Where would you retire?

This is a real question.

I am getting close, maybe another five years, and it is time to start thinking about where I want to settle and spend my geezer years. If you could live on any lake, which one would it be? I am not asking about which is the best fishing lake? I live in Grenada MS, and have fished Grenada, Washington, and Enid my entire life. I own land in Grenada county with a trailer on it so I could come back here to fish whenever I wanted. I am really asking about quality of life stuff...taxes, people, crime, and churches. I am sure that i want to stay in the south. So......

Kentucky/Barkley? Dardanelle? Green River? Reelfoot? Others?

Not looking for a fish camp, yall. Asking about great neighborhoods with nice houses and such. I know this could get expensive, and I won't say money is not an issue (it is always an issue) but it isn't much of an issue at this point in my life.

So, If you could retire lakefront with a private dock, where would you go?

I have not been to the lakes you mention. That said check on Lake Talquin in the Florida panhandle. Has all the requirements you asked. Anywhere in Florida north of Gainesville is still in the south. South of Gainesville is a crap shoot on where your living, could be New York, Cuba, south, Canada who knows. But I was very impressed with Quincy Fl and Talquin last weekend. At least worth investigating.

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Originally Posted by huntinslabs

I have not been to the lakes you mention. That said check on Lake Talquin in the Florida panhandle. Has all the requirements you asked. Anywhere in Florida north of Gainesville is still in the south. South of Gainesville is a crap shoot on where your living, could be New York, Cuba, south, Canada who knows. But I was very impressed with Quincy Fl and Talquin last weekend. At least worth investigating.

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Hmmm...never even considered Florida. Will add Talquin to the list of places to visit. Thanks.

As I got older, I realized that access to doctors and hospitals was essential......and a Walmart supercenter.....

I would retire in Kimberling City MO-Table Rock Lake or Boulder Junction wis. Northwoods, if I had a place in MS....190 Lakes within 15 miles circle..

South central Tennessee. Lots of lakes, 4 seasons, small towns, plenty of hospitals, close to major cities. Not that I been thinking about this. lol

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Originally Posted by prefers shiners

As I got older, I realized that access to doctors and hospitals was essential......and a Walmart supercenter.....

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Wally and hospitals are critical. This is why we do not live full time at the lake. I was injured several weeks back at our lake house. Took EMC 30 min to get there. I punctured my leg. It was a gusher. Had a shoe full of blood, but had help with applying pressure on the wound til they showed up.

Having driven truck for 25 years I have been around some. I really like the area around Lake Murray and Columbia , SC. Seasons, lots of history nearby, and Lake Murray is a good fishery to my knowledge. Carolina Gamecocks have a good football game now and then If your so inclined. I've lived in Florida for a long time and agree with Huntinslabs too. West of Gainesville is the High Springs area that is still very old Florida and just classy. Another plus to that area is it's proximity to some excellent Quail hunting in SW Georgia. The only thing I would suggest is to stay a little ways from the coast to help avoid the intensity of the inevitable hurricane that comes through now and then. I lived in Tennessee for 10 years and truly love middle Tennessee, but the granddaughters are here in central Florida and here we are. I had some of the best fresh water fishing of my life there and became very comfortable with small town living. Good luck in your search and decision.

I agree on Florida but would consider St. John's or Kissimmee area. Many salt areas too.

Very interesting topic, I asked the same question here a few years ago and got some of the same responses seen already. I like the FL area, but their is also Lake Guntersville, and Santee Cooper. I think having mountains and the beach within a day's drive would be a big plus. With all that retirement time on your hands their is no need to strictly crappie fish. Having trout, quality 'gills, shell crackers, bass, stripes, and a plethora of salt water feeshes and a little hunting available would be great.

I would suggest taking an extensive RV tour of what you think may be your favorite areas. Talk to realtors and residents. Sample the fishing, most of all take your time. what's a year or two when it comes down to your happiness for the rest of your life.

Mountain home Arkansas. Norfork and bull shoals lakes are huge, beautiful crystal waters, walleye, stripers, bass, crappie.... Trout on the rivers.

Searcy Arkansas meets all your requirements. I live in middle TN and am retired......just bought a new house. But had I been able to get the wife to go to Searcy that is where my new home would have been. Cost of living is cheap.....churches......very small college.....a quite peaceful town. Just a neat place. It is on the Little Red River which is world class trout fishing. You are also close to world class crappie fishing. I still may wind up there.


