C-Pup16 in Los Angeles
New member
Looking for a 55+ housing development either with a marina or convenient to one for my C-Dory, or a boat ramp / storage facility, preferably in the west and preferably that has access to the ocean and fishing.
boater senior active independent communities
- Thread starter C-Pup16 in Los Angeles
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riversun45
New member
me too!!
Pacificcoast101
Member
http://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/California/Long-Beach/Renaissance-Terrace/19683/
Plenty of marinas in Long Beach.
Plenty of marinas in Long Beach.
The closest you will find affordable is Seal Beach Leasure world. There is good storage, there, or just down the road at Sunset Aquetic Park in Huntington Harbor. Very nice facility, very co- operative staff, good security. Excellent ramps.
I left Calif 20 years ago because of the taxes, congestion and restrictions. For a fraction of what it cost me to live in Calif, off the water, I can have a lovely waterfront home, with excellent cruising, by own boat slip and lift etc
Marinas in Long Beach (where I was born, and practiced medicine for a number of years) have had waiting lists. They are taking out the smaller slips. The ramps are often crowded and a bit of a pain to deal with.
I left Calif 20 years ago because of the taxes, congestion and restrictions. For a fraction of what it cost me to live in Calif, off the water, I can have a lovely waterfront home, with excellent cruising, by own boat slip and lift etc
Marinas in Long Beach (where I was born, and practiced medicine for a number of years) have had waiting lists. They are taking out the smaller slips. The ramps are often crowded and a bit of a pain to deal with.
Montana Kev
New member
Me too! I have often wondered where the best place to live year round for boating, we like to hike and bike too. We love Montana summers, Yellowstone, the wildlife and the lack of population/traffic here but you know the story on the winters. Do we go west, south? Our dream is to spend some of the year in Montana, rest of the time somewhere much warmer/boat friendly. I know 2 boater friends from Bozeman moving to WA, one to Sequim and the other to Oak Harbor. Is Sequim really that dry? How about the traffic out that way? We are very spoiled living in a small town. Pilots have airplane communities with airstrips and hangers in their back yard, a similar community for boaters would be very attractive.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Friday Harbor gathering in May and learning more about the Seattle area while out there.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Friday Harbor gathering in May and learning more about the Seattle area while out there.
El and Bill
New member
Anyone want to comment on the winter living along the lower Colorado River Reservoirs in AZ or NV? George Hone - you have been visiting some this winter -- any suggestions?
We have been going south for the winter for over 2 decades. Not all of that with boating in mind, but we have traveled the entire Sun Belt many times, looking for warmth (when we lived in the Black Hills). 3 areas that are generally "reliable" for decent winter weather in the Continental US: San Diego (you can also toss in southern Arizona, but not much for boating there IMHO); deep south Texas (along the Gulf Coast); southern Florida (from Naples/Miami south). There are marinas and homes with canals or dockominiums in those areas.
There are pros/cons to each of those areas. Florida is crowded (and expensive), San Diego can be crowded (and expensive), south Texas isn't as crowded (but is becoming more expensive). You may have heard me refer to this area as "Mexico Lite." Some people don't care for the culture. Although you will find 55+ residential areas in all those places, if you are considering winters there, most of the homes (or rentals) with water access are going to be occupied by seasoned citizens during the winter.
The village we live in used to be an upscale owner-type RV resort. While there were (and still are) rentals, each lot is individually owned. Over time, most of those lots now have small homes built on them. Most of the places are second homes for people from up north. Many of the lots here are located on canals, so you can have your boat right out your door.
We have seen similar residential areas in Florida - some with all mobile homes, with river access, leading to the Gulf. Not sure what is available similar in the San Diego area.
Go north from us to Corpus Christi/Rockport area (where Brent and Dixie have spent winters), and you will find more homes/RV parks with canals and/or water access. It is a few degrees cooler in that area compared to the tip of Texas.
The best suggestion I can offer is to go to an area you think you might enjoy and see what the climate, population, and amenities are truly like. Rent something, visit with a real estate expert in that area to see what things sell for and what other expenses are involved.
In our resort/village, each residence has monthly owners fee (consider it like a condo fee) that includes water, sewer, cable TV, 24 hour gated security, lawn care, use of common areas (tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, an exercise room, activities, etc). There is an 18 hole executive golf course that is very reasonable for owners (so I am told - never got into chasing a ball around a pasture). We bought here so we'd have a place for a boat, right out the door. The monthly fees for owners runs $250... and you pay that every month, whether you are here or not. Compared to condo fees in our area that do not have water access, that is a good deal. Add taxes and insurance to that.
