Thank you for all the ideas. At the risk of sounding fickle, the truth is we are not sure what we want. We do know we don't like what we have now. Its hard to put my finger on it. We have felt restless for over a year now.
I originally said we don't want a retirement community, HOA etc. Maybe I should step back and say what we are looking for.
- More land between us and our neighbors. (most retirement communities I have seen have small lots) At least a couple acres?
- Somewhere I won't be hearing the roar of traffic from nearby highways
- Somewhere I don't have to look over my shoulder to see what the city is trying to do to me next. Zero lot line subdivisions, taxes,.....
- A place I can have a shop to work on cars, computers, woodworking, etc.
- A place far enough away from big cities, so I won't have to deal with the craziness that goes on there. And the crime that spills over
All this leads me to think I am looking for a small town, but maybe there is something else out there I am not thinking of. I realize it will cost more to live in a place like this. It goes with the territory.