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WHEN MOST PEOPLE retire, they have a good idea where they’ll live. It might be where they currently reside, or where they vacation, or a place near their children or grandchildren. Whatever the case, there’s usually a limited number of possibilities.
But what if you move to a new city for the last two years of your working life, never vacation in the same place twice, don’t own a vacation home, are childless and—upon retirement—sell your home, sell most of your stuff, pack the rest in a POD and then travel the world for the next year?
In that scenario, which just happens to be one that my wife and I found ourselves in, the world is a blank canvas and identifying a new home becomes just a little more complicated.
One option could have been to review articles such as Kiplinger’s “The Best Places to Retire in the World,” and then plan accordingly. Or maybe a spreadsheet could be created that compares different locations. But instead, Susan and I decided to take a less analytical and more Kerouacian approach. We would hit the road, man, and personally interview cities until one made the scene. Can you dig it?
We, of course, were looking for that perfect candidate—you know, the one with low taxes, modest housing costs, reasonable cost of living, great culture, James Beard award-winning restaurants, outstanding health care and an airport with direct flights to Paris, Tokyo and Hawaii.
I was immediately attracted to cities in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming for the obvious reason: taxes. All but Washington were summarily dismissed due to the increased possibility of heat stroke, frost bite or cabin fever. Even Washington was eventually overlooked, because we never made it that far west.
After touring cities like Ann Arbor and Boulder, I realized that the successful candidate needed a certain amount of grit. Not too much, as there is a fine line between “urban lifestyle” and some half-naked guy screaming obscenities in the middle of the street. I wanted a dynamic interaction of races and cultures, access to decent pizza and some city noise. Not necessarily the sound of gun shots, but maybe a siren every now and again.
In our search for grit, Detroit was interviewed. The city had fallen on hard times and therefore I thought it might make for a strong candidate. It had a decent tax structure, though with much more sprawl than I imagined. The downtown had bottomed out a few years earlier, and was now filled with activity and a significant number of cranes.
In fact, the area was becoming quite fashionable. As it turns out, maybe too fashionable, as real estate prices were soaring. I also happened to interview Pulitzer-prize-winning, man-on-the-street journalist Charlie LeDuff, who informed me that much of the “new” Detroit was a facade, built on debt and endemic corruption.
Denver looked quite promising, with a good tax structure, some grit and no humidity. Unfortunately, the word was out, and property values reflected it, plus it was too late in life to learn to ski or develop a daily skin-care regimen.
Pittsburgh, another city the Flacks didn’t choose
Pittsburgh also looked promising, with affordable real estate, cultural offerings and a fair amount of grit. It’s actually quite picturesque and ranked as the second most “livable city in the U.S.” by The Economist. We visited in the fall and the weather was decent, though locals informed us the winter can be a little “chilly,” with more than a little “precipitation.” And, oh yeah, air quality could be an issue. Still, it was shortlisted.
It was starting to get a little cold, so I figured a little southern sojourn was in order. Savannah was purely an informational interview. I knew going in that it wouldn’t make the cut. Yes, it’s easy to fall in love with the place: the food, the hospitality, the city squares and the laid back way of life. I even found myself looking at real estate. But then a few days of warm, humid weather set me straight, reminding me of my two years in Houston: the four months of fall never made up for the eight months of summer.
After a stopover in Texas to vote, we decided to hunker down in Kansas City to ride out the pandemic. While the tax structure in the Paris of the Plains wasn’t optimal, housing costs were quite reasonable, it had good health care and everybody was really, really nice.
Kansas City, where the wandering Flacks finally settled
We ended up falling in love with the neighborhood where we were staying. It had a small town feel, but was located a five-minute walk from a downtown area, and it offered the perfect amount of grit. Unfortunately, none of the houses we looked at was worthy.
But then, just as the interview was drawing to a close, we came across a modern townhouse condo filled with light, a dramatic three-story staircase and an owner who was in a hurry to sell. In the end, the specific house and neighborhood were the deciding factors. Also, it may have been that the road was getting just a little old and we were hankering to put down some roots.
