USA -- low budget repatriation specific locations that aren't horrible

[craigt3365]

I've got a good friend who's been in Seattle for about 5 years now. He's moving down south a bit as the traffic is getting to him as are the very high prices. He was telling me about his recent visit to the downtown area and how much things cost there. Seems the prices are quite high. Weather is also starting to get him down, but his grandkids are there and his wife won't let him move! LOL

[Wrong Turn]

I've got a good friend who's been in Seattle for about 5 years now. He's moving down south a bit as the traffic is getting to him as are the very high prices. He was telling me about his recent visit to the downtown area and how much things cost there. Seems the prices are quite high. Weather is also starting to get him down, but his grandkids are there and his wife won't let him move! LOL

Seattle is very expensive - depending if you have been on the "property ladder" (sorry, British term, but apopriate) for some time.

Houses last year were literally being auctioned off, meaning, you put a house on the market, and there is a bidding war.

Rents are VERY high.

If you move the souther burbs or the northern burbs, you will save. Not huge savings, but you will save.

Seattle IMO, is for the STEM, and upper management professionals - everyon else is in the "rat scramble."

In addition to the high cost of living, they never planned ahead (like most west coast) cities about population growth and transportation - how to get people around,

Add the weather and temperament (google "seattle freeze) and you might want to re-consider.

Up to anyone of course, Just MO.

[Jingthing]

I guess you could say this about any place but reading comments on the net about the pros and cons of living in Tucson I am struck by the extremes of most of the comments. Either very positive or shockingly negative. I understand it depends on your specific situation there, but still, not sure what to think.

Here is a specific spot to avoid. At least that's clear!:

Contrast that nightmare to some of the listings I'm seeing for rentals for example in decent looking complexes with nice grounds and pools, in what seem to be OK areas, for 650 for a 2 bedroom (which you could get a roommate if needed and have very cheap rent, even not much more expensive than many parts of Thailand).

On some of the comments online, sometimes I think some of them are trolls trying to scare people away because they think the place is too crowded.

Jingthing,

My parents are retired in Green Valley, Arizona, about 30 minutes from Tucson.

I have visited a few times, considered living there, and know the area to some degree (but I'm no expert).

In general, Tucson (within the city limits) is a poor city. It was the 6th poorest in the US, if you can believe the statistics. It is literally, a burger flipping / retail economy.

The University of Arizona is based here with lots of job, but they seem to go to local Tucsonians with connections.

The retired snowbirds from the Northwest and Mid-west have money and/or enough money to retire and they live south of the city.

Pima county is very large.

Rents are affordable and decent in Tucson. Decent Apartments, IMO.

But the wages are also low as the minimum wage is $7 US per hour (not saying you're in these fields or that you're even looking for employment).

It's a beautiful area. If you need work, it's very, very, rough.

If you have enough for affordable rent though, it can be very good.

That was a very interesting post for me. Thanks.

I've been trying to balance out the extreme opinions I've been reading online.

Logically, overall, Tucson can't be nearly as horrible as the extreme dissers say nor can it be as wonderful as the puff pieces say.

If I repatriate I'll be in an odd economic space.

Tucson might represent for me a kind of virtual retiring abroad domestically to someplace cheaper where I can get more bang for the buck.

The culture and climate will definitely be "exotic" for me ... yet I can see the appeal of a lot of it (and also the downsides).

I totally agree working there, or even finding work would be quite bad compared to many other areas.

I will probably need to take "earlier" age social security which means a penalty for working earning over a rather low level. That might actually work for me in a place like Tucson if I do work ... it might be more of a benefit to do part time work, etc.

Potentially (if quite lucky and making some smart choices) I won't "need" to work at all ... and it seems to me that is more likely in a lower cost / lower rent choice like Tucson.

As far as safety, I know I can't afford super safe but I've never been able to afford that or even feel that I particularly need or want that. The question is if I can afford reasonably safe. I think I'd need to visit and experience the locales where I see these affordable options to really know for sure.

Edited December 21, 2015 by Jingthing

[bangmai]

Calculate your cost per day of renting a car, getting a hotel room, and eating 3 meals...per day while you look for an apartment...It's better to just research the heck out of places and make the move. But try something like this. I know Trader Joe's isn't what it once was, but still they spend a lot of money selecting sites. Not the richest, but a certain density of well educated, good income earners....find their locations, then go to Ziprealty, where you can search perimeters of a specific address....then run those addresses through walkscore.com...anything over 80 you can be totally car free. People that say move to Surprise and buy a used car? Surprise kind of sucks, and the traffic to the job centers is horrible. Half the people there are still waiting out the housing crash, to go out form their underwater mortgage. A used car can be a life changing nightmare. I've bought five homes in AZ...three in Phoenix, all in the NorthCentral area. I had to be at a school at 16th and McDowell at 9am and left at 8:50, a girl on our staff lived in Surprise and left at 7:30, and was a few minutes late, two days out of five....and when you work in education, being late is somewhat worse than simply having booze breath.

