Retiring Soon - Where should I live?  

I'm thinking that I'd love to retire in Europe, however, my retirement pay wouldnt go as far as it would in the states. Yes, I have been looking at PA and upstate NY.

I've looked into N.C., however I would prefer not to live in lots of humidity and big mosquitos. NC seems like a pretty nice state. A friend of mine's mom is a realtor there and she used to send me listings all the time. I was looking at either Boone or the triangle area. Thoughts?

Boone is a beautiful place i have only lived in Greensboro for 30 years and i love it here,i live in the country,i enjoy it i am not a city person.But thats just me i would say you would like either place you spoke of.I was born and raised in way down deep South Georgia so i am a country girl well girl no more.But just about any where in NC would be could.I dont why i say this but i think Boone would be for you not sure why.But what ever you decide i am sure you will be happy.

I have lived in England for the past 6 1/2 years - how could I NOT like rain? Actually, I love this climate. It snowed today, and like Oregon, it only usually snows a couple of times a year. I'm thinking that this summer I will go visit my daughter in CA and take about a week to drive up though OR and WA.

Do you really think tea would go over well there? I somehow envision coffee being a big thing out there.

Kathy

Yes we like our coffee here too. We have a lot of coffee houses but few tea houses in comparison. Which actually would be a good thing for you. I'll tell you why.....

Oregon is very much into all things herbal, organic, natural, healthful, unique, artisan etc. Besides our coffee houses, microbreweries and wineries are very popular places here.

Opening a tea house you'd have less competition, but a definite clientele. Location of course is important, but it's about atmosphere as well.

Take Ruthie B's for example. Ruthie B's isn't listed under Tea Shops. It's an antique shop. There are lots of antique shops here. But Ruthie B's is known for it's atmosphere... They serve tea and lunch and can seat 80 for parties or gatherings. Lunch isn't fancy, there isn't a lot on the menu but it's a place friends go to meet and word of mouth has brought customers from all over the U.S.

The two best places I can think of for a tea house would be anywhere around the University of Oregon, and either in or near the city center area of Eugene. That's where the Hult Center for the Performing Arts is located. Next door to it is the Hilton with all it's conventions, the 5th Street Public Market with all it's Artisan and specialty shops are, and lots of professional services architects, financial services, lawyers and judges - the city, circuit, district and federal courts for example are all within a couple of blocks.

You could not only serve tea, but sell all things tea related:

Tea pots, tea kettles, teapot warmers, infusers, china, embroidered tea towels, linen napkins & rings, table cloths, tea chests, tea scoops, tea bag and lemon squeezers, sugar tongs, tea timers serving trays, loose tea, tea bags.

Then there are all kinds of food items you can sell to go (as well as serve) biscottie, scones, jams, sweets, honey. Gift baskets, tea travel sets etc with local items like Euphoria company chocolates, Glory Bee Herbal Honey, or Honey Candy, Oregon Hill Hazelnut Scone Mix, Oregon Growers and Shippers Cherry Zinfandel or Strawberry Pinot Noir fruit spread. The list could go on and on.

You could also incorporate some non-tea items to sell from local artisans like art glass from local art blowers, ceramics, etc.

It's a thought.....

Wow! see, this is the kind of input that I need. Is the cost of living in Eugene high? Living in the UK I have already amassed a collection of antiques which I had already considered as well as the local artisans. I used to be a massage therapist, so I am pretty into the holistic. This summer I will be visiting my daughter in CA and driving up to check out the area, I will have to add Eugene to my list. Do you know anything about Olympia WA?

I've been to Olympia. It's a nice place too.

Cost of living. hhmmm I went to CNN Money and used their cost of living tools. Between Olympia and Eugene it would cost you:

24% more for Groceries
5% more for Utilities
5% more for Health care
2% more for Transportation

but

30% less for housing.

There are of course other factors to consider. Washington has the highest minimum wage law at $8.55 an hour. Oregon has the second highest. We just raised ours to $8.40 an hour.

In the last 5 years, Washington has been rated better for rate of state tax burden ranking from #35-38 among all the states, while Oregon as ranked from 20th to 26 among the states. Still we're at the average mark for the US.

One thing that is really nice about Oregon as a consumer is that we have no sales tax. If the price says $9.99 that's all you pay. A lot of people on the border of Oregon and Washington cross the river to buy here because it's cheaper. As a business owner, not having a sales tax is one less accounting headache!