Depressed in Tenn.!

BiXLL

BiXLL

New Member
Location
Pittsburgh, Pa. area
I spent months and months researching where I may want to relocate when I retire. I am currently in the Pittsburgh Pa. area, and with every year that goes by I have less tolerance for our winters. The wife and I have enjoyed boating for many years and want to stay involved in it. I like golf but presently do not have near enough time to enjoy it.

Anyway, I thought I found my destination to fit my desires with Tellico Village, in Eastern Tenn. I am currently there taking a vacation week to explore the Village and the area. Well, I have found that to get any type of waterfront property you better have a minimum of $600,000. to spend on a house. Then when you tack on the hoa fees and other fees associated with living there, it is just plain out of my financial reach. The research I had done told me that in a planned community, even if I did not have waterfront property I could jump in a golf cart to get to my boat. WRONG, the place is just like a combination of small neighborhoods that connect themselves together and call the place a village. Anybody can use the amenities in the place, just like the homeowners, both pay a fee for anything they use. So I have to drive my car to my boat, pay $130. a month in HOA fees, pay the same prices as ANYBODY else to use the fitness centers, golf courses, etc.I don't see the advantage of living there.

I have looked at some of the other beautiful lakes in the area here, but it seems when looking at the waterfront homes you have either the $500,000 and up mansions or the small run down weekend cottages. I have not seen anything in between.

Feeling really down at the moment knowing I am back to square 1. I now have no idea where to look. I really thought Tenn. would be a great compromise between the horrible Pittsburgh winters and the hard to take extreme heat of Florida summers. With the lakes in the area and the proximity to the mountains, I thought I found my paradise.

Anybody got any great words of wisdom for me?
 

You might want to look into the gated community of St. James Plantation on the east coast of North Carolina next to Southport (location for hollywood movies). Wilmington is 15 minutes away. The community has all price ranges for homes and land but look for a used home for sale that INCLUDES the one time recreational membership fee (a whopping $30,000 but includes golf, marina, pools, gym, seaside clubhouse, and activities galore plus top-of-the-line restaurants).

About 5 years ago I found a house there for $350,000 that included that one-time membership fee. Some sellers are motivated enough to include that. Prices are low there and there's a reason for that but many don't care about the reasons because it's such a beautiful community with awesome amenities.

But, here's the bad news. North Carolina has had a very hot and humid summer this year and may very likely continue (this seems to be a problem shared globally this year). That could mean an increase in hurricanes. Insurance could be high because of that. The closer you live to the beach (the community is on the beach but it's a huge community), the cooler you'll be because of sea breezes. The other thing is that the community is located within 10 miles of a nuclear plant.

So do your homework. There is also Lake Norman near Charlotte NC and there is a gated Connestee Falls in Brevard NC in the Blue Ridge Mts. (also has a lake and waterfalls). But Connestee prices maybe be too high right on the Lake (with private docks). My mother lived in Connestee Falls and loved the people and the charming and classy mountain college town of Brevard (20 minutes from Asheville). It has a healthy focus on fine arts and Performing arts. Temperature and weather is good all year around but don't get too steep of a driveway in case it snows. Has a pool, Clubhouse, golf course, tennis court, and fine restaurant. About a 10 minute drive from town.
 
I too lived in Pittsburgh (long ago) and planned a possible move
to Nashville area. Months on the internet and phone. Discovered the real estate
website photos deceptive, misleading in that they did not show me what I needed to know.
Such as the exterior building ( identical buildings in a community), how large and anonymous they are.
Nashville is a tight market also, Further west of there is better;
I don't like paying for amenities I won't use and they don't have conveniences I did want.
City-Data.com is helpful.
 
Bill, I sent you a private message.
Have you considered Greenville SC? I'd give it a serious look but it does get sticky in the summer.
I'd also suggest Dale Hollow area of southern KY. It is beautiful but rural.
Read an article yesterday about worst places to retire. Arkansas (mentioned above) and Kentucky scored very low when it came to health care. Someone also mentioned Lake Norman in NC.......BIG BUCKS! All the pro athletes and NASCAR drivers reside there.
 
actually in my depression I started looking at Lake Hartwell in S.C. and actually saw some interesting properties. I will check out Greenwood also
 

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