Retiring to a small town or rural area

re: Retiring to a small town or rural area

Its Just Me — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:25:24 GMT

We live in a very small (abt 3500) town full time in southern Arizona. The nearest town is about 2 hours away. We are surrounded by federal land (2 national preserves, Air Force testing range, and Indian reservation. Our little metropolis in the desert will continue to be - at least in our lifetime, and probably those of our kids and grandkids - very small and very rural. There is a large grocery store, we have a hardware store, 2 dollar stores and a few restaurants. One pharmacy, one small health clinic and we have a developing artist community. This used to be a mining town (copper), and when the company sold off the houses - some were sold at $10,000. This is where I was born 52 years ago, and we very much enjoy our life here. Infrequent crimes -- usually very small -- and you know your neighbors... and pretty much everyone else in town. For the most part, living over 100 miles from town is pretty nice. We do about 90% of our shopping here in town, but about once every 4-6 weeks, we make the trek into town (WalMart's 90 days for $10 prescriptions).

Job opportunities are kind of scarce - but if you can land a federal (including a large Border Patrol station), state or county job - you are in luck.

The real drawback is the fact that we have no emergency services here in town. We have an ambulance service and a small clinic with basic services BUT emergency care involves at the least a 2 hour ambulance drive OR a 45 minute ambulance ride with helicopter available in the next town. We have certain doctors that come down on a regular basis (cardiologist, phys therapy, optician, etc), but as our fairly large elderly population continues to age... there are frequent and inconvenient trips to town. This is hard on our precious aging folks because they are ill equipped to handle in-town driving. Luckily we do have a local transportation company that runs a shuttle in and out of the major cities.

We like it here, but the fact that we are older and settled (we're both 52) makes a big difference. We have lived all over the place - in big cities -- and we like our slower paced way of living. Yes, it can be a pain because everyone knows you and knows all of your business... but if you don't do anything wrong -- that's ok too.

We have such a wonderful church family, and a great many very good friends. Our slower pace lets us all be more aware of the things that are going on in other's lives. The kindness and compassion we show to one another is such a gift -- one not found in a large impersonal metropolis. Births and deaths are acknowledged - troubled times are lifted up to those who need a hand.

For us... we are happy in our little rural town 100 miles from "anywhere".

re: Retiring to a small town or rural area

SimplyForties — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:46:19 GMT

I already live in a very small, rural town in West Texas and am currently selling up and moving to an even smalle, rural town in western Virginia, I'm actually leaving next week, after 31 years in my Texas town. I'm 47 so not exactly retiring yet but certainly semi-retiring and really looking forward to it!

re: Retiring to a small town or rural area

Reva — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:07:35 GMT

While living so far from a major medical facility would be a concern of mine, I know what you mean about not basing a retirement decision on that factor. Living a quieter, more peaceful life might actually preserve your health and longetivity. It also seems like you might be exchanging one set of "cons" for another. You may be able to arrange shopping, doctor's appointments etc. so as to group them into one or two days a month in town. Strive for optimum health, learn CPR, stock up on basics (in case of bad weather), have a neighbor lined up to help in case of an emergency, and go on and live your retirement to the fullest. All in all, I believe you'll need to give it a try before making the final decision. Best wishes whatever you decide to do.

re: Retiring to a small town or rural area

Bill in Houston — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:19:35 GMT

Chip,

Another thought we've been having has been moving to the Yucatan peninsula. There is a lot of land for sale, and it can be quite peaceful, but getting contractors looks to be a nightmare. Power is surprisingly consistent. There is a lot of rural electrification going on. Still, I don't want to build the bottom story of a house and wait until the following spring for the crew to return.

re: Retiring to a small town or rural area

Katlyn — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:23:43 GMT

I was a former military child, and i loved it when i went home to my small home town. Sparks, Arkansas was the quite sceren life i dreamed of, but after our month stay over the summer i was ready to go home. i think it depends on you, but you might get tired of it. try staying at your house for a month or two and try it out.

re: Retiring to a small town or rural area

Chip Titus — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:30:58 GMT

We moved to the country about 5 years ago and just about all the examples that you have posted are on the money. While it takes longer to get anywhere it is worth the peace and quiet experienced in our daily lives. One drawback we have struggled with has been getting good contractors to take on our projects and most don't even bother to show up for bids. I think that the travel time to our farm is the major drawback but we have also noticed that the "laid back"' attitude rolls over into the work ethic also. Another thing to consider is to put a good emergency generator into the budget, power failures are very common place.

re: Retiring to a small town or rural area

Bill in Houston — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:26:12 GMT

The benefits seem to outweigh the disadvantages for the author.

Say "Hi" to Mr. Haney and grocer Sam Drucker for me!

That being said, my wife and I are considering buying property "in the country." My wife's sister lives an hour north of Houston. She is ten miles from the Interstate, but five minutes from the nearest farm road (60mph rural highway). Property in the area runs about $25000 a acre, depending on amenities (over $100,000 a acre on nearby Lake Conroe). To me, a heart patient, the only big downside is that I'm 20 minutes from the local regional hospital. They do have excellent care there (my mother-in-law was a patient last year), but jussssst in case. The airport is a half hour (same as I currently drive, just in the opposite direction) away. There aren't a lot of cultural amenities there, and fine dining means driving to The Woodlands or Houston. Not the end of the world.

If I didn't live in a quiet neighborhood now I'd jump on this next year instead of waiting a few years to buy the property and then another ten to build a house.

re: Retiring to a small town or rural area

John Y — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:35:03 GMT

I grew up in a small mountain resort town, so I can relate to the positives you've already mentioned. The people, while not necessarily nicer, are usually more helpful in direct relation to how isolated they are from the nearest "major" population center. The lack of noise, air, and light pollution alone are worth it. After 25 years of living in the city, barking dogs, gardeners with their power mowers and blowers, and traffic noise, to name just three, still drive me bonkers. The BIGGEST downside to rural retirement, in my eyes, is the amount of time it takes to get anywhere that has services you need but can't get in your town, like your Dr., or just being able to see a movie at the theater. Second, the wear and tear and mileage put on your car will surely discourage you from owning a nicer car, since you'll be driving a lot to get to anywhere, and your vehicle will not be worth much because you're actually using it a lot. You will soon find yourself "going to town" once a month, maybe twice, and it'll be an all day affair, because it takes 90 minutes to get there, 90 back, there's 3 hours gone, and 5 or 7 hours left to go grocery shopping, Drs. appt., lunch, oil change and tires rotated, etc... Really, all in all, you're just exchanging one set of hassles with city life for a different set of hassles that come with rural life. But seeing real stars at night, the fresh air, the quiet sounds of nature, driving more than 1/4 mile before stopping for a stupid light...that's worth a lot! Try it for a couple of years to really give it a shot, and then if you don't like the situation, change it.

re: Retiring to a small town or rural area

indianrider — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:05:53 GMT

Benefits 4 vs. Disadvantages 3. Pack your bags, good luck and God Bless!