If you could snap your fingers and live anywhere in the world...

[Missy]

This is the million dollar question IMO. Where to go? Where to retire? Stay put or move somewhere far away or not that far away? Challenging question because there is no "ideal" place. Unlike flawless diamonds there are no cities anywhere in the world that are flawless. They each have their pros and cons. My DH and I have been discussing this for many years now and we have come to the realization that no "perfect" place exists. Not even "perfect for us". There are positives and negatives to each potential area.

No Sleep till Brooklyn! is where I would be.

Haha I love Brooklyn Kate and if you moved here I would be less likely to leave!
I also love the Jersey shore so right now we do have the best of both worlds and the weather while it isn't perfect isn't too terrible generally. But the expense is high in both places we live. Very high.

My DH and I are looking for (not in this order):

1. Temperate weather. 50s/60s/70s and dry and sunny more days than not though I love cloudy days if it doesn't rain but for a few days a month.

2. Excellent health care, excellent physicians and hospitals within a relatively close area

3. Good shopping ie Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Fairway, something similar to these stores if not exactly these stores.

4. Cultural, recreational and educational proximity. A vibrant economy. I want to be close to an urban area where there are museums, shows, libraries etc

5. Cost of living. Can we afford a good quality of life and not break the proverbial bank.

7. Low crime rate.

8. Good public transport system and walkability too.

9. A minimum of natural disasters so that leaves a lot of places out. Right now we have some natural disasters (ie hurricanes/NEasters etc.) but we don't experience major earthquakes (mild ones only so far), mudslides, fires and other big potential disasters. It is important that if we move we don't move someplace that has more or worse natural disasters than we already experience.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

This is the million dollar question IMO. Where to go? Where to retire? Stay put or move somewhere far away or not that far away? Challenging question because there is no "ideal" place. Unlike flawless diamonds there are no cities anywhere in the world that are flawless. They each have their pros and cons. My DH and I have been discussing this for many years now and we have come to the realization that no "perfect" place exists. Not even "perfect for us". There are positives and negatives to each potential area.




Haha I love Brooklyn and if you moved here I would be less likely to leave!
I also love the Jersey shore so right now we do have the best of both worlds and the weather while it isn't perfect isn't too terrible generally. But the expense is high in both places we live. Very high.

My DH and I are looking for (not in this order):

1. Temperate weather. 50s/60s/70s and dry and sunny more days than not though I love cloudy days if it doesn't rain but for a few days a month.

2. Excellent health care, excellent physicians and hospitals within a relatively close area

3. Good shopping ie Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Fairway, something similar to these stores if not exactly these stores.

4. Cultural, recreational and educational proximity. A vibrant economy. I want to be close to an urban area where there are museums, shows, libraries etc

5. Cost of living. Can we afford a good quality of life and not break the proverbial bank.

7. Low crime rate.

8. Good public transport system and walkability too.

I can't think of any where that has more than half of those
NYC looks pretty amazing to me

 

[Missy]

I can't think of any where that has more than half of those
NYC looks pretty amazing to me

Yes we do have most of the things on my wish list here. All but perfect weather and low cost of living. It's not bad (but not perfect lol) and we do have some amazing spring/summer/autumn/winter days. I love change of seasons! The cost of living here however is pretty astronomical. Our property taxes at our beach home is nuts and our maintenance charges in Brooklyn even more nuts. But I am grateful that we can afford both homes (for now) and am just looking towards the future and when Greg retires and not sure keeping both (or either) is the smartest thing to do. Not sure it isn't though. LOL it's a conundrum indeed.

 

[Missy]

Another requirement I forgot to list is we need a diverse population. I wouldn't feel comfortable in a homogeneous population. For many reasons. I grew up in a heterogeneous population and have lived in one most of my life. Only for a short while I lived where it was homogenous and I did not care for it. I did not fit in and I was not at home so to speak. And I also feel the need to be around people who are socially liberal. I am very tolerant of others as long as they are tolerant of different views. I find (many not all) people who are socially conservative are difficult to be around. JMO.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Yes we do have most of the things on my wish list here. All but perfect weather and low cost of living. It's not bad (but not perfect lol) and we do have some amazing spring/summer/autumn/winter days. I love change of seasons! The cost of living here however is pretty astronomical. Our property taxes at our beach home is nuts and our maintenance charges in Brooklyn even more nuts. But I am grateful that we can afford both homes (for now) and am just looking towards the future and when Greg retires and not sure keeping both (or either) is the smartest thing to do. Not sure it isn't though. LOL it's a conundrum indeed.

