Anybody like a port so much they moved there?

[mactrio]

Thank you all for many responses! We are not young. We are 40 and have 5 kids (1 in college, 1 is getting married and will move anywhere but here next year, one graduating in a couple months and a 6 and 8 year old). We absolutely hate the winters. hate spending 6 months a year in our house with the doors and windows shut, shoveling, snow, etc. The economy is terrible in Michigan. I've told my kids to not settle down here. We get 3 months a year where we can realy enjoy the outside. We're not wanting to move to Florida. Our thoughts have been South or North Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and maybe even Texas. We wouldn't want to live right on the coast anywhere. I think now we're looking at our lives and realizing we have hopefully 30 good years left. We dont' want to spend them wishing we didn't live here.... I never imagined this post would provide so many responses!

 

Charleston SC is a beautiful city, so rich in history and culture. It does get humid there, WV is a beautiful state and has a lot of beautiful towns, although I complain about the heat of our summers and how when you walk outside in 90* + weather with 100% humidity your make up melts off your face and your hair goes limp; it's much better than 6 or 7 months of freezing cold weather.

Follow your dream, just think it through......

[Aquahound]

I'd love to hear if anyone has moved to any ports, or anywhere for that matter, and if you are happy you did and how you went about doing it.... Thanks.

 

After having been to Key West twice on cruises, I jumped at the chance to transfer here when I was in the military. I've long since gotten out of the military and still live here....and love it! It's an island lifestyle with a road to the mainland.

[travelntreats]

Different strokes: I on the other hand would not give up island life for anything:p

After visiting many ports of call over the years of cruising and AI land vacations, we decided to make a condo investment for future retirement as well as rental income when not there, on the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize. Our condo is soon to be finished and we are thrilled that we will now have a 2nd home as well as investment. The end result will be that we will be able to live there full or part time in the future years to come and at our discretion. We are thrilled with the investment and it will also serve as a retreat for our children and their familes.

[bonniemari]

We fell in love with St Kitts on our cruise there last May. We are planning on retiring February 2010. I have made plans to spend my 50th birthday in St Kitts this coming August. We plan on looking at/purchasing a condo while we are there. I own a rental property where we live now and the plan is to sell our large house, keep the rental property (which is a condo also) and split our time between the here and St Kitts.

 

We have 2 dogs that are like children to us and I have investigated the requirements so we can bring them with us while we are in St Kitts after we purchase a property there.

 

We also looked at property in Nassau and had considered Domincan Republic but decided on St Kitts because it is really beautiful and laid back there. It has all we would ever want for retirement-spectacular ocean view, golf course and a casino.

 

I love to watch International House Hunters on HGTV.

[cruiseapril]

We lived on the island of Curacao for two years (U.S. State Dept.) and loved it. We go back to visit by cruise ship and find it just as nice as ever.

 

Would enjoy spending more time there, but have home and family in New England.

[goneclear]

After visiting many ports of call over the years of cruising and AI land vacations, we decided to make a condo investment for future retirement as well as rental income when not there, on the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize. Our condo is soon to be finished and we are thrilled that we will now have a 2nd home as well as investment. The end result will be that we will be able to live there full or part time in the future years to come and at our discretion. We are thrilled with the investment and it will also serve as a retreat for our children and their familes.

 

We will call this the best of both worlds.:) Enjoy it all, life is short.

[greatam]

We haven't moved, but purchased a condo 4 years ago in conjunction with another couple in Homer Alaska. We use it about 4 weeks per year for business (international logistics-shipping fish out of Alaska) and DH fishes a lot up there. The rest of the year it is under a management contract for rental (and to pay the mortgage). We also just opened a hotel in Phnom Penh Cambodia. My two favorite places in the world and such disparity-the Wild West (Cambodia)/1970 hippie life (Homer).

[beachchick]

Hello,

 

I am a Michigan native and I have lived in California for almost 40 years. California does have its advantages such as the weather most of the year and economic opportunities. But Michigan was a wonderful place when I was growing up and going to school there. Wayne State University has probaby produced more successful people than most schools, that is, people from very modest backgrounds who have become very successful teachers, doctors, business owners, attorneys, and so on.

