First, an aside: I greatly disliked the theme I initially chose for this blog – so glaring – and decided to go back to my old one but with a new photo. Hopefully it’s a bit more soothing. Anyway . . .
With just five months left in Tennessee we finally know where we’re going next. And, surprise, surprise, it turned out to be somewhere other than the three choices we thought we had decided on (if nothing else we stay on brand). Meiling said she’s fully prepared for us to change our minds a couple more times before we go but Brett and I are done and happy about it.
The number one factor driving this decision was financial. If Brett predeceases me, I will have to survive on just slightly over one-third of our current income. So, the major question guiding our choice was: can I afford to live (someplace) on that lower income?
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, started out as our top choice. While the not too distantly past cartel violence in Mexico wasn’t a deep deterrence, we figured out we didn’t feel comfortable being those expats that move to SMA to enjoy the restaurants and lifestyle without being able to speak Spanish and with only surface knowledge of Mexican culture. We also weren’t crazy about the number of expats already living there and that arrive every winter. We planned to take language lessons once there but knew competency in the language would be an extremely difficult endeavor for both of us and we would never be fluent or completely comfortable in Spanish. I could afford to live in Mexico on my own if something happened to Brett, but don’t think I would want to. We eventually decided Mexico would not be ideal as a full-time, long-term residence. We still plan to visit again though.
California was in second place on the list and we investigated several southern California locations and a couple in northern California we thought might work for us. In the end though economics won out as we figured out living affordably and comfortably in California meant potentially having to downsize our living space and/or lower our standard of living a bit. More importantly, remaining there on my own would be too expensive, and maybe too expensive even for Brett on his own too. So California very sadly became a big NO.
That left Tucson. As we crunched the numbers and looked at housing, taxes, and other costs, we realized we could live there very nicely, in a large apartment or even a house, and still have a good bit of income left over every month, similar to what we would have in San Miguel de Allende. We would not have to lower our standard of living, and either one of us could stay if something happened to the other. However, neither of us felt any real enthusiasm for moving there and knew that would become a problem, probably sooner rather than later.
At this point we debated once again going back to Hawaii. We figured out how much that would actually cost, discussed how difficult the move would be, and debated for several days whether it would be worth it for our sanity if nothing else. We also looked at islands other than Kaua’i. In the end we knew the expense of moving Kaipo and Tilly as well as our household goods, and the reality of finding a place to live that would accept our dogs, was more than we wanted to take on. We could do it, but it would take a LOT of effort and wipe out much of the financial gains we have made these past couple of years. And for all that I could not afford to stay there if something happened to Brett so we said a firm and final no to going back to Hawaii.
Frustrated, unhappy, and back at square one once again, we asked each other what was the ONE THING we wanted in a location and we both had the same answer: to live near the ocean. On that point we were united and we let it take us to a decision.
Although we don’t know exactly where we’ll end up, we will be heading west to Oregon in September and will spend up to a couple of weeks looking for a place to live on the Oregon coast. We feel more enthusiastic and right about it unlike any of the previous locations we’ve considered. Seriously, we cannot find a flaw, including the weather (there is more sunshine on the coast than in Portland). I can continue to live there if something happens to Brett, we can get back east to see the kids, the seafood is superb, and getting to Portland and back can be a day trip. We know we can tolerate those gloomy winter days if there is a beach nearby to walk on or the ocean to look at.
And if we don’t find somewhere suitable to live on the coast (housing is very limited)? We’ll stay in Portland. We know it well, and we know how to get to the coast from there.
So, planning is going forward and in September, westward ho we go!
I was looking forward to seeing your post as to where you will be moving to. So thrilled that you and Brett have decided to go to Oregon. It is such a beautiful place on the coast. We moved from Charlotte, North Carolina to Bainbridge Island, Washington. It has been a challenge to get used to the GRAY weather this winter. Although Jan. and Feb. we saw little rain just gray skies. We are considering a move to McMinnville Oregon once our lease is up. It would certainly be more reasonable than the Seattle area. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE IN THE SEATTLE AREA. By the way, I am so glad you started blogging again. I truly enjoy reading your blog.