Regards

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Originally Posted by feelay

Mountain home Arkansas. Norfork and bull shoals lakes are huge, beautiful crystal waters, walleye, stripers, bass, crappie.... Trout on the rivers.

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Second on my list behind Searcy....I love Mountain Home.


Regards

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Originally Posted by crappielimits

I agree on Florida but would consider St. John's or Kissimmee area. Many salt areas too.

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Kissimmee? He wants low crime and churches.

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Originally Posted by prefers shiners

As I got older, I realized that access to doctors and hospitals was essential......and a Walmart supercenter.....

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Very true about doctors and hospitals, Walmart I can definitely live without. Lowes/Home Depot is a different story for me, for that's what I'm into. Want them close - if they don't have it, they can order it. The South for retirement for sure, don't believe anyone retires and moves north, not that I know of. Hurricanes are a hassle down here when they occur. For me, probably East Texas somewhere.

For sure I want nature as neighbors as I have now, don't want to see the side of someone's house.

Lake Wateree In SC grows a 2lb crappie in 2 years. Santee had the world record black Crappie for many years. I may choose somewhere in between!

Monk

I want a little summer,a little winter and not a whole lot of either. I can't enjoy myself in a crowd,have to be low population area. I have traveled a little but live 250 yards from where I was born.My Dad was in the Navy...if I ever mentioned I might move he always told me..."Son,I've sailed around the world twice and made ports of call on every continent,it don't get no better than here." He was referring to Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas...It's where my people are from LOL.

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Originally Posted by monkscrappie

Lake Wateree In SC grows a 2lb crappie in 2 years. Santee had the world record black Crappie for many years. I may choose somewhere in between!

Monk

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Worst flood in 1000 years according to the Governor Lmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't forget the Liberal's Glow Bull warming BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who has been keeping records for a 1000 yrs? I would like to know that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would not retire in Florida. Too many grumpy old folks.

I have the perfect spot that I retired to. I live on Lake Murray South Carolina about middle ways up the lake. I have excellent fishing right outside my back door. Crappie, cats,perch, stripers,bream on a 55,000 acres lake. I am 30 min from trout fishing in the Saluda river and a 2 hr drive to the ocean or 3 hr drive to the mountains and I am also within a 2hr drive to 9 or 10 good fishing lakes including Clarkshill,Santee,wateree. I have the small town atmosphere and Columbia is only 45 mins away if I want the big city scene. Forgot to mention also have several black water river close bye. I call this as close to Heaven as I can get in this life. Don

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Originally Posted by huntinslabs

Kissimmee? He wants low crime and churches.

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Kissimmee river a big place. You must didn't really check Quincy out too much. High crime, not many proactive churches, no hospital. I personally would do the St. John's area for his list.

I'm stayn right where I am. I live thirty minutes from several lakes in central Alabama . The smaller lakes are affordable but lake Martin has gotten pricey due to being a retirement lake with crystal clear waters. I live in a rural area on a three hundred acre farm. Lake properties local have gotten outa hand in my opinion. We just sold our lake house for over a half a mill. Another problem with lake properties is finding a flat lot which is important in retirement life.

as much as I would miss a lot of things here ....crappie being one of them ....
Costa Rica and it is on the menu .......west coast ....Quepos maybe ....
low crime affordable everything ....pura vida is the saying down there
pure life in English .....
might stay away from the local rivers though ...the crocs are pretty large
the ketchn of fish is beyond compare right off the coast ....
sails marlin roster fish dorado tuna snapper
the beaches ....mild climate .....very nice .....

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

Wally and hospitals are critical. This is why we do not live full time at the lake. I was injured several weeks back at our lake house. Took EMC 30 min to get there. I punctured my leg. It was a gusher. Had a shoe full of blood, but had help with applying pressure on the wound til they showed up.

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See...old men and sharp objects are bad!

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Originally Posted by feelay

Mountain home Arkansas. Norfork and bull shoals lakes are huge, beautiful crystal waters, walleye, stripers, bass, crappie.... Trout on the rivers.

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Yep. nice area. I have family up there, and that is where our family reunion is every summer. Gaston's on the White River. It is on the list.

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Originally Posted by doggone

I want a little summer,a little winter and not a whole lot of either. I can't enjoy myself in a crowd,have to be low population area. I have traveled a little but live 250 yards from where I was born.My Dad was in the Navy...if I ever mentioned I might move he always told me..."Son,I've sailed around the world twice and made ports of call on every continent,it don't get no better than here." He was referring to Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas...It's where my people are from LOL.

