Retire to Western NY or VT/NH Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

New Hampshire is by far the most tax friendly of the three for retirees.

No state income tax
No sales tax
No tax on social security
Withdrawals from retirement accounts are not taxed
Public and private pension income are not taxed

[Anonymous]

We are headed to Northampton in western Massachusetts.

Mass General has a hospital in Northampton to give access to quality healthcare.
Nice access to trails- there is a fantastic bike path
Local food culture that we like
Strong congregation in our faith
The Y is basic but has everything we need
Closer to skiing than other places we were considering.
Near friends and family
Will probably find ourselves moderates in the local politics
Near Hartford airport and close enough to Logan for longer haul trips
Property taxes will be about double so we are budgeting about half our current house selling price so it will be about the same in total
We like winter, but will probably travel during mud season

[Anonymous]

We’re planning to retire to WNY, likely one of the villages north of Niagara Falls. Yes, taxes are high, but it’s also reasonably insulated from the worst effects of climate change, which matter to us. DH is from there, hence preferring that over VT/NH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents retired to Hanover, NH and really liked it. Lots of cultural events at Dartmouth, good hospital, and a nice CCRC (Kendal).

I was going to echo this. Or maybe the ‘suburbs’ of Hanover. There’s more culture because of the college and a great hospital. It’s REALLY cold though!

[Anonymous]

We are looking at Hanover, NH or Woodstock, VT. I went to Dartmouth and we’ve spent some time in the area since then. But it would be only for the fall/winter and probably only for a few years. I think once we are mid 70s we will want to be in a warmer place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are looking at Hanover, NH or Woodstock, VT. I went to Dartmouth and we’ve spent some time in the area since then. But it would be only for the fall/winter and probably only for a few years. I think once we are mid 70s we will want to be in a warmer place.

I'm curious, why would you spend the colder months in a colder place? Where would you spend the spring and summer?

[Anonymous]

If you do NH/VT I'd stick to Burlington, Hanover, or the southern edge of the states. You will need good health care and northern VT/NY are really lacking.

What would be your plan for when you're too old to deal with snow? I grew up in VT and my parents still live there, they always loved the lifestyle, but as they grow older it's harder and harder for them. Retiring to VT is not necessarily going to be a permanent location unless your adult children live there too. Because the winter is HARD. And if you lose the ability to drive a car (like really drive a 4 wheel drive in the snow), you basically have to move. The whole life is set up around cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Western NY is gorgeous. What cities would be nice to live in? Ithaca, Rochester? NH and VT are nearby states we’d consider.

We’d love a lower HCOL and not to be more than 70 miles from water. We like concerts, art, movies, friends, the outdoors.

Any suggestions for towns or cities in these places?

Chazy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are headed to Northampton in western Massachusetts.

Mass General has a hospital in Northampton to give access to quality healthcare.
Nice access to trails- there is a fantastic bike path
Local food culture that we like
Strong congregation in our faith
The Y is basic but has everything we need
Closer to skiing than other places we were considering.
Near friends and family
Will probably find ourselves moderates in the local politics
Near Hartford airport and close enough to Logan for longer haul trips
Property taxes will be about double so we are budgeting about half our current house selling price so it will be about the same in total
We like winter, but will probably travel during mud season

Interesting choice. Have spent some time in the area (DS went to boarding school not too far from there) and played hockey. We found the medical care lacking, at least for urgent issues, and the general area depressing. I presume you've spent time there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re planning to retire to WNY, likely one of the villages north of Niagara Falls. Yes, taxes are high, but it’s also reasonably insulated from the worst effects of climate change, which matter to us. DH is from there, hence preferring that over VT/NH.

You’re going to live somewhere that has sh!tty weather all the time right now in order to avoid the highly speculative effects of climate change in the indeterminate future? 🙄🙄🙄😂😂😂

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who moved to a condo in Salem, MA. Walkable historic town with many events. On water. Close enough to Boston to go in occasionally and fly out of Logan. Unsure cost of living though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re planning to retire to WNY, likely one of the villages north of Niagara Falls. Yes, taxes are high, but it’s also reasonably insulated from the worst effects of climate change, which matter to us. DH is from there, hence preferring that over VT/NH.

You’re going to live somewhere that has sh!tty weather all the time right now in order to avoid the highly speculative effects of climate change in the indeterminate future? 🙄🙄🙄😂😂😂

DH and I love cold weather; we don’t consider it “shitty.” Winters are long but the other seasons are gorgeous. I’ll take a Buffalo winter over a DC summer any day.

Also, I don’t take advice from science-deniers, so there’s that.

[Anonymous]

Climate change will bring erratic weather. People DIED in Western NY recently because of the incredible snow and blizzards. Western NY won't get too hot and will have water but the winters will likely be difficult to deal with for centuries.

[Anonymous]

^^also, taxes are high, but taxes also pay for services we will need. I’m happy to pay taxes if it means excellent services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Western NY is gorgeous. What cities would be nice to live in? Ithaca, Rochester? NH and VT are nearby states we’d consider.

We’d love a lower HCOL and not to be more than 70 miles from water. We like concerts, art, movies, friends, the outdoors.

Any suggestions for towns or cities in these places?

I'm stuck on Western NY is gorgeous OP. Being genuine, why do you think this? I grew up there. It has its moments to be sure. Lovely summers. But it is most definitely not gorgeous a lot of the year. It's not just the cold, it's very grey (not a lot of sunshine). Buffalo has an insane amount of cloudy days per year. Google this.

The cities are also really struggling and there is a lot of poverty in the rural areas. There are some nice suburbs.