OT: Thinking of retiring to Willimantic in a year or two. Cold doesn't scare me.

[HuskyHawk]

Yes Westport, MA. And yes they are on the water. But there is not a lot of inventory in town that is not on or near the water. I’ve looked for reasonably priced rentals in the area and have never had much luck.

South County, RI is still a decent value imo, but getting less so every year—precisely because of the invasion of CT people (including our former head coach; the one who is in the HOF).

Wife would put a bullet in my brain if I even suggested RI. We live a bit more than a mile from RI and daughter went to school in RI K-8. It's full of Rhode Islanders...and that's a deal breaker. Plus it's arguably managed even more poorly than CT. It's like they compete.

 

[Excalibur]

South County, RI is still a decent value imo, but getting less so every year—precisely because of the invasion of CT people (including our former head coach; the one who is in the HOF).

We were thinking of a second home there, but anything remotely affordable stays on the market for about 3 days

 

[01Neaggrad02]

I've been down in NC for 20 years, and am considering retiring near Storrs. I like the fact that there is a bit of a downtown area with some historic nature. Seems house prices are cheap, although taxes are stiff (in all of CT). Never been there. Any thoughts how it may compare to say New Milford or is it more like Park St/Maple Ave in Hartford? I'm not keen on the Simsbury/Glastonbury suburbs, although I want to be safe at 11 o'clock at night if walking.

Willimatic.... WHY??????????????????????????????????? if you are serious and want to be close to Storrs try Conventry.....

 

[superjohn]

Generally, people will give advice as a way of reaffirming to themselves that what they did was the right thing. If you buy the same television that I did, that means I bought the right one and so on and so on.

That’s pretty much why you can wad up most advice and toss it out the window.

However, when someone offers up that they’ve decided to retire to Willimantic, Connecticut, I think we should encourage any and all alternatives. I’ve never been to Reno, know nothing about it and will almost certainly never go there....but even I think this guy should move to Reno instead of Willimantic.

Reno is a really strange place but they do have an awesome police force...

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Willimantic? Thoughts and prayers

 

[Chin Diesel]

Willimatic.... WHY??????????????????????????????????? if you are serious and want to be close to Storrs try Conventry.....

Getting a small home on Coventry Lake wouldn't be a bad option.

 

[freescooter]

NC is a nice state Stay south

Oh please. The south is still the south and wii always be the south. They call it the Bubba problem.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Getting a small home on Coventry Lake wouldn't be a bad option.

If I was retired and teaching part-time at UConn or even Eastern, that's where I would live. Relatively quiet lake, easy access to both universities and local necessities, a reasonable drive to Hartford, Providence, and Boston for an urban ecape and Bradley for a quick break down south when the snow gets too much and elsewhere in the summer.

 

[Jaker]

i recommend Pittsfield Mass.

 

[dennismenace]

To anyone considering moving to CT from a prosperous state, property there has become so cheap, it is worth considering. It is literally peanuts. With 5% mortgages, it isn’t easy to find comparable locales at a better price. I can live in nice CT towns for the same price as marginal NC towns. The situation has finally flipped.

CT is in a death spiral and I am going to buy a tremendous property there for pennies on the dollar in the next 2-3 years. Huge homes in Hartford and Tollland counties are selling at 50% of reproduction cost. It’s a great opportunity. CT’s proximity to so many things will pay off eventually. It’s a long term goldmine in my opinion.

How much of a "long term" do you have if you are already retired? As for the 50% of reproduction costs; that is because many of the houses were made long ago with plaster walls and ceilings, hardwood floors and even tongue in groove pine sub-flooring. I just went through this with my homeowners insurance company. Even though they evaluated it based on building the exact house today I would never rebuild it there if it burnt down. I'd take the money and run. Insurance has nothing to do with fair market value; it's replacement cost and in addition the personal property (furnishings) is a factor of the real property replacement value. So a house can have a selling value of $180K, replacement value of $350K and furnishings of $240K. So if a total loss for say a fire you get $590 to go shopping. Another thought: If your house is destroyed in a riot (arson etc.) I don't think it is covered. I'm not an insurance guy so if we have a BY agent please comment. Considering the downhill direction CT is heading I don't think home ownership in a failing city is such a hot idea.

 

[Vancat]

If I was retired and teaching part-time at UConn or even Eastern, that's where I would live. Relatively quiet lake,

Don't think I would call it a quiet lake.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Don't think I would call it a quiet lake.

I've spent time on Candlewood Lake in CT, Lake George in NY, Lake Winnipesaukee in NH, and others. Wangumbaug Lake, i..e Coventry Lake, is a lost less busy than than many others

 

[Hoophound]

When I can buy a house for 300k that would cost 400k to build WITHOUT land, I see value. My point is that if I want to ski, go to the beach, visit large cities, eat good food etc, CT is a great place to be. The fact I can attend UConn games is a bonus. When CT finds its place in the world again, which it will, values will go back up. I’m not of retirement age, so I can wait. Regardless, if I were 65, I’d rather stay somewhere with the above benefits for 300k than move elsewhere for the same money and give up my way of life entirely. I’ve been in Florida for a long time. I never stop wanting to go home. The fact it is now relatively inexpensive adds to the pull. Keep in mind, I live in a nice area of Florida, make a good living and have a second home up north (VT) but I am still drawn to CT. If you like CT, it’s in your blood. If you hate it, then I totally understand.

 

[husky8273]

I shot a man in Reno.

just to watch him die

 

[Vancat]

I've spent time on Candlewood Lake in CT, Lake George in NY, Lake Winnipesaukee in NH, and others. Wangumbaug Lake, i..e Coventry Lake, is a lost less busy than than many others

True, but still not quiet. I live on one of the Bolton Lakes. They are quiet.