I'm 54 and my wife and I are VERY worried about our future, gas and food prices rising daily. We have had our savings dwindle with the cost of living into the stratosphere, and we are finding it impossible to replace them. We can get by, but can't seem to get ahead. My condolences to anyone retiring in this crisis, 30 years nonstop just for a crooked system to take all you worked for.
I feel your pain mate, as a fellow retiree, I’d suggest you look into passive index fund investing and learn some more. For me, I had my share of ups and downs when I first started looking for a consistent passive income so I hired an expert advisor for aid, and following her advice, I poured $30k in value stocks and digital assets, Up to 200k so far and pretty sure I'm ready for whatever comes.
@@danguRobert The crazy part is that those advisors are probably outperforming the market and raising good returns but some are charging fees over fees that drain your portfolio. Is this the case with yours too?
Retirees who struggle to meet their basic needs are the ones who could not accumulate enough money during their active years to meet their needs. Retirement choices determine a lot of things. My parents both spent same number of years in the civil service, but my mom was investing through a wealth manager, and my dad through the 401k.
This is true. I'm in my mid 50's now. My wife and I were following this same trajectory. Last two years, I pulled out my money and invested with her wealth manager. Not catching up with her profits over the years, but at least I earn more. I'm making money even before retiring, and my retirement fund has grown way more than it would have with just the 401(k). Haha.
Its unfortunate most people don't have such information. I don't really blame people who panic. Lack of information can be a big hurdle. I've been making more than $50k passively by just investing through an advisor, and I don't have to do much work. Doesn't matter if the economy is misbehaving; great wealth managers will always make returns.
@@darnellcapriccioso I think this is something I should do, but I've been stalling for a long time now. I don't really know which firm to work with; I feel they are all the same.
@@tatianastarcic Firms can be unscrupulous as they prioritize their own commission over your profitability. On the other hand, I prefer working with individual investors like LAUREL DELL SROUFE, who only take a share from your profits, not your initial capital. I must say, my experience with her has been exceptional thus far.
@@darnellcapriccioso Thanks a lot for this recommendation. I just looked her website up, and I have sent her an email. I hope she gets back to me soon.
Casa Grande is such a wonderful place to retire. Loads of entertainment with high speed police chases and gun battles in the street. Endless supply of fentanyl in our supply chain. If your from Mexico, you'll feel right at home provided that you are fluent in Spanish. For those that are not yet retired, job opportunities abound with the Boarder Patrol.
Arizona is main destination and transit point for child sex and hard labor . Research -Myths and Facts about women and children sex trafficking . Biden administration is being investigated for human trafficking. Democrat's are trafficking. Law enforcement and system are trafficking. Be safe.
Lots of retired people with money are moving in the Prescott area. Hands down the nicest place to live for retired people. Very clean, beautiful, and safe. Lots of people moving here, and there are no ghettos. Flagstaff has a winter like you would see in Michigan. Cold. It's a great place to visit there in the summer, but if you are moving from a northern state you are going to get a northern state winter as it's 7000 feet. Cottonwood is nice, however the summers are pretty hot as the elevation is about 3300 feet. Payson has about the same weather as Prescott, because it shares the same elevation. It's smaller and shopping is not as good if that is a factor for you. It's nice. Showlow is nice but with the elevation it gets a winter much like Flagstaff. Everything down in the Valley is very hot and miserable in the summer. Nice in the winter however. Prescott is good for ALL seasons as it's about 5000 feet. You want about 5000 feet to live here comfortable all year. You will find that in Silver City New Mexico as well.
@@joevarga5982 It depends on your tastes. Again, it is high desert at about 4600 feet, so that part is excellent. It is a Very beautiful town with all of the red rocks and about an hour from Prescott and Flagstaff. The downside is that everyone that visits Arizona wants to visit Sedona. The traffic can jam up for 3 miles in every direction leading into the town. There are 3 main roads, all of them jammed. Another thing is that it is a tourist town, so the restaurants are expensive. Parking can be difficult. The third downside of the town is the homes are at California prices. It's nothing to spend 700k for a basic home. Prescott gets a lot of tourists as well but mostly from the Phoenix area, not from all over the world. The traffic still flows here. If you are stopped at a light you will go through it when it turns green. You don't have to wait for a second light. They best thing to do is to come out and visit the towns. Sedona in the summer is crammed packed. After that it's not so bad, but can be crowded on the weekends. I guess it's whatever are willing to put up with. I like to just get on my motorcycle and go for a ride without any interruptions.
