Quote:The reason why I haven't been here is because of a great new opportunity I took in TC

Investment Advisor for the hourly workers and bellhops at the Chippewa Casino.

That's not all it's full of. It's full of for sale signs, and foreclosure signs. We're not talking foreclosure on some dump that some low life can't pay on. We're talking million dollar homes. But hey, I'm sure there's an industry in TC that is booming. Pirates Cove miniature golf seems to always be busy.

Yep, another associate moved away, he was a architect of those big homes up there, he probably had a hand in more than a few of the newer ones. The market went dry.

He lives in Steamboat, took a w2 job working for the man now. Sucks for him. I did that for the last two years, it's awful. I hope that never again.

Of course, if I had backin's portfolio, I wouldn't worry and live off of the income.....

Quote:I did that for the last two years, it's awful. I hope that never again.

You're too independent to even put up with typical office chicken-chit, DB. You develop a thick skin after a few years and it doesn't hurt so bad. Been enduring it for 30 years now, so I know.

Hey, 8 more years and I'm retired!

Quote:You're too independent to even put up with typical office chicken-chit, DB. You develop a thick skin after a few years and it doesn't hurt so bad. Been enduring it for 30 years now, so I know.

But I tried to develop that thick skin necessary, deal with the steady income, routine, budget, the whole nine yards. I really tried!!

You got to learn to grit your teeth and fight back in your mind, DB. It's called virtual revenge. It'll keep you going through the tough times and the swipes from A-hole managment!

I've just got to chime in on this insanity. The locals who have spent their entire lives here in Florida cannot wait to get out of the state. Weathers great, golf courses awesome, beaches beautiful but few locals make enough money to enjoy the golf let alone Disney or anything else. Unemployment is just over 4% but the average wage is just above poverty level for a family of four. Before I moved here we had a place in Myrtle Beach and the situation mirrors Florida. Lots of trucks with gigantic tires and ladders needed to get into the drivers seat, meth labs, bloodhounds, stars and bars flying from CB antennas and souped-up school bus racing at the local track on Saturday night are standard fare for living anywhere other than in a close in metropolitan area. I love it here but the locals hate it-guess it depends where you've been stuck for most of your life. I'll always love Michigan. If I ever have to return it won't be with any regrets. Florida's awesome but Michigan will always be number one in my heart.

My brother would agree with you FB. He lives in a HIGHLY GATED community that is vertually self sufficient. Has it's own shopping center, 7 golf courses, etc. But he says the same thing regarding crime, and how the locals view life there. The folks whose portfolios reached critical mass love it there, and those who are not so lucky have a different take.

Hey, somebody has to cut your lawn and work at the car washes to keep your Caddy in top form.

Where to Live After Retirement

You can live in Phoenix, Arizona where...
1. You are willing to park 3 blocks away because you found shade.
2. You've experienced condensation on your butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl.
3. You can drive for 4 hours in one direction and never leave town.
4. You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food.
5. You know that " dry heat" is comparable
to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door.
6. The 4 seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!

You can Live in California where ...
1. You make over $250,000 and you still can't afford to buy a house.
2. The fastest part of your commute is going down your driveway.
3. You know how to eat an artichoke.
4. You drive your rented Mercedes to your neighborhood block party.
5. When someone asks you how far something is,you tell them how long it will take to get there
rather than how many miles away it is.
6. The 4 seasons are: Fire, Flood, Mud, and Drought

You can Live in New York City where ..
1. You say "the city" and expect everyone to know you mean Manhattan .
2. You can get into a four-hour argument about how to get from Columbus Circle to
Battery Park, but can't find Wisconsin on a map.
3. You think Central Park is "nature,"
4. You believe that being able to swear at people in their own language makes you multi-lingual.
5. You've worn out a car horn.
6. You think eye contact is an act of aggression.

You can Live in Maine where ..
1. You only have four spices: salt, pepper, ketchup, and Tabasco
2. Halloween costumes fit over parkas.
3. You have more than one recipe for moose.
4. Sexy lingerie is anything flannel with less than eight buttons.
5. The four seasons are: winter, still winter, almost winter, and construction.

