subject: Aging And Retirement [print this page] Aging comes with many changes... Aging comes with many changes...
However, one thing that will help you deal with aging is finding the right place to retire. With that in mind, I have put together a few places that you should take a look at. These range from the famous to the totally unknown. But, each has unique features that might just make you go ah!
Fair Hope (Fairhope), Alabama
This is one of the more expensive retirement spots in Alabama, but is a beautiful spot with spanish moss hanging from the trees, many paintings and flowers. Many have called it Carmel-by-the-Bay - refering to California's famous spot.
Brunswick, Maine
This is small town New England at its best. Famous residents have included Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin while living here. The Brunswick Naval Air Station is here. There is good hiking and cycling on the Androscoggin River Bike Trail. There are plenty of museums, libraries and golf courses to keep you busy.
Great Brook Village, New Hampshire
This one will probably be hard to get into because it only has 65 homes on 20 acres. But, being in the middle of the heart of New Hampshire's lakes region, it should be high on your list of spots in this state. It is only about 10 miles from Lake Winnipesaukee. You cannot keep children here as residents, but they are allowed as visitors up to 30 days per year. Someone living there has to be at least 55.
Hood River, Oregon
The Wind Surfing Capital of the World! That about says it all if you are a retiring sports nut. However, there is plenty more to attract you to this little known treasure in the Columbia Gorge. It is on the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail, has an annual Blossom Festival and Harvest Fest. It is close the most visited spot in Oregon - Multnomah Falls as well as Mount Hood for skiing and is on the Lewis and Clark Trail. This is also in the center of the fruit orchards of northern Oregon - providing incredible treats.
Royal Oak, Michigan
If you are into classic cars, then you could not pick a better place. This place has the world's largest car cruise called the Woodward Dream Cruise. This town in SE Michigan was named after a tree which reminded settlers of a tree in England where King Charles II of England hid from enemy forces in 1660. This is a golfers dream as well having over 100 courses within the county - both public and private.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson hole is almost synonymous with great skiing and it is true. With places like the Snow King, Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole Ski Resorts, this is a great spot for winter sports. But, if you thought that was all that it had to offer, you would be dead wrong. There is also great hiking, cross country skiing and stunning scenery provided by the Grand Tetons National Forest. There is a herd of 10,000 elk that lives in the area and can be seen year round. Great shops, restaurants and historic bars and hotels round out the picture. The only real downside are limited real estate which makes it pretty expensive.
