places to retire

I know i may seem a little young to be thinking about this to a lot of you guys but i am the type of person who likes to think 10-20 years ahead. i am very much aware that things often don't go as planed, but i've been thinking alot the last couple years about where to spend my retirement or should i say semi-retirement years. I am from MS and would like to stay in the south. The requirements for the area would be as follows: on or very near a good crappie lake or river (as i currently have to drive 1-1@1/2 hours), other types of fishing nearby such as trout and stripes would be a big plus, a small town or rural setting but within an hour of decent medical care and shopping,low crime rate, good community support, part-time job opportunities or possibly a small buisness opportunity, near or in the mountains or the foot hills would be nice but not a deal breaker, one last thing, if it was within a days drive of the coast would be great. I'm thinking GA, the Carolinas, TN, AL (maybe around Guntersville) If i can get some input on this it would be great, i thought maybe i could find some vacation time to check an area out. Also if anyone is currently in this situation and knows something i may not have thought about please chime in.

Lots of luck. Let us know if you find utopia

Still a fer peice from the Ocean. But, I plan to retire right here in Arkansas. Coming from Houston Tx, I think have done real well landing here. There are world class trout rivers, and shallow back waters around the river or clear deep water.
DP

I'm only 45, but I'm having similar sentiments about the Shenandoah Valley.

Retired in East Tennessee on Douglas lake near Knoxville/Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. There are many lakes and trout rivers here with all the species of fish you like plus many more. You can drive to the coast in a day. The cost of living here is ok too.

I didn't get very far in life. I am only 30 miles north of where I started out.

why so negative? i am not naive enough to think i can find eutopia, but it's my time, my money, and my life. i am going to strive to get the best out of it, but will play the hand i am delt.

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Originally Posted by Ranger R61

Lots of luck. Let us know if you find utopia

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that statement rings of sarcasim. i would say you're very satisfied where you are.:biggrin

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

I didn't get very far in life. I am only 30 miles north of where I started out.

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thanks I will check it out

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Originally Posted by Herewego

Retired in East Tennessee on Douglas lake near Knoxville/Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. There are many lakes and trout rivers here with all the species of fish you like plus many more. You can drive to the coast in a day. The cost of living here is ok too.

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this is an area i know nothing about, if you don't mind tell me more about what attracts you to it, by the way i'm only 43.

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Originally Posted by backtocrappie

I'm only 45, but I'm having similar sentiments about the Shenandoah Valley.

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If you find it, why wait for retirement to live there? It's too late for me now (I'm over 60) but I wish I would have tried to make a life where I wanted to vacation.

i have been to north central Arkansas and it is beautiful, been thinking about a trout trip on the spring or white river, how is the job market and health care situation? i don't think it is too far from the La coast. The crappie seem to run a little smaller than those around here, but if i found a place where i could catch 3/4-1 1/2 lbers i would be satisfied

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Originally Posted by DRPEPPER

Still a fer peice from the Ocean. But, I plan to retire right here in Arkansas. Coming from Houston Tx, I think have done real well landing here. There are world class trout rivers, and shallow back waters around the river or clear deep water.
DP

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Santee Cooper in SC. One hour from coast (Charleston SC) 2 hours from Blue Ridge Mountains (Asheville, NC) low cost of living. The Santee Cooper lakes have held and now hold numerous world records. Home of the land locked striped bass fishery. At one time had world record for crappie(black I think), shellcracker, huge catfish fishery. Upper lake is beautiful flooded cypress forest, lots of bluegill, bass, and yes, big a$$ alligators. Several golf courses in the area if that interest you.
Check here Santee Cooper Real Estate, Golf, Recreation Activities, Outdooor Adventrues, Fishing, and Hunting
Since you are from Mississippi the hot summers here should not bother you. Otherwise it is a mild climate.
SeaRay

that is exactly what is in the back of my mind, we don't have any children, and both of us have professional careers that would allow us to find work in most places

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Originally Posted by crappiemax

If you find it, why wait for retirement to live there? It's too late for me now (I'm over 60) but I wish I would have tried to make a life where I wanted to vacation.

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thanks SeaRay, my wife has relatives in SC. I think it is very comparible to MS as for as climate and it is definately on my list. i have seen a lot of tv fishing shows about Santee Cooper and it seems to be a world class fishery. This is the type area i could see myself really enjoying.