We call property taxes rates
I have heard they are high in NJ

they are just the worst thing about living here and also our insurance is exspensive because it floods....even though where we live it would never flood this high and back from the river
Public transport exists - to some degree but is nowhere near what was available in the Wellington region which has the best public transport in NZ

 

[Beautiful-disaster]

This is the million dollar question IMO. Where to go? Where to retire? Stay put or move somewhere far away or not that far away? Challenging question because there is no "ideal" place. Unlike flawless diamonds there are no cities anywhere in the world that are flawless. They each have their pros and cons. My DH and I have been discussing this for many years now and we have come to the realization that no "perfect" place exists. Not even "perfect for us". There are positives and negatives to each potential area.





Haha I love Brooklyn Kate and if you moved here I would be less likely to leave!
I also love the Jersey shore so right now we do have the best of both worlds and the weather while it isn't perfect isn't too terrible generally. But the expense is high in both places we live. Very high.

My DH and I are looking for (not in this order):

1. Temperate weather. 50s/60s/70s and dry and sunny more days than not though I love cloudy days if it doesn't rain but for a few days a month.

2. Excellent health care, excellent physicians and hospitals within a relatively close area

3. Good shopping ie Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Fairway, something similar to these stores if not exactly these stores.

4. Cultural, recreational and educational proximity. A vibrant economy. I want to be close to an urban area where there are museums, shows, libraries etc

5. Cost of living. Can we afford a good quality of life and not break the proverbial bank.

7. Low crime rate.

8. Good public transport system and walkability too.

9. A minimum of natural disasters so that leaves a lot of places out. Right now we have some natural disasters (ie hurricanes/NEasters etc.) but we don't experience major earthquakes (mild ones only so far), mudslides, fires and other big potential disasters. It is important that if we move we don't move someplace that has more or worse natural disasters than we already experience.

Sydney has all of that with the exception of *affordability*..... that said with the Aussie dollar against the US dollar your retirement fund would go a lot further, and if you had investments over there (like renting a house you own) then you would be laughing.
We really do have it all here - it can get a little hot (but I love the heat) and the wildlife can get a little on the extreme side of things but if your in Sydney it’s cooler on the coast near the beaches and harbour and the wildlife tends to stay away.

A lot of people like my husband’s parents stay in Australia in their older years specifically for the health care even though they want to go home.

I must say the one thing that really hurts Australia is the distance.
It’s really far so you end up not seeing family for years and it costs a lot of money to keep traveling to see them.

 

[Missy]

Sydney has all of that with the exception of *affordability*..... that said with the Aussie dollar against the US dollar your retirement fund would go a lot further, and if you had investments over there (like renting a house you own) then you would be laughing.
We really do have it all here - it can get a little hot (but I love the heat) and the wildlife can get a little on the extreme side of things but if your in Sydney it’s cooler on the coast near the beaches and harbour and the wildlife tends to stay away.

A lot of people like my husband’s parents stay in Australia in their older years specifically for the health care even though they want to go home.

I must say the one thing that really hurts Australia is the distance.
It’s really far so you end up not seeing family for years and it costs a lot of money to keep traveling to see them.

It sounds amazing but I’m not sure we’d be welcome to move there. We’re older and my DH isn’t going to be working much longer most likely so we have little to offer to Australia.

And as you mentioned it’s far from our loved ones.