The beauty of these places is year-round boating. Shirt-sleeves and shorts. Summers can be hot and humid (the sea breeze really helps). WAY more families with kids during the summer. When we owned up north, going south in the winter was our escape... now, going north in the summer is our preference. Those migrating birds really have it right. :wink:
We are in the middle of a norther currently: a cold front that generally blows in from the north to northwest, knocking daytime highs to the 50s. Cold wind. More typical: winter daytime highs around 70º. Plenty of sunshine.
We just got back from Dallas (Joan's Mother's birthday). It was 81º here when we left Saturday morning; 52º currently (thanks to the norther). But, it was freezing cold the whole time in Dallas!
Yes, we are in a hurricane potential area. Just like most places along the East and Gulf Coasts. Hurricanes in San Diego are rare, but not unheard of. We had a direct hit in 2008; it had been 28 years before that. Hurricane insurance (and flood insurance) is expensive. Homes have to be built to certain standards here to even qualify to buy that insurance. On the flip side of that, see the "plenty of sunshine" comment above - if we have 3 or 4 days in a row of overcast, people get cranky. I can only imagine what a bear I would be if I lived in an area where you might go weeks or months without regular sunshine. Different strokes.
It's interesting to talk to the "winter folks" in any of those areas... they will usually tell you that they endured the cold, snow, and gray... until the first time they went south. Then, no going back!
Good luck with the search.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
There are pros/cons to each of those areas. Florida is crowded (and expensive), San Diego can be crowded (and expensive), south Texas isn't as crowded (but is becoming more expensive). You may have heard me refer to this area as "Mexico Lite." Some people don't care for the culture. Although you will find 55+ residential areas in all those places, if you are considering winters there, most of the homes (or rentals) with water access are going to be occupied by seasoned citizens during the winter.
The village we live in used to be an upscale owner-type RV resort. While there were (and still are) rentals, each lot is individually owned. Over time, most of those lots now have small homes built on them. Most of the places are second homes for people from up north. Many of the lots here are located on canals, so you can have your boat right out your door.
We have seen similar residential areas in Florida - some with all mobile homes, with river access, leading to the Gulf. Not sure what is available similar in the San Diego area.
Go north from us to Corpus Christi/Rockport area (where Brent and Dixie have spent winters), and you will find more homes/RV parks with canals and/or water access. It is a few degrees cooler in that area compared to the tip of Texas.
The best suggestion I can offer is to go to an area you think you might enjoy and see what the climate, population, and amenities are truly like. Rent something, visit with a real estate expert in that area to see what things sell for and what other expenses are involved.
In our resort/village, each residence has monthly owners fee (consider it like a condo fee) that includes water, sewer, cable TV, 24 hour gated security, lawn care, use of common areas (tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, an exercise room, activities, etc). There is an 18 hole executive golf course that is very reasonable for owners (so I am told - never got into chasing a ball around a pasture). We bought here so we'd have a place for a boat, right out the door. The monthly fees for owners runs $250... and you pay that every month, whether you are here or not. Compared to condo fees in our area that do not have water access, that is a good deal. Add taxes and insurance to that.
The beauty of these places is year-round boating. Shirt-sleeves and shorts. Summers can be hot and humid (the sea breeze really helps). WAY more families with kids during the summer. When we owned up north, going south in the winter was our escape... now, going north in the summer is our preference. Those migrating birds really have it right. :wink:
We are in the middle of a norther currently: a cold front that generally blows in from the north to northwest, knocking daytime highs to the 50s. Cold wind. More typical: winter daytime highs around 70º. Plenty of sunshine.
We just got back from Dallas (Joan's Mother's birthday). It was 81º here when we left Saturday morning; 52º currently (thanks to the norther). But, it was freezing cold the whole time in Dallas!
Yes, we are in a hurricane potential area. Just like most places along the East and Gulf Coasts. Hurricanes in San Diego are rare, but not unheard of. We had a direct hit in 2008; it had been 28 years before that. Hurricane insurance (and flood insurance) is expensive. Homes have to be built to certain standards here to even qualify to buy that insurance. On the flip side of that, see the "plenty of sunshine" comment above - if we have 3 or 4 days in a row of overcast, people get cranky. I can only imagine what a bear I would be if I lived in an area where you might go weeks or months without regular sunshine. Different strokes.
It's interesting to talk to the "winter folks" in any of those areas... they will usually tell you that they endured the cold, snow, and gray... until the first time they went south. Then, no going back!