You can Live in the Deep South where...
1. You can rent a movie and buy bait in the same store.
2. "y'all" is singular and "all y'all" is plural.
3. "He needed killin'" is a valid defense.
4. Everyone has 2 first names: Billy Bob, Jimmy Bob, Mary Sue, Betty Jean, Mary Beth, etc.

You can live in Colorado where ...
1. You carry your $3,000 mountain bike atop your $500 car.
2. You tell your husband to pick up Granola on his way home and he stops at the day care center.
3. A pass does not involve a football or dating.
4. The top of your head is bald, but you still have a pony tail.

You can live in the Midwest where ...
1. You've never met any celebrities, but the mayor knows your name.
2. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor.
3. You have had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" o n the same day.
4. You end sentences with a preposition: "Where's my coat at?"
5. When asked how your trip was to any exotic place, you say, "It was different!"

AND ... You can live in Florida where..
1. You eat dinner at 3:15 in the afternoon.
2. All purchases include a coupon of some kind -- even houses and cars.
3. Everyone can recommend an excellent dermatologist.
4. Road construction never ends anywhere in the state.
5. Cars in front of you are often driven by headless people.

I was lucky enough to get an early retirement after 27 years with Chrysler, and moved to the Hilton Head area from Detroit in March. We love it down here. No traffic by Detroit standards although the locals complain about it..., the weather, while real hot in August and Sept, is not bad, and a great trade off for the Michigan weather (6 weeks vs. 6 months of lousy weather). Two golf courses that are top notch and costs roughly $27 for 18 holes right on the property, and the beach is 20 minutes away. Home prices are reasonable and generally the cost of living is less than Michigan. Gas prices are easily 30 cents per gallon less, no heating cost to speak of, and AC during the summer is no more than I was paying in Mich.

I will never win the Lotto, but this will do just fine!

I have no intention to move permanently to the "Sun Belt" after retirement. If I can find a time-share for a reasonable price for 6 months of the year, fine. But I intend to stay in the Michigan area from May-October.

I just can't conceive of living full time in some retirement community. What would you do, sit around and kill time until you die? Knock that little white ball around a course for excitement? Not my style.

I have a lot of interests and expect to stay involved in them after I get done working for General Mayhem. The one thing you can't plan on is your health-A lot of that depends on genetics. But take care of yourself, try to keep the weight off, the sugar down and you may live healthy to a ripe old age. Gainfully contributing in some fashion to you dying day.

BroncoPhilly Wrote:I just can't conceive of living full time in some retirement community. What would you do, sit around and kill time until you die? Knock that little white ball around a course for excitement? Not my style.

BP, you and I agree, although I am in a retirement community. I am in a pool league, poker group, golf league, do 2-3 twenty or thirty mile bike club rides each week, take the dog to the dog park 4 -5 days each week, and get together for dinner / cards with friends and neighbors about as often as we can stand it. Then there are the short trips of 2-3 days to Jekyll Island, Biloxi, etc. I take a pass on the bus trips to the J'ville and Carolina Panther games, but they are available. And the local pubs have the Monday night games with $5 squares, etc. The time flies by and not one business meeting in sight!
Oh, you can also take a 5 minute drive to the USC branch for any class they offer for a reduced rate. At last count there were over 150 clubs in operation in this community, everything from Woodworking (fully equipped shop), to photography, synchronized swimming, and even Pickleball. The softball teams are quite competitive, and there is a big push on for entries for this month's County Senior Olympics. I entered the 8 ball doubles and the 10 Mile Bike race. Life is good and no work gets in the way! Take retirement at your first opportunity - you will have no regrets.

Chip, my brother's schedule mirrors yours..........even pickleball

I was concerned about him retiring so young, but as he tells it, I'm as busy in retirement as I was when I was working. Ten years and counting for me.

Quote:Take retirement at your first opportunity - you will have no regrets.

That's what I've heard. But I'm still 6-8 years away, God willing.

I know it sounds a little silly, but in my current assignment I believe I'm striking a signficant blow against Global Warming. We're moving from work on strict Hybrids to vehicles with Fuel Cells now-the next generation. As long as I'm healthy and can fight in the "war" for the ecology, I'm making a contribution.

