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Post by Forever Sunshine on Sept 15, 2011 19:58:23 GMT -5
Each of these towns offers amenities galore for the post-work crowd -- plus a cost of living that's pretty darn sweet.
Marquette, Mich.
Population: 21,400
% over 50: 30%
Median home price: $145,000
Top state income tax: 4.35%*
Cost of living index: 95
As lovely as it sounds to sip margaritas on the beach, doing it year round can get old. This picturesque town on Michigan's Upper Peninsula offers outdoor fun for all seasons. With an average of 141 inches of snow a year, there's plenty of the white stuff for cross-country skiing and other winter sports. In summer, you can grab a kayak and start paddling on Lake Superior.
And when outdoor activities grow tiresome, you can count your savings. A new three-bedroom townhouse with panoramic lake views recently sold for about $375,000. That's more than twice the price of the typical home here -- but 30% less than a similar property might have cost near Seattle.
There's also plenty of low-cost and free activities. Retirees can take advantage of a wealth of offerings at Northern Michigan University in town. People 62 or older can attend classes free, and the affiliated Northern Center for Lifelong Learning offers low-cost diversions, from bird watching to dinner clubs.
If all that excitement causes heart palpitations, you're in the right place: Thomson Reuters ranks Marquette General Health System among the nation's top 50 cardiovascular hospitals.
money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/real_estate/1109/gallery.best_places_retire.moneymag/index.html
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Post by beags on Sept 18, 2011 9:46:43 GMT -5
It forgot to mention that most of the elderly in that area go away for the winter because they can't handle the cold. That and they don't like all that shoveling and snow blowing.
WTH are they thinking saying the elderly would love to retire there? Although the elderly can cool off just by sitting by the lake in the summer. The breeze blowing off the lake is cool even on a warm 90 degree day.
They are correct about the hospital though. Most likely the college also, that is if they don't mind all those young, sex driven, disease infected, disrespectful young college kids there. (you know how some elderly just can't tolerate the younger ones. . so judgemental without even getting to know the kids)
Hey, I think this report should send them to Houghton next . .more snow, still on Lake Superior, another college town, and hey beautiful ice sculptures.
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Post by beags on Sept 18, 2011 9:56:51 GMT -5
I think the elderly should have some fun, join the polar bear club. Then they can break through the ice and swim in Lake Superior in the winter.
IN the summer they can climb Sugarloaf Mountain (they made it easy now, provides steps all the way up it . . BORING, but good for the elderly). If they have more of an adventurous streak, they can follow those college students and jump off the top of it into Lake Superior.
There's also nothing like the challenge of trying to reach the lighthouse on a windy day. While walking over the rocks with some huge gaps in between, you can time out the waves. It's quite the challenge to battle the waves, keep your balance, and make it to the lighthouse on a windy day. If you want less of a challenge, just go out there on a calm day. Just making it over some of those gaps with short legs is challenge enough.
But I must caution people of trying to get to the lighthouse on a windy day. Lake Superior is extremely cold. The waves hit with enough force that they can knock you off the rocks. The cold can take your breath away, the waves will push you under, and you CAN hit a rock and knock yourself out. Did I mention drowning? You better be a strong swimmer if you want to handle that lighthouse walk on a windy day.
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Post by beags on Sept 18, 2011 10:02:27 GMT -5
IF you want to know anything else about Marquette Mi, just ask. hey they can head over to Munising and go on the Pictured Rocks tour. Need a little glimpse of what that area is like?
Here's a vid .. .oh yes, provided by Kid Rock of all people . . but done on beautiful Lake Superior in the Munising area . . where Pictured Rocks is. (there's no danger in that tour, it's very well done. The only danger is if you are seasick) The vid does not actually go out on the tour, it's just done in that area.
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Post by beags on Sept 18, 2011 10:07:03 GMT -5
Did I mention it just hit 40 degrees there this past week? Snow should be falling soon, usually starts in October. Sometimes you can have a foot by Halloween. If you're lucky, the snow may be gone by the end of May. (yes, I can see where the elderly would LOVE to retire in Marquette . . . . yes,  ) |
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Post by Miss Who on Sept 18, 2011 12:33:18 GMT -5
 I'd rather stay in Chiswick thanks. That's our town hall by the way. |
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 18, 2011 19:59:48 GMT -5
I think I'll stay right where I am. Sure we have snow but I have some nice neighbors who shovel it for me. And the tourist sites here are things like winery tours (just watch out for the amount of wine you drink!!), the National Woman's Hall of Fame, several state parks and sporting events. Much more restful than battling Lake Superior. Of course, if that IS your thing, you can always go to up to Lake Ontario for some more adventurous water fun.
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Post by lance on Sept 19, 2011 14:28:25 GMT -5
To me the "perfect" place to retire would be somewhere offering the "4 seasons, with minimal weather and temperature extremes......and such a place would be the Appalachian mountains of the Carolinas and Georgia. It can get overly humid sometimes in summer, sure, but the nights are usually cool and pleasant. Winters can be somewhat harsh on rare occasion, but, usually the temps are very tolerable and the snowfall acceptable.
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sgtjer
Not so new Crapster
Linen
Posts: 281
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Post by sgtjer on Sept 20, 2011 18:41:48 GMT -5
Haven't found that perfect place yet ... will have to be content with living in the north most of the year, and finding my way to Florida for a few precious weeks in the winter. Don't need to own houses to do it, there are still rental bargains out there. For us yankees, just being outside in Jan-Feb and even March is a real treat ...  |
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Post by tort on Jan 12, 2012 12:53:51 GMT -5
To me the "perfect" place to retire would be somewhere offering the "4 seasons, with minimal weather and temperature extremes......and such a place would be the Appalachian mountains of the Carolinas and Georgia. It can get overly humid sometimes in summer, sure, but the nights are usually cool and pleasant. Winters can be somewhat harsh on rare occasion, but, usually the temps are very tolerable and the snowfall acceptable.
For me too Lance I prefer the Seasons.. not that we're having a Winter this year, just snatches of frost and cold days now and again... |
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Post by phoebe on Jan 29, 2012 13:42:33 GMT -5
best place to retire is some place tropical where you don't don't expend your retirement on air conditioning or heating. Maui sounds ideal.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2012 9:47:11 GMT -5
yes, been there once or twice. Good ole american soil too. |
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Post by mox on Feb 19, 2012 14:20:56 GMT -5
"Maui sounds ideal."
That would be one of my choices. After Tuscany, Italy.
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Post by mox on Feb 19, 2012 14:21:55 GMT -5
I'd consider Sonoma, CA if I couldn't get to Tuscany...but the pasta would be better in Italy.
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Post by mox on Feb 19, 2012 14:22:22 GMT -5
Ireland? Perhaps.
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Post by mox on Feb 19, 2012 14:22:43 GMT -5
Fiji, Tahiti, Panama???
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Post by mox on Mar 6, 2012 19:48:39 GMT -5
After watching "The Bachelor" last week, I think I want to retire in Interlaken, Switzerland...the cows were soooo cute... they just walk right on up to you.  That place is breathtaking!! |
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