Retirement locations? Best weather?

Mark20242SS · 12-03-2025, 04:03 PM

Hey, every winter I always start thinking about where I may want to move to when I ever retire to nicer weather. I am in Kansas and winters mostly suck here, cold and windy, lots of dreary cloudy weather, snow, ice sometimes.
Have researched the oro valley arizona area, st george utah, grand junction colorado, texas, florida, sonoma county california.
they all have pros and cons, most of the western locations are high wildfire risk, don't want to mess with that.
arizona and utah hot and water issues and dangerous bugs and animals and snakes.
florida is humid and hurricanes.
southern california is crowded and expensive
anyone live in a good location?
going any further north will be colder yet.
trying to find the least cons seems to be difficult choice.

1JEWLDSSRS · 12-03-2025, 07:14 PM

Well I'll throw this out there. Where ever you go you're going to have to deal with something weather wise. My father was in the Army and we have lived all over the midwest, and north east, Georgia, and Germany 6 times. He decided to retire here in Florida because he was tired of all the snow and cold weather. We moved here in 1968 and I love it! We live on the central east coast about 65 miles east of Orlando on the Indian River. Yeah it gets pretty humid in the summer time, but there is AC everywhere you go, the winters are pretty mild, you might get a few days, maybe even a week or so of cold, for me weather in the 30's and 40's, even some frost in the center of the state, but NO snow!! And yes in the June to November time frame we are in hurricane season, and we've had our share of them, but I'd rather deal with them versus all the "other" weather up north and in the mid west states. I love it here, wouldn't go anywhere else, except maybe Ibeza or Bora Bora, even Tahiti.. But that ain't happening. Good luck in your search.. This is the state park where I volunteer at pretty much all spring, summer, and into fall. And we do have our BAD days in between, but it is pretty much always nice. You can drive your Camaro all year round!! lol.

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ariZona28 · 12-04-2025, 12:45 AM

Yeah, not sure why people keep moving here, (Az). Flying scorpions. Poisonous cockroaches. Temps near 130 F. Children and small pets occasionally spontaneously combust: POOF, they're gone! You definitely should retire elsewhere and be sure to tell others. You'll thank me later.

The SS Godfather · 12-04-2025, 01:28 AM

Ha ha , you know I would say New Zealand!! Drive all year round here in the north island !

Z28GTOSSMike · 12-04-2025, 06:55 AM

Pics above look a lot like Sebastian Inlet. I live in Palm Bay and grew up in Indialantic. Spent a lot of time there.

102SS · 12-04-2025, 08:00 AM

My way of looking at it is there are draw backs to every place.

I love Niagara Falls it has big city amenities in a small city.

Great driving for 6-7 months of the year 2 months of iffy weather and 4 months of mixed slop.

Last winter was so mild I didn't need snow tires

Last summer was one of the most beatiful ever.

I think I will stay right here for my retirement

I visit Florida or SC in January when Hurricane season ends

1JEWLDSSRS · 12-04-2025, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z28GTOSSMike

Pics above look a lot like Sebastian Inlet. I live in Palm Bay and grew up in Indialantic. Spent a lot of time there.

Yes sir! You are correct! It is Sebastian Inlet. I work there as a park safety officer, and maintain the video cameras, and have fished the inlet for over 50 years for the "fabled" snook that everyone wants to catch some day! lol. I also live in Palm Bay...

Z28GTOSSMike · 12-04-2025, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Yes sir! You are correct! It is Sebastian Inlet. I work there as a park safety officer, and maintain the video cameras, and have fished the inlet for over 50 years for the "fabled" snook that everyone wants to catch some day! lol. I also live in Palm Bay...

My family moved here in 1967 during the space race and I have lived here my entire life. Mel Hi grad from 1981.

*mlee* · 12-04-2025, 10:39 AM

Find a place with good taxes for seniors like FL. I'm in Texas North of Houston and it's one of the fastest growing places in the country with lots of nice areas building up.

We don't have income tax so property tax might be a bit higher. I decided to build new and stay. Pretty happy with the decision.

ABM2SS · 12-04-2025, 10:53 AM

Best climate on Earth is Lemon Grove, California. But you couldn't pay me enough to move to California given the political environment there now.

1JEWLDSSRS · 12-04-2025, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z28GTOSSMike

My family moved here in 1967 during the space race and I have lived here my entire life. Mel Hi grad from 1981.

Awesome!! Neighbor... lol. We moved here in 1968, I was 11 at the time, I'm 68 now. Mel Hi grad as well, 1975... I love it here..

1JEWLDSSRS · 12-04-2025, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlee

Find a place with good taxes for seniors like FL. I'm in Texas North of Houston and it's one of the fastest growing places in the country with lots of nice areas building up.

We don't have income tax so property tax might be a bit higher. I decided to build new and stay. Pretty happy with the decision.

Yeah here we don't have any "state" taxes like some states do, AND our govenor is trying to do away with property taxes for home owners. We'll see how that goes! lol.

