is beautiful but in the same economic area as the rest. Still it is worth a look. Barber Race Track lives there.
Again HS is right about Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas. The land is great the roads are great but, it does get winter blasts that snap from Springfield all the way to St. Louis. One place I forgot to toss out there Branson Missouri. This is just the area HS was talking about. I really like cycling in this area as much as riding the motorcycle. The roads are twisty and climb up and down. For a sick in the head cyclist like me, it is the perfect place to suffer. the area offers housing of all types. The culture is not too bad. This is a place that should be on your list to look at. Don't forget to take in a show or two when you visit. Really it has a lot to offer. You do get taxed here but, then again you are not in a poor as dirt state like Illinois right now. Oh, and if you ever want to be an artist or maybe you are and artist, then Branson is a good place to relax. You can work part time as a blacksmith in Silver Dollar City or make stained glass in Branson.
MY SUGGESTION go see it all first. VISIT the VFRD members and see for yourself. Stop by, I will buy ya a beer.
[image: View Post]rufussrgnt, on 29 November 2010 - 06:57 PM, said:
As an added bonus if you are an idiot, you don't have to wear a helmet in SC. Speaking of which, do any VFR riders ride without helmets?Idiot? At times. But I always (without fail) wear a helmet. I'm too ugly to ride without one. :biggrin:
[image: View Post]Ottoman, on 29 November 2010 - 07:18 PM, said:
[image: View Post]rufussrgnt, on 29 November 2010 - 06:57 PM, said:
As an added bonus if you are an idiot, you don't have to wear a helmet in SC. Speaking of which, do any VFR riders ride without helmets?Were you expecting a lot of responses to this interogatory?
I never know what to expect here on VFRD, but it's always interesting!
End of thread · 30 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 12 Dec 2010