Thinking of purchasing a small 2nd home for retirement. Hoping that someone says anywhere from Tenn. (& considering Tenn) Eastward and Southward from that state. Thanks.

Tired of snow and cold!!!

Some friends of mine have moved to Costa Rica and Panama and love it.

Of course, there is always Florida - even north Florida gets cold.


The west coastal towns are nice. New Port Richey, Hudson, Port Richey are all dirt cheap right now. Really nice homes under 100.

Hudson has it's own beach area with restaurants.

Dunedin has a fabulous causeway with its own island park. Beachy little town with lots of shoppes.

Safety Harbor is another little beachy town with lots of shop and waterways. Safety Harbor is famous for its Health Spa- internationally known.

All are within 1/2 -45 minutes to Tampa. Search them on the net for more info.


Clearwater, St. Pete Beach areas are alittle more in price. Pricier as you go south to Naples.

Orlando area is jammed up with overbuilding. Traffic is rough with the disney resorts.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: real estate lady,

I live in Tennessee (Memphis area), no income tax, very reasonable housing prices in Tennessee overall. You may want to try the outskirts of Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City perhaps. There are plenty of affordable houses in the mountains, on small lakes, or just in the middle of nowhere if you're not interested in living in a city.

You may want to consider areas of TX. TX cost of living is very reasonable, you can get a lot for your money $-wise.
If you want very mild winters consider the Gulf Coast area of TX or south TX.
San Antonio is another area. Austin area is beautiful and is considered the "hill country" of TX but it can get cold there. Dallas/Ft. Worth is nice too but they definately have more of a winter.

The people of TX are very friendly and cordial. that's probably the biggest thing I miss.

There is plenty of restaurants, entertainment,recreation and culture regardless where in the state you settle.
TX isn't just desert and cowboys.

TX has no state income tax either.

Just thought I'd bring it up because one always thinks of Florida for retirees but climatewise parts of TX are very similar to Florida and probably the cost of living is much cheaper.

There are some really nice older homes in my small, older subdivision (1950's on up) for under $150,000. Lots of nice, older folks here, too. We're in Aiken, SC. Of course, if you want a golf course, gated community, you gotta pay a lot more.

katie