Vernita Patterson
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What Is It About Georgia? Maybe The Peaches?
Vernita Patterson
Delaware, ...
Delaware, Will You Be The One?
Vernita Patterson
I'm Retiring and Relocating to California

I’m Retired And Relocating to California

When I was a little girl, I always wanted to visit Hollywood, California that is.  I wanted to be a movie star and live the lavished life. My life has been lavished but not in the way I thought that I wanted as a little girl. I am an educator and think of myself as a movie star. In 2013 I was able to go to Hollywood California and I have gone every year since. Now that I am Retired&Lovinit, the San Diego California is one of the cities that I am thinking about relocating to.

This is the first of the ten places that I will be researching and writing about in my bi-weekly blog series’ “Retiring Soon? Where Will You Relocate?” First I will consider how I want to live, compare the places that will best facilitate my desired lifestyle and then I will choose a place. The place that I choose needs to be near the beach, I don’t have to be on the beach I just want to see it often. The weather needs to be warm most of the year. I need affordable housing, low crime, low taxes and no state tax on my pension. My new city must be near a major airport hub, because I like to travel. Now I know that won’t get all of my must-haves, but I will use this list as the main basis for determining the best place for me.

California is a large state with more than thirty-eight million residents. Yes, California’s cost of living is higher than average in the United States. However, there are several affordable places to live on a retirement income in California. For example, Redding which is in Northern California and Eureka, which is near beaches. But of course I would want to live in San Diego or the Los Angeles area. These areas are among the most expensive places to live, but can be affordable for some retirees.

I fell in love with Coronado, California three years in a row. I would love to relocate there. Coronado Island is a resort city located in San Diego County. The population is over 30,000. Coronado Island is known for its beautiful beaches that sparkle. Crime is lower than the national average. Coronado Island has that small town vibe. There is a Starbucks, but there are also Mom & Pop shops. I found the people to be friendly. Coronado Island has stunning views of the San Diego skyline. The scenery is beautiful and the architecture of the buildings is fantastic! I was definitely sad when it was time to go.

 The weather in Coronado Island is great. The average temperature is 66 degrees. The annual low is 59.2 degrees and the annual high is 72.8 degrees. No snow and the annual amount of rain are 9.49 inches. The air conditioner is needed some parts of the year and a light jacket the other part of the year.Okay, I have just told you about all of the good qualities of Coronado Island and my reasons for moving there.  

 Yes, California cost of living is higher than average in the United States. However, there are affordable places to live on a retirement income in California. For example, Redding and Eureka are two, but neither is where I want to live. So I will not mention them again. The average rent in San Diego County for a two-bedroom two-bathroom apartment is $2400 with many good amenities. I was able to find a 1000 square-foot two-bedroom two-bathroom apartment with a nice size deck for $1620 in San Diego City. No, none of these include gas and electric. If I wanted to buy there are several affordable active adult communities from low $200’s to high $800’s. I don’t think that I would buy if I decided to relocate here.

 The state of California taxes pensions but not tax Social Security. The state of California has the fourth largest tax burden behind New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Coronado sales tax is 8%; this is a combination of state, county and city tax. The state of California sales tax is 6.25%.

The question is, would the love of the small town, beautiful beaches and wonderful top the high cost of living? Oh, I forgot San Diego does not have a major hub airport; I would have to fly into LA then to my destination. Great medical facilities were not on my must-have list it should have been. As you get older you definitely want to be near great medical facilities. San Diego has great medical facilities.

 Leaving the West coast and on to the East coast.  Time to research the next place on my list, Delaware. Check back in two weeks to see what I have to say about relocating to Delaware. 

I'm Retiring and Relocating to California
Vernita Patterson
...

California Here I Come

 

My Significant Other (SO) and I took our annual trip to San Diego, California. I love going to San Diego, California! But I do not like flying for five and a half hours, but that is the quickest way to get there. My SO son moved out there a few years ago. We go every August to visit him.

 

My SO is a Coast Guard veteran and he flies for free. He had to drive to Washington DC from Philadelphia. There he took a flight to Las Vegas. He spent the night in Las Vegas. He then took Greyhound Bus to San Diego. That was his free flight. Sometimes he gets a straight flight, sometimes he doesn’t. For him it is about saving money not too much about convenience. It is about convenience for me.

 I use Expedia.com to book my trips. I recommend booking your hotel and flight together, it is usually cheaper. I booked my flight in February because I only needed a flight. My round trip flight cost $357.39. I flew out of Philadelphia on an American non-stop flight to San Diego. My SO picked me up in a rented car. I flew Jet Blue on my return flight. I flew to Boston, sat there for three hours and then on to Philadelphia. I won’t do that again, trying to save money. My time is worth much more. The flight going was freezing cold. The return flight was much better. But why is my departure gate always at the end of the airport? The gates at my terminal were numbered 1-26, and my gate was 26.

 I prefer to have my car at the airport, that way I do not have to wait for anyone to pick me up. There is a bus that takes you to every terminal and picks you up at every terminal on your return trip. The cost is $11 for every 24 hours. I was gone eight

days, but was charged for 9, because it was past the 24-hour mark when I picked up my car. Costing a total $99, I was not happy with that.

 

We stayed at the Military Lodge on one of the Navy bases.  There is

more than one Lodge on this base. I did not take any pictures on the base. The last time I tried to take pictures on the base a MP got out of his car and came up to me. He said that I could not take pictures, so I do not take pictures on the base!

 

It is now 10:30 AM in California and time for breakfast. We went to Coronado Island. Coronado Island is beautiful with a small town vibe. We ate breakfast at a fifty-style restaurant. There were jute boxes with music from the fifties, the waitresses wore aprons and they made milk shakes the old way.  You could sit at the booths or sit at the counter. They used a cash register from the fifties. The food was delicious. Their coffee is ten cents on Wednesdays with military ID.

We took a road trip to Los Angeles. We stayed two nights at the Los Angeles Air Force Inn in San Pedro. Our room was really a one-bedroom apartment.  It had a queen-sized bed with a walk in closet, a fully equipped kitchen, a separate bathroom, a living room, two televisions with cable, free Wi-Fi and a beautiful breeze.

We ate at the famous San Pedro Fish Market and Restaurant. They catch, clean and cook the fish right there. I had the best Mango Margarita. It was Fleet Week in San Pedro, so there were plenty of sailors and ships to see. We drove to downtown Los Angeles and took in the sights. On the way back to San Pedro we drove through Watts and Compton.

San Diego and Coronado had beautiful weather. I absolutely loved the vibe. The houses looked beautiful on the outside. However, it is expensive to live in San Diego and more expensive in Coronado compared to other places. If your retirement income can handle the expenses of San Diego and/or Coronado, this would be a great place to relocate. The weather is gorgeous and the water views are fantastic. I would love to move here but I prefer to spend my retirement income on other things.

We had a great time! Oh, we did spend time with my SO’s son. We took him out to eat several