Retiring Soon

Re: Retiring Soon

Don Thompson, Cutler Ridge, South of Miami FL

>Good for you! I hope you enjoy your leisure.

How did you determine that eastern Ohio is an economical place to live?

Re: Retiring Soon

Jim Crammond in Monroe, Mi

>Jim,

Congratulations on your retirement, after 40 years of working, you deserve taking the time to enjoy yourselfe and do what you want to do. It sounds like both you and your wife have hobbies to keep busy with which is important.

In my opinion, your choice of areas is a good one, the country around that area is pretty, hilly, but not too bad, and the cost of living is reasonable because the area has never quite recovered from the exodus of the steel making industry a number of years ago.

I can't help you out with woodworking supply stores, etc. but you shouldn't have any trouble finding small sawmills in the area to buy North American hardwoods. I lived about 75 miles east of there for a couple of years and there were a number of small, Amish sawmills cutting oak, cherry and maple,etc. That area is also fertile grounds for finding tools from what I've heard. John Walter's shop is just south of there in Marrieta, Ohio. If you are interested, Ohio Tool Collectors is a fairly active group with friendly, knowledgible members. Let me know if you would like any information about them.

Good Luck,

Jim Crammond

Re: Retiring Soon

Jim DeLaney, Tustin, CA

>Don,

Actually, I have some family in that area. Also, my wife and I both grew up about a hundred miles South of there (Wheeling, WV).

I've been checking out the real estate ads for the area, and homes are selling for about 25% of what they cost here in SoCal. Property taxes, etc. are also much lower.

The weather will be the biggest adaptation we'll have to make. We've been in SoCal for 28 years, and sure haven't seen much snow! 55� is a cold day here, so that's going to be quite a transition.

Utilities are cheaper, and even groceries are a little bit cheaper.

Re: Retiring Soon

Don Thompson, Cutler Ridge, South of Miami FL

>Oh, OK. I was hoping that there was some sort of super-duper web resource or something.

I am about ten years behind you, so it is sort of coming up on the horizon.

Make sure you get a place with room for a good shop!

Re: Retiring Soon

R.J.Whelan

>Jim ... congratulations, you're going to love it.

I made it out at 55 and haven't looked back.

One of the happy circumstances of retirement is your monthly expences for the little things necessary with a white collar job go away. I wouldn't say we're living the "high life" but we have found our meager retirement income goes a lot further then we thought it would.

Your biggest surprise is likely to be the cost of heating in cold country. I was a neighbor of yours in So Cal and our gas bill during the winter was probably in the $30-40 range; last winter (cold here in Bishop) we spent about $290 per month (wood & propane) for Dec. thru Feb (just 3 months but kind of a shock) - definitely learned to wear a sweatshirt in the evening while watching TV; have an electric blanket on the bed for the first time and got used to that little change in about three minutes - nice and toasty.

Good luck and best wishes for a full, rewarding retirement ... rj

Re: Retiring Soon

Jim DeLaney, Tustin, CA

>RJ,

Great to hear from you!

My current Winter gas bills here in Tustin are about $90 per month.

Gas back there is quite a bit cheaper. Much of it is produced relatively close by. My sister has a 200+ foot� house, and they use the gas company's 'budget plan' for $66.00 year-round, so I'm not planning on it being too bad. Electricity is much cheaper, too (for those air-conditioned Summers).

We're figuring that, with the house paid for, we can make all our basic expenses om my Marine Corps retirement pension, and the IRAs, draws on savings, etc. will cover the rest. Early Social Security at age 62 may play into it, but currently isn't being planned. Time will tell on that one...

Jim D.

Re: Retiring Soon

Jim Brown

>For supplies, you will probably like Baird Bros. sawmill. For the wife, there's a respectable annual amish quilt show in Kidron (SW of Akron). Check both out on the internet.

For living where you want, I would look a tiny bit south of Canfield. Nice rolling hills. I think the humidity will be noticable to you. Personally, I'd recommend a ride through the area south and east of Cleveland. Maybe a 20 mile radius around Kent. The reason is the Cleveland area is nothing like you remember (much improved)so being within an hour of there puts you close to many things not as accessible another hour east. Top shelf medical facilities, cultural stuff and food/grocery/restaurant choices.

Good luck and best wishes. Jim

Re: Retiring Soon

Ted Owen, Pittsburgh

>Pittsburgh has two woodworking stores I frequent--Woodcrafter's Supply and Woodcraft. Also two vibrant clubs--one general in nature and the other turning.

While I was born near Youngstown, I don't know much about woodworking there. I do know there is some great old iron from Akron to Cleveland. Also some good WW schools in OH.

Are you a golfer?

Best, Ted

Re: Retiring Soon

Dave Chatham

>Be sure to cut down all of the redwoods in your yard and bring 'em with you,we don't got none of them here, just buckeyes! Great choice of areas, you will be at most 90 minutes from just about anything. That equals a good day in CA traffic if the rumors are correct.

Welcome to our fine State, Dave