Good luck with the search.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
One couple who are very close friends lived in Seeley Lake MT for a number of years. They moved to Sequim--somewhat upon our recommendation, since we have other friends who have lived there for over 20 years, and we visit each year.
They are now considering another move--not sure where to yet. But the reason is medical care (Better than Seeley Lake, but still have to go over to Seattle for really specialized care). They never felt that they "fit in"--I guess considerably older didn't integrate with the community as easily. Our other friends started with boating, and them moved to horses--so made friends in those spheres. Making friends and having an extended family is also very important in retirement.
There are many who are far more qualified than we are about the weather--but I checked this AM--Sequim was 33, Long Beach was 40 and Pensacola was 73. It is dry in Sequim--the rainfall is very low due to the rain shadow effect. However, we find it too cold for us, and there can be overcast.
There is a lot more to retirement than just weather. We chose Pensacola for a number of reasons--including that 5 couples who have boated together since the 60's all moved here. Because of: medical care, because of culture (Orchestra, music venues, Opera, art festivals), easy air transport as well as good boating and weather. We are fortunate that we have a large extended family in retirement--and that is very important.
We love the Olympic Peninsula--but for Medical Care, Arts, Music, etc--there is usually a ferry ride involved.
They are now considering another move--not sure where to yet. But the reason is medical care (Better than Seeley Lake, but still have to go over to Seattle for really specialized care). They never felt that they "fit in"--I guess considerably older didn't integrate with the community as easily. Our other friends started with boating, and them moved to horses--so made friends in those spheres. Making friends and having an extended family is also very important in retirement.
There are many who are far more qualified than we are about the weather--but I checked this AM--Sequim was 33, Long Beach was 40 and Pensacola was 73. It is dry in Sequim--the rainfall is very low due to the rain shadow effect. However, we find it too cold for us, and there can be overcast.
There is a lot more to retirement than just weather. We chose Pensacola for a number of reasons--including that 5 couples who have boated together since the 60's all moved here. Because of: medical care, because of culture (Orchestra, music venues, Opera, art festivals), easy air transport as well as good boating and weather. We are fortunate that we have a large extended family in retirement--and that is very important.
We love the Olympic Peninsula--but for Medical Care, Arts, Music, etc--there is usually a ferry ride involved.
Hi there. We've been exploring a fair bit this fall/winter and found we needed to get as far south as Coronado and San Diego to start to be pretty reasonable on warmth while aboard. Great spot to be and limited on cruising options. Real estate is as expected. Bring 1-3 million $ to get a nice place. We are no longer tempted to buy real estate so $22 a nite at the marina is nice. Cheaper by the month. Now in Yuma we have cruised some in behind the dams as well as the open Colorado. A c dory is a great fit due to the shallow water available. If one wants real estate it can be had very reasonably for a house in town. We've seen some nice places for $200k. Or out at Fishers landing on the water upwards of $700k. Or a nice trailer or 5th wheel in one of the hundreds of parks for anywhere from $225 a month plus power and up for the space. We are in Gibsons park at the moment $32 a night power in. Cheaper by the month at $275. Nice place, they don't advertise, 55 plus, retirees and long termers. I have been seeing for 2 seasons now if there is a place I could buy and stay at happily. For now it isn't attractive. I want to move. A few days or a week and I'm ready to move on. This week it's cold here. Down to 32F last night so even though Yuma is rated the sunniest spot in the USA it still isn't warm all the time. We have had a lot of strong winds too. In the summer you have to endure 120F. No thanks not for me. Long winded answer to say "I don't know". I am still looking for a place I could stay long term. Perhaps down the road. I am glad to have an easily trailered home and the time and the wanna to drag it around. The Big Island of Hawaii I could call home I think. It and Maui are really fine. Like Bill and El, we've tossed around the idea of a "safe harbour" down the road. A house it won't be. Have you looked at a modern high end trailer or 5th wheel lately? Wow. You don't need to drag it around. Buy a property and plunk it down. I think it's fine to be a nomad and look around both of our great countries. So much to see and so many new people to meet. We just got in from happy hour at the rv park. The folks were delighted to see us again as we were here a week ago also. Apparently we've been a topic and opened some eyes. Folks find it hard to believe we can live aboard a 22. Yup we can. Getting thinner and healthier and browner too. We plan on Florida next winter so will have more info. Happy aboard a 22 George and Carolyn
For the record, Bellingham is not the place to be. Nasty weather, bad tempers, and lousy food. For a c-brat, however, I'll tell the truth. The winters are long, the days can be short then, and it can be cold (a few days below freezing). But we boat all year long, and the San Juan's are just about an hour or two away. The summers are beautiful with long days and nice temps (mostly upper 70s for the warm days). The bay can be lumpy but it is really no challenge most of the time. We keep our boat in the marina (there is also a nice public launch) and own a home from which we can see our boat. I ride my bike down in the summer....maybe a four minute ride in the car. The price for all of this is well less than the multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars that I have seen for other places. If one is willing to live "inland" the prices are much less. Don't get me wrong, it is much more expensive than the heartland, but not as expensive as some of the nice properties down south.