Looking for the perfect retirement location is much like investing in the stock market. All the information is very public, with a never-ending discussion in The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger and a sizable portion of the internet. Result? Finding that income-tax-free beach community, offering low property taxes, low home values and low cost of living, plus a symphony hall and the Mayo Clinic nearby, is much like finding that wide moat, high-yield, increasing dividend, tax-advantaged security that’s selling at a 13% discount.
You may wonder about the one criterion I didn’t mention during the interview process: politics. When I once mentioned the desire to live in San Francisco, a friend dismissed it as “too liberal.” I agree. But I’d live there in a New York minute if it weren’t for the ridiculous cost of living. Before some of you say “exactly,” one thing I learned during the interview process: Almost every city of any size leans just a little to that side of the political spectrum. If you want urban, it comes with the territory.
Michael Flack blogs at AfterActionReport.info. He’s a former naval officer and 20-year veteran of the oil and gas industry. Now retired, Mike enjoys traveling, blogging and spreadsheets. Check out his earlier articles.
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A “three-story staircase” for a retiree? Hmm. Most would rule that out. I’ve seen the most beautiful homes that the owners had to leave because of knee problems later in life.
Too bad you missed out on western Washington, Michael. It’s very beautiful and tax friendly, and it’s impossible to contract heat stroke, frost bite and cabin fever. Might get a little moldy from the soft rain, but I actually enjoy walking in it.
Mike Gaynes, after visiting Seattle a year ago, western Washington definitely should have been short-listed.
Congratulation on finding the place to put the root down.
I was surprised you limited your search to the United States.
James McGlynn CFA RICP®, we kept an eye out along the way. Lisbon looked promising, but it was too far away and there’s always the health care issue.
According to an article in the Washington Post you might have done better for health care in Portugal.
My wife and I are 60, no kids, still working (a little) and just moved from Atlanta to a large gated golf community 20 min from Savannah Ga proper. No doubt it is sticky hot in june – late September but it might be a workable solution for us. as an avid skier, I like the mtn west a lot but decided for the near term i can get there in winter without having to move there or buy overpriced real estate and a be stuck in 1 place.
I agree with your thinking. I grew up in SC and went to college in Charleston, which has a lot in common with Savannah. When I was much younger I always thought I’d end up in Charleston or the low country generally. Yes, it can be hot and humid, but not as humid as Abu Dhabi/Dubai and Houston, where I spent some time as well; these things are relative. I wouldn’t rule Charleston or Savannah out on a heat and humidity basis, but my wife would/has.
Bo Simmons, Savannah is too beautiful (and too sticky).
I thoroughly enjoyed your writing. I’m retired AF and grew up in STL. I assume the Kansas City to which you moved is in Missouri (not KS), your missive didn’t make that clear. KC, KS is kind of a cow town.
My long ago plan was to retire in San Francisco or London, but occasional forays into SF over the last 25 years convinced me otherwise and London was just too far from our only kid. The Sierra Nevada foothills is darn near perfect!
We found the Sierra foothills generally to be too far from good medical care and much too high in fire danger.
jdean, KC, MO. As a famous man might say, there are two Kanas Cities . . . . not that many people know that. Thanks for reading and Fly . . .Navy!
I’ve posted this before but it’s amazing how often it comes into play.
From the Leave It To Beaver TV Program
Beaver: Gee, there’s something wrong with just about everything, isn’t there Dad?
Ward: Just about, Beav.
Hope you like KC. I grew up 90 miles south of there and am partial to the area.
Although I haven’t visited all of these cities, most of them were on my short list. Minneapolis is still on my list. I assume you ruled out the Twin Cities because of frost bite.
AmeliaRose, finally settling in a city, is much like buying a house: you have to give up the option to live in every other city. We never interviewed the Twin Cities, though I’d heard good things. Maybe a little cold, though it gets cold in Kansas City.
Will be following the comments to this article.
