Retiring in a lower-priced town? (Boston, Waltham: health insurance, homes, landscaping)

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

My sister is contemplating leaving Mass upon retirement which she is of age now. She is thinking Florida but she is afraid of not having the better healthcare in Mass. I live in Fla and I can tell you the difference is severe. Especially finding Specialist or getting timely appts in areas of Fla. I'd really look at other towns in Mass before deciding on other states. Many times other regions of the USA are cheaper for a reason. Reasons that might make them impractical as we age

I depends on what part of Florida.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

My confusion was reading the closing sentence that said "...cheaper, more remote town". I interpreted that as well outside 495, not North Framingham. No problem.

So did I, and many of us got a chuckle when those towns were then thrown out there (I guess it's all in perspective though). But everybody has their reasons. I think it's pretty common to relocated as one's priorities change, but still not want to be "too far".

[xo_kizzy_xo]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

The only people I know who made a big move at retirement did so to be closer to the grandkids.

If your only goal is to have a nicer house then I think it makes more sense to stay and renovate since you love your location.

What were your neighbors trying to accomplish? Why didn't it work out for them?

My MIL sold "the big house" in a well-to-do suburb (exburb?) after my FIL passed because she couldn't afford the taxes as her only income is his SS. She moved to a much smaller house in the same town and is now facing the same tax issue. For her, going into an active retirement community would've been the most logical choice. But no, to her being in a place like that means she'll die soon and by golly she'd rather bankrupt her kids to stay in a house by herself. I know that sounds harsh but it's a very sore point with my husband and his siblings.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by xo_kizzy_xo

My MIL sold "the big house" in a well-to-do suburb (exburb?) after my FIL passed because she couldn't afford the taxes as her only income is his SS. She moved to a much smaller house in the same town and is now facing the same tax issue. For her, going into an active retirement community would've been the most logical choice. But no, to her being in a place like that means she'll die soon and by golly she'd rather bankrupt her kids to stay in a house by herself. I know that sounds harsh but it's a very sore point with my husband and his siblings.

My MIL wanted to move back to MA and was hoping my DH and her other son would help pay for it. She lives out west with her boyfriend and can't afford to move back here. It is a sore subject for us as well. She never should have moved out west in the first place. I wasn't in the picture when that happened 17 years ago but I'll be damned if she thinks we're going to pay for her mistakes now. Some people are lucky to have rich in laws or in laws who make responsible financial decisions. Not me. She has a slew of health issues including diabetes and asthma but won't get vaccinated. I have some harsh things I could say as well.

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by xo_kizzy_xo

My MIL sold "the big house" in a well-to-do suburb (exburb?) after my FIL passed because she couldn't afford the taxes as her only income is his SS. She moved to a much smaller house in the same town and is now facing the same tax issue. For her, going into an active retirement community would've been the most logical choice. But no, to her being in a place like that means she'll die soon and by golly she'd rather bankrupt her kids to stay in a house by herself. I know that sounds harsh but it's a very sore point with my husband and his siblings.

Are you paying her property taxes? Because it reads like your hubby is upset that they won't be seeing anything from the income from selling the house when she dies.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

Are you paying her property taxes? Because it reads like your hubby is upset that they won't be seeing anything from the income from selling the house when she dies.

Good point. At least there's that.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

My sister is contemplating leaving Mass upon retirement which she is of age now. She is thinking Florida but she is afraid of not having the better healthcare in Mass. I live in Fla and I can tell you the difference is severe. Especially finding Specialist or getting timely appts in areas of Fla. I'd really look at other towns in Mass before deciding on other states. Many times other regions of the USA are cheaper for a reason. Reasons that might make them impractical as we age

Where in FL do you live? FL is a huge state and the different parts of the state can be quite different.

My parents spend their winter in Boca Raton and have been quite happy with the medical care available there. In fact, I would say they're SIGNIFICANTLY happier with the care available in Boca compared to the care available on Cape Cod where they live during the summer. So, no matter what state you're talking about there's going to be variety when it comes to quality of care.

Originally Posted by xo_kizzy_xo

My MIL sold "the big house" in a well-to-do suburb (exburb?) after my FIL passed because she couldn't afford the taxes as her only income is his SS. She moved to a much smaller house in the same town and is now facing the same tax issue. For her, going into an active retirement community would've been the most logical choice. But no, to her being in a place like that means she'll die soon and by golly she'd rather bankrupt her kids to stay in a house by herself. I know that sounds harsh but it's a very sore point with my husband and his siblings.

The baby boomer generation is notorious for not wanting to be perceived as "old."

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

Where in FL do you live? FL is a huge state and the different parts of the state can be quite different.

