Western
US Retirement Picks
by John Thomas
I
am pursuing my final career - and I am quite comfortable working a
40-hour schedule for the first time in my life. I take my time and
pick my clients carefully.
I
get to take a day off here and there for golf, and I travel around
the western states every couple of months. Over the past two years
I have been keeping an eye out for the perfect spot to retire in the
Western US.
I
now live in a small community near the Bay Area in Northern California.
I've lived here for 20+ years, and it has been great. The Bay Area
is vibrant, has a good climate, and is home to some of the most creative
people on the planet. But it certainly isn't paradise.
It
is an expensive place to live. The highways are congested. The boarders
of the US are out of control and that has hit California hard. The
government is dysfunctional, and we pay a premium for that. While
we have good weather, it is great half the year and somewhat over-rated
the other half. My business has changed over the past five years.
I can do about 80% - 90% of it from anywhere. That's the beauty of
information and communication technology.
Let
me share with you what I have found as I looked for better working/
retirement locations in the western US. - Portland, Oregon area; especially
Southern Washington - Prescott, Arizona - Northern Baja, Mexico -
Hilo, the big island of Hawaii - Boise, Idaho
Southern
Washington: I recently visited a friend who built his dream house
on a few acres in Southern Washington, about 30 minutes from Portland.
His 2,500 square foot house cost about the same as a ¼ acre
lot in the Bay Area. He is within easy drive of a good airport and
Oregon has no sales tax. He can explore the Cascades and reach ocean
or skiing in a few hours. Yep - it rains a lot, but not as much as
Seattle.
Prescott,
Arizona: This gem is home to 30,000 people, who enjoy mountain vistas
and a temperate, sunny, four-season climate thanks to its mile-high
elevation. If you aren't real fussy, you can find a nice house for
$350k. If you are a little fussy or want some land, expect to pay
$500k or better. Prescott is an old, established town with historic
buildings and strong family culture. It's true that absentee Californians
have snapped up a good bit of the real estate up. But they have been
are running around most of the west buying spare homes and putting
them in the "bank" for future use
Northern
Baja, Mexico: Don't write this one off too fast, especially if you
are in So Cal. and want a second home near the beach. It is not as
crazy as it sounds You can live near the beach in Rosarito and get
an absolutely great ocean view or ocean front house for a fraction
of the price of a house located two hours north in San Diego county.
South of the Border property even has financing available from this
side of the border.
Hilo
Area on the Big Island: One of the best deals in the United States
has been discovered and land prices are climbing rapidly, but guess
what? Land in Hilo is still inexpensive. If you are looking for a
slow pace, it doesn't get any slower than Hilo. This area is absolutely
beautiful yet not a prime location for vacation resorts and condos.
Condos on Kauai, Maui, and the other side of the big island run $500
- $750k, yet a Hilo acre lot can be purchased for $40 to $75k, and
houses for $150k. If you want some privacy, like to garden, and have
dreamed of building a hideaway on an tropical island, there is still
time to do it in the USA. It rains almost daily in Hilo but showers
are short and the 75 to 80 degrees temperatures makes the showers
and lush green growth a real delight.
Boise
is rated as the second best city to do business in the US by Forbes
Magazine. It has a population of about 400,000, and median house prices
around $165,000. Boise is an excellent gateway to the natural beauty
of the Northern Rockies. For those of you not quite ready to hang
it up, but looking for an interesting, affordable small city environment,
Boise deserves your serious consideration.
About
the Author
John Thomas is an author, mentor, and business consultant who works
exclusively with entrepreneurs and owners of small and mid-size businesses.
He provides advice on web site promotion at TrafficistheKey.com/