@@cashstore1 I see. It sounds like Sedona isn't as great for someone living there full time, because of the crowds. I expect to be headed over there and see for myself in a week or so. Thanks for the insight.
@@joevarga5982 Another place that is high desert is Bisbee Arizona. It's in Southern Arizona at about a mile high. It's safe and nice. A lot of old hippies live there. So it has a San Francisco vibe to it. It's nothing to see a bar advertise a drag show. Prescott is a conservative town with very little crime and not a lot of weird people.
Good middle class town that normal seniors can afford are Kingman, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, and Yuma. All have good hospitals, the Colorado River nearby, casinos, and lots of cheaper end restaurants. I prefer Tuscon. Has a large University, hospitals, restaurants, Mt Lemon, great bus system, a good zoo in town, good airport that is easy to fly in and out, Desert Museum, great day trips nearby. And real Mexican food. I can afford to live in Tucson or Green Valley.
@@jaissona6176 Lake Havasu City was always an extension of California. First, people from Southern California came to use their boats on the lake, and later moved to LHC. More followed, including many movie stars. In the winter the "snowbirds" in their RVs show up. Then the city swells temporary on holidays and boating and old car events. And just like the Old West, the police on these holidays and special events make money through arrest... on charges of disorderly conduct. The money rolls into the city through the fines. Just like Wyatt Earp and his brothers did as peace officers in Tombstone years ago.
@@jaissona6176 We're in Colorado and tired of the long winters. So we've been planning on moving. Initially we were looking at Las Vegas, but got turned off by the urban sprawl and prices. Then I checked out the Bullhead area. There's so much to do there and the housing is reasonably priced. It is a bit of a drive to an international airport (Reid in LV) but I figured we'd deal with it the few times we'd use the airport each year.
@@joevarga5982You are wrong, sir. I'm a Republican but I'm not brainwashed by a red hat. The 45th President screwed us middle class to give tax brakes to billionaires. Sad but true.
I spent a good deal of time in Arizona back in 1998. Back then a nice cozy house in Cottonwood was around 80 grand and I remember the people were so darn friendly and warm. The greedflation now. OMG
Remember most retirees have owned homes in urban areas that have skyrocket in value. They've also been paying them down over decades, so they've got a lot of equity. Most of them will have over $500K cash in their pocket to buy a home with when they move to their retirement location.
I bought two years ago in Mesa because it was very affordable and it's close to everything. Nothing really special about the city, but I like it and I'm only there in the winter months. I've driven all over AZ and if I was buying again, then I'd consider Tucson area or Prescott. Both are pretty areas with a better summer temperature (than Mesa) and you can still find affordable places to live.
He managed to omit one of the 2 or 3 best places in AZ. That is Fountain Hills. The most beautiful in AZ, Only 20 minutes from the airport, adjacent to Scottsdale. Pleasant and beautiful in all ways.
I think Prescott is a beautiful place. BUT, it's a terrable place to try and drive around in. People are very impatient, especially when dealing with those unfamiliar with the maze of new roads. Finding a place to park anywhere near whiskey row. We never did get to explore it. We live in AZ and admit Prescott is an interesting place but we refuse to return. One harrowing visit is more than enough for us. It's like trying to drive in LA.
You’re so wrong about the traffic in Prescott being like LA , you can’t compare the two. I’ve heard of so many false statements, but that is at the top.
This video was extremely helpful in providing information about the best places to retire in Arizona. It was concise and well-researched, providing a great overview of the different options available. Highly recommend!
July 2023 Twenty-four day heat streak over 110 degrees in Phoenix. Stay out of southern Arizona to survive as a senior. Bullhead, Havasu, Yuma and Tucson same. We are in the foothills north of Kingman.
Hereford, AZ, is the place; it has excellent weather the summer is in the low 90s. It snows during the winter. Views are spectacular, great places to hike, such as Miller Canyon, Carr Canyon, Coronado trail, Ramsey Canyon, San Pedro River, and more, there are lakes nearby, and you can enjoy monthly rodeos in Tombstone, a city nearby. Food is excellent and cheap, the healthcare system is fantastic through copper queen community hospital. Also, you can buy a house for less than $3000 in a nice area with great views! Bonus, there are golf courses too.
They have NOT built any major highway system up here in prescott. The traffic up here sucks because it’s growing so much and no new major roads are being built or upgraded
Phoenix will never encroach on Casa Grande because the Gila River Reservation is between them. I like that, especially for traffic. However, Casa Grande traffic does get pretty crowded during snowbird season.
