My husband and I play this game when we have a rare date night, which I am sure is common among many military couples. We imagine what life looks like after military retirement. Mostly, we talk about more time for travel and activities, but we always wind up returning to the topic we haven’t settled on: where to live.
Sometimes, for fun, we discuss far-fetched locales like the Alps, which would only work if we didn’t have family responsibilities. Mostly, we’re tossing out practical places that we could agree on. Let’s just say we haven’t found this magical spot yet.
His ideal locations are out West, with mountain views and wide-open spaces. My preferred places tend to be in a neighborhood like we’re in now, with plenty of sidewalks for dog walking and exercise.
As his retirement date approaches, I’m feeling a little more pressure to narrow down locations, but there are so many to be determined details, like where my daughter goes to college and his next job’s location. There’s likely opportunity for some remote work, but that complicates the equation because more geography equals more options.
Decision Factors
I’m an analytical, practical person and often neck deep in research, so I’m coming to this decision leading with data, to include (just a sampling) climate and home insurance reports detailing somewhere to live that’s least likely to have a natural disaster. Yes, some would say this is over the top, but that’s just how I am! Luckily, we already live in a relatively disaster-free zone, making me want to stay put even more.
I’ve even used online cost-of-living calculators to help me gauge how much things cost compared to what we spend now. There are plenty of other factors to consider before deciding where to live.
These are the topics I’m weighing the most.
Specific Location
Do you prefer the sand and sea, the mountains, or somewhere in the middle? Your preferences will help you narrow location choices. I want to avoid heat and humidity and embrace the cold temperatures, and I prefer suburbs or city-like features. I know plenty of people who think those are all the wrong choices! Location is very personal, and finding the perfect place might take a few tries. You never know when something like the prevalence of bugs or the absence of homes for sale can ruin a location you’ve been dreaming of.
Access
Access means different things to different people, but for me, access to amenities like an international airport and cultural activities are important, as are dependable medical care and walkability. Military families often heavily consider access to things like:
- Quick drive time to work
- A nearby military base or VA medical care
- Family’s location
- Children’s education and activities
- Drive time to vacation destinations
- Strong veteran community
- Employment opportunities
Taxes
Often, one of the first things military families consider for relocation are the states that do not have income taxes, which can be a good thing, if you’re happy with one of the nine states that don’t: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. New Hampshire only taxes interest and dividend income.
There are other tax implications to think about because the high cost of living and other tax burdens, like sales and property taxes, may wipe out some other tax advantages. It is a math game you’ll have to play to see how it works for your financial situation.
You’ll want to investigate each state’s laws about:
- State income tax
- Sales and property tax
- Military pension tax
- Corporate income tax (if you have entrepreneurial dreams)
As of now, I see us staying put for the first-year post-retirement and extendedly visiting potential new home locations to help us decide. I look forward to adventures that we get to plan instead of those planned for us!
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