Hey SeaRay, the big a$$ gators, snakes, and skeeters don't bother me, but i never could get them golf balls tender enough to eat :biggrin.All jokes aside i just never could find time for the sport, maybe i can some day!

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Originally Posted by feeshrman

this is an area i know nothing about, if you don't mind tell me more about what attracts you to it, by the way i'm only 43.

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I have roots in the Shenandoah. Lots of my childhood is there. I live on the other side of the Blue Ridge from it and just feel perfectly at home there. With excellent medical facilities just a short drive or heli ride away, I could finish my life there. They'll probably find me dead one day on some mountain-trout stream--just me and my fly rod.

This thread interests me, because Paul and I are in the sort of the same boat and frame of mind. Retirement planning is a daunting task when I read about how much I'll supposedly need to live based on our current statistics. I don't need lots of toys (just the boat and a camper) or world traveling. All I need in the years to come is a good place to fish close by, a roof over my head and Paul there to share it with me. I'd be happy to stay in Tennessee, but I'd like to get closer than 60 miles to Ky Lake or possibly head further east within the state.

Naw, Naw, Naw ! ! ! !
I think I'd go to Louisville ! ! ! ! !
(Just Kiddin) ......
But Louisville is a nice place ............

I'm sittin right here in Fla, and, it gets a little hot during the summer, but,
I'm pretty content, but, been here all my life .......

On the other hand, being me, and, from where I'm from, I, myself, would be in hog heaven,
living in Everglades City, in a $5,000.00 trailer with a $30,000.00 flats boat parked
outside .......
But, that's just me, etc, etc, etc ...........

Get rid of everything and live full-time in an RV. Follow the sun, the fish, and if you don't like the neighbors, move. Why stick to one place?

Thumbs UpNeonMoon, been trying to accomplish that feat for the past 3 years.

Have had my place on the market for 3 years and have had 3 lookers.

Started @750K and down to 300K for home + 20 acres, creek on north property
line goes into lake with good crappie, sand bass, black bass and catfish population.
16 acres of alisha grass hay, hill with plenty of trees and two bdrm & two bath home
with upstairs man cave. Have 5th wheel in the RV shed waiting to hit the road to
follow the warm weather and fish to my hearts content. Economy just hit bottom
at the wrong time and have had to delay the dream hopefully just until November.
Staying positive and believing it will happen before I get too old to enjoy full retirement.
States are a state of mind to me.......home is where the heart is happiest. Just me and
the wife.......no kids or grandkids, but spent a lifetime coaching and helping and Big Brothering.
Raised two nephews with happy results. "Staying ready to keep from having to get ready".
Attitude is everything.

When I retire Im going to travel to all of those places and more. :hatchet:

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Originally Posted by RetiredRR

Thumbs UpNeonMoon, been trying to accomplish that feat for the past 3 years.

Have had my place on the market for 3 years and have had 3 lookers.

Started @750K and down to 300K for home + 20 acres, creek on north property
line goes into lake with good crappie, sand bass, black bass and catfish population.
16 acres of alisha grass hay, hill with plenty of trees and two bdrm & two bath home
with upstairs man cave. Have 5th wheel in the RV shed waiting to hit the road to
follow the warm weather and fish to my hearts content. Economy just hit bottom
at the wrong time and have had to delay the dream hopefully just until November.
Staying positive and believing it will happen before I get too old to enjoy full retirement.
States are a state of mind to me.......home is where the heart is happiest. Just me and
the wife.......no kids or grandkids, but spent a lifetime coaching and helping and Big Brothering.
Raised two nephews with happy results. "Staying ready to keep from having to get ready"
Attitude is everything.

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Yep !

There is a retired RR guy on the way to our lake house. He has cabooses and box cars on a track near his house. He also built a passenger station of the 50's. Nice feller too.

best of luck to you, i sure hope everything turns out like you want it to. Someone who works all their life deserves some r@r . If you make it over to our neck of the woods give me a shout.

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Originally Posted by RetiredRR

Thumbs UpNeonMoon, been trying to accomplish that feat for the past 3 years.

Have had my place on the market for 3 years and have had 3 lookers.

Started @750K and down to 300K for home + 20 acres, creek on north property
line goes into lake with good crappie, sand bass, black bass and catfish population.
16 acres of alisha grass hay, hill with plenty of trees and two bdrm & two bath home
with upstairs man cave. Have 5th wheel in the RV shed waiting to hit the road to
follow the warm weather and fish to my hearts content. Economy just hit bottom
at the wrong time and have had to delay the dream hopefully just until November.
Staying positive and believing it will happen before I get too old to enjoy full retirement.
States are a state of mind to me.......home is where the heart is happiest. Just me and
the wife.......no kids or grandkids, but spent a lifetime coaching and helping and Big Brothering.
Raised two nephews with happy results. "Staying ready to keep from having to get ready".
Attitude is everything.