 

My point...every place has its advantages and disadvantages. In southern California we do not have very cold weather but it is unbearably hot in the late Spring through the middle of Fall. Commutes to work are both very expensive and very time consuming....three hours on the freeway is not uncommon.

 

The saying is true...sometimes the grass may appear greener on the other side of the fence, but upon further review it isn't.

 

Best wishes to you. I hope that you do find somewhere where the grass is greener.

 

Fred

 

True that CA does have many things going for it (says the chick who was born here). But it's also extremely diverse. "Southern California" is not one amorphous blob. What most people mean when they say "southern California" is "the Los Angeles basin and surrounding areas." (Funny story: My mother was accidently assigned to a primary care physician who is located 250 miles and a 6-hour one-way drive from her home. The HMO rep in Delaware couldn't seem to grasp that it wasn't reasonable and kept saying, "But it's all southern California isn't it? It can't be that far!")

 

The mountain winters are, well, wintery indeed. Some of the best skiing and winter-snow activities can be found all over the eastern parts of the state. Then, of course, there are the southern deserts such as Death Valley. And don't forget the redwood forests and the entire, wet and green, north coast. The central coast is nothing like other parts of the state. Come to think of it, the term "nanoclimates" can be perfectly applied here. When it's 115 degrees a bit inland and 58 degrees a few miles away at the bay, you learn the fine art of dressing in many layers. There are people of all interests, ethniticities, and very modest backgrounds. We've got wonderful universities as well.

 

OTOH, the shopping and other opportunities are rather lacking. Housing is extremely expensive; gas prices are the highest in the state (and usually as high as in Hawaii); job opportunities are fairly limited; cultural activities are good, but nowhere near what you find in San Francisco or Los Angeles. We've got a shortage of doctors and top-notch medical facilities, which can be problematic.

 

My point (and I do have one) is that California is often perceived as only either the Los Angeles area or the San Francisco bay area, rather than the culturally, economically, ecologically diverse state that it is. But I do agree with you that "the grass is always greener" syndrome can be dangerous and disappointing and that all places do have both good and bad points.

 

We may end up moving one of these days, but if we do, it will be with open eyes. I hope everyone finds their ideal, if imperfect, place where the grass truly is greener. The most important thing is to find a place that makes you feel you are "at home."

 

beachchick

[read52]

When my husband and I were first married, we went on vacation to Washington, DC. We lived in Wisconsin. Move forward about 10 years, bad economy in midwest. My husband was offered a job in Maryland on the border of DC. We have been here for 22 years. We are 40 miles from Baltimore which is a port.

[kjunea]

Thank you all for many responses! We are not young. We are 40 and have 5 kids (1 in college, 1 is getting married and will move anywhere but here next year, one graduating in a couple months and a 6 and 8 year old). We absolutely hate the winters. hate spending 6 months a year in our house with the doors and windows shut, shoveling, snow, etc. The economy is terrible in Michigan. I've told my kids to not settle down here. We get 3 months a year where we can realy enjoy the outside. We're not wanting to move to Florida. Our thoughts have been South or North Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and maybe even Texas. We wouldn't want to live right on the coast anywhere. I think now we're looking at our lives and realizing we have hopefully 30 good years left. We dont' want to spend them wishing we didn't live here.... I never imagined this post would provide so many responses!

 

All those reasons are why my hubs left Pontiac in 88 and moved south to Knoxville. When his first wife moved back 12 years later (with their 2 kids) he stayed because he couldn't stand the thought of the winter! Lucky for me, since I met him after that! We've since moved to Nashville and he goes back up to Detroit area every month to see the kids (although one is in college in your neck of the woods -- GVSU!) and he says it is horrible up there, economy wise. He's had several cousins move down to this area and they don't want to move back either! Just this weekend, DH was saying how wonderful the weather was in March in Tennessee, since our highs are going to be in the 70's all week it seems!

