Where to Retire?

[Saxacussionist]

I really debated about throwing this out here as I'm not sure exactly the best way to ask this question...

I am going to retire sometime between now and 5 years from now so the retirement plans are in full swing. When I do, it's time to say good-by to Illinois and it's cold winters and move to somewhere where there are warm breezes and a long sailing season. In my dream, I would like to be within 1/2 hour of the marina, in a smaller size town where the weather is always perfect for sailing, there is a lot of room to explore the lake / ocean, and the cost of living is reasonable. (...ok, you can stop laughing now...) Does this place exist?

[mastreb]

Yes! It's called Tijuana MX. 30 mins south of San Diego Bay, where you can keep your boat. Lots of American retirees live in Mexico.

Otherwise, East County San Diego is warm and inexpensive, although more like 45 minutes from the Marinas.

Probably 50% of the boats in San Diego have AZ home ports listed as well. Many many Zonies keep a boat in San Diego but bask in the the low taxes and cost of living in AZ.

I would strongly consider home-porting a boat in South Bay San Diego (the Marinas are cheapest and you can keep a MacGregor mast-up on its trailer at Pier 32 in National City) and living in a large RV in one of the dozens of RV parks here nearby and in East/Imperial county. You can stay in Imperial county in the Winter, and then move over to the coast in the summer time.

Chula Vista Marina is both a marina and a big RV park, so you could live right by your boat fairly inexpensively.

[Kittiwake]

The serious sailors (of which I am not one) in southwest BC say winter is the best time (lots of wind) ... and you can explore the coast forever. But you will want some warm underwear if you plan to sail all year .
Kittiwake

[Russ]

Costa Rica.

You haven't provided many parameters besides sailing. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Small town.

What about other amenities.
Close to airport?
Crime rate?
Shopping (for the admiral)?
Entertainment?
Average temp/humidity. (I'd love a long sailing season, but not with high humidity).

[dlandersson]

North Carolina or southern California seem to have the best climate.

A possible concern with other countries is the rule of law (now and future) issue.

Quite a few NW Indiana folks spend their summers here and their winters elsewhere.

I really debated about throwing this out here as I'm not sure exactly the best way to ask this question...

I am going to retire sometime between now and 5 years from now so the retirement plans are in full swing. When I do, it's time to say good-by to Illinois and it's cold winters and move to somewhere where there are warm breezes and a long sailing season. In my dream, I would like to be within 1/2 hour of the marina, in a smaller size town where the weather is always perfect for sailing, there is a lot of room to explore the lake / ocean, and the cost of living is reasonable. (...ok, you can stop laughing now...) Does this place exist?

[kadet]

It's called Langkawi

[innervations]

I second Langkawi

[dlandersson]

What about pirates, gypsies, tramps and thieves? (there's a song there).

I second Langkawi

[DaveB]

Costa Rica is a place 20 years ago I would have put it #1 because of much better Medical , much lower cost of living and the lifestyle I would enjoy.
Well that's 20 years ago and word got out and is not the same today.
Dave

Costa Rica.

You haven't provided many parameters besides sailing. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Small town.

What about other amenities.
Close to airport?
Crime rate?
Shopping (for the admiral)?
Entertainment?
Average temp/humidity. (I'd love a long sailing season, but not with high humidity).

[DaveB]

Does for me, Cape Coral, FL. Buy a 3bed/2bath/2car garage for $95K and trailer your boat 3 miles to a ramp or 15 miles to many ramps.
Cost of living is low and lots to do as a old fart looking to do the things he/she missed in life.
Feb. could get down to 50 degrees for a day, so bunker in.
I am retiring end of year and going to get the fruits of life ,Trailer Sailing again full time.
Dave

I really debated about throwing this out here as I'm not sure exactly the best way to ask this question...

I am going to retire sometime between now and 5 years from now so the retirement plans are in full swing. When I do, it's time to say good-by to Illinois and it's cold winters and move to somewhere where there are warm breezes and a long sailing season. In my dream, I would like to be within 1/2 hour of the marina, in a smaller size town where the weather is always perfect for sailing, there is a lot of room to explore the lake / ocean, and the cost of living is reasonable. (...ok, you can stop laughing now...) Does this place exist?

