Where to go from here? O/T

Well this is a thread that has been turning over in my head for several months now, and as I have turned in my request to transfer to fleet reserves (20 year military retirement) into big Navy last month, I am putting it down in writing. As it looks I should be starting terminal leave in the middle of May next year. So I have to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.
I am 36, a motorcyclist, hot rodder, gun collector, shooter, and hunter, and want to return to R/C Airplanes someday. A girlfriend for the moment and no ex-wives or kids to contend with. Grew up in PA, and dad lives in Naples FL.
I’ve been stationed in Virginia Beach my entire career, but have no intention of staying in the area. I’m looking to use my retirement checks to pay my mortgage and look forward to having some land and eventually a large shop to work in.
Since I will have the income to cover my housing, finding a big dollar job isn’t as stressing to live comfortably for me. But I don’t care for flipping burgers either.

I’ve been interested in something in TN, NC, GA in the Chattanooga corner for good roads, good weather and easy access to anything that I would care to need and somewhat central for travelling to major bike and Hot Rod type events. But I’ve wanted to move to Florida for many years. And of course South Carolina in also a possibility. Mom has horses now, so I’m thinking I may need room for them later on when she is too old to work.

Since I’ve not lived in any of these other states, I’m looking for information from those that live in those areas to compare, such as Sales Tax, Income Tax, vehicle registration costs, vehicle inspection issues, availability/cost of land and houses, most importantly what’s the job market like?

What are your opinions about the areas you live in? (No high school or college football type biases please) Can I get 5 acres with a small house and garage without a half million dollar mortgage? Do you worry about roving packs of tweekers robbing you every night? That sort of thing.

I have other questions, and I still need to work out what I will do with my current house, but I will let the thread run where it will and answer/ask further questions as it goes. Thanks for your time to read this and replying.

Ray

Yup, its off topic, but I've seen other WAY off topic threads running recently.

 

Thank you for your service to the USA .
Good luck in the future,

 

Number one, thank you for your service, sir. I'm older than you, but you deserve my respect nonetheless.

I live in the Charleston SC area, and find there are any number of horse-friendly properties around, and they get more affordable when you get away from the water. You might have a look around here.

Best of luck with your future plans!

 

Ditto, thanks for your service, as I being an ex sailor I have to ask, ONE DUTY STATION IN 20 YEARS! How did you do that?? Anyway, I've lived in So. Cal for 30 years, Oregon for 32 years and now Oklahoma for almost 5 years, I would not trade the Oklahoma - Texas area for anything.

 

I can give you my perspective on some of the places we have lived in our lifetime, but these are only what I found there, someone else's opinion will probably vary greatly.

1) You mention Pennsylvania......I grew up in Pittsburgh area so I loved my time there. Did not like the weather, 6 months of bad to get a few months of really nice and a few months of ok weather. Nice people though. Never want to see snow again in my life.

2) North Carolina, lived in Winston Salem for a year, loved it there. Nice weather, nice people, and lots of old tin. Winter brings some ice storms but that burns off pretty fast and you get true seasons there.

3) California.......lived in Southern California for a year. All my life it was my dream to move there (hot rods, California Dreaming, beaches, etc) and to me it just wasn't a good fit. I am a country boy and it was too fast paced for me, too expensive, and too crowded. Maybe if we had stayed longer it might have been different, but we left with our tails between our legs (financially) and never looked back. I made more money there than any place I have lived, but it all went to keep a roof and necessities over our heads, very expensive.

4) Florida. I live right up the road from your Dad and have lived here since 1982. We first moved to Orlando area then moved to Ft. Myers in about 1985. I love the area. It isn't perfect, gets more crowded in Winter with Snowbirds, and crime is not much better than most places these days. But cost of living is reasonable, no State Income Tax, no car inspections (in this part of Florida at least), housing has dropped dramatically in recent years but was climbing during those crazy times) and espcially I love the weather. Yes, Summer and part of Spring and Fall is brutally hot, but everything from cars, to homes, to stores are all air conditioned so not a super bad problem. Winter is NICE. Cost of clothing is low as we live in shorts and t shirts year round, and food is about on par with most places. Job market sucks, as there is NO manufacturing in Florida, only service jobs that mainly center around tourists. When they go home things get kinda slow.

With your pension and benefits from the service you will have it pretty good no matter where you move. You just have to decide what climate you like (some people love snow and the 4 seasons) and if you want to be close to your family here or not.

Don

 

You will regret getting out, everyone does.

Doc.

 

Dakota.....South Dakota

 

Travel a bit and explore the areas that you think will interest you. Having two aunts who are widows of career and retired military men I'd say that a reasonable distance to the medical resources and a good commissary might be a consideration. You earned it you may as well use it.

 

Fireengine, there are 10 Bases and over 1000 different commands within 60 minutes drive of where I'm sitting.

 

Thanks Don, I could have wrote your post word for word (except for calif.).

Thanks Doc. I'll miss the guys and friends, but never miss the ships.

Mr48, That is a good piont to consider.

 

Well, as a fellow retiree from the Navy I will give you a few thoughts. I retired in 03. 20 years. I retired as a Chief. A couple of things to think about. Your retirement is 50% of your base pay. None of your allowances. You will also have a annual Tricare,dental and VGLI payment. You are looking at less than 2K a month in you pocket when it is all said and done. Not bad but your not going to live well off it.
I don't know what your rate is but if you can turn it into a civilian career like I did you will be happy if you like what you do know.
I live in the northeast where it is stupid expensive (taxes). I do agree to find a place with a low cost of living. When I finallly retire I am looking at going to Texas. Nice weather, lower cost of living and no taxes on your pension!!!
I know the one thing I learned in the Navy is that I can do anything I set my mind to. If your the same you will suceed no matter where you go.
Good luck, Todd

 

No state income taxes in Florida. Come on down! Gary

 

1) Go to this website: http://www.bestplaces.net/ and type in the locations YOU are considering. Look at the variables (cost of living, etc.) that YOU care about.

2) Congratulations on your career. I retired as a Mustang O-4 in 2004. I miss it a little, but I still work for the OPNAV Staff in DC, so I get my daily fix, but without having to deploy.

3) PM me if you have any other questions.

 

I'll third the Florida with the exception of Jacksinvill FL.....it sucks here...It's goin down the same road as Detroit with a quickness....we just moved out of J-ville into the country well outside of the ignorance of Duval County(j-ville), If it wernt for the fact that I work in Duval I wouldnt have a need to go there.