PA or OH - Where Should We Retire - TN & KY now on the list??

[Brian]

Think Southern Oregon! Mild winters, but four seasons. Affordable prices, though maybe not as cheap as those states you're mentioned.

 

[Oblio13]

We just bought 52 acres of mixed hardwoods in New Hampshire. Southern exposure, 1,100' of frontage on a nice pond, and a spring. All we've done so far is hang some birdhouses, cut some firewood, and tap a couple maple trees. We're going to have it selectively logged, clear a pasture, plant some fruit trees, then build a spring house, cabin and pole barn.

Hope my retirement will allow me to migrate south for mud and blackfly season, though.

 

[chicknmania]

We love Ohio except for one or two things...the whole state is incredibly poor right now, and we hate all the development...it is hard to find a place to call your own without having to worry about your neighbor selling THEIR land to someone who wants to build houses on it. But the climate is variable and interesting, and people in Ohio are and have always been very friendly.

 

[Dawn419]

We will be moving to the family farm in Arkansas in a year or so but I love it in Tennessee!

I've been living in the Middle TN area for 20 years (transplant from South Jersey), and love it! here!!!

In that time, I've lived in the areas of Granville/Gainesboro (x-hubby and I were "renting to own" a 75 acre organic "farm" for $35,000, it was mostly hills with about 10 acres of flat land).

I've also lived in Cookeville, which is home to TTU.

We are now living in White County. We're about 10 miles south of Sparta, living in cow country and loving it! We are closest to Rock Island SP, followed by Burgess Falls SP and Fall Creek Falls SP.

Here are links to pix that I've taken from some of our favorite places here...

Scenes of TN

Rock Island SP

Waterloo

I'm not a big city kinda gal, that's why I like the Mid-Tenn area. East TN is gorgeous, just too touristy for me.

Hope this is some help!

Dawn

 

[littlelemon]

Quote:
Oh, and we have the Buckeyes!

 

[chicknmania]

GO BUCKS!!!!!

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

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We (hubby and I) just retired to Kentucky this last fall.
I have to tell you - this is the best place I have ever lived.

We didn't have much snow this winter - of course, I am in south central Kentucky, they get more snow over in the mountains, or up north by Louisville. We are coming from Michigan, though, so the scant snow was a HUGE plus for us. It really only got VERY cold for a couple of weeks or so - I'd say the average was about 30-ish to 40-ish. Last week, it went gone from a day of 70 to a day of 29, LOL but the cold days are usually only a day or so, and it warms back up again. This coming week, I think it is supposed to be about 65 almost every day. (today it was 70 - and partly cloudy)

One thing about Kentucky winters is the rain (instead of snow) and the clay we have down here turns to MUD and it stays that way. I don't know if this has been an unusual winter or not, but we also had a lot of wind and some sort of bad storms. (I've been told by the locals that this was a bit more than usual).

We bought 25 acres (at about $2000 an acre) and we put a house on it, and have been adding buildings to make our farm. Our neighbors have all been wonderful - up in Michigan I didn't even want to KNOW most of my neighbors. We live about 12 miles out of Columbia - in Adair county, and another major difference here, is our car registration was about 37 dollars (as opposed to 85 dollars up in Michigan).

Oh, and I'm not sure if this is just our county (I'm too new to know much, LOL) but after you turn 65, if you are a full time resident in your house, you DO NOT PAY PROPERTY TAXES!!! (that just blows me away, LOL) Hubby is 52, and I'm 44, so we got a ways to go there, but even still, on our farm the taxes are less for one full year than they were for half a year up in Michigan. (before we added buildings, the land alone taxes were 118 dollars for the entire year - with buildings they add on some ridiculously teensy amount like 30 dollars for every $10,000 of value. (our winter taxes on a house in Michigan - in town, less than a half acre lot were 865 dollars just for the WINTER taxes).

Oh, and in Kentucky if you're a resident you get free roadside assistance - there is an 800 number to call and they will come and change your tire or your battery for you, etc....

Mostly what I love about Kentucky is the people - everyone is so nice so far.

Hubby and I looked over in the mountains the year before we decided to look further west. The mountains are lovely - but - I didn't want to deal with those roads in winter with them being icy, LOL they scared me enough in the summer.
Being where we are, though, we are close enough to go for the weekend or a day trip. Also, Adair County is situated pretty much in the middle of the Dale Hollow Lakes, Green River Reservoir, and Lake Cumberland areas. So if you and your husband like to fish or boat, it is a short drive (probably 25 to 30 miles) to any of those. (Oh, and Amazon.com's Warehouse is right up the road in Campbellsville - a bonus if ya order form them and like nearly instant gratification - like me, LOL).

Let's see, what else.....

Oh, the 400 mile yard sale, and the Hwy127 Endless Yard Sale are all close by. The 400 Mile Yard Sale runs right through where we are; and the Hwy127 Endless Yard Sale is only about an hour's drive away. (the 400 mile yard sale is Memorial Day Weekend, I believe - they have a web site).

Well, that's all I can think of right now - if you have any more questions, just ask <g>.

Peace -
Meriah

 

[salon]

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Hi Meriah - Wow - Kentucky sounds great - love the property tax break after 65. I PM'd you with more questions.