Life is a series of trade offs but Bellingham works for us. Nice place, not too much traffic, nice folks, and easy access to lots of water.
Life is a series of trade offs but Bellingham works for us. Nice place, not too much traffic, nice folks, and easy access to lots of water.
starcrafttom
Active member
Here in the PNW there are at least 5 communities that I can think of that offer docks at your door step. Oh I just remembered a 6th one and a 7th one. They range from large homes right on the water with private docks to homes off the water with dock rights. Some are just bare lots that have not been built on yet to Mac mansions. It just gets down to what do you want and need and what you can afford. Most of these developments are 55+ by default. Mostly retired or near it. If you are interested in more deal or a list of them give me a call or pm.
I will say this. I have lived in hot places in the south and west and in colder places on both coast. I love it here all year. I love the mild summers. This year we had a record of days with out rain but it was not boiling hot. I don't know another area that I can fish for so many types of fish thru the year in protected waters. Everything is so close here in western Washington. I can go snow skiing after setting my crab traps or a morning of fishing. I can even hit the river on the way back if I leave early enough for steel head. Goose and duck hunting are right in the same areas as the fishing. I just don't know of another area that has so much so close all year long- with out bugs and over whelming heat. I know that several of the above posters LEAVE there areas in the summer to escape the weather. I am pretty happy all year long.
I will say this. I have lived in hot places in the south and west and in colder places on both coast. I love it here all year. I love the mild summers. This year we had a record of days with out rain but it was not boiling hot. I don't know another area that I can fish for so many types of fish thru the year in protected waters. Everything is so close here in western Washington. I can go snow skiing after setting my crab traps or a morning of fishing. I can even hit the river on the way back if I leave early enough for steel head. Goose and duck hunting are right in the same areas as the fishing. I just don't know of another area that has so much so close all year long- with out bugs and over whelming heat. I know that several of the above posters LEAVE there areas in the summer to escape the weather. I am pretty happy all year long.
Prices: Florida still has some very low costs for water front homes. On our street there is one on my side (protected Bayou vs open bay) with a dock for an asking price of $250,000. It has a pool and nice yard. Vacant lots on each side. Across the street, there are a couple for sale and asking prices are in the $300,000 range--larger houses, one is new, both are built up on pilings/ One has a nice dock and lift, is post Ivan and has a vacant lot next door for sale at a cheap price. (I suspect that both of these will sell in the mid to low 200K range.)
In South Florida, one can find houses for less than this on good water. Inland you can buy houses for less than $100,000, occasionally a decent house for 50K.
We had an RV lot at Bull Head City (Havasau) AZ and found the wind and cold were not what we had anticipated in the Winter, back about 20 years ago.
Also look at living costs--insurance, income taxes, vehicle registration, personal property taxes. Our living costs in Florida are considerably less than in Calif.
For C Pup, it does not sound as if living on a boat or camper is an option with his wife not enjoying the boat.
As far as climate--some folks adapt easily--others don't. Marie loves the hot weather; I prefer the cooler to moderate weather. Tom makes a good point about skiing (and leaving during the summer vs leaving during the winter--which is weather related). We skied until a couple of years after we retired--and used the RV as our base for living as well as traveling. But we also had the Cal 46 where we spent at least half the year in the PNW for 4 years. During the first winters we explored Texas, other areas of Calif. and all along the gulf and Atlantic Coasts in the RV before we decided where to buy. Having an RV allows one to evaluate the various regions and live there for a few months as you find places which are most appealing. We had started our search for retirement areas over 10 years before we actually retired. It can be a big decision. We did not want to up root and move again. With longevity today, one may well spend as many years in their retirement community as in the work place.
In South Florida, one can find houses for less than this on good water. Inland you can buy houses for less than $100,000, occasionally a decent house for 50K.
We had an RV lot at Bull Head City (Havasau) AZ and found the wind and cold were not what we had anticipated in the Winter, back about 20 years ago.
