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Retirement: The Perfect Town Wish List?

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Retirement: The Perfect Town Wish List?
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"E.V." & MARY ELLEN's PERFECT(?) TOWN WISH LIST

For many years while travelling throughout country we discovered numerous new towns, cities, villages, etc. Some we liked and some we did not. This prompted us to put together a combined list in 2004 of the various things we liked to have in a town to make one's life pleasant and enjoyable.

It seems that the magic number is a population around 75,000 for the town and 125,000 for the County. We also found out that the population of a town has the most impact of the quality of life for that town. Too large a population, and the town becomes a hassle to get around, especially during it's "rush hours". If it's too small in population, then the businesses we wanted to see will not be there.

Simply put: To live hassle free in a specific area/town, you just HAVE to have sufficient service and supplies within a reasonable distance to meet ALL your needs. Otherwise, sooner or later YOU WILL be miserable.

TYPE / DESCRIPTION / EV, ME or Both(Listed in no particular order)
Updated: Aug. 6, 2010

Automotive.....
Ford/Porsche Dealership -- EV
Subaru Dealership -- ME
Race Track(s) -- EV
State Farm Insurance -- EV

Book Stores.....
Borders/Barnes & Noble -- Both
Public Library with Wi-Fi -- Both

Clothing Stores.....
Kohl's -- ME
Marshall's -- ME
New York & Co -- ME
Ross -- ME
Target -- ME
Shopping Malls -- Both

Communications available.....
Internet, Hi-Speed DSL or Cable access -- EV
Internet, Hi-Speed Wi-Fi access -- EV
Verizon Cellular Service - - Both
Wired Telephone Service -- Both

Culture Activities.....
Collage/University -- EV
Vocational Schools / Adult Courses -- Both
Entertainment Center(s) -- EV
Convention Centers -- EV

Electronics Supplies.....
Fry's Electronics -- EV
Radio Shack -- EV
Staples/Office Depot/Office Max -- EV
Best Buys -- EV

Government/Political.....
Taxes: Low Real Estate -- EV
Taxes: Low Sales Tax -- EV
Taxes: No State Income Tax -- EV

Crime Rate : Very low or none -- EV
Law Enforcement : Responsive -- EV
Political: Conservative (Red Counties) -- EV
Fire Department: No volunteer fire service(s) - - EV

Economic Factors:
Avoid the Have Nots in the population -- EV
Ethnic Balance: Same/close to the USA averages -- EV

Hobbies.....
Arts & Crafts Shows -- EV
Computer Shows -- EV
Fabric Store -- ME
Gem & Mineral Shows -- EV
Model Train Shows -- EV
Gun Range, Outdoors type -- EV
Gun/Firearm Shows -- EV

Home Centers Stores.....
Home Depot / Lowe's -- Both

Medical Facilities.....
CVS/Walgreens/etc. -- EV
Teaching Hospital within 30 mins. -- EV
Any full service Hospital within 15 mins. -- ME

Outdoor Activities.....
Beachfront / Lakefront -- Both
Boardwalks -- ME
Mountains with forests -- EV
Large body of water nearby -- Both
Paved Bike / Walking / Hiking Paths and Trails -- Both
Waters Parks -- Both

Real Estate.....
Cheap Land: High and Dry -- EV

Restaurants....
Carrabba's -- EV
Cracker Barrel -- EV
In-N-Out Burger -- EV
Krystal / White Castle -- EV
Mimi's -- Both
Outback / Longhorn Steakhouse -- EV
Starbucks Coffee -- EV
Steak n' Shake -- Both
Panera Bread (WiFi) -- Both
McDonald's (WiFi) -- Both

Recreational Vehicles services/supplies.....
Camping World w/service -- EV
Ford Truck/RV Service -- EV
Cheap RV Storage -- EV

Shipping/Mail facilities.....
UPS Store (with mail boxes) -- EV
FedEX -- EV

Shopping.....
Arts and Crafts: Michaels/AC Moore -- Both
K Mart -- EV
Outlet Stores: within 40 mins. -- Both
Sears -- EV
Wal*Mart Supercenter -- Both
Costco, Sam's Club or BJ's -- EV

Social / Physical Activities.....
Friends and/or Relatives -- ME
Local Porsche Club Region -- EV
Local Special Interest Groups/Clubs -- EV
Local Community Center w/workout equipment and swimming pool-- Both

Transportation.....
Major Airport: within 30 mins. -- EV
No auto rush hour traffic problems -- EV
Greyhound Bus Service -- EV

Weather / Environmental.....
Temperatures: Range 40 to 85 -- EV
Rainfall: 15 to 40 inches a year -- EV
Snowfall: None or very little -- EV
Thunderstorm activity: Very little -- EV
Hurricane(s) Probabilities: None to very little -- EV
Seismic Activity: None -- EV