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I can agree. My family is from that area as well. LOTS of kin up that way may bring me "nome", though I was actually born down here in Sippi.

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Originally Posted by crappielimits

Kissimmee river a big place. You must didn't really check Quincy out too much. High crime, not many proactive churches, no hospital. I personally would do the St. John's area for his list.

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I thought you meant the city of Kissimme:yikes:yikes And yes the St. Johns river system has a lot of really nice areas. Just have to do a lot of homework checking towns and subdivisions.

RETIRE??/ I haven't figured out how to do that yet. 36 years on 1 job 15 years on a 2nd job and 1 1/5 years on present job. seems I don't know how to quit working.

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Originally Posted by Tracker123

Very true about doctors and hospitals, Walmart I can definitely live without. Lowes/Home Depot is a different story for me, for that's what I'm into. Want them close - if they don't have it, they can order it. The South for retirement for sure, don't believe anyone retires and moves north, not that I know of. Hurricanes are a hassle down here when they occur. For me, probably East Texas somewhere.

For sure I want nature as neighbors as I have now, don't want to see the side of someone's house.

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You will appreciate Wal Mart much more when you retire. Parking at multiple store fronts becomes an issue later in life. You try too get close to store fronts and some other geezer beats you to it.

Guntersville

Middle Tennessee....great crappie fishing, bass fishing...Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley. mild winters (normally) perfect springs and the best Fall. Best of all NO STATE INCOME TAX...which helps with the retirement pension. A day's drive from the East Coast and Gulf Shores or Florida Panhandle. Afternoon drive to the Smokey Mountains.

I was in down town Dover a while back. Have folks in Bumpas Mills. Small world.

I guess since I am retired 8 years and was born here I will stay a while longer. Did go away for 20 years with the Air Force. I may have to work harder to stay warm but the effort keeps me on the slabs.

Last I looked they wanted a $250,000 deposit in a Costa Rican bank, and required you to leave the country every 6 months for a few days. Bunch of Americans around the San Juan area. I think they even
have a support group that helps Americans work out the details of settling there.

Fishing, go for Golfito Bay, Angler Heaven inshore and offshore. Tight lines indeed. Gotta love Ugly Sticks!!

Have you thought about the Villages in Florida. It is a retirement community, a very large retirement community packed full of activities and all the other stuff an aging society needs. I have heard great things about it. Not my cup of tea, but might be what you want.
The Villages, FL | Terra Vista & Citrus Hills/FL Retirement Community

My plans are simple. 3/4 ton diesel pickup, 5th wheel trailer and boat in tow. We might follow 70 degree temperature across the US. More than likely we will travel to a destination, base camp, fish/boat ride when we want, and sight see the area. Use the 5th wheel as a base camp and take day trips to local activities. Move to another area, and repeat. Researched adding a larger fuel tank to the truck to extend my range. I can either replace the current tank, or add a storage tank in the bed and refuel along the way. As for double towing across the US, only 5 states don't allow it. Most of those I have no desire to visit anyway.

Driving make my butt sore, so I don't graze too far off the ranch. It is hard to beat home, wherever home may be. Pick a good spot and squat. I didn't make it too far in life. I am about 40 miles from where I began in life.

In between Columbia and Charleston SC. Find a smaller town. Close to lake Murray and Santee Cooper. Short drive to the coast. Not far to smokies or to fla. Great country, great people. Plenty of good churches, good cost of living.

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Originally Posted by bee

I was in down town Dover a while back. Have folks in Bumpas Mills. Small world.

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Now, that's funny. Dover isn't hardly big enough to have a downtown. Of course, we live in Trenton which is also hardly big enough to have a downtown. :biggrin

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Originally Posted by Hanr3

My plans are simple. 3/4 ton diesel pickup, 5th wheel trailer and boat in tow. We might follow 70 degree temperature across the US. More than likely we will travel to a destination, base camp, fish/boat ride when we want, and sight see the area. Use the 5th wheel as a base camp and take day trips to local activities. Move to another area, and repeat. Researched adding a larger fuel tank to the truck to extend my range. I can either replace the current tank, or add a storage tank in the bed and refuel along the way. As for double towing across the US, only 5 states don't allow it. Most of those I have no desire to visit anyway.

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I have considered your plans as well. Maybe buy a Class C for a few years and stay in the road, but at some point, I will be ready to settle. I get enough driving real quick.