705 SF loft style apartment..no one above or below, 1.5 baths...LA Fitness 200 meters...new Light Rail Stop 350 meters....rent close to 600, one reserved, covered parking space. 85021 zipcode...

Edited December 21, 2015 by bangmai

[arunsakda]

This has got me thinking about where I might like to go if I had to teturn to the States. I'm into all the mountain sports so Bend, OR came to mind. Checked Zillow and saw some very reasonable prices on real estate. Most resort areas have cultural events frim time to time, Festivals, probably pretty safe also. I have only been for weekend ski trips and stayed in a Motel.

(Careful the real cheap homes are deeded co-ownership of vacation properties).

Edited December 22, 2015 by arunsakda

[Langsuan Man]

This has got me thinking about where I might like to go if I had to teturn to the States. I'm into all the mountain sports so Bend, OR came to mind. Checked Zillow and saw some very reasonable prices on real estate. Most resort areas have cultural events frim time to time, Festivals, probably pretty safe also. I have only been for weekend ski trips and stayed in a Motel.

(Careful the real cheap homes are deeded co-ownership of vacation properties).

This thread had gotten me to thank my lucky stars that I prepared well enough for my retirement so that I don't have to be concerned by expanded Medicare, live in a trailer park, or survive on food stamps

[Caitrin]

Jing, I tried to read most of the thread, but it was hard.

In March I moved my US registered domicile to ABQ, NM from Dallas, Texas. I'd be happy to explain why I did so. While it means I have a greater tax liability, I also feel that in case of a major, major collapse of my current life path (I'm in my early 30s, I've got multiple retirement accounts, a couple of diversified savings/investment accounts) and different job types, and I am naturalising to Japan, should everything completely fall apart, ABQ is where I would end up.

[craigt3365]

This has got me thinking about where I might like to go if I had to teturn to the States. I'm into all the mountain sports so Bend, OR came to mind. Checked Zillow and saw some very reasonable prices on real estate. Most resort areas have cultural events frim time to time, Festivals, probably pretty safe also. I have only been for weekend ski trips and stayed in a Motel.

(Careful the real cheap homes are deeded co-ownership of vacation properties).

This thread had gotten me to thank my lucky stars that I prepared well enough for my retirement so that I don't have to be concerned by expanded Medicare, live in a trailer park, or survive on food stamps

My friend's got a buddy who has insurance due to his retirement from the US military. Lucky him. Had a fall and bills are now close to 30MM Baht. In and out of ICU for a year or more. One problem after another, all caused by the initial fall. Scary.

Jing, I tried to read most of the thread, but it was hard.

In March I moved my US registered domicile to ABQ, NM from Dallas, Texas. I'd be happy to explain why I did so. While it means I have a greater tax liability, I also feel that in case of a major, major collapse of my current life path (I'm in my early 30s, I've got multiple retirement accounts, a couple of diversified savings/investment accounts) and different job types, and I am naturalising to Japan, should everything completely fall apart, ABQ is where I would end up.

My brother lives in Albuquerque. Loves it, but the winters are darn cold. Lots of indians! LOL

[Jingthing]

Jing, I tried to read most of the thread, but it was hard.

In March I moved my US registered domicile to ABQ, NM from Dallas, Texas. I'd be happy to explain why I did so. While it means I have a greater tax liability, I also feel that in case of a major, major collapse of my current life path (I'm in my early 30s, I've got multiple retirement accounts, a couple of diversified savings/investment accounts) and different job types, and I am naturalising to Japan, should everything completely fall apart, ABQ is where I would end up.

Interesting.

I probably rejected ABQ too soon. Culturally (the Latino/Native American thing) it's got similarities to Tucson and doesn't have the extreme desert climate of Tucson (but also colder winters). Also I've been there and know I don't hate it (but probably don't love it either, oh well). So I'm curious what you like about ABQ or perhaps you made this move for more practical reasons like close family there.