My parents spend their winter in Boca Raton and have been quite happy with the medical care available there. In fact, I would say they're SIGNIFICANTLY happier with the care available in Boca compared to the care available on Cape Cod where they live during the summer. So, no matter what state you're talking about there's going to be variety when it comes to quality of care.



The baby boomer generation is notorious for not wanting to be perceived as "old."

That's fine and all as long as you have the money to pretend.

[Strannik33]

OK, folks. My original intent was to solicit some real-life stories of moving in retirement farther away from Boston to a less-expensive locale, where the same $$ can buy a better house, but the real disadvantages are also present. It wasn't supposed to be location-specific. But since the posts generated some confusion and off-topic debates, let me sharpen the focus.

I live in (tada!) Needham, in a great quiet location but in a starter 1976 raised-ranch house. After some 28 years of us living here, the house could use $100-150K in cosmetic renovations (interior repainting, new kitchen, new entry stairs/walls/landscaping). I have resisted doing this, assuming that the house in whatever shape -- and it is well maintained -- would be easier to sell at a lower price; we would never recoup the investments. One RE agent told us years ago that people would be buying the location; the house is just an appendage and not that important.

We've been considering moving for many years and have been to tons of open houses and people's homes. Never seemed to have enough money to get a better house in a "good" area. We are familiar with RE market in the Boston area, and I spend hours daily poring over every potentially suitable property and town statistics. We insist on a quiet location, which eliminates at least 95% of the already-scarce listed properties. On top of all this, we are becoming less and less tolerant of NE humidity (and snow) and would consider moving west, if not for the great healthcare we have here. To throw in even more confusion, we have a condo in Natick, where one of our grown kids lives (the other is with us, as explained). So, with all this mess, our choices are:

1. Stay here and do the cosmetic renovations. Expect to retire here.
2. Try to find a nicer house a bit farther out. Retire there. Perhaps pay more than we get for this house.
3. Move out west in teh US somewhere where the weather is milder but healthcare is acceptable at least (I am researching possible locations furiously).
4. Do something else. E.g., the family down the street has moved to an apartment, had their house knocked down, and have a new large house constructed there. Rather silly if you ask me, as that house is on a busy street.

Judging by some of the replies, it is not an uncommon situation. Looking forward to more thoughts!

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Strannik33

OK, folks. My original intent was to solicit some real-life stories of moving in retirement farther away from Boston to a less-expensive locale, where the same $$ can buy a better house, but the real disadvantages are also present. It wasn't supposed to be location-specific. But since the posts generated some confusion and off-topic debates, let me sharpen the focus.

I live in (tada!) Needham, in a great quiet location but in a starter 1976 raised-ranch house. After some 28 years of us living here, the house could use $100-150K in cosmetic renovations (interior repainting, new kitchen, new entry stairs/walls/landscaping). I have resisted doing this, assuming that the house in whatever shape -- and it is well maintained -- would be easier to sell at a lower price; we would never recoup the investments. One RE agent told us years ago that people would be buying the location; the house is just an appendage and not that important.

We've been considering moving for many years and have been to tons of open houses and people's homes. Never seemed to have enough money to get a better house in a "good" area. We are familiar with RE market in the Boston area, and I spend hours daily poring over every potentially suitable property and town statistics. We insist on a quiet location, which eliminates at least 95% of the already-scarce listed properties. On top of all this, we are becoming less and less tolerant of NE humidity (and snow) and would consider moving west, if not for the great healthcare we have here. To throw in even more confusion, we have a condo in Natick, where one of our grown kids lives (the other is with us, as explained). So, with all this mess, our choices are:

1. Stay here and do the cosmetic renovations. Expect to retire here.
2. Try to find a nicer house a bit farther out. Retire there. Perhaps pay more than we get for this house.
3. Move out west in teh US somewhere where the weather is milder but healthcare is acceptable at least (I am researching possible locations furiously).
4. Do something else. E.g., the family down the street has moved to an apartment, had their house knocked down, and have a new large house constructed there. Rather silly if you ask me, as that house is on a busy street.

Judging by some of the replies, it is not an uncommon situation. Looking forward to more thoughts!

OK so now you are looking for advice on where "to" move...


I guess it all boils down to, what is it about your current house (other than the weather) that makes you want to move in the first place? Can you afford to rent a place out west for a year, see how you like it and tolerate being away from family, etc. while still having your current house to fall back on if it turns out not to your liking?


And if you plan on sticking around this forum, you are going to need to at least tolerate the unsolicited advice and opinions that come your way. The place attracts a lot of self absorbed types, along with those trying to be knowledgeable and helpful.