States to retire

[Smawgunner2]

We’ll be retiring in a few years and we’re kicking around WV, AR, KY, western NC and maybe TN. I’ve been looking at real estate and although WV is my top pick, there isn’t as much choice as say AR. Any feedback from these states would be appreciated. Which would be your top pick and why?

 

[Clay Showalter]

We are moving to the Shenandoah valley about 30 miles north of Harrisonburg, VA about 10 miles from WV state line. I is a nice remote area in the mountains but not far from stuff. If we didn't need to stay about 2 hours from DC I would look further northwest in WV, in the moorefield, petersburg area.

 

[Buckmaster]

Lowest cost of living is WV.

 

[Sauger]

This all truly depends on what your needs and wants are. If you want the most bang for the buck it's going to be WV and Eastern KY. As for me I have said for the past 5 years the next #1buck will come out of KY at some point

 

[hickslawns]

Lots of people look to TN for tax reasons. I follow several "move to Tennessee" groups on Facebook. Sure seems like their population is growing. Making housing crazy high. Sounds like there are small pockets where people left CA and are trying to turn TN into CA. Do some digging if you want a conservative area. I'd hate to move and realize all my neighbors were CA transplants. Lol (Worthy of repeating: small pockets. A town here or there.)

I love Kentucky. Plenty of family there. I don't hear as much about them as a retirement destination. Definitely a sleeper state for bucks. Eastern KY has some cheap ground but pretty rugged in places. Beautiful country though.

 

["J"]

Taxation, housing/insurance costs. Availability of decent healthcare in the area you’ll be looking at. Western NC got pummeled last fall and it’ll be a while before back to normal is reached. NC is a red state , but magenta could not be far away. Lots of more liberal transplants are arriving. You have 3-4 areas driving the political landscape, like you do in Ohio.

 

[Smawgunner2]

Thanks all. We are looking for a red…mostly red state. Ideally we’d like no visible neighbors but still be 20 minutes from Lowe’s, grocery store etc. Tennessee is almost too hot (Arkansas is too…it’s last on the list). A VA hospital would be a bonus.
I hear ya about NC, especially in towns like Asheville. We’re almost looking for that pearl in a mountain of oysters but I know it’s out there.

 

[Stressless]

@Smawgunner2 if you have a military retirement and/or VA rating make sure to look those benefits up and how the State applies taxation to it.

MOAA’s Military State Report Card and Tax Guide

MOAA's state-by-state assessment evaluates several key indicators of military friendliness in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

www.moaa.org

 

[Buckmaster]

Over the top is Thailand or the Philippines. Can live on $20k there.

 

[Clay Showalter]

Taxation, housing/insurance costs. Availability of decent healthcare in the area you’ll be looking at. Western NC got pummeled last fall and it’ll be a while before back to normal is reached. NC is a red state , but magenta could not be far away. Lots of more liberal transplants are arriving. You have 3-4 areas driving the political landscape, like you do in Ohio.

NC is red for national elections, magenta/blue statewide elections for sure, it is really screwed up, 2 republican senators, 10/14 house representatives republicans, has only voted blue for president twice since 1968, yet over the same time period only elected 3 republican governors. I have never understood it.

 

[Clay Showalter]

Thanks all. We are looking for a red…mostly red state. Ideally we’d like no visible neighbors but still be 20 minutes from Lowe’s, grocery store etc. Tennessee is almost too hot (Arkansas is too…it’s last on the list). A VA hospital would be a bonus.
I hear ya about NC, especially in towns like Asheville. We’re almost looking for that pearl in a mountain of oysters but I know it’s out there.

I need to send you info about the mountains, as a native you spends lots of time in the mountains I can assure there are lots of great red places. Asheville is the exception for sure, except maybe for Highlands, Cashiers area.

Southwest Virginia is a great choice also, the land values are significantly less than most parts of WNC. There are VA clinics in that part of the state.

 

["J"]

The VA community outreach programs are also going to get better under this administration as well. So this can be a little bit of an expansion to the area you’re looking for.