[Jingthing]

This has got me thinking about where I might like to go if I had to teturn to the States. I'm into all the mountain sports so Bend, OR came to mind. Checked Zillow and saw some very reasonable prices on real estate. Most resort areas have cultural events frim time to time, Festivals, probably pretty safe also. I have only been for weekend ski trips and stayed in a Motel.

(Careful the real cheap homes are deeded co-ownership of vacation properties).

This thread had gotten me to thank my lucky stars that I prepared well enough for my retirement so that I don't have to be concerned by expanded Medicare, live in a trailer park, or survive on food stamps

Congratulations. Honestly, I think my situation is actually more representative of baby boomers entering the retirement age years. I recall reading studies that the majority don't even have 50K in assets.

As far as "trailer parks" go these modern ones can be quite nice spaces these days and the idea of over age 55 communities with them is not so horrible. What is horrible is the economics of paying rent on the land. That seems like so obviously a potential disaster. Say you buy a good one for 100K and the rent sounds OK. The owner of the land can up the rent any time and sell the land at any time. So you've got a kind of fake home ownership with all the downsides of renting. Condos have something similar going on with HOAs, if the development goes south those fees can skyrocket and basically force most people to sell for big losses. But still condos seem lower risk than rented land so called mobiles.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Jingthing

[lopburi3]

That's probably another topic but suspect the reason for low assets was because when they entered the job market they still had dependence on lifetime employment and retirement plans taking care of elder years (with government only providing additional funding). Many have found themselves on the short end through no real fault of there own. Yes there are plenty that just did not plan well - but fate, and the changing world, may have handed a bad hand to many others.

[bangmai]

There are some big flaws in the retirement community concept. Where are all the caregivers and other service providers suppose to live? Also, many retirees find themselves wanting to work out of boredom or financial need. They suddenly find themselves in commuter Hell driving back to the same area they moved away from to part time at Wal-mart. My parents lasted four years in an age restricted Lennar Homes community on the outskirts of DC (about 55 Km). They are generally easy to please, but they really disliked it. They moved back to suburbia/commuter Hell 10 years ago, and couldn't be happier. They are driving the Toyota to Miami next week...let's just say they drive good for their age.

[craigt3365]

There are some big flaws in the retirement community concept. Where are all the caregivers and other service providers suppose to live? Also, many retirees find themselves wanting to work out of boredom or financial need. They suddenly find themselves in commuter Hell driving back to the same area they moved away from to part time at Wal-mart. My parents lasted four years in an age restricted Lennar Homes community on the outskirts of DC (about 55 Km). They are generally easy to please, but they really disliked it. They moved back to suburbia/commuter Hell 10 years ago, and couldn't be happier. They are driving the Toyota to Miami next week...let's just say they drive good for their age.

The people I read about were just over 50 and using the age restricted community as a place to call home and only live there part of the year. During our travels in the RV, we stayed at a number of these places. Definitely not somewhere I'd want to live permanently. But for a short time, great fun as there's lots to do. Billiards, darts, puzzles, pools, exercise rooms, etc, etc, etc. We would play 2-4 hours of billiards a day. Great fun.

[bangmai]

Yes, there are some pluses...In SunCity, Arizona you can play golf every day of the year for approx 600 usd per year. About 12 courses, too. Compare that to playing once for 50-75 or even 300 in the high season. I do like Green Valley...similar deal..master planned retirement community....halfway in between the border and Tucson...very safe...but almost no place to work, and certainly not world class healthcare, but certainly adequate. I think if you were undergoing continuous treatment, an hour ride each way to the specialist at UMC would be discouraging.

Condo: Green Valley, AZ.....35,000 usd. http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/349-S-Paseo-Cerro-Unit-C_Green-Valley_AZ_85614_M20947-92384

[Jingthing]

I read Green Valley will have no water within 5 years. But it's an option. Who cares about water when there's gold? Just kidding.

[bangmai]

Agriculture still uses more than half the drinking water in Arizona. I think a lot of places will be using rock lawns in the future. I've seen a number of water shortages in Virginia...they didn't build enough reservoirs, but gladly accepted the development fees from the builders. But they've had water police in Tucson for 15 years+, like giving tickets to people who water their sidewalks with over-spray.

[craigt3365]

A few posts have been removed from view. Apologies to the member with the appropriate reply.

[losworld]

Keeping on this, I was comparing Vegas vs. Phoenix and overall Phoenix seems the better city.

Vegas suburb Henderson does look quite attractive though, and unlike my other choices, both lower cost for buying (renting not so much) AND low crime.

So can't rule out the Vegas area yet.

They both have serious climate and water issues though.

It seems they will be hit by climate change related / water crises in this century.

