Retired last year but the wife still works and will for another 5 years when she turns 62.
A lot of it depends on where are children end up, if both of our kids are in the DFW metroplex then the goal is to get a small lake house within a 2 hour drive.

If they are spread across the country then I want to live on a lake or river on the western side of Arkansas, might be a challenge for the wife.

In Texas, property taxes have become a driving force in selecting where to live. We scaled waaay down because I couldn't stomach the idea of paying $15,000. to $20,000 or more per year in taxes forever. We bought a smaller lakefront home and froze the property taxes at just over $4,000./year.

I realize that for some of you, that's not a big deal but to me it is.

As Marc said, property tax must be taken into consideration, for me anyway.
Some states have very low property tax but a state income tax. A few of those states do not tax pension or social security as state income.

That's why I'm staying in Alabama. No tax on SS income and I think the first $24k (married) of any 401k withdrawals. I turned 65 in August and froze my property taxes at $850 a year. I have the Tennessee River less than 30 minutes from my driveway.

Cabin in Montana.

No state income tax on 401k withdrawals, pre-tax contributions and tax are always federally taxed unless taxed Roth contributions and earnings only.

Tejas doesn't have a state income tax Bro....

Don't give him any ideas!

We love living in Idaho, and for 8-9 months it's perfect. COL, taxes, real estate, and utilities are some of the best in the nation. No hurricanes, tornadoes, snakes, fire ants, chiggers, humidity! Just those darn crappy winter months that are getting old. Going to try Arizona next winter from Nov-April!! And see how we like it.

I'd recommend Flagstaff, AZ but snowy and cold those months of the year, at least parts of them. Beautiful from April - Nov.

March 24 is my last day before retirement. We have a contract on our home here in town but have been remodeling a little place in the trees by Athens. Two more months !

Nice! Coming on fast.

This should be my retirement view - central Texas

I'll probably give the 'head scratcher' response of the day.

My retirement might be on a farm in SE Kansas. It's a poor area with a lot of issues, but my family has roots there that date back over 150 years. If you're not familiar with the area, it's also not what you might picture when you think of a Kansas landscape. Foothills of the Ozarks and surprisingly beautiful. I'd love to buy back the 70-acre farm that belonged to my great grandparents and where my dad grew up. Many of my relatives are buried in a tiny, rural cemetery just down the road. I'd like to be buried there as well.

I'm fairly young though, so who knows what the future holds.

EDIT: Not crazy about most of the state, but I have to add Powderhorn, CO (not the ski resort) as an option. My favorite area to fish. I've heard the elk hunting isn't half bad either.

^^^^^^

Lived in Independence, Kansas for 5 yrs. (1963-1968), less than 1/2 mile from the Verdigris River.

Always thought it was nice country.

Already here in the Islands.

'Been in the area, since I "retired" (Oct. 2003), and, since I've been born, 62 years ago, give or take 100+/- miles. This. Is. Home. "Blossum where you're planted."

As much as I love the coast, I could easily retire on your place. Truly is a little slice of heaven.

My plan is to find me a sugga momma and let her support me.

In my house in McKinney. Close to the kids and close to the ranches to the north and northeast of the house.