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we too have read those same statistics, but like yourselves we don't require much to keep us happy. our home and everything was paid for several years ago, we don't need to have the newest and greatest gadgets, plus we both would like to work part-time or at least at a slower pace than what we are currently doing. If we could find an area that was safe, had employment opportunities and was close to some decent fishing we could make this a reality. I know very little about the crappie fishing in TN except that it seems the further east you get the smaller the fish are. is this correct? I have only visited KY lake once and didn't get to fish but pics from there seems to show some nice ones.

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Originally Posted by Mrs. Crappie Stalker

This thread interests me, because Paul and I are in the sort of the same boat and frame of mind. Retirement planning is a daunting task when I read about how much I'll supposedly need to live based on our current statistics. I don't need lots of toys (just the boat and a camper) or world traveling. All I need in the years to come is a good place to fish close by, a roof over my head and Paul there to share it with me. I'd be happy to stay in Tennessee, but I'd like to get closer than 60 miles to Ky Lake or possibly head further east within the state.

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Originally Posted by feeshrman

best of luck to you, i sure hope everything turns out like you want it to.
Someone who works all their life deserves some r@r .
If you make it over to our neck of the woods give me a shout.

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Thank you Sir.
Mississippi is one of the few states I've yet to explore. But, the invite is most appreciated.
Never say never. Surprises can be life altering. I've never thought a man could have too
many friends. I like your fishin' times.

Interesting thread. Hopefully will be doing something similar in the future. It's getting closer all the time. 30 years in with 5 to go.

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Originally Posted by feeshrman

we too have read those same statistics, but like yourselves we don't require much to keep us happy. our home and everything was paid for several years ago, we don't need to have the newest and greatest gadgets, plus we both would like to work part-time or at least at a slower pace than what we are currently doing. If we could find an area that was safe, had employment opportunities and was close to some decent fishing we could make this a reality. I know very little about the crappie fishing in TN except that it seems the further east you get the smaller the fish are. is this correct? I have only visited KY lake once and didn't get to fish but pics from there seems to show some nice ones.

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Around here, we don't see much of those those big 3+ pounders that y'all have in MS, but we catch 'em in the 2 lb + range with some regularity on Ky Lake. We've got good bream, sauger and cat too, which are pretty much the only species I like to fish for. We've really not fished east TN at all. Things I've been looking at very closely in our state are the taxes from county to county. We don't have an income tax (except for certain dividend or interest income) so they have to try and get it elsewhere. I'm looking for lower rates on property and school taxes, and low wheel tax.

One thing I found interesting if I read it right, Mississippi exempts all retirement income from taxation including 401K's and IRA's . . . . hmmmm. Of course, the whole living out of an RV idea is pretty appealing too!

hey Mrs. Crappie Stalker, those 3lb + crappie aren't exactly hanging from trees down here either. I've only caught one (3.05) in 15 years of crappie fishing, i did catch one last fall that was 2lbs15oz. We do catch them pretty regularly in between 2.25 and 2.50. My largest this year is 2lb14oz. If i could find an area that met my other requirements i would be happy catching 3/4-1@1/2lb crappie on a consistent basis, heck thats pretty much what i do now. I usually fish the Ten-Tom waterway for my keepers and then go to Grenada for trophies. I can always take a trip or two to Grenada and Sardis if i end up in TN, AL,AR,orGA. The tax exemptions are something i had not considered, and are worthy of researching, hence the reason for my making this post,thanks.

Sir you are correct, no man can have too many friends. If you get over here you will find that most of the negative you've heard about MS is untrue, we have good honest folk (for the most part, with the execption of that wantabee feller :biggrin). The crappie fishing is world-class,although 3lbers are not behind every bush or stump. They are hard to come by. I just wish we had more species of fish to explore (trout, smallmouth,sauger and stripers)plus more job opportunities for semi-retirees.

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Originally Posted by RetiredRR

Thank you Sir.
Mississippi is one of the few states I've yet to explore. But, the invite is most appreciated.
Never say never. Surprises can be life altering. I've never thought a man could have too
many friends. I like your fishin' times.

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