Phoenix is already hotter than ever due to local human development, and it was already too hot.

I guess it might be silly for young people to buy in that region but for older people, the question is when will it become unlivable and will it have much impact in their lifetime.

Renting seems OK ... but then you've got the issue of rent increases pricing you out ... not fun for very old people.

Of course if people start fleeing based on the water, etc. then rents should go down.

As far as Arizona expanded Medicaid, there is some republican noise to tighten the restrictions, not about assets, but about things like work searches and limiting for 5 years (not a problem). I actually doubt they will get national approval for most of their tightening, but it will be interesting to watch.

The update on Arkansas is interesting. What I am hearing now is that they probably WILL be keeping it (the decision will made next year) but perhaps with some tightening like requiring a payment of 2 percent of income ... not a problem.

So I'm looking again at West Memphis, Arkansas.

It is high crime but there sure are some cute houses for sale for amazingly low prices.

Albuquerque is off my radar now.

So I guess the good news is that if repatriating under age 65, I might be down to three major choices:

Phoenix / Vegas (Henderson probably) / West Memphis Arkansas.

BTW, I am familiar with living in the SOUTH so I'm not so worried about culture shock with that in Arkansas.

For those who haven't lived in the SOUTH, it really is different.

Climate-wise, overall, West Memphis easily beats Phoenix and Vegas, even though it does have a winter.

If repatriating over 65, then the choices get wider, and more about Florida.

Check out St. George Utah nice scenery as good as Sanoma at a fraction of the cost. Good climate. Near beautiful Zion national park and not far from Vegas if you like a weekend jaunt. Beautiful red rock park only a few miles from town with paved roller blading or hiking trails. This town is a sleeper deserving serious consideration.

[NeverSure]

I had a look online at Fayetteville, Arkansas. Could do worse, I suppose, but I don't think so.

This link is interesting.

It includes a number of places I've considered:

http://www.advocate.com/politics/2015/12/17/19-best-places-live-worst-states

Arkansas may have the best weather of any state that also has expanded Medicaid. I wouldn't write it off without a look.

[NeverSure]

This has got me thinking about where I might like to go if I had to teturn to the States. I'm into all the mountain sports so Bend, OR came to mind. Checked Zillow and saw some very reasonable prices on real estate. Most resort areas have cultural events frim time to time, Festivals, probably pretty safe also. I have only been for weekend ski trips and stayed in a Motel.

(Careful the real cheap homes are deeded co-ownership of vacation properties).

Do.Not.Buy unimproved property in Oregon. It has some of the toughest land use laws in the land. Zoning, setback requirements, septic system requirements, well setbacks, etc. etc. It's a maze suited only for the experienced.

Don't try to tell me that housing of any type is cheap in Bend, Oregon, LOL, LOL, LOL. It's in short supply, attracts the wealthy, is a skiing and summer home paradise, and is very expensive if you can find it.

Don't buy a shared housing deal. You're going into biz with a stranger.

Don't rent an apartment with a stranger. If the stranger flakes, you are 100% responsible for rent, giving notice, and utilities. There's no such thing as being responsible for half. You can't rent and then sublet 1/2 either. The roommate will have to go through the owner, get approved and sign the lease. Now you have that roommate deal.

If you must share housing costs buy something. Now rent out a room or two with a proper agreement, first and last month's rent and a deposit.

If you must rent as a share, rent only from a homeowner. That homeowner can't flake and leave you holding the bag because he's already 100% on the hook and you are responsible only for you.

Cheers.

[bangmai]

Good points....any roommate situation leaves a lot to be desired. Oregon? Yeah, pretty scenery, but serious employment problems even in high rent Portland. Lots of Oregon tags in Phoenix...many have relocated there to find work.

[SpokaneAl]

Good points....any roommate situation leaves a lot to be desired. Oregon? Yeah, pretty scenery, but serious employment problems even in high rent Portland. Lots of Oregon tags in Phoenix...many have relocated there to find work.

Snow birds from WA and OR are a big reason for the out of state tags. We have a number of friends who do just that.

I do agree with the comments concerning purchasing unimproved/undeveloped land. That is a purchase/investment best left to professionals or at least those with deep pockets and a long, long time horizon.

Edited December 27, 2015 by SpokaneAl

[bangmai]

Yes, the snowbirds have always been down there from the PNW, but since the financial crisis, a lot more people in their 20s and 30s are down there. A realtor friend told me she went from 80 straight days of rain in Seattle to 80 days without a drop in Phoenix.

