44 Comments

I wonder if there is a study about the places to retire in Canada.

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Disney, According To The Fine Print, Must Have All Their Bond Debt Resolved Before Florida Rescinds Agreement. Game Over Maaaaaan.

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Apr 28, 2022·edited Apr 28, 2022

Here’s a reality check: If you love the closeness of family (and your grandkids) and you like hanging out with them, don’t move away from them.

If you decide to retire to another state (after living close to family for most of your life) you’ll end up converting your retirement fund into frequent flyer miles or putting many more miles on your car.

Just sayin’…think it through, then think it through again.

You can always get away and go to Florida for a month or two. Don’t expect the whole family to pack up and come down to see you every other week if that’s what you’re used to experiencing.

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Apr 28, 2022Liked by Bill Murphy Jr.

Bill, the one objection I have about the Maryland ranking is healthcare. John’s Hopkins and other hospitals and medical schools give us the finest healthcare in the world. The other categories are unfortunately correct.

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Apr 28, 2022Liked by Bill Murphy Jr.

Good morning - In clicking the link that shows Nebraska ranked #1, instead it shows a report from BankRate.com showing Georgia as the #1 state for retirement. And as a Georgian, it makes me happy.

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As a retired New Yorker who is planning a move to Indiana to be closer to extended family, the “oh do you have family there?” made me smile. Five or ten years ago, this would not have been on my list of retirement locations. Most of my retired friends who left NY moved to FL. (Never an option for us, love the changing seasons too much) NY was a wonderful place to raise our multi racial family; plus we love the accessibility to NYC and the cultural diversity. But we no longer have family nearby and what we pay in taxes monthly are equivalent to annual taxes in IN.

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As a current MN and ex NY then NJ resident (with work stints and offices in most states in US for exposure to residents) I would say one thing about “affordability” that stand out to me in retirement discussions (I just retired) is taxes. MN is so low on choice as place to retire for those who saved well for it due to an almost 10% state tax; plus high estate taxes with low exemptions. You have to really like your local MN kids for that price!

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On a different note, I have a personal connection to Federal Judge Esther Salas whose son Daniel was murdered by a man who was able to easily get personal info on her (he was stalking her and wanted to kill her). Daniel’s Law in NJ was enacted to help protect the private information of people in public service such as those in law enforcement, judicial officers and prosecutors. Google’s consideration of limiting public access to personal information would help protect other public servants outside of NJ.

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I'm not wanted in the top conservative states. I will not retire in a cold state. Currently in Maryland and learning they love crab, crocks, PJs and their flag on everything from their underwear to their wedding dress. So far, It is a very thumbs down state with not very outgoing people. While they think they are all that and a bag of chips.

With the hate in religions and political voter divide, Portugal is my 1st choice as well. Costa Rica and Belize are on the list as well.

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Apr 28, 2022Liked by Bill Murphy Jr.

Two comments-completely unrelated. Don’t retire to where your children are just to be close to them unless you either live with them or are willing to move when they do. Because they might.

I also find it fascinating that Massachusetts didn’t ban slavery for almost 100 years after the 13th Amendment and that Harvard apparently still had slaves for that long. Unless I missed something in what I read.

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Apr 28, 2022Liked by Bill Murphy Jr.

Hi, I pitched an idea earlier this week and then sent a follow up email if you received. Neither answered, wondering if you ever got it. Sorry to use this public forum to ask but I know you always respond to emails and pitches, much thanks

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Apr 28, 2022Liked by Bill Murphy Jr.

As a lifelong resident of Nebraska I cringe a bit when I read our state motto. It hasn't been super popular with at least vocal residents. (We previously had "Nebraska. Nice!," which also wasn't very popular. Our longstanding, "The Good Life" is still a resident favorite.) However, it is probably one of the most accurate state mottos I've seen. Say it with sincerity or with sarcasm and you can reach a good portion of the population. ;)

It may be a good place to retire, but it's also not a bad place to live. Although I've always lived in Nebraska, I spent my summers in high school and college on the east coast (Virginia and New Jersey). And due to travel requirements for previous jobs, I've spent considerable time in Detroit, San Antonio, and Tampa. I feel I can offer a somewhat objective view on it.

We are mainly rural, but we have a couple large cities and a lot of community centers. We have great culture within our towns and cities, but are also within reasonable driving distance of Denver, Kansas City, and Minneapolis. Our diversity is growing. And although we've been a red state for as long as I know, we tend to elect (at least historically) the best person not the best party. We get to experience all four seasons, sometimes all in one day. We get the a taste of the extreme highs in the summer and lows in the winter, but nothing too harsh on either end. We have beautiful prairies, rolling sandhills, a national forest, caves...just detour from the interstate. And the people here are generally and genuinely nice.

I agree, this is a great place. :)

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Lakes, rivers...every state has beaches. So, yes, you could kick back on the beach in Nebraska, South Dakota or Missouri (Lake of the Ozarks is huge) and most other states. Even Arizona.

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Did you notice how Transamerica Life Insurance Company is based in Cedar Rapids, IA? And Iowa is ranked #2...

Also, as others have said, it doesn't seem that they really included anything about health concerns or healthcare availability. Certainly did not factor in the "Disability Belt." https://www.cbpp.org/blog/geographic-concentration-of-poor-health-explains-most-of-disability-belt

https://www.bridgemi.com/children-families/northern-michigans-disability-belt-now-rivals-deep-south-and-appalachia

Meanwhile, a nursing home crisis is hammering rural Nebraska (and most other rural counties in the Midwest and West): https://omaha.com/opinion/columnists/kyle-arganbright-a-nursing-home-crisis-is-hammering-rural-nebraska/article_1449c0b0-53b8-11ec-826e-1b3da4131d18.html

Also, the question of what age of retirees is Transamerica talking about? Tweeniors seem to be wanting to live in their own homes or even in apartments in more urban areas surrounded by amenities and community, not surrounded by other retirees (as much as before).

What factors led to the culture score?

Very suspicious results indeed.

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Apr 28, 2022·edited Apr 28, 2022Liked by Bill Murphy Jr.

I meant to leave a comment on how the Southern California, where I was born and raised, is NOT the paradise I remember. But I got sidetracked reading other subscribers' comments and I am so grateful to be part of the Understandably community.

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Bill

I am certain that the malfunction I am experiencing on Jot has nothing to do with the Understandably, but wanted you to be aware…

The offer button on Jot that populates as a result of your link from Understandably does not work. Although properly directed to the website, nothing happens when I chose to click the Unlock the Offer buttons…

ooops

Somewhere I can hear Roseanne Roseanna Danna say “There’s always something…”

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