Tuesday, June 10

Post 1760, Day 161 of 2014
- 1,257 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

My check list for post-retirement relocation sites (in no order, because they all have to be met to make the list):

• Walkable: No need for car ownership.
• Excellent infrastructure (Electric grid, high-speed internet, cable tv). Potable water a huge plus.
• Snow-free year-round. Climate that doesn't require home heating or air conditioning a plus.
• Relatively easy path to permanent residency.
• Affordable housing/living (available furnished rentals - at this point, ownership has little appeal).
• Excellent medical care available.
• Political/economic stability (no wars, government killing).

 Nothing on the list says the location has to be outside the US, but finding 'walkable,' 'snow-free,' and 'affordable housing' with 'excellent medical care' are hard to find in any one place in North America.

It goes without saying that there are opportunities for me in the US, after retirement, but it is difficult to see how I would maintain a reasonable lifestyle and enjoy them.

For instance, I have a great network of friends in Syracuse, only my old network in New York City is its equal. Syracuse checks off every 'box' but 'snow-free' and 'walkable', but they're NOT checked, and every one of the other places on my list, which includes Asian and South American destinations, checks them all. 

Other in-country places I've looked at: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans, Boston - all fail one or the other - the US is not a very affordable place to live, thanks to its temperate, four season climate. In those Southern places where heat isn't necessary, AC is. Also, there are very few places amenable to no-car living - the US infrastructure is all about car ownership.

Overall affordability is not that big a deal, but the US is the most expensive place in the world to live. Living in the US, it would be difficult for me to afford the travel necessary to visit my friends and family. Living abroad, with its lower costs, even adding in the extra travel cost to get back the US, seems do-able.

If I can execute my plan to stay employed at VA for the next 20 months, I will have pensions and investment dividends to supplement Social Security, and can do everything without my expenses, including vacations back in the US, within my income.

Can't see that working state-side.

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!

 Food and Diet Section

2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         210.6 lbs

Previous Weight:        209.6 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      + 1.0 lbs

Diet Comment

I have to say I'm disappointed. I thought yesterday's eating would result in at least a little loss, not a gain.

Food Log 

Breakfast
A kale-hemp protein shake (almond-coconut milk, baby kale, large egg, raw organic cacao powder, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), chia gel, whey powder (24g protein), celery, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch
Peppers, onions and eggs with tomato-garlic oil and bacon. Salad with baby kale, baby spinach and chard, cole slaw mix, shaved parmesan and balsamic vinaigrette.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Dinner
Pepperoni, provolone cheese and a Quest bar.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  24 oz.   Water: 100+ oz.

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!