I love driving the PCH and wandering off to visit various wineries and other rural, kind of "off the beaten path" type shops and staying at some remote family owned lodge on the river. We just don't have that kind of non "big name" stuff anymore in FL.
Since this thread is about retirement, the idea that a thriving retirement on a Social Security income of about $30K/yr is possible in CA, is well, beyond a pipe dream. The cost of living in CA, is high, not due to just one thing, but all things. People of lesser means are taxed into abject poverty.
Contrast that with a tax-free state that does not tax retiree investment income and has generally lower prices for everything, and the choice becomes quite clear for many of us.
In my case, I've not had a raise in over a decade. Despite working my tail off. Saving has been difficult lately, and I'm now getting occasional overdraft notices in the mail. Despite HAVING NO DEBT. Florida has become expensive, much like NY and CA. Gas is $4, Home insurance is $9-12K, Auto is $6K, Prop tax on a 3/2 home like mine $17,000, Electric power 13c KWh, but fees and taxes drive it to 22c at times.
Just had the talk with the wife about dropping homeowners insurance, despite the very real hurricane risk.
Do you think I can afford to move to, and retire in CA? Or is TN a smarter choice?
Since this thread is about retirement, the idea that a thriving retirement on a Social Security income of about $30K/yr is possible in CA, is well, beyond a pipe dream. The cost of living in CA, is high, not due to just one thing, but all things. People of lesser means are taxed into abject poverty.
Contrast that with a tax-free state that does not tax retiree investment income and has generally lower prices for everything, and the choice becomes quite clear for many of us.
In my case, I've not had a raise in over a decade. Despite working my tail off. Saving has been difficult lately, and I'm now getting occasional overdraft notices in the mail. Despite HAVING NO DEBT. Florida has become expensive, much like NY and CA. Gas is $4, Home insurance is $9-12K, Auto is $6K, Prop tax on a 3/2 home like mine $17,000, Electric power 13c KWh, but fees and taxes drive it to 22c at times.
Just had the talk with the wife about dropping homeowners insurance, despite the very real hurricane risk.
Do you think I can afford to move to, and retire in CA? Or is TN a smarter choice?