COLA increase for Social Security

Liberty said:
But where is the nature? And don't saw Central Park. Been there. Just saw an 8 point buck in our front yard...think hub would curl up in a corner and pine away if he had to live in an apartment in any big city, let alone NYC...lol.
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5 minutes from our house

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mathjak107 said:
the boroughs are nothing like manhattan…

my wife and i are avid bird photographers ..we have preserves and parks all around us . i will post some shots we took from a preserve 5 minutes from our house ..obviously you dont know the boroughs or long island ..we are right near long island parks and preserves as well .

we are very suburban and far removed from what manhattan life is ,

we can be in midtown manhattan via the long island railroad in under 30 minutes .

we had a second home in the poconos surrounded by woods and nature ,. that life got stale pretty quick .

we ended up selling pre retirement because it was so opposite what we wanted in retirement .

winters were long and cold with little to do .

we had one major hospital in scranton . the first thing gloria estefans doctors did when she was in that horrific crash was airlifter to a nyc.

hospital

there were few specialists and not many medical facilities .

even the things to do in the nice whether got boring .

there was only low paying jobs if i wanted to work a bit in retirement .

the list went on and on , and everything we wanted was right here where we already lived
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Its nice you like where you live. Agree with you on the brutal winters...lol.
That's why we live in the south. It is also nice to live not too far from an urban area. We have that advantage also. Have been in the Long Island area. A vendor we had lived near the Amityville house. He would take us by it. So many graveyards, and we used to have good times joking about his ancestors.

Glad you are enjoying your lifestyle. Everyone has a somewhat different idea of what "living their dream is". its wonderful when you are content in your skin and just know you belong where you are. Gives you a nice warm and cozy feeling.
 
we just have so much here . we can go from the crazy manhattan life to the country life of long island or westchester in a half hour or less .

sure there are lots of things we dont like here , but the fact is retirement is all about spending the last down of our lives the way we want .

plus our 6 grandkids are local to us and we are a part of their lives not via a vacation stop over like my parents were to our kids .
 

mathjak107 said:
my wife and i are avid bird photographers ..we have preserves and parks all around us . i will post some shots we took from a preserve 5 minutes from our house ..obviously you dont know the boroughs or long island ..we are right near long island parks and preserves as well .

we are very suburban and far removed from what manhattan life is ,

we can be in midtown manhattan via the long island railroad in under 30 minutes .
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That sure sounds wonderful. I hope eventually I can find someplace with a good balance of civilization and nature.
 
my son is in westchester ..his taxes are 31k …that is more than our rent .

BUT high tax areas are not high tax in a vacuum ….the taxes are high because the home values are high ….the homes are high because demand is high as they tend to be bordered by higher paying jobs .

so low taxes may not be a benefit many times.

in his case he is a partner in a large national law firm 15 minutes from home ..his wife is a cpa and runs the tax dept for a high profile hedge fund in greenwich ct also 15 minutes from home .

their incomes are off the hook , so the area is very costly to match the incomes

his town is rye ny on one side and greenich ct on the other .the dividing line is the road in front of their development..one side is ny the other ct

ct has lower taxes but his home would be well over 2 million . he prefers the ny side because he prefers their school system so he has higher taxes and a lower home price compared to ct across the road
 
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mathjak107 said:
many times lower income people are better off in high cost areas like nyc in retirement….
there are so many perks for seniors .

one of which is seniors who have less than 50k in income are exempt from any rent hikes if the rent takes more than 35% of their income …

half of all rentals in nyc are stabilized and those seniors who qualify dont see another increase …the landlords are offset with tax credits
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Not necessarily, thanks to programs previously established many rural areas (depends on the state partly i think) have things to assist seniors. My state, New Mexico has a state tax, but seniors get an generous credit, some of it for property taxes paid. i've gotten state refund even in years when SSA my only income.
We have a Senior Center in our village (pop: 800) that serves some of outlying farm/ranch folks too. The Gov Commodities food distribution is handled thru it. We even have a dialysis center. Property taxes go for equipment for Volunteer Fire Dept too. No jail here but we have a small police force and ambulance as well non-emergency Medical Transport thru Senior Center and private or government grant funded agencies.
We also have a clinic run by Presbyterian Medical, and are only a 1 to 1.5 hr drive (or bus ride--yeah there's a bus to city--only once a day each way, but it is there)from the University's Medical center (actually had my sleep study for CPAP thru them).

NM is ranked as one of poorer states in USA, but i think that's in part because the income figures from the Reservations bring down statewide median income. Thing is our taxes at work are pretty visible here (at least if you live rural) they help fund the services some rural places in other states may not have. And we have some of the most efficient road maintenance crews i've ever seen and i've lived a lot places.