Casa Grande is my home, love and miss it like crazy.. seems like it’s getting bigger every year. I’ve been living in Germany for the past 7 years, and I cannot wait to come back to AZ, love your videos it always brings me back home. Keep it up brotha!
Im glad flagstaff was mentioned. Also flagstaff does fluctuate in population quite a bit. Usually about 75k people when the college kids are here and about 50-55k people wothout the college kids. But still a big town. I love it here and it neber reaches above 88 degrees in the summer. You might have like 4 or 5 days where it reaxhes over 90 and everyone acts like they re dying. We do get an average of 100 inches if snow a year though. Its in the mountains. But its SUPER expensive here. Also yes if you take the freeway youre 1hr 45 from sedona in flag but if you take 89A down oak creek canyon its about 55 mins. But its often closed in the winter time.
I love and appreciate your videos..they are well made and packed with useful information...this particular video should have been called "Best places to retire in Arizona..if you have unlimited income" I am in no position to take on a home with a 600k + price tag. I retired two years ago, with a decent pension and had every intention of calling Arizona my new home, but I was, sadly priced out
Maricopa was mentioned and has one 55+ gated community; otherwise, it is a family town that is still figuring out what it wants to be when it grows up. Too many fast-food restaurants and promise of sit-down restaurants coming in - some day. Plus, the 347 highway is the only way in or out of Maricopa if you need to get to Chandler, Gilber, Phoenix, etc.
The nicest retirement community I've ever seen in Arizona is Saddlebrooke just north of Tucson. A little higher than Tucson and surrounded by rolling hills and the north side of the Catalina Mountains, it is somewhat cooler than Tucson. Set as a community in itself, it does not have through traffic barreling through its handsome streets.
Cave Creek extends south kinda far and that's where you will get lower priced homes. But if you are in the town of Cave Creek looking for homes up there, you are looking at a minimum $1.5M to $2M for anything decent. Especially if you want land.
*DO NOT MOVE* to Arizona now. Greedflation has made Arizona so expensive. People are now moving away. Gas, food, housing has skyrocketed in Arizona since 2021.
Canta Mia (55+ in Estrella Mountain) part of Goodyear, but it’s a hidden gem. Feels like a resort. Good prices too! Check it out next time you’re in AZ.
Saddlebrooke AZ north of Oro Valley is a big retirement community in foothills of Catalina Mtns. Cooler than tucson and phoenix by far. Multiple clubhouses, multiple golf courses, live performance theater. Golf cart community. Wildlife , no big traffic, By the way you spell tucson.
I live in between Sahuarita and Green Valley. Entertainment is limited to the desert 🌵 environment is older retirement and busy young families. Nothing for kids to do other than paintball activities in the desert 🌵 Did I mention the desert 🌵 area as entertainment?
i agree the sun cities are the best retirement for the buck...i am in sun city west...THE BEST...sun city grand has been changed to THE GRAND, because they are not affiliated with dell webb...FYI
Arizona is main destination and transit point for child sex and hard labor, Tucson is headquarters . Research -Myths and Facts about women and children sex trafficking . Be safe Biden administration is being investigated for human trafficking . Democrat's are trafficking.
Always interesting to see your favorite towns in our beautiful state. Sun City has so many golf courses! If you are in the market for a mid-century modern house, this could work. I don't like the fact that most of the houses don't have fences between them. Makes if difficult for dog owners. There are also many other 55+ communities scattered around the Phoenix area. Goodyear has a nice one. Peoria has a few nice ones too.
I live in Ohio and let me tell when i moved here 20 years ago my large duplex was 350 dollars a month. Now that same duplex is 1800 dollars a month. We a feeling the pinch in most states. Milk, butter, eggs are so expenaive. Its hard to survive in many states right now. I think you have to start asking yourself the question of what environment do i want to live in, because the cost is high everywhere. We want to move out there for better weather to be more active. Ohio gets too many bad weather days.
My daughter lives in Prescott Valley and we have been looking at homes in Prescott. Coming from CA we have always heard that AZ is cheaper. Not. There is no way we will be able to afford a home in Prescott. Everything under $500,000 is a dump and needs a lot of work. That is not affordable unless you are rich. Everything we have seen that is decent is $600,00 and up. So I guess I will have no choice but to stay in CA, unfortunately. We love Prescott very much but will have to be happy with visiting once or twice a year.
@@Hschlick84 Thank you for that information. I was under the impression that NM is blue like CA so we didn't think to look there. We wanted to be close to our daughter, but it's looking like that won't be an option.