Mike, you are too funny! My husband and I also did a smaller scale “interview by going there” process. One criteria that was important was relatively easy access to an international airport. Not only did we love to travel, but one of our adult children and his kids live in Asia, probably permanently. I’d heard too many stories of lost luggage and missed flights when connecting from small domestic airports (which we have to do upon arrival in Asia – didn’t want to do it at both ends). Our final choice here in NE PA is 90-120 minutes drive from all three NYC airports, with public transportation a longer but available option. I miss the grit of my hometown but, again, drivable as well as bus and train available when I need a fix of “urban.” 😀 Hope KC has a big enough airport to get you where you’re going without hassle.
Linda Grady, the KC airport (MCI) leaves something to be desired – you can’t have it all.
New KC Airport opened in March 2023.
Unfortunately, I can remember when KCI was built. It was state of the art, kind of like a 1972 computer would have been at the time they were both built. Conceptually it was impressive. From a practical standpoint it didn’t play out over the years.
SanLouisKid, the new MCI is state of the art. Now if I can just get it to fly me someplace I want to go to . . . direct.
Another option, once you’re retired and have time, is to stop off on the way. There are direct flights to London and Paris from my home-town airport, but even if I’m flying to Europe I might spend a few days in D.C., New York or Boston on the way over. Flying to Asia I’ve stopped off in Vancouver.
Hong Kong was the stop off both coming and going this year. Beautiful, beautiful city- it had been 15 or more years since my last visit there. Tokyo and, yes, Vancouver, are other options to break it up a little.
mytimetotravel, great minds think alike . . .
https://humbledollar.com/2023/07/the-frugal-flaneur/
What? You didn’t consider good old New Joisey?
The only reason we moved was because we lived in a three story house. This may not be your forever retirement home, but good luck.
R Quinn, I love the Garden State, my Mom lived there for many years. A little on the expensive side.
Nice article, glad you’ve found somewhere you like, but really, three-story staircase? Definitely not age-in-place!
mytimetotravel, we’ll view it as benefit . . .until it isn’t
While the disadvantages of stairs are obvious, they aren’t a problem for a large share of those of us who are older. In fact, stair climbing is an excellent exercise that has been shown to be prevent knee problems by strengthening leg muscles. A couple of years ago, a couple in their mid-60s rented one of our two-story properties a month before the wife had the first of two knee replacements. She was able to successfully resume climbing the stairs to the second floor less than two weeks after each of her surgeries.
It was only this year that my wife’s disability had progressed to the point where we decided to sell our multi-level home and move to a CCRN (we are 74 and 75). Even though we now live in an elevator building, I make a point of taking our dog up and down three flights of stairs the four times a day that I take him outside which I consider an important part of my daily exercise.
Stairs are fine until they’re not. I was doing great until my rheumatoid arthritis came out remission and I tore the meniscus in my left knee. Of course, the stairs were also a problem the year I broke my ankle, but I was young enough I managed without too much difficulty, couldn’t do that today.
I agree!
what she said…
If your wife happens to be crazy and little, watch out for Fats Domino. He has made it known that he is on his way to KC to acquire just such a person.
Fats does seem a charming, talented, and gentle soul. Evidence suggests that he isn’t your wife’s type.
Just kidding. I think you have the above qualities in abundance. Congrats on your new home.
Congrats on finding your happy place. If you don’t love rain and gray skies, it’s best to strike Washington from your short list.
Retiring in a home with 3 floors?
Great exercise! Benefits of Taking the Stairs
They may be retired but are hardly ‘retirement age’. They can enjoy the condo for 15 years and then sell for 2.2 million. But, you are right: stairs are one of several important points for those of us who are developing aging problems.
Mike, congratulations on your find. We’re coming up on a year as houseless nomads, on top of a previous year of extensive travel (>50% of the year). I can relate to so much of what you describe.
I know from your blog that you still travel a fair amount. We would also plan to keep traveling if we “settle” as well. To us right now, settling implies being in a place for a longish time, but not necessarily permanently. Do you anticipate KC being your “forever home,” or are you open to moving again in a few years?
Michael1, maybe some where in between forever and a few years.
Care to share your nomad year’s adventures?
I doubt I’ll muster the energy for a blog, but possibly an article here on HD.
Michael has a website where he documents his travel that I find enjoyable to read.
https://report44.wixsite.com/theafteractionreport
If Michael does, I fully expect it be as a HumbleDollar article!