Last updated on September 23rd, 2018 at 09:00 pm
Last Updated on September 23, 2018 by
Now it’s time to talk quality of life. To be clear, what I mean are things like weather, infrastructure, things to do, and new experiences.
So you live in a state with cold weather? After the winter of 2017/2018, that is just about anywhere. It snowed in the south in view of the Gulf of Mexico. It snowed in areas of Southern California a few years ago. Even in warm areas, when it is cold to the locals, it may be summer holiday weather to people living in the north.
There is one thing that seems to be common among many people who are thinking of retiring or who are retired and that’s the need to keep warm. This is somewhat true of people who live in the North and spend winters in the South. So geography is a key element in your choice of where you may want to live in retirement.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast has a great climate. It’s warm most of the year by any definition except those who live there and may complain a bit when the temperature during the day drops to 60 in the winter. You know how it is, cold and heat are relative. Regardless, it’s warm most of the time.
Humidity means nice skin
Ok, you heard that living in the South means humidity. Yes, that’s true but most of the population lives in a humid area at least some of the year. Some people like humidity. As you get older, you skin feels better with humid air. Try living in a desert climate, I have and it dries up everything including your skin. The fact is that most of us live in a house, condo, mobile home or apartment and the AC is on during the day. When we leave the house in a car, we turn on the AC. When we go into a building, the AC is on.
Living in the desert means dry skin
If you live in a desert area, running the AC will dry up any moisture in your home. It actually makes the area dryer. If you run the AC along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it will remove moisture and make your home less humid but moist enough to be comfortable and not dry out your skin.
If you go boating and the boat is moving, the breeze feels cool. So, we find a way to live with the humidity when it gets high. I do not believe that most of the readers are engaged in repairing roofs so being out in humidity at the peak of the day is generally a choice. Remember, the difficult humid portion of the year is generally in the summer, the shoulder months and winter are mild and very comfortable (you may need a sweater in winter on some days). Oh, humid days are great for a mint julip on the veranda or at a restaurant on the beach overlooking the Gulf.
So, let’s assume that we solved the myths of the humid climate. Many states and that includes all of the Gulf states from Texas to New Jersey along the cost are humid in the Summer.
Let’s discuss water
Now let’s discuss water. Some readers will decide that they would rather live in the desert. Las Vegas, Phoenix, El Paso and other Desert cities are nice places to live. But, most do not have sufficient water to avoid on occasion severe restrictions on its use. Well, Las Vegas has Lake Mead, but I mean real water. Rivers, lakes, streams and salt water (Gulf of Mexico). By the way, many waterways in the Gulf Coast are called Bayou’s, a French name for a river or large stream that moves.
So, you want to live on or near a beach. You can buy a beach home in Southern California if you have seven figures to spend plus well, those ever increasing property taxes. Or, you can buy a condo on the beach in the Gulf Coast for under $300,000 with a view of the Gulf of Mexico. Or, you can do what most people do, buy a home just a few miles off the beach where you get a house on a nice lot for a much lower price per square foot.
Another choice is to buy a home on a waterway. You can have a boat house on the water with a boat lift so your boat is ready when you are. And put away all that money, use it for having fun, not buying a home. Remember if you came to the Gulf Coast, you came because it was affordable.
Back to the water. You can get to water in a few minutes from almost anywhere on the Gulf Coast. You can park your boat behind your fence in most areas ready to tow to the local boat ramp. Did I mention that Seniors can pay $5 one time and have a lifetime fresh water and hunting license. And if you like salt water fishing you have to pay a sensible lifetime fee of $7.29. No need to compare these rates to other states, if you fish, you know how large the disparity is. Unfortunately just because you may be a senior does not entitle you to all the fish you can catch (except for Carp), you must comply with limits.
Have you been to a “Crawfish Boil:?
Do you like food? Of course you do. It’s time that you experiment with dishes that you have always wanted to try but for some reason did not. Remember, this is a new phase of your life, it’s time for change. Have you had crawfish? Have you been to a crawfish boil? This is part of our national culture and generally only found in the South (at least when they are fresh). If you have someone show you how to remove the tail from a crawfish, you will find them delicious eating along with the accompanying corn and potatoes that have been cooked in the sauce.
How about fried green tomatoes, gumbo, dirty rice, jambalaya, black eyed peas, fried okra, fried alligator (tastes like chicken), fried chicken (real thing) and many more. The Gulf Coast for example has a rich variety of food prepared fresh that you will normally find only in Louisiana and Mississippi along the coast. Did I mention gulf shrimp? They are delicious and almost all that you see were caught the day you see them. There are fishing fleets all over the Gulf Coast who ply the waters of the Gulf for a wide variety of sea food.
Fresh oysters $7.00 per dozen
If you like fried food, your home. Everything can be (and generally is) fried. If you are on a diet, tread lightly. You can always eat fresh oysters found at the docks ($7 per dozen), in stores and restaurants during the season. They are often fried as well. Do not forget about the po’boy’s. My favorite is a shrimp po’boy. And if you like sandwiches, have a muffuletta, a real treat. Do not forget banana or bread pudding or both.
Marti Gras celebrated all along the Gulf Coast
Sorry for the detour about food, well it is part of the quality of life but has nothing to do with water, beaches or warm weather. How about fairs, events, gatherings! There is a rich social life all over the Gulf Coast. Did you know that Marti Gras is not just celebrated in New Orleans but all along the Gulf Coast. Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs and other communities have parades during Marti Gras. The locals have every bit as much fun on their floats as the folks in New Orleans. And they do know how to party. There are special foods prepared just for the season e.g. a xxx cake.
People throughout the area love their organizations. As a result, there are fairs, exhibits and events all year. There is almost always something to do on the Gulf Coast. You can join an organization that meets your needs. What you will find is that the Gulf Coast is not like living in coastal California, Oregon, Washington or the East coast. It’s a slower pace of life. People own their own businesses and family members are their staff. Some businesses have been serving the public for generations.
Quality of life, the title of this section relates to a variety of things including the discussion above. You want to reduce or eliminate stress in your life and this is a key to living a longer and more fulfilled life. Sell that big house in the crowded suburban community, take the equity and pay cash for an affordable home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