@@cackleberrycottage2340 It might be a blue state, but its a different kind. Not the expensive kind like on the coasts, still affordable. Eastern part of NM is more like Texas, check it out.
We bought a beautiful three year old house in a nice, older neighborhood with a large yard in Prescott Valley three years ago that was move in ready for $415,000. People thought we were crazy paying that much but within 6 months that was considered a good deal and now its worth $900,000. Home prices went sky high but they are flattning out a little because of high interest rates. The new homes they are building in HOA communities are built cheep and cost a fortune. One problem with Prescott Valley is lack of grocery stores for the growing population and the people in the smaller surrounding towns like Dewey come here to shop. But yes, it's become very expensive to buy or rent anything in the Prescott/ PV area.
@@jbee6954 My sister and her husband moved to PV 6 years ago. They built a house because it was cheaper than renting. Their mortgage is $1200/month. Their neighbor next door is renting out his house for $2500/month! A lot changes there in just a few years.
I grew up in St. Louis. . .Worked for 40 years in Wichita, Kansas. . .and I can spell TUCSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hmmmmmmmmm. . .I'm retired, and renting in Wichita for a VERY affordable price, but I'd love to move to Arizona to live out my life there. BUT, every video I see about Arizona is SO discouraging because EVERY one of them says that damn near EVERY place I could go is going to be VERY expensive. . .WAY more expensive than Wichita. Very depressing because for that reason I doubt I can make this move. VERY depressing. I'd like to go to the Tucson area, (I had a job offer there 40 years ago that I didn't take), but it looks like that's just going to be too expensive also. Depressing. . .VERY depressing.
They are running out of water in Arizona. I lived there most of my life and would love to move back. Between the water & heat in Tucson, I'll just come visit. Plus housing costs are astronomical today. My condo I had cost me $39,900 now it is selling for $165,000!! Yikes!!
I've watched your channel for a while, I've never heard you mention the best place for Snowbirds! Topock-Golden Shores has everything plus for us older folks! We're 40 minutes from Lake Havasu City, and 45 minutes from Laughlin, we're overlooking Havasu Wildlife Refuge, Goose Lake, and 5 minutes from the Colorado River. We leave from our homes to ride in some of the most beautiful desert! We have local events continuously on Route 66 which comes through our lil town. It's a haven for the fun loving people who call Topock home, whether for 6 months or all year long!
Cottonwood was high on my list but I am here in Yuma living on a thousand a month. Very little traffic. Great groceries. Mebbe 40 homeless. No nightlife oh well. San Diego is not too far. No use for the freeway but it sure keeps the Kaliphernia people going on to the big city ZEKE!
In Tubac it is an interesting community. Golf course begun about 60+ odd years ago, have lots located around the course. They have been selling like hotcakes. Nothing much (if anything) housing-wise sells for under 500k. No other cheaper lots / residences in town so it is tricky to live here. Arts are celebrated, as it was reinvigorated as an art colony after WW2; yet most shops are for imports -- south of the border crafts. Few resident artists here anymore who actually 'can' make a decent living selling paintings, sculpture, jewelry or clothing, made by them. Which is a shame.... The imports from Mexico and further south are pushed way more than anything. One plus is no chain stores, fast food restaurants are located here. So don't go looking for any, as well as any big box stores. Green Valley and Nogales are closest places to find those! It's quiet here as businesses are closed by 4:30 -- 5:00 p.m. except for the few restaurant / bar combos. You can walk down to the local convenience store after dark open till 9:00 p.m. as well as the Tubac Market open until 8:00 p.m., and be the only person out walking!!!
Tubac has a nearby observatory, so it is a dark sky community. The stars are magnificent here. Some chemtrail activity here -- yet much less than similar areas elsewhere in the USA. So you'll see the clouds (real) and blue skies much more often! There is the Anza trail for hiking also. Would be great to see that expanded out of town more.
I've been to AZ many times but when I retired I did not move there. The heat gets pretty bad, especially in the south, and dust storms are not uncommon. Water supply is also becoming an increasing problem. Being an easterner, I like the green outdoors, and I like the seasons changing and a temperature that (so far) seldom gets into three digits, so I stayed back here.
I still don't know where I would like to retire. Tough choices! Gilbert old town area is too crowded for me right now but good for my kid's education and safety.
Hey bro, imagine retiring early at age 50! ..... I DID! And no, I didn't receive a large inheritance or anything like that. I started my career at age 17, worked hard for 32 years, lived within my means, SAVED as much as I could year after year, and accepted an "Early Retirement," even though I lost 10% of my monthly retirement income. I have NO REGRETS. In 18 years of retirement now, I have been able to experience so much that life has to offer through travel and vacation experiences. Wishing you the very best.