The Oregon coast is amazingly beautiful, and we love visiting all the towns along the way. House there is VERY limited but we’ve got our fingers crossed we can find something and that it won’t take too long. Most of all we’ll be happy to be back in Oregon again.
Someone told me a few years ago that Seattle was the most expensive city in the U.S. We have looked at Washington, but it’s too expensive for us. The no-state-tax thing we’ve found is deceptive because there will be a million other ways the state has to separate you from your money.
Thanks too about for the encouraging words about the blog. I had got to feeling very pressured with the old blog but once a week posting here is stress free and almost relaxing. I’ll probably pick it up again one of these days, but for now once a week is enough.
Loved reading the thought process, and I have to agree that the W. Coast is really appealing. I am one to look around on any trip and ask myself if I want to move there. ha! But I am pretty settle in the Midwest. As my husband always says, life is a series of compromises. I think you are making a good decision and being near water is important. The Great Lakes work for me, but that’s my baby duck print, so….
P.S. I loved living in the Bay Area and really considered that climate perfect. But the cost of living there is outrageous and the fires are a concern to me now.
San Francisco was our dream location for so many years, but it just kept getting more and more expensive and outpacing our income by a wide margin. We spent our honeymoon there, and took the girls when they were little a couple of times, so I know we’ll go back, but just for a visit again. Best climate in the USA!
We gave each location a few days to sit with us and see what bubbled up. Always started out very enthusiastic but eventually the not-so-good things would arrive for us to weigh. I was surprised how much we got into moving back to Hawaii, but we both knew it wouldn’t be the same and that we’d never recover financially from any attempt to move there. Oregon was a complete wild card, but once we put the ocean into the equation we knew where we were going. We’re very excited and plans are falling into place – more on what’s happening will be revealed in a couple of weeks. We’re even fine with being back in Portland if we can’t find a suitable rental on the coast.
The number of charming Oregon coastal towns is almost endless – we’ve RV’d along the Oregon coast many times since we retired, and each has it’s unique charm. I remember that both Newport and Florence gave us pause, as in, could we live here?
I will enjoy following along with you on this move.🙂
Newport is our top choice, but we love Florence too. When we used to camp at Honeyman State Park every year, we always said “we could so easily live here.” There are almost too many great places to choose from, but housing availability is VERY limited so we will be looking with our fingers crossed. If we can’t find anything suitable we are willing to stay in Portland again.
We know this the right decision because so many good things for the move are already falling into place.
Wow! What an exciting decision! I’m so glad you decided what was important and made your decision using that as a guideline. I can’t wait to hear about how you are preparing for this big move! It’ll be here soon!!
Things are falling into place although not without a lot of stops and restarts. But most importantly, this move finally feel right. We have none of the doubts that came along with every other choice. Now we’re just hoping the world doesn’t end before it’s time to go.
Congrats on making a decision!! The Oregon coast sounds like a good choice for you and Brett. I was wondering if you’d find a way to make it back to Hawaii, but I can’t imagine how expensive everything must be there these days with prices rising everywhere. At least in Oregon you’ll be a lot closer to Hawaii and can visit when you want. I can’t believe you’ll only be in TN five more months! I’m like you and need to live near the ocean.
Oh, I like this blog theme much better.
Oregon is the first location in all these years where we have had no second thoughts. We are currently trying to decide whether the coast (the ocean right there) or Portland (much better healthcare, more walkable, less driving overall and we can still get to the coast) would be better for us overall, but Oregon is the place! Things are falling into place for the move, and time now seems to be moving along at a quicker pace.
I really didn’t like the old design but WordPress has changed and it took me a while to find a theme I liked. I like this new look much better too!!