 

[Yelena]

Tough, tough question. Wanaka in New Zealand is pretty special, especially from Spring through to Autumn. Hobart in Tasmania is gorgeous and it’s a short flight to Melbourne or even Sydney for a weekend in the big smoke. Parts of Northern NSW are lovely too although I don’t think I would want to raise my child there given that there is a lot of unemployment there, so scratch that one. Esperance in WA is gorgeous but maybe a bit too remote. BTW I am talking about places in Australia (apart from Wanaka of course). It’s hard really. I am pretty lucky living where I live already - South East Queensland.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Tough, tough question. Wanaka in New Zealand is pretty special, especially from Spring through to Autumn. Hobart in Tasmania is gorgeous and it’s a short flight to Melbourne or even Sydney for a weekend in the big smoke. Parts of Northern NSW are lovely too although I don’t think I would want to raise my child there given that there is a lot of unemployment there, so scratch that one. Esperance in WA is gorgeous but maybe a bit too remote. BTW I am talking about places in Australia (apart from Wanaka of course). It’s hard really. I am pretty lucky living where I live already - South East Queensland.

I love Wanaka, spent time there as a teenager
Just adore central Otago but its got pretty unaffordable housing wise
always loved Alex and Cornwall

 

[Yelena]

Another requirement I forgot to list is we need a diverse population. I wouldn't feel comfortable in a homogeneous population. For many reasons. I grew up in a heterogeneous population and have lived in one most of my life. Only for a short while I lived where it was homogenous and I did not care for it. I did not fit in and I was not at home so to speak. And I also feel the need to be around people who are socially liberal. I am very tolerant of others as long as they are tolerant of different views. I find (many not all) people who are socially conservative are difficult to be around. JMO.

Sydney or Melbourne would fit the bill for you, or even Brisbane nowadays, although Brisbane would seem very quiet coming from NY.

 

[Missy]

Sydney or Melbourne would fit the bill for you, or even Brisbane nowadays, although Brisbane would seem very quiet coming from NY.

If only...

 

[Mekp]

I'm in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. I'm pretty content here, I wouldn't want to move.

 

[Made in London]

There are too many beautiful places for me to only choose one,so I vote to flit from place to place as the mood takes me!

 

[AprilBaby]

If you have ever been to Asbury Park I think you would feel differently!

 

[AprilBaby]

Junfrau in the Alps of Switzerland, Hearing the cow bells every morning and feeling like I live in Heaven on earth.

 

[Tekate]

Now for just sheer beauty Missy, sheer love of nature, sheer feeling of calmness and peace I would live in New Zealand, it was really magical there.. But my Chris is in Brooklyn and I miss him.. Really we both know Missy, the best home is where our hearts are. xoxo

This is the million dollar question IMO. Where to go? Where to retire? Stay put or move somewhere far away or not that far away? Challenging question because there is no "ideal" place. Unlike flawless diamonds there are no cities anywhere in the world that are flawless. They each have their pros and cons. My DH and I have been discussing this for many years now and we have come to the realization that no "perfect" place exists. Not even "perfect for us". There are positives and negatives to each potential area.


Haha I love Brooklyn Kate and if you moved here I would be less likely to leave!
I also love the Jersey shore so right now we do have the best of both worlds and the weather while it isn't perfect isn't too terrible generally. But the expense is high in both places we live. Very high.

My DH and I are looking for (not in this order):

1. Temperate weather. 50s/60s/70s and dry and sunny more days than not though I love cloudy days if it doesn't rain but for a few days a month.

2. Excellent health care, excellent physicians and hospitals within a relatively close area

3. Good shopping ie Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Fairway, something similar to these stores if not exactly these stores.

4. Cultural, recreational and educational proximity. A vibrant economy. I want to be close to an urban area where there are museums, shows, libraries etc

5. Cost of living. Can we afford a good quality of life and not break the proverbial bank.

7. Low crime rate.

8. Good public transport system and walkability too.

9. A minimum of natural disasters so that leaves a lot of places out. Right now we have some natural disasters (ie hurricanes/NEasters etc.) but we don't experience major earthquakes (mild ones only so far), mudslides, fires and other big potential disasters. It is important that if we move we don't move someplace that has more or worse natural disasters than we already experience.

 

[Austina]

If everything goes to plan, we will be moving to Austin, Tx next year. It’ll be quite a change from our home here in England, but that’s where our son and future DIL live, and they want us to move close by.