[NeverSure]

The good thing about rainy places in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is that they are lush and green. Seattle is gorgeous. I couldn't take that much rain, though.

The snow, other than occasional, is East of the Cascade Mountains where the elevation is higher and there isn't the air mass influence from the warmer Pacific Ocean.

Eastern Washington and Oregon are colder than heck in the winter, but they don't get as much precipitation as the W. part known as the PNW. Oops, of course the mountains themselves are cold too.

You aren't likely to see this in Phoenix, but it's common in Seattle.

[bangmai]

Phoenix, Arizona....Lemon Tree

Sonoita, Arizona....

[arunsakda]

This has got me thinking about where I might like to go if I had to teturn to the States. I'm into all the mountain sports so Bend, OR came to mind. Checked Zillow and saw some very reasonable prices on real estate. Most resort areas have cultural events frim time to time, Festivals, probably pretty safe also. I have only been for weekend ski trips and stayed in a Motel.

(Careful the real cheap homes are deeded co-ownership of vacation properties).

Do.Not.Buy unimproved property in Oregon. It has some of the toughest land use laws in the land. Zoning, setback requirements, septic system requirements, well setbacks, etc. etc. It's a maze suited only for the experienced.

Don't try to tell me that housing of any type is cheap in Bend, Oregon, LOL, LOL, LOL. It's in short supply, attracts the wealthy, is a skiing and summer home paradise, and is very expensive if you can find it.

Don't buy a shared housing deal. You're going into biz with a stranger.

Don't rent an apartment with a stranger. If the stranger flakes, you are 100% responsible for rent, giving notice, and utilities. There's no such thing as being responsible for half. You can't rent and then sublet 1/2 either. The roommate will have to go through the owner, get approved and sign the lease. Now you have that roommate deal.

If you must share housing costs buy something. Now rent out a room or two with a proper agreement, first and last month's rent and a deposit.

If you must rent as a share, rent only from a homeowner. That homeowner can't flake and leave you holding the bag because he's already 100% on the hook and you are responsible only for you.

Cheers.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/19552-Sager-Loop-Bend-OR-97702/80926508_zpid/

I prefer Condo living but a house like this for $350k sounds cheap from the millieu I come from. (Japan,Guam) Am I missing something?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jingthing]

350K cheap? Wrong thread.

[bangmai]

When you compare that to incomes in Bend, it will seem expensive.

[NeverSure]

This has got me thinking about where I might like to go if I had to teturn to the States. I'm into all the mountain sports so Bend, OR came to mind. Checked Zillow and saw some very reasonable prices on real estate. Most resort areas have cultural events frim time to time, Festivals, probably pretty safe also. I have only been for weekend ski trips and stayed in a Motel.

(Careful the real cheap homes are deeded co-ownership of vacation properties).

Do.Not.Buy unimproved property in Oregon. It has some of the toughest land use laws in the land. Zoning, setback requirements, septic system requirements, well setbacks, etc. etc. It's a maze suited only for the experienced.

Don't try to tell me that housing of any type is cheap in Bend, Oregon, LOL, LOL, LOL. It's in short supply, attracts the wealthy, is a skiing and summer home paradise, and is very expensive if you can find it.

Don't buy a shared housing deal. You're going into biz with a stranger.

Don't rent an apartment with a stranger. If the stranger flakes, you are 100% responsible for rent, giving notice, and utilities. There's no such thing as being responsible for half. You can't rent and then sublet 1/2 either. The roommate will have to go through the owner, get approved and sign the lease. Now you have that roommate deal.

If you must share housing costs buy something. Now rent out a room or two with a proper agreement, first and last month's rent and a deposit.

If you must rent as a share, rent only from a homeowner. That homeowner can't flake and leave you holding the bag because he's already 100% on the hook and you are responsible only for you.

Cheers.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/19552-Sager-Loop-Bend-OR-97702/80926508_zpid/

I prefer Condo living but a house like this for $350k sounds cheap from the millieu I come from. (Japan,Guam) Am I missing something?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is a ticky tacky house crammed onto a small corner lot. Corner lots are always the least desirable and real estate is all about location. It's also S. of town in a crackerbox neighborhood. The lot is so small they had to go up in an uncomfortable way, and the "curb appeal" from the street is a garage door!

No, that's not cheap in the US for what it is. I wouldn't want it at any price. As JT said, wrong thread for that price range anyway.

Cheers.

[bangmai]

Corner lots are more desirable for commercial property, and if they are larger, as they usually are, they demand a premium for residential property, also, It can be the difference in a pool or no pool.