Hello, all. First off, as a newbie I must say that this particular forum seems to be populated by a very nice bunch, great to be a part of it. Although we do love our house and town, My wife Terry and me are kind of fed up with the hectic lifestyle and dog eat dog ambiance around here and are looking to find some greener pastures. We are drawn to a more rural lifestyle, but desire a connection with people and a town that while small is still cosmopolitan enough to offer the occasional concert, movie and such. Matt had pointed out with highspeed internet a good library is not a requirement, but as addicted as we are to our computers, nothing can replace the written word or the feel of a good book. We have people in Vermont and like it very much, but we do not want to move too hastily, only to find our dream location after the fact. Any input would be most appreciated.

 

[QUOTE=Boomvang,Dec 16 2005, 11:43 PM] Hello, all. First off, as a newbie I must say that this particular forum seems to be populated by a very nice bunch, great to be a part of it. Although we do love our house and town, My wife Terry and me are kind of fed up with the hectic lifestyle and dog eat dog ambiance around here and are looking to find some greener pastures. We are drawn to a more rural lifestyle, but desire a connection with people and a town that while small is still cosmopolitan enough to offer the occasional concert, movie and such. Matt had pointed out with highspeed internet a good library is not a

 

OK, Boom.....I've been waiting with one suggestion, which we know pretty well:

Brunswick, Maine: Small town with library/ culture/ events available @ Bowdoin College (our son about to finish his u/g degree next week). It's only a few miles from the wonderful Maine coastline with innumerable bays/ water views/ Lobster/ etc. Good airport and 'city' only an hour south in Portland. LL Bean is only 10 miles away. The politics tend to be somewhat left-leaning....not unusual in a top-line liberal arts college. There is a great sense of community and the head librarian is a personal friend of ours....we can make an introduction

Unfortunately, the real estate prices have gotten pretty high, but that should not be a problem if you're selling on Long Island Houses in the area called Harpswell Island are neat....now in the $1mm category with any water view. There is a Morgan Club that has an annual event on this island (connected by causeway to the mainland)

Burlington, VT would be another candidate in New England, if you like Vermont. I don't know as much about that area.

 

We face a simular dilemma living in the Washington DC Metro area. The cost of living is high, the traffic is terrible, and the weather sucks in the summer and winter. My 18 mile commute took me two hours this morning, due to the ice storm last night.

As we have talked to other people that have not been happy about their choice of towns that they have relocated too in retirement. We are planning on taking the wondering route. That is: Cashing out of the house, buying a Class A motor home and hitting the road, with three goals in mind. Seeing the places that we have not seen, visiting some friends along the way (without being a burden on them, as we could be self sufficient in their drive way, or in front of their house), and most importantly, seeking out a place where we would feel comfortable "calling home". When the time comes that we no longer can or want to be vagabonds, we will sell the motor home and "pitch a tent" after discovering where that may be. Until that happens, once we "hit the road", we can go where the weather suits our clothes. South in the winter, north in the summer and somewhere in between in the spring and fall. In the next few years until I can retire HSIA and wireless hotspots will not be as much as a problem for Internet Access. As HSIA is a requirement for us.

 

Portland/South Portland is also a nice place to live. It's a small city with a small town feel to it. Camden which is about one hundred miles north of Portland is also a very nice little coastal town, but real estate there is very expensive.
I lived in Maine for about twenty five years, and I'll never understand why anyone would want to live there year-round. As the natives say, "We got nine months of wintah and three months of piss poo-ah sleddin'.

 

MONEY magazine does annual features on 'The Best Places to Live' or '...to Retire', with varying criteria each time. Not sure if you must be a subscriber, but take a look at that site and 'search' for Best Places. They let YOU pick your most impt criteria and search their database

 

While reading this post, I found myself whistling Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again."

 

Ralper, we hail from the hamlet of Islip, great little town. If it was located someplace not surrounded by 2.5 million people within a 40 mi radius we would never move. Thanks for the suggestions. We will check them out and report back.
Gary

 

I agree, Islip is a great little town and I agree, its too bad its surrounded by all those people and all that congestion. I'm not partial to Long Island.

You might want to consider staying in Islip and buying a getaway place somewhere.

 

[QUOTE=Boomvang,Dec 16 2005, 07:43 PM] Hello, all. First off, as a newbie I must say that this particular forum seems to be populated by a very nice bunch, great to be a part of it. Although we do love our house and town, My wife Terry and me are kind of fed up with the hectic lifestyle and dog eat dog ambiance around here and are looking to find some greener pastures. We are drawn to a more rural lifestyle, but desire a connection with people and a town that while small is still cosmopolitan enough to offer the occasional concert, movie and such. Matt had pointed out with highspeed internet a good library is not a