 

I like Nashville. You are 7-8 hours from the coast, 3 hours from the mountains, temps are great, etc. Hubs works in midtown, we live in suburbs and it takes him 20 minutes to get to work. For us, its great! But that doesn't keep us dreaming about where we want to retire!

[jschafer6161]

Thank you all for the very honest answers!! Now, how do we start?? We've thought about Nashville too. I've requested information from Charleston, SC and some cities in WV. I'm going to get info from Nashville too. My husband and I were talking about this last night... what do we do first? Sell our home, find a job, one of us find a job and the other one stay til the house is sold?? who takes the kids?? It's such a big process.. I am a legal assistant/secretary. My husband is in production (woodworking). We've both worked for the same company/person for over 10 years. I love my boss. I have great flexibility...I'd hate to work for a total smuck. I guess the first thing we have to do is research...

[Imagineer]

...interesting thread, along with our cruise habits, my wife and I do a lot of road trips from our home base here in Victoria BC, and its always amazing to hear the reaction from folks when they find out where we live. "Oh we just love it in Victoria, you are so lucky to live there!" Hmmm, sometimes we'd like to ask if they'd want to swap locations for a while, but it is true that many times the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence. Here in this part of the Pacific Northwest we do have a relatively moderate climate, but it does indeed get cold in the winter and its at those times we wish we were a lot further south...

...but even after returning from journeys to some amazing places we get home and realize that we are very fortunate that we do live in a pretty nice place. It has its down sides just like any place, being on Vancouver Island certainly presents its own problems whenever you want to hop in the car and head off on a trip, so you are limited to a degree in your wanderlust...

...we should all just be very grateful that we have the ability to do the traveling we do to see all the wonderful spots we've all been to, its always fun to fantasize what it would be like to relocate to the place of our dreams, but often its just as nice to "come back home"...

 

cheers,

 

the Imagineer

 

 

 

 

[cruising to paradise]

We are here in Ilinois and getting very tired of the long winter months also. We are thinking of moving to Georgia or Florida in a few years when housing prices and other things get better.Two of our children and our Grandchildren live near Atlanta, so we would really like to move closer, and then we would be closer to ports also!

[kjunea]

When we lived in Knoxville, there were a lot of people moving into the small county I taught in next to Knoxville that the locals called "Halfbacks". These were people who moved to Florida from Michigan/Ohio area either to retire or get a new job, then realized they didn't want the huge heat/humidity of summer and moved "Half way back" up towards Michigan/Ohio!

[itzmered]

 

I love to watch International House Hunters on HGTV.

 

I love that show and just watched one where a couple moved to St Maarten after visiting there on a few cruises and falling in love with it.

 

I live in MN and long to move somewhere warmer. DH and I have seriously talked about moving somewhere south possibly to Missouri after the boys all graduate from college. They all plan on leaving MN also so we might as well go where we want.

[BruceMuzz]

--Moved to Monte Carlo in 1979

--Moved to Honolulu in 1986

--Moved to Hong Kong in 1995

--Building a vacation home in Phuket next year.

[nitnyleo]

. . . Now, how do we start?? ...

 

Obviously, with the economy in a downward trend and having kids at home requires a bit more thought than what I had to consider . . . But,

 

First, I would get a some estimates from real estate agents as to what your house would sell for. You need to figure what your bankroll will be and how long you can live off of it. I would not plan on immediately buying another house . . . I would plan on renting for a year, at least.

 

At the same time, start investigating job opportunities in the cities that you would like to move to... (you might have to accept menial jobs while you search for a "real" job but you need to stop the financial bleeding).

AND

at the same time, start investigating rental prices.

 

Both are relatively easy on the internet. Of course, the amount of time spent searching is dependent on the number of cities being searched. (Not to slam W.Va., but their weather isn't that great in the winter . . . it might be better than yours . . . but probably not a whole lot better).

 

As you get the basic facts, you'll be able to narrow down your options. And then you can get started on the timing. (Just keep in mind that COBRA insurance ain't cheap and it might be best that one of you kept their job until the other qualified for group insurance). (Of course, you just might find your "dream" jobs on the internet and have to move right away . . . awesome!)

