Retiring

parklane · St THOMAS, ONT

Retiring

v8deuce · OAKVILLE, ONT

I didn't want to hijack Rys's thread but there was a couple that are or going to be living in Florida. I'm getting close to retiring and have been thinking very seriously about a warmer climate for the winter months. I know this has been going on for generations and it's not really car stuff but my question is are there people on the site that have a second home in a warmer state or country?How do you like it? Are there car stuff to do? How much am I looking at price wise?

Randy

Gazoo · BADEN, ONT

I hear a lot of good things about Arizona, real estate is reasonable, weather is great, and car stuff...Not much water front properties though, but miles of beach. No hurricanes either, plus it snows or freezes in Florida nearly every winter.

Cat in the Hat · BRANTFORD, ONT

Unless you like icecream soup. Arizona is not for you

Avrage temp for july over 103 DAILY!!!!!

Lots of great plces to see. Housing dirt cheap

But FREAKIN HOT

EVEN JAN FEB IS 70 / 80 but snow 2 hours north of the home of Barret Jackson

jarvis1 · COBBLE HILL, BC

Lots of people go to Arizona for the winter, but head back north in the spring.
Just too damn hot in the summer. Close to the Mexico border, Yuma, etc. there is a constant wind that blows fine dust in to every nook and cranny in your house.
So...Arizona in the winter and back home in the summer would be ideal.
Or....Vancouver Island all year round.

will · WALKERTON, ONT

Randy
I retired in 2004. We went to Sebring Florida, bought a new home in a retirement community there. This was an area we had checked out a few years before I retired. When the time came, we knew where we wanted to be.
The following link will take you to the home page for Tanglewood Retirement Community.

www.hometownamerica.com/Tanglewood

This link will give you some idea on pricing and what bang you get for your dollar. Central Florida is less expensive and a lot less crowded. We are not beach people.
Florida is still trying to recover from the recession and there are lots of deals to be had. Canadians are the ones buying.

We were able to get in six years of warm 12 month weather before my wife had some medical issues that forced us to return home. We have since sold our home in Florida and severed all ties as she can no longer receive out of country medical insurance.

As for car stuff - NASCAR at Daytona & Homestead. Drag Racing at Bradenton and Gainsville. Barrett-Jackson in Palm Beach. Turkey Run Car Show at Daytona track on Thanksgiving - fill the infield. Lots of swap meets.
Saturday nite at Old Town in Kissimmee. Car shows - Dade City, Zephyrhills etc. Lots of Auto Wreckers to hunt for parts. Lots of classic cars advertised to check out. Don Garlits Drag Racing museum in Ocala.
I had no problem finding things to do. I would winter back there in a New York minute, but it is not to be.

As for "newly weds and nearly deads" I guess they are there, but they sure would not stop me from putting Ontario and the cold winters in the rear view mirror.

I will try to answer any questions you might have Randy.

Good luck

John

v8deuce · OAKVILLE, ONT

Thanks guys for the heads up.My older brother bought in wickenburg arizonia and he loves it but is only there for a few months in the winter.He has an old army jeep and hunts the hills for old abandoned gold mines,for him thats great but I'm a grass and trees kind of guy that likes to cruise in a hotrod so thats why I was thinking around the Kissemee area and again only for a few months in the winter. I was thinking a gated community or condo just lock it up and leave it and come back in a few months. I still really like ontario and don't want to move for good down there.

Jarvis 1 before we moved to Oakville we lived in Kelowna and we thought very seriously about the island even so far as to put a deposit on a house but the ferry was a big hassle so when the deal fell through we never looked anymore and also at that time our daughter was accepted at Ryerson university so we moved to oakville and we both really like it here.

Glenn my idea was to find something we could go to for a while and get in on the good prices besides I'm looking at 60 rite in the face but thanks for the complament!!

Will I will be bending your ear for all the info I can,there is nothing better than someone who has "bintheredonethat"

Parklane as soon as our son finishes grade twelve (next year) I want to downsize to a little country acerage around your area.

Gazoo I'm also thinking it is a long ways to the west so I was going to check out the carolina's also do you know anything about that area?

Randy

oldkoot · BROCKVILLE, ONT

Randy,
Before you buy anywhere, I would rent a place first in the area you think you might like to buy, spend 3 or 6 months there and see if it's what you really want for the long run.

Gazoo · BADEN, ONT

I've never really spent much time in North or South Carolina, mostly driving through, so I couldn't comment on staying there. But it sure is beautiful country to drive through.

Oldkoot has some good advice there, I'd go vacation for a week or two first, then if you like it, look into renting for a few months.

Rochie · LONDON, ONT

I have a friend that lives in Candler NC. just west of Asheville. He moved there in 2007 from Santa Cruz CA. where he was born and raised. He absolutely loves North Carolina. Lots of hot rod things to do, Charlotte auto fair, Nascar, etc., etc. Great roads and places to visit.

-- Edited by Rochie on Friday 26th of July 2013 08:36:08 AM

Rocketman · WALLBRIDGE, ONT

If you are considering buying a place in Florida or elsewhere just remember that There are special new tax laws coming in concerning Non residents. Depending on How long you stay you could end up paying US Income taxes . My buddy was just telling me about this so look into it first if your planning on spending more than 3 months a year there.

Also remember that a Canadian living next to an American in Florida in identical houses pays double the Property tax that the American does. And also if your buying a mobile home or manufactured home check into insurance first. Most Insurance companys are no longer providing coverage for these types of homes.

Then don't forget that you have to spray regularly termites and everything grows so fast that you have to have a lawn service 12 months a year even if you are only there 1/2 a year.

I suggest that Renting is a better option.

shag766 · FOXBORO, ONT

oldkoot wrote:
Randy,
Before you buy anywhere, I would rent a place first in the area you think you might like to buy, spend 3 or 6 months there and see if it's what you really want for the long run.

X2

shag766 · FOXBORO, ONT

i drove truck many years through the states. all the places mentioned above have there pro's and con's. it boils down to it just feels good or right for you, the individual. old koot hit it on the head with rent something in the area for a bit. a month would give you a perspective on whether you want to be there for another month, etc-etc. eventually you will find a place where you use the etc-etc. i know some people who have been renting the same places for some years at 14-1500 a month, all in, for 3-4 months at a time. why buy? its there you just have to do the leg work.
myself, i am zeroing in on texas, south of tornado alley. lol san anton area. its a bias choice do to having a younger sister there for about 15 years but it feels good. we are contemplating i buy some land,5-10 acres, near the canyon lake area. they sell their home and we build another with a glorified granny flat, for me, and a shop of course. he is a just retired military pilot and she has 7 more yrs to go as a nurse.
if your wish is old cars there is a pile of them down there. mustangs and ford trucks are everywhere. lol

v8deuce · OAKVILLE, ONT

Thanks guys for the advice I will take it very serious,I have a little advantage as my brother has invited us to his arizonia home this winter so that will allow me to get a handle on that area for the cost of a couple airline tickets.I know there is a lot of small print in the tax system and ins and outs with bylaws,some of you have given me some hints thanks for that.One thing Ive leaned over the years if in dought ask questions biggrin

Randy

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

in florida there are no emmision tests or safety checks on vehicles.

jarvis1 · COBBLE HILL, BC

USA is extending the time you can stay, it was 6 months, it may be more now. After that, you have to pay income tax on some earnings.
I would avoid Florida unless you want a house that disappears.
I have spent some time in North Carolina. That is the ideal location for year round living.
My son has been there for 17 years and was 10 minutes from the big track. He is now further out in the country. The real estate there is quite reasonable.