The hybrid manufactured home selected by the Rheins.
As we neared retirement age, my husband and I began a search to identify where we would want to live, and what style of housing worked best for us. We ended our careers in California, but knew we could not retire there and live comfortably on our budget.
I told my husband, “I want a smaller, ranch-style home in a community with no major snow storms.” Other parameters included: we wanted to be closer to our grandchildren and we had to buy a three bedroom, two bath home with a large garage.
First, we began research on the internet to identify the states that were most friendly to retirees. We found five states, (NC, NV, TX, TN, AZ), and started a spreadsheet to compare features like weather, taxes, utility costs, home appreciation and nearby healthcare. This technique helped to separate the emotion from the research. We knew we could add our personal preferences later when we had isolated the most favorable locations. By the way, this same research can be done at your local library. Just go to the reference desk and ask for housing statistics if you don’t have a computer.
The second level of our research was to go to each area and live in our RV so we could confirm that the location would meet our needs and interests. For example, I insisted that a good library was a necessity, and Dennis had to have an auto parts store nearby.
This was an excellent decision for us because we learned so much from the locals.
Who knew that Florida allows a homestead exemption, or that regions in Texas are so windy! We also learned the importance of checking the local government for city taxes and ongoing issues such as water rights or access to technology. In one area, if you lived on one side of the street, you had to use AT&T for telephone service. If you lived on the other side; you had to use a local telecommunications company.
After fifteen months of travel and research, we discovered an area in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains right on the border of South Carolina and North Carolina. Land is still affordable, the weather has mild winters and costs of living are below the national average. In 2009, nearby Greenville, SC was voted in the top ten retirement spots in the country. For me personally, I was happy to discover that we could live within our budget, and have money to set aside for the unexpected events in life.
Here is what we learned in our journey: Be willing to look at things that you never thought you would consider. For us that was researching manufactured and modular homes. We had to let go of old notions about the local mobile home park with doublewides, and look at what is happening now in the housing industry. By selling our site-built home in California, and downsizing to a hybrid manufactured home, we saved over $40,000 in the total costs compared to a site-built home on the same land. The features and comfort that could be included amazed us – from jacuzzi tubs to sliding glass doors off the master bedroom.
We will be happy to share our thoughts and information with other retirees. Just email us at grheinbja@gmail.com.