Z28GTOSSMike · 12-04-2025, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Yes sir! You are correct! It is Sebastian Inlet. I work there as a park safety officer, and maintain the video cameras, and have fished the inlet for over 50 years for the "fabled" snook that everyone wants to catch some day! lol. I also live in Palm Bay...

My family moved here in 1967 when the space race was in full swing. I graduated from Mel hi in 81 and have lived here ever since.

Mark20242SS · 12-04-2025, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariZona28

Yeah, not sure why people keep moving here, (Az). Flying scorpions. Poisonous cockroaches. Temps near 130 F. Children and small pets occasionally spontaneously combust: POOF, they're gone! You definitely should retire elsewhere and be sure to tell others. You'll thank me later.

haha, is it getting crowded where you are?
i think arizona is probably top of my list.
you know much about the oro valley, dove mountain area?
looks nice online and not too big and bit higher elevation too.
how do you like the phoenix area where you are?
too big of city for me.

12-03-2025, 04:03 PM	#1
Mark20242SS Drives: 2024 Chevy Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2025 Location: Kansas Posts: 68	Retirement locations? Best weather? Hey, every winter I always start thinking about where I may want to move to when I ever retire to nicer weather. I am in Kansas and winters mostly suck here, cold and windy, lots of dreary cloudy weather, snow, ice sometimes. Have researched the oro valley arizona area, st george utah, grand junction colorado, texas, florida, sonoma county california. they all have pros and cons, most of the western locations are high wildfire risk, don't want to mess with that. arizona and utah hot and water issues and dangerous bugs and animals and snakes. florida is humid and hurricanes. southern california is crowded and expensive anyone live in a good location? going any further north will be colder yet. trying to find the least cons seems to be difficult choice.

12-03-2025, 07:14 PM	#2
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 13,854	Well I'll throw this out there. Where ever you go you're going to have to deal with something weather wise. My father was in the Army and we have lived all over the midwest, and north east, Georgia, and Germany 6 times. He decided to retire here in Florida because he was tired of all the snow and cold weather. We moved here in 1968 and I love it! We live on the central east coast about 65 miles east of Orlando on the Indian River. Yeah it gets pretty humid in the summer time, but there is AC everywhere you go, the winters are pretty mild, you might get a few days, maybe even a week or so of cold, for me weather in the 30's and 40's, even some frost in the center of the state, but NO snow!! And yes in the June to November time frame we are in hurricane season, and we've had our share of them, but I'd rather deal with them versus all the "other" weather up north and in the mid west states. I love it here, wouldn't go anywhere else, except maybe Ibeza or Bora Bora, even Tahiti.. But that ain't happening. Good luck in your search.. This is the state park where I volunteer at pretty much all spring, summer, and into fall. And we do have our BAD days in between, but it is pretty much always nice. You can drive your Camaro all year round!! lol. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

12-04-2025, 12:45 AM	#3
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,768	Yeah, not sure why people keep moving here, (Az). Flying scorpions. Poisonous cockroaches. Temps near 130 F. Children and small pets occasionally spontaneously combust: POOF, they're gone! You definitely should retire elsewhere and be sure to tell others. You'll thank me later. __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

12-04-2025, 08:00 AM	#6
102SS waiting at the tree Drives: SIM 2010 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Niagara Falls Posts: 4,354	My way of looking at it is there are draw backs to every place. I love Niagara Falls it has big city amenities in a small city. Great driving for 6-7 months of the year 2 months of iffy weather and 4 months of mixed slop. Last winter was so mild I didn't need snow tires Last summer was one of the most beatiful ever. I think I will stay right here for my retirement I visit Florida or SC in January when Hurricane season ends __________________ 2010 2SS/RS A6 Just a few bolt-ons and appearance doo dads

12-04-2025, 10:39 AM	#9
mlee CamaroFans.com Drives: ZLE & ZR2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 37,973 View My Garage	Find a place with good taxes for seniors like FL. I'm in Texas North of Houston and it's one of the fastest growing places in the country with lots of nice areas building up. We don't have income tax so property tax might be a bit higher. I decided to build new and stay. Pretty happy with the decision. __________________

12-04-2025, 01:28 AM	#4
The SS Godfather Drives: TBS BLOWN/CAMMED 2010 CAMARO RS/SS Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: AUCKLAND -NZ Posts: 572	Ha ha , you know I would say New Zealand!! Drive all year round here in the north island !

12-04-2025, 06:55 AM	#5
Z28GTOSSMike Drives: 2019 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Palm Bay, Fl Posts: 185	Pics above look a lot like Sebastian Inlet. I live in Palm Bay and grew up in Indialantic. Spent a lot of time there.

12-04-2025, 10:53 AM	#10
ABM2SS Drives: 2010 SS M6 ABM Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Nashville, IN Posts: 372	Best climate on Earth is Lemon Grove, California. But you couldn't pay me enough to move to California given the political environment there now.