Also look at living costs--insurance, income taxes, vehicle registration, personal property taxes. Our living costs in Florida are considerably less than in Calif.
For C Pup, it does not sound as if living on a boat or camper is an option with his wife not enjoying the boat.
As far as climate--some folks adapt easily--others don't. Marie loves the hot weather; I prefer the cooler to moderate weather. Tom makes a good point about skiing (and leaving during the summer vs leaving during the winter--which is weather related). We skied until a couple of years after we retired--and used the RV as our base for living as well as traveling. But we also had the Cal 46 where we spent at least half the year in the PNW for 4 years. During the first winters we explored Texas, other areas of Calif. and all along the gulf and Atlantic Coasts in the RV before we decided where to buy. Having an RV allows one to evaluate the various regions and live there for a few months as you find places which are most appealing. We had started our search for retirement areas over 10 years before we actually retired. It can be a big decision. We did not want to up root and move again. With longevity today, one may well spend as many years in their retirement community as in the work place.
Bill Uffelman
New member
I am compelled to toss in the DelMarVa penninsula. The eastern shore of Maryland has the Chesapeake, Virginia has the Bay and the Atlantic and Delaware has bays and Atlantic. Delaware taxes are the lowest of the three -- no sales tax to boot. Good hospitals and adult learning opportunities in several places.
In and around Lewes to Fenwick Island Delaware you can have historic in town living, ocean front, bay front or golf course community. Lots of condos, houses and town houses with boat docks, etc. Prices all over the place but you can get a nice condo or 2500 square foot "villa" (duplex in disguise) with 3 BR, 2.5 baths, loft, sunroom, 2 car garage, some with dens, neighborhood pool for $275K with $700 annual HOA and $1100 property taxes. Dockage on Indian River Bay is 10 to 20 minute drive. Fishing, deer, duck and goose hunting abound.
Summer weather is hot and humid, spring and fall are bonus seasons for full time residents. Thanksgiving to February can be variable, 2 feet of snow a couple of years ago for Christmas and virtually no snow last year. It was almost 80* the day after Thanksgiving in 2011.
With a trailerable boat you have the whole Atlantic sea coast to explore along with the inland waterway Great Loop less than two day drive away.
My wife and I have lived all over the US in the last 44 years, and I lived other places in my youth and have traveled/worked in almost every state during my career. I can find reasons to live in lots of places and reasons to not live in a lot more.
When we actually retire to Ocean View DE in 2014 I suspect we will get some kind of motor home to take further south during winter or do as our friends do and rent a Florida condo for a couple of winter months and take a trailerable boat along for fun OR visit our Houston based son who has a J105 and access to several fishing machines and three of our grandkids. Now that we are having a couple more grandkids added to the brood in Virginia and Connecticut this summer the plan may change 8>))
Bill Uffelman
In dry and damned cold Las Vegas NV for now
In and around Lewes to Fenwick Island Delaware you can have historic in town living, ocean front, bay front or golf course community. Lots of condos, houses and town houses with boat docks, etc. Prices all over the place but you can get a nice condo or 2500 square foot "villa" (duplex in disguise) with 3 BR, 2.5 baths, loft, sunroom, 2 car garage, some with dens, neighborhood pool for $275K with $700 annual HOA and $1100 property taxes. Dockage on Indian River Bay is 10 to 20 minute drive. Fishing, deer, duck and goose hunting abound.
Summer weather is hot and humid, spring and fall are bonus seasons for full time residents. Thanksgiving to February can be variable, 2 feet of snow a couple of years ago for Christmas and virtually no snow last year. It was almost 80* the day after Thanksgiving in 2011.
With a trailerable boat you have the whole Atlantic sea coast to explore along with the inland waterway Great Loop less than two day drive away.
My wife and I have lived all over the US in the last 44 years, and I lived other places in my youth and have traveled/worked in almost every state during my career. I can find reasons to live in lots of places and reasons to not live in a lot more.
When we actually retire to Ocean View DE in 2014 I suspect we will get some kind of motor home to take further south during winter or do as our friends do and rent a Florida condo for a couple of winter months and take a trailerable boat along for fun OR visit our Houston based son who has a J105 and access to several fishing machines and three of our grandkids. Now that we are having a couple more grandkids added to the brood in Virginia and Connecticut this summer the plan may change 8>))
Bill Uffelman
In dry and damned cold Las Vegas NV for now
El and Bill
New member
Good comments, Bill. Now -- just hang in there in sunny Vegas for a day or so. Temperatures for you back to the 60's soon and all next week. Sounds great -- and brings back the good memories of our years living in Southern Nevada.