 

Best wishes . . .

 

PS: A lesson that was hard for me to learn . . . don't burn any bridges when you leave town . . .

[hulamoon]

Have a blast. It is fun to consider other locations and check things out. I loved the Montana I left, but I always knew I wanted the snow to stop by the new year. Everyone around me stirred as fall came and looked forward to the cool weather but not me; I wasn't really one of them and needed warmer weather.

 

Keep your options open, visit your new location as often as you can and try to balance the yearning with a plan and you could have a new adventure.

 

I do feel there is something to not living in your absolute favorite place. It is nice for me to visit my favorite place and leave all work behind. But if I worked there it wouldn't be able to relax as completely or tune into the magic of the place as quickly. Besides my favorite place floods most winters, making it beautiful for the summer.

[printingchick]

If I could ever afford it, I'd move to St. John in the USVI. It's one of those "Bucket List" entries that is not likely to ever happen. I hope to at least be able to spend a WEEK there some day, rather than just a day from a cruise ship. It's absolutely the most beautiful place I've ever been.

 

Dominica is beautiful. Parts of Antigua are lovely. But nothing beats the unspoiled, breath-taking beauty of St. John in my eyes!

[Wants2cruise]

Thank you all for the very honest answers!! Now, how do we start?? We've thought about Nashville too. I've requested information from Charleston, SC and some cities in WV. I'm going to get info from Nashville too. My husband and I were talking about this last night... what do we do first? Sell our home, find a job, one of us find a job and the other one stay til the house is sold?? who takes the kids?? It's such a big process.. I am a legal assistant/secretary. My husband is in production (woodworking). We've both worked for the same company/person for over 10 years. I love my boss. I have great flexibility...I'd hate to work for a total smuck. I guess the first thing we have to do is research...

 

Julie,

 

My DH and I have been researching our retirement move. We have done some extensive research in various areas that looked appealing. We have vacationed at these location, not as a tourist, but to have an honest look at life in these areas. We have subscribed by mail to the local paper of one town. The local paper gives you a really good overview of a location. You will be able to find jobs, homes, and crime information about the area.

[cruzeluver]

To the OP:

 

Five years ago we decided we had had enough of the harsh winters and economic woes of life in Chicago. Great city, we love it, but enough was enough.

 

We did some research online and decided to do a vacation in Charleston, SC. That did it! Went back, saved some money, found a townhouse to rent and moved down.

 

We have absolutely no regrets! Charleston has been wonderful to us, fabulous people, amazing food, culture and history out the ying-yang!! Home prices are still very reasonable and while we are feeling the pinch in terms of unemployment, we are no worse off than a lot of other areas around the country.

 

Try looking at our local newspaper online. They have a section with tips and info for people planning or even just thinking about moving here. The web address is charleston.net. Check it out!

[luvtrips]

My DH and I both lived in Maryland for our whole lives. He, however, was in the military before I met him, so he spent some time in other states. When we married, 5 years ago, we both had a dream of moving to another state, but didn't know where...just a fresh start and an adventure for both of us. I had 2 kids at home, so we would have to consider them, as well. But we were dissattisfied with where we lived, and wanted a big change. Warm weather was a must. So we did some research, and decided that we wanted to check out Arizona. Neither one of us had been to AZ, but it just sounded lovely. We took a week's vacation, and flew cross country to see if we would consider it for a move. We fell in love immediately, put the house up for sale, and moved our family out here by the following year. It was the best decision we've ever made. We love it. The kids love it here, and are doing great. There are so many opportunities for our son, who joined the Civil Air Patrol, and decided he wants to learn to fly. Our daughter is in college. My DH found a good job(it took him 2 years to find the right one, however). We take daytrips almost every weekend, we consider ourselves to be very blessed, and life is good. All our friends and family thought we were crazy, and thought we weren't actually going to move till we did. We don't regret a minute of it. Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath, take a chance, and live your dreams. The very worst that could happen would be you could have to move back if things don't work out, but you'll never know if you don't try.