 

[SallyBrown]

Yes we do have most of the things on my wish list here. All but perfect weather and low cost of living. It's not bad (but not perfect lol) and we do have some amazing spring/summer/autumn/winter days. I love change of seasons! The cost of living here however is pretty astronomical. Our property taxes at our beach home is nuts and our maintenance charges in Brooklyn even more nuts. But I am grateful that we can afford both homes (for now) and am just looking towards the future and when Greg retires and not sure keeping both (or either) is the smartest thing to do. Not sure it isn't though. LOL it's a conundrum indeed.

As a kid we moved all over the country. I lived for a few years in Queens, NY in the 1970’s. I remember our rowhouse rent was $370/mo. That rowhouse recently sold for over $750,000

I have a lot of fond memories of NYC then, even though it was a very bad time for the city. I’ve often thought of moving back, though it’s just too expensive for us.

 

[Begonia]

Pretty happy on Vancouver Island but having a cottage on one of the Southern gulf islands would be nice.

Grew up going to cabin near Jasper and that was magical. Sigh.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

If you have ever been to Asbury Park I think you would feel differently!

Its Bruce Springsteen central
Its the holy land
Or Its like Mecca

 

[GliderPoss]

Probably Switzerland but honestly Oz ain't half bad!

 

[arkieb1]

I live in South East Queensland, I've travelled all over the world and I live exactly where I want to....

I lived in Sydney for 7 years, and I prefer the fact people are friendlier, the climate is better and it is quieter than Sydney, where I live now.

If I couldn't live here I love parts of Italy, Vietnam, New Zealand and Canada as other choices. Maybe the US if your president changes.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

A colleague of mine moved to work in Lausanne for a year. Sounded perfect.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Yelena]

I live in South East Queensland, I've travelled all over the world and I live exactly where I want to....

I lived in Sydney for 7 years, and I prefer the fact people are friendlier, the climate is better and it is quieter than Sydney, where I live now.

If I couldn't live here I love parts of Italy, Vietnam, New Zealand and Canada as other choices. Maybe the US if your president changes.

Hello neighbour, I’m in SE Qld as well. I agree that it’s hard to find somewhere better with all of the services that we have access to here. Although I just wish that I could escape the month of January and February. It’s too hot for too long nowadays.

 

[voce]

If I didn't have to consider anyone else's opinions, definitely New Zealand. The varied geography, clean environment, friendly English-speaking people, and proximity to Asia if I feel like traveling make New Zealand an ideal place to retire.

 

[Missy]

Now for just sheer beauty Missy, sheer love of nature, sheer feeling of calmness and peace I would live in New Zealand, it was really magical there.. But my Chris is in Brooklyn and I miss him.. Really we both know Missy, the best home is where our hearts are. xoxo

Truer words were never spoken. No matter where we end up as long as we are with our loved ones that truly is home.

 

[Missy]

As a kid we moved all over the country. I lived for a few years in Queens, NY in the 1970’s. I remember our rowhouse rent was $370/mo. That rowhouse recently sold for over $750,000

I have a lot of fond memories of NYC then, even though it was a very bad time for the city. I’ve often thought of moving back, though it’s just too expensive for us.

I love NYC. I was born in Brooklyn and lived in Manhattan for a decade and only lived outside of NYC for a few years during which time I missed it. You know that saying? You can take the girl out of Brooklyn (add anywhere in NYC here actually) but you cannot take the Brooklyn out of the girl. If we do move away I will always think of Brooklyn as my home.

 

[Missy]

Its Bruce Springsteen central
Its the holy land
Or Its like Mecca

Haha I am there every day but I have to admit your photo is the best photo I have seen of this. It is gorgeous IRL too though and it is a special part of the USA IMO.

Here's a photo I took a while back. Sorry it's a bit blurry.

 

[monarch64]

I’d live on a yacht with easy access to a private jet and have a few home bases on several continents.

Can’t imagine limiting myself to any one place!

 

[Musia]

Update. Now we are moving to Montana, S. Carolina or Georgia. Because my husband said so. My heart belongs to N. Carolina, maybe later he will agree to move there? His boss wants to move to Canada or Czech Republic, everyone would be working from home of course.