[Saxacussionist]

Thanks for the suggestions so far and congratulations to DaveB - It looks like you are going to get there before I do!

I think I would want to stay in the states so I can collect at least some of that government retirement program called Social Security that I have been paying into for the past 40 years. Other than that, it's all about the weather for me. San Diego area would be great. Plenty of entertainment options, great weather, etc. Perhaps closer to the Temecula area? Great wine country but further from the water... I remember the cost of living to be out of sight back when I worked there. That was pre-housing market crash though...

The East coast from the Carolinas to Florida is also on my list to check out. A lot more humid, but sailing the Atlantic, Gulf, the Keys and the Caribbean are a definite draw for me. The 50's for a low temp wouldn't bother me so much, that is what we are getting for high temps right now. (I'm still sailing even though the marina is officially closed. I'll pull the boat out when I have to pry my frozen fingers from the lines..)

Thanks again!

Brad

[mastreb]

The cost of living problem in San Diego is purely cost of housing. Everything else is about as cheap as the rest of the country. Gasoline is maybe 20% higher. And no, it's not any better than before the market crash--it's fully recovered if not a bit worse. Zillow says my house is now worth more than ever.

The solution is not to buy a house. Renting isn't horrible here, but the real way to go for a retiree is mobile living IMHO. Get a big RV, 5th wheel, or travel trailer and park it in East County. Prices are just as low as Temecula (which is no longer as low as it used to be) and Imperial county is down right cheap. This does put you 1 hour from the boat, but everything here is a half hour away anyway.

Another option is to spend on a larger boat and live aboard. Liveaboard slips at Marinas here for a livable 40' boat are <$1000. My brother-in-law lives aboard his 33' Ranger for $200/mo. on a mooring ball in SD harbor (but you'll want a really nice tender if you're going to do that).

Lots of ways to make it inexpensive.

[kadet]

What about pirates, gypsies, tramps and thieves? (there's a song there).

I second Langkawi

Yep there everywhere don't go there it is a horrible place... That's why I wan to retire there

[Steve K]

My brother-in-law lives aboard his 33' Ranger for $200/mo. on a mooring ball in SD harbor (but you'll want a really nice tender if you're going to do that).

Hey Matt,
There was a Ranger 33 up here @ Silverwood Lake, awhile back. I was thinking about buying it.
The deal was like $ 1 or 2K and get it off the lake. I almost did it, but decided I didn't have the time/energy to get it moved, either to my back yard, then to a slip/mooring when I was able (3 years till house is free and clear)

It was in great shape..... just needed a good scrubbing and removal of former owner's stuff.

I don't know how it ended up at Silverwood, as they only allow 26 feet and smaller there.
You can Google Silverwood lake and call them (It's a State park, btw) to get the # for the marina (don't have it handi) to see if it's still there. I looked it over closely. It was solid. Even with getting it moved, it would be well worth the money.

Best Breezes,
Steve K.

[Herschel]

I would like to throw in Central Florida as a consideration. I have have lived here most of my life (minus years spent in the Navy that includes San Diego) and am retired. I live in Orlando, but I keep my Mac 26X in a marina in Sanford on Lake Monroe, which is one of several large lakes on the St. Johns River system that winds it way from near Melbourne (SE of Orlando) all the way north to Jacksonville where it empties into the Atlantic. I enjoy sailing on the lake, but I can also motor down river as far as I feel like going (down river the bridges can open for you; upriver you have to lower the mast for one bridge so I don't go that way much). I took a month back in 2010 and traveled all the way to Jacksonville and back. Nice trip! If you want to trailer over to salt water, you can go west to the Tampa Bay area and sail along the SW coast that includes Sarasota Bay and several other large bays along the ICW. If you go east you can use the Indian River estuary which has some nice sheltered sailing areas, go out into the Atlantic, or explore north or south along the ICW. Or, you can head south to the keys. It is a good jumping off place to explore the whole state. Summers are hot, and there are the afternoon thunder storms, so I focus on enjoying the fall, winter, and spring, with odd days during the summer that look good weatherwise.