More Opinions on the Worst States to Retire

Lists are popular with online readers. This is particularly true for those contemplating where to retire. I often link to lists of the best and worst places to retire and comment on them. Often our home state of Tennessee appears on a top 10 “best” list but sometimes on a “worst” list. It depends on how you prioritize retirement criteria. For example, Tennessee is economically favorable for retirement because of its low cost of living and no state income tax.

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Ranking the 50 States for Retirement 2011

I’m not sure how many people make retirement living decisions based on lists of the best places to retire. I do believe that baby boomers like reading these lists. I know I do. The publishers know this as well because it seems that everyone has a retirement destination list or ranking to share. Recently, I found a list that ranked every state according to its pros and cons for retirees.

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Retirement Locations, Weather and Environmental Hazards

This has been interesting week. An earthquake along the east coast. Another in Colorado. Meanwhile, hurricane Irene is bearing down on the Atlantic coast. Let’s not forget the horrendous flooding along the Mississippi in April and May and the later Missouri River flooding. These events tend to make us consider whether environmental hazards and adverse weather conditions should influence the “where to retire” decision.

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Craigslist Car Selling Tips

As part of our ongoing downsizing efforts, we have sold a dozen or so items on Craigslist over the past few months. Furniture, bicycles, a jukebox and today, a car. It was an interesting experience to say the least. Even from this single experience, I learned a few things about Craigslist car shoppers that some of you might find interesting.

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Downsizing Through Craigslist

This week was a “downsizing week.” I made our first attempt to sell-off unneeded items that were taking up space in the basement level and garage. I took photographs of the items to be sold, opened a Craigslist account (free), learned how to post items for sale with photos (easy), and off I went.

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Vacation Home Bargains?

Some real estate experts believe now is a good time to buy a vacation home because second home prices have declined.  I wrote about finding deals in affordable vacation homes two years ago. More recently, CNN/Money published a slide show of homes currently for sale that (according to CNN) are located in vacation destinations. Read more

Deciding Where to Retire: Spousal Conflicts

Do you anticipate conflicts with your spouse when deciding where to retire? Do you already have differences of opinion? Has it caused you to push the “where should we retire?” question to the background? The Wall Street Journal published an interesting article this past week on this very subject.  Read more

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Retirement Home?

With real estate values depressed, some boomers may be thinking that this is a good time to buy a retirement home. I think there is a lot of logic to that plan, if executed correctly. Read more

Beware of Tougher Mortgage Lending Requirements for Condos

Condominiums have a lot of appeal to some retirees and baby boomers looking to downsize. We are brand new condo owners ourselves. I’m not going to review in this post all of the potential benefits and drawbacks of condominium living, because we are still learning. So far, so good for us. However, other potential condo buyers out there need to be aware of new mortgage lending standards being applied.

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Retire in One of America’s Most Affordable Cities

Forbes likes to publish rankings of places and things based on economic factors. Some are quite helpful to potential retirees and down-sizers, including a recent list of America’s Most Affordable Cities. Read more

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