Where to Retire?

[Saxacussionist]

Herschel,

It sounds like you have found your little slice of paradise. You are a lucky man!

[Saxacussionist]

Anybody know someone who sails the coast of the Carolinas? I have friends / contacts in Southern California, Florida, and Georgia. The other 2 states on my short list are North & South Carolina. I am looking for recommended cities that meet my original requirements of:
Small town
Within 1/2 hour or so of the marina
Long sailing season
Reasonable cost of living

I'm going to have a couple of weeks off for Christmas and I would like to start visiting some of these cities. I'm kind of leaning toward the Southeast coast for the Caribbean sailing

[DaveB]

You bet it does, at my youthful age of 32 yrs young my customers at the time (building Custom homes in Cape Cod) told me to carry my dream for if you wait to my time it won't happen. For my sake...I heard the words much older than I, felt the wise thoughts in that old man and wanted to walk the walk Life never gave him the sight to see.
So my fellow Sailors, I took to Sea. After 40 years now I truly don't miss a thing and have known I done it.
Best days of my life was 1982-1985 Sailing my dreams and will always be there for rest of my life as best time of it.
Dave
("One man's paradise is another man's hull"[/quote])
And another Mans Hull shall sail on to new Paradise and venture beyond those dreams to reality.


I live in Cape Coral. Place were I launch my Tralor Sailor Mac. and in a short time can go to Sanibel Island and swim off the beach on the Gulf in 3 ft. of water, take a 3 day weekend to Sail to Cayo Costa (28 mile trip) that I am doing next weekend with 22 other WCTSS Tralor Sailors.
Cruise down to New Pass at end of Lovers Key.
Or many other places and Islands for Gunkholeing.
3 bed, 2 bath,2 car garage will cost you about $90,000 on a fairly new home. Been here for 22years from Cape Cod and love it. I retire end of this year.
Dave

Sorry Dave but taking three years off to sail the world in your 30's doesn't constitute retirement. Sounds like a phenomenal trip either way! I was thinking no itinerary, no commitments, just grab the globe and decide where we're going for the next three months then go from there. But to each his own.
I plan on leaving the kids at home when I retire. They can come visit, and I will in turn visit them and shoot some animals when I come home. To me each place has it's highlights, it's not just beaches and sun; thats all nice for a while, then the drive to see new things sets in and I get restless.
Yes the admiral hates the bad days at sea, but so do I; It just makes the good ones great.

"One man's paradise is another man's hull"

[Herschel]

Heaven Bound asked about

I am looking for recommended cities

In addition to Sanford, FL, let me throw out there Astor, FL. I think it meets all of your criteria. It is about 48 miles downriver (i.e., north of Sanford) on the St. Johns River. There is a nice little marina there, a couple of really good "mom and pop" restaurants with great sea food (you may have noticed I focus on those ), and the town is close to Lake George, the second largest lake in Florida, which has two or three crystal clear springs that run into it that can be used for overnight anchorages and swimming. The closest is Silver Glen Springs Run; see picture. The second picture is in "downtown" Astor! A few years ago I was there on a Saturday night when a little country-western band was set up right beside where I was tied up. One of the locals that dropped by for a brew or two was sporting a T-shirt that summed up the flavor of the place: "Astor Florida: a quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem!" Even if Astor doesn't meet your needs, stop by the Blackwater Inn and a catch a great meal overlooking the river!