You are going to buy a retirement home in the south. Where should you pick? Florida vs. California vs. Arizona vs.Texas

Arizona, no Earthquakes, no Hurricanes, Cheaper than both Florida, and California
Close to California, the Grand Canyon, Mexico, Las Vegas, sunier than any other state.
etc, etc, etc

I would say Florida. Still has fun activities to do on beaches and stuff with a reasonably priced lifestyle, where as in California you may have to spend most of your retirement, just to live comfortably, but not as hot as Arizona.

Florida, I'd be afraid of hurricaines (depending where in the state I lived), I'd choose California or Arizona, where it's nice and sunny.

northern california

For the place that is generally the most affordable and least stressful would say Arizona would be the most relaxing retirement destination out of those.

CA - better for 'prime' living
AZ - no beaches, many golf courses, HOT
TX - no thanks
FL - beaches, condos, palm trees, quiet areas, golf courses, caribbean cruise hub, affordable...the ideal retirement state

What about Hawaii?

What about Hawaii?

Ridiculously expensive ;)

You'd have to have a whole lot of money saved up to retire to either California of Florida these days. Arizona is probably the best for a retiree (wouldn't want to be living there as a 20-something though).

Florida. Hainan Island (China) is a nice place then.
well, I didn't think too much about when I get retired now, I need to make more money now.

Though not mentioned above, I would prefer to retire in Australia or in British Columbia(Vancouver Island).

Definitely California.. I think Santa Barbara is the ideal place to spend the life after the retirement :)

Arizona definely. Its hot, sunny, and beautiful. Its also right next door to Las Vegas, California, and Mexico.

CALIFORNIA

Of those definately Florida...
Lots of Florida retirees are moving to the mountains of N. carolina and North Georgia now. They are called Half-Backs....half back to NY I guess. Alot of them like the milder weather but can still get 4 seasons.

CA - better for 'prime' living
AZ - no beaches, many golf courses, HOT
TX - no thanks
FL - beaches, condos, palm trees, quiet areas, golf courses, caribbean cruise hub, affordable...the ideal retirement state

What about Hawaii?


CA has many beaches, condos, palm trees, quiet areas. Not exactly the right spot to start a caribbean cruise, and the affordability may be in question...

Ideal for the rich retired person I suppose...who may or may not like a cruise to mexico or hawaii.

^I'm well aware of what Cali has to offer, that's the reason why I love that state to death. The problem is that Cali is too darn expensive to live and retire in. I'm assuming that I won't retire a millionaire and selling my home and cashing in my RRSP's won't even be enough to buy me a two bedroom condo there...So I can settle for Florida - Southern California plus greener grass minus the mountains.

Hmm, I don't know, my grandfather lives in FL so I'll go with that.

Florida is where people go to die.

If saving money is important, retire in Texas. Arizona has good scenery. Florida has a world-class city in Miami. But California has everything - good and bad. If you can afford it, that is.

double post sorry

California or Miami, but not northern Flordia...

so... california it is...(if I had to choose)

Florida!!!!! North Florida at that. Question where do people from Florida go on an vacation at ????

California or Miami, but not northern Flordia...

so... california it is...(if I had to choose)
are you telling about J-Ville

California or Miami, but not northern Flordia...

so... california it is...(if I had to choose)
Hey what's up with N. Florida

Florida

I wouldn't follow anyone's retirement location, I would retire where I want to....many rich elderly people retire in downtown Seattle, with condos...I'm not joking....yes, in Seattle...not a warm spot like CA, AZ, FL or TX. They can retire anywhere they want....warm spots attract them because they can't stand the cold anymore. sorry bad joke

None of the above, I don't like the "sunbelt", and once I get out of here in less than 2 years, I'm NEVER coming back.

the delaware beaches are turning into a very big retirement area, but the area is pretty much for people who want to live in a retirement area but stay near the northeast. i odn't think it can compete on arizona's or florida's large scale either.

Florida!!!!! North Florida at that. Question where do people from Florida go on an vacation at ????

a lot of them go up to buffalo and southern ontario in the summer. many own cottages near lake erie (and i'm guessing along lake ontario), and stay the entire summer to enjoy summer temperatures that aren't really that hot. my grandparents live in buffalo and have a cottage in ontario, and many people near them are from florida.

Here's a map by a real estate group that shows where many of the retirees are going.

http://www.realestateconsulting.com/strategic/strategic200304_usmap1.html

When I retire I will probably stay here in Maine,but thats a long way off,also a lot of people come here to retire.In fact we are the 3rd oldest state by population.

Wow. I'm surprised by how much Northern New England is retiree friendly. It must be the very laid back lifestyle and beautiful nature year round. Isn't the Jersey Shore a very popular retiree spot?

I dont like any if them, but I would say Texas. Its cheap, nice, warm, and close to a beach, although I wouldnt want to live in one.

None look appealing to me. If forced to choose, maybe northern california. But, really, I wouldn't be interested in any of the four choices.

Texas. Its pretty cheap.

Golden State for my golden years...

Probably Florida? Maybe California.