If you're going to retire in Sedona you got to have lots of money. And there is no Target in Sedona and Walmart is in Cottonwood. I just lived in Cottonwood for 6 years. Also you didn't mention about all the tourists that hit Sedona, and make traffic a mess. Cottonwood was a great place to retire and there's a few really nice mobile home parks. In the other video when you were talking about Cottonwood I'm surprised you didn't talk about the wineries
I would say since I moved to AZ in 2003 I lived in Vail for 5 years, too hot for me and too much desert terrain. Great if you like it, but not for me. In 2010 we moved to Hereford, AZ, a great place to live. I'm in the Huachuca mountain foothills, about 4750 ft. elevation. June is hot, July is monsoon time nice rainfall. Great hiking, hunting, creeks etc. We are about 15 minutes to Sierra Vista which has hospitals, Stores, restaurants and town stuff. Very nice weather year round except June, snow in winter where I live every year a few times, which is gone the next day. Lots of wild life on my property, mostly deer, rabbits, several bird species, the occasional bear, havalina, and fleeting sightings of big cats. Very affordable.
This video should be called I love the Phoenix area and maybe 2 other places. You skipped the entire south east and white mountain area. Phoenix is hotter than Casa Grande plus hotter longer, that includes the entire phx valley.
You totally left out Peoria, AZ Lots of restaurants and activities along P83 area and a Spring training stadium. Top 55+ communities of Westbrook village and the country club like Trilogy 55+ community in Vistana, a master planned community.
Its to expensive to retire in Az now. With all the the ppl from CA and east coast movin here the cost of living has gone up incrediblely, plus the housing shortage here in az and, the homeless population is growing everyday for thr same reasons. Honestly retiring in az wont be doble for many
There is NO AFFORDABLE housing for retired people, unless you're rich. Homes range from $300k-$700k, HOA fees are $200-$900/month. Arizona is a horrible state for anyone looking to retire. Only rich people get to look forward to retiring, I guess.
@@rastus666 Both of the big reservoirs are on the rise. Great water coming to Yuma crops via the Colorado River. Also being at 700 ft. elevation above the Gulf of California there is ample ground water
I live in Quartzsite for 7yrs now from Milwaukee. Quartzsite is cheap taxes on property. Year round living is ok.but winter time has to many snowbirds. So stock up on food
Thanks for video. I like AZ with its mountains and deserts 🌵, but half the year central AZ gets really hot 🥵. Jeff, do you think that you will always live in Arizona? If not then where?
Uhm, downtown Tucson is pretty bustling. Maybe the neighborhoods around it aren't. It's been transformed over the last 10 years with lots of new restaurants and clubs and the streetcar makes a huge difference. Then you can go up Fourth Avenue as well.
Arizona is my favorite state 😍 As a father of tow kids my dream is to have a house there but when it may becomes true 😢 I work almost every day in Washington but money is like coming and going away. Oh god! I don't know what to do 🤔
Ain't seen ya round in a while. It's good to have ya back to explain what the difference is in the areas. Where's a cooler place to live in a Mobil Home
I was visiting a older retired family member in New Your city area and they lived in a high rise apartment, cndo etc. I'm not sure what you call them but I was so impressed that you could just get on the elevator and go down to the basement where there was a movie theater, a walk walk over to the swimming pool. The 1st floor remind me of a mall with little cafes, grocery store, hardware , clothing etc. Why doesn't Phoenix have living places like that here? I live in Queen Creek and have lived in the Phoenix metropolitan area for over 50 years. Sure I got just about everything within a few miles, but damn it sure would be nice not have to go off site and just walk over to the cafe for a bagel and coffee. I have seen a couple retirement developments that has a small coffee and donut bar but not much more.
very nice video,I watch many of your video's ,great job. I do want to ask about the place you spoke of between cave creek and carefree, with biker bars and buffalo chips I googled it but didn't see anything on google map.unless your speaking of wickenburg more west .
Good video overall but a correction: Sedona does not have a Walmart or Target, closest Walmart is in Cottonwood, 20 miles away, closest Target is in Flagstaff, 45 minutes or more. Also, traffic coming into town from the south is often horrendous and not just on weekends.
I don't agree with your Parker assessment. Parker is a dump compared to Lake Havasu. There is a small Safeway and Walmart. Medical availability is scarce. If you're sick go to Kingman, Las Vegas, or Phoenix.