I'm really worried that this recent warming of the environment is just the portent of a radical change in world weather patterns-mainly due to fossil fuel usage. It could have a major affect on world food production, propagation of insect borne illness, natural catastrophe's and so on.

When that assessment if finally made, we're going to have to react as a nation and quickly! Hopefully, the work on Hybrids we're doing now at GM will give us the lead on action. Kind of like the folks who worked surreptitiously on weaponry before WW2.

Well, I have to head down to Ole Mexico for a week of fun and games. Hold the fort until I get back. The pain from the Akron loss has subsided and I'm planning on being at Homecoming with my nieces and my ex.

Wayne-S-Noch-S.

Am I really going to respond to this? I guess so, waiting in an airport to hop on a flight.

Where do I begin?

A Dearborn douchebag is not qualified to comment on TC. First of all, TC is northern lower - LAKESHORE. Big difference than say, Gaylord. My Michigan is that narrow strip of land between US 31 and Lake Michigan - anything else, and well, you have a point.

The town/location I'm looking at has 3 bed, 2 bath old homes for over $300k. Chicago money. Not exactly the story you guys tell.

My industry/ business is booming, which is why I took the job.

When is the last time you've been to TC? The town is vibrant, maybe in a down cycle, but the "right" people are moving there, and it will continue.

My investment guy in TC is kicking a$%. I guess you just have to be able to cut it, like us a$$holes. Otherwise, you move south, then get bitter and bad mouth Michigan to make yourself feel better.

And the last time I checked, the #10 golf course in america (according to golf digest) is not going out of business, good thing because i'm getting a membership there......

You guys have fun making excuses, blasting CMU, etc, see you in a few weeks! I'm sure we will have blown another MAC Championship by then!

Fascinating stuff.

Let's see, TC, the last time...hm, that would have been over the summer to see my family that lives all up and down 'that storied strip' that you describe from TC to Harbor Springs. Of course, they're leaving 'gods country' rather quickly these days after years of denial. Seems that I started a trend.

Tell them about how vibrant TC is, while they get low ball offers on their houses and condos on that 'top 10' golf course (bs too).

I've heard all about how great TC is, it's to the point where it's the emperors new clothes all over again.

Everyone knows that nothing exists North or west of Mt.P in the state of Michigan.

Spear4life03 Wrote:Everyone knows that nothing exists North or west of Mt.P in the state of Michigan.

Check that... You mean Lansing

Quote:The town/location I'm looking at has 3 bed, 2 bath old homes for over $300k. Chicago money. Not exactly the story you guys tell.

We looked at a small cottage on Lime Lake, just west of town. The realtor started the conversation at $320k (cheap for lake property). 3 minutes into the conversation he'd dropped it 40k. By the end of the conversation he said, "make an offer, these people might entertain it." I guess that's what you mean by booming housing market.

I've looked at the same house on Platte Lake for 2 years now. Price keeps dropping..............no takers. Booming.

I played golf at the Palmer designed Kings Challenge on the east side of Sugar Loaf Mt. Ski Resort. The ski resort went under a few years back, and the golf course is in Chapter 11.

I played Cedar River (Shanty Creek) on a walk up basis ON A WEEKEND. Supposedly one of the top courses in the Mid West. We had a group of 27 golfers on Schussh. There might have been 2 other foursomes on the whole course..................on a weekend.

Quote:When is the last time you've been to TC?

Two times this summer, once this fall.

Quote:The town is vibrant, maybe in a down cycle, but the "right" people are moving there, and it will continue.

Carpet bagging speculators are moving in at the moment. Preying on people who are hung with a 2nd home they can't afford, and older people paying property taxes that exceed their monthly income.

Quote:My investment guy in TC is kicking a$

They would spin the Great Depression as booming economy.

Quote:And the last time I checked, the #10 golf course in america (according to golf digest) is not going out of business, good thing because i'm getting a membership there......

Every course in the North claims to being a Golf Digest top ten. Even the average courses claim it. I played one last year called Mystesomething...........Mystewood I think. It was like playing Milham Park. Not bad, but hardly special. Their big plug? Ranked as one of Golf Digest's top courses in America.