Of course i have an advantage over some in that my daughter is my 'housemate'. Works full time (currently working a lot of OT) and shares expenses.
 
feywon said:
Not necessarily, thanks to programs previously established many rural areas (depends on the state partly i think) have things to assist seniors. My state, New Mexico has a state tax, but seniors get an generous credit, some of it for property taxes paid. i've gotten state refund even in years when SSA my only income.
We have a Senior Center in our village (pop: 800) that serves some of outlying farm/ranch folks too. The Gov Commodities food distribution is handled thru it. We even have a dialysis center. Property taxes go for equipment for Volunteer Fire Dept too. No jail here but we have a small police force and ambulance as well non-emergency Medical Transport thru Senior Center and private or government grant funded agencies.
We also have a clinic run by Presbyterian Medical, and are only a 1 to 1.5 hr drive (or bus ride--yeah there's a bus to city--only once a day each way, but it is there)from the University's Medical center (actually had my sleep study for CPAP thru them).

NM is ranked as one of poorer states in USA, but i think that's in part because the income figures from the Reservations bring down statewide median income. Thing is our taxes at work are pretty visible here (at least if you live rural) they help fund the services some rural places in other states may not have. And we have some of the most efficient road maintenance crews i've ever seen and i've lived a lot places.

Of course i have an advantage over some in that my daughter is my 'housemate'. Works full time (currently working a lot of OT) and shares expenses.
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nothing in this world will be true across the board for everyone…but the point is these supposed high cost areas may effect cost a lot less when you have lower incomes
 
Tom 86 said:
Glad I live out in the country & own my own house. I can't believe the price I'm reading here for some apartments. My taxes on the house is only $320.?? every 6 months.
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Totally agree--my taxes just went up to a whole $412.04 annually, payable in 6 month intervals. But when i look at what those taxes are going for---they actually print on our tax bill--it is well worth it, and not a hardship since the house/land is ours free and clear.

And the perks of rural living in terms of minimized stress? Priceless--to me at least.
 
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feywon said:
Totally agree--my taxes just went up to a whole $412.04 annually, payable in 6 month intervals. But when i look at what those taxes are going for---they actually print on our tax bill--it is well worth it, an not a hardship since the house/land is ours free and clear.

And the perks of rural living in terms of minimized stress? Priceless--to me at least.
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we found the opposite when we had the home in the poconos .

home maintenance was a lot ..between the harsh winters and living in the woods there was always expenses for maintenance or work for me to do .

the hospital was a good 35-40 minutes away …we had no quick care places where you can pop in 5 minutes away for stitches or something not requiring an ER .

everything was a drive ..if i couldnt drive at some point there was no public transportation..

boredom was a huge factor …when you are used to all the things manhattan offers or even our local area , it can be terrible each day with so much time and little to do except chores on the house .

so definitely rural is out for us
 
mathjak107 said:
nothing in this world will be true across the board for everyone…but the point is these supposed high cost areas may effect cost a lot less when you have lower incomes
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Yes true--people have different tastes. But I've been urban poor and country poor at various times...i'll take country poor any time for many reasons--but to each their own. More job ops the only benefit of urban life i can see. Public transport? We have it to some degree between cities with stops in rural areas along the way. But also country people will walk to work (our whole town is 3 miles end to end with most of the employment along that main road) in all kinds of weather, even after dark--and here it's safer to be out walking alone after dark--if they can't get ride from family or friends on given day.

Oh and in low income areas of cities, they often get lower quality fresh produce. Large chains sometimes shift the stuff from outlets in upscale neighborhoods to ones in low-income areas before dumping any unsold. But hey the more folks who stay in cities---the more peaceful it is out here. Except when prowling coyotes work up neighbors' cattle--but it's still more pleasant than traffic noise and frequent sirens from police and EMS. One of the reasons we chose NM is that between the Reservations and Government land there's not a lot of room near us for cities to encroach on.
 
feywon said:
Yes true--people have different tastes. But I've been urban poor and country poor at various times...i'll take country poor any time for many reasons--but to each their own. More job ops the only benefit of urban life i can see. Public transport? We have it to some degree between cities with stops in rural areas along the way. But also country people will walk to work (our whole town is 3 miles end to end with most of the employment along that main road) in all kinds of weather, even after dark--and here it's safer to be out walking alone after dark--if they can't get ride from family or friends on given day.

Oh and in low income areas of cities, they often get lower quality fresh produce. Large chains sometimes shift the stuff from outlets in upscale neighborhoods to ones in low-income areas before dumping any unsold. But hey the more folks who stay in cities---the more peaceful it is out here. Except when prowling coyotes work up neighbors' cattle--but it's still more pleasant than traffic noise and frequent sirens from police and EMS. One of the reasons we chose NM is that between the Reservations and Government land there's not a lot of room near us for cities to encroach on.
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We love New Mexico...been there many times for trade shows and on vacation. Often wondered what it would be like to live there all the time. Assuming you live someplace in the Taos (climate like) area, maybe. The first time I was in Red River was in the 80's. Was affiliated with a travel agency and we had a big party at a Countess's house for the opening of "Angle Fire" ski resort...maybe you know of it. Its like in your mind you always know somewhere there is really a Red River...then you actually go there and are not disappointed!
 
Liberty said:
We love New Mexico...been there many times for trade shows and on vacation. Often wondered what it would be like to live there all the time. Assuming you live someplace in the Taos (climate like) area, maybe. The first time I was in Red River was in the 80's. Was affiliated with a travel agency and we had a big party at a Countess's house for the opening of "Angle Fire" ski resort...maybe you know of it. Its like in your mind you always know somewhere there is really a Red River...then you actually go there and are not disappointed!
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Our village is about an hour up 550 from Albuquerque. Came thru Taos on way down. Climate probably fairly similar. The Jemez Mountains are our eastern horizon and the Continental Divide runs just West of us. There is in fact an entrance to CD Trail just off the side road we live on and we see lots of hikers from spring to fall.

One of the best decisions i ever made, moving here.
 
feywon said:
Our village is about an hour up 550 from Albuquerque. Came thru Taos on way down. Climate probably fairly similar. The Jemez Mountains are our eastern horizon and the Continental Divide runs just West of us. There is in fact an entrance to CD Trail just off the side road we live on and we see lots of hikers from spring to fall.

One of the best decisions i ever made, moving here.
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Its truly a beautiful state...so different and it has its on "culture" unlike almost all of the other American cities. Bought my mom a beautiful squash blossom necklace from a trading post that is no longer in business on the way from Albuquerque to Santa Fe ...off an old dirt road. Remember the place had a framed picture of JFK with his car and driver in front of it.

Nice memories of New Mexico...danced with a man in Red River that had a necklace with a white tooth on it from a bear he had killed himself with a knife. That was a "wow" moment...lol.
 
feywon said:
Yes true--people have different tastes. But I've been urban poor and country poor at various times...i'll take country poor any time for many reasons--but to each their own. More job ops the only benefit of urban life i can see. Public transport? We have it to some degree between cities with stops in rural areas along the way. But also country people will walk to work (our whole town is 3 miles end to end with most of the employment along that main road) in all kinds of weather, even after dark--and here it's safer to be out walking alone after dark--if they can't get ride from family or friends on given day.

Oh and in low income areas of cities, they often get lower quality fresh produce. Large chains sometimes shift the stuff from outlets in upscale neighborhoods to ones in low-income areas before dumping any unsold. But hey the more folks who stay in cities---the more peaceful it is out here. Except when prowling coyotes work up neighbors' cattle--but it's still more pleasant than traffic noise and frequent sirens from police and EMS. One of the reasons we chose NM is that between the Reservations and Government land there's not a lot of room near us for cities to encroach on.
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i grew up in a low income nyc housing project . you paid a percentage of income as your rent ..i hated that life and made a promise to myself that i would never ever raise my own family in one .

being low income sucked . having few choices in life sucked.

so i spent my life , both career wise and investing wise making sure i kept that promise .

thankfully i made that happen
 
Liberty said:
But where is the nature? And don't saw Central Park. Been there. Just saw an 8 point buck in our front yard...think hub would curl up in a corner and pine away if he had to live in an apartment in any big city, let alone NYC...lol.
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There's a lot to be said for city living just as there's a lot to be said for rural life.

People in Manhattan may not have an 8 point buck in their front yards but they do have a hundred restaurant choices within walking distance.
 
StarSong said:
There's a lot to be said for city living just as there's a lot to be said for rural life.

People in Manhattan may not have an 8 point buck in their front yards but they do have a hundred restaurant choices within walking distance.
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I hear you...since I'm a French trained cook, lots of overpriced restaurants do not compute in our lifestyle choices. Once in a great while I may decide to take the kids and get "ambianced"...lol. Love to cook.

Also, guess I may know a bit too much about the restaurant biz. My mom was in it most of her working life and you learn a lot.

Will take peace, privacy and tranquillity over sirens and traffic any day of the week. Lived in the city many years ago and both of us couldn't wait to change our lifestyle back then.

It is nice we are close to great conveniences and medical care, though. We pinch ourselves about everyday to bring out the gratefulness. To each his or her own. Life is good.
 
StarSong said:
There's a lot to be said for city living just as there's a lot to be said for rural life.

People in Manhattan may not have an 8 point buck in their front yards but they do have a hundred restaurant choices within walking distance.
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When i lived in cosmopolitan cities i loved the options for 'entertainment' and cuisine. But i paid a high price because odds are i'm an undiagnosed neuro-atypical person, certainly 'different sensed' as Temple Grandin has talked about --my auditory and olfactory senses were particularly keen. And crowds have always taken a heavy toll on me in a variety of ways. Honolulu in the mid-late 70s was the only place i could comfortably attend things like concerts, festivals. Every public transport ride, elevator ride shopping in any store bigger than the corner Bodega was an act of will on my part.


Fortunately for me the Movie Theaters that showed my preferred choice of movies(Foreign and Independent ones) were not usually crowded. When '2001' came out my 1st DH and i deliberately waited awhile and then went to a Sunday matinee showing (his Birthday present to me that year) so it wouldn't be as crowded.

i'm fine with people choosing to be in cities with the nature 'just 5 minutes away'. They just need to understand some of us prefer it the other way around. For me being where i can just step outside and be immersed in 'nature', and the light pollution is so low on clear nights (around 3/4 of the ones per year) the Milky Way is clearly visible. i just have to step outside, no drive or walk to have the beauty and peace of nature and that is what i need. Between streaming services and internet i get the diversity i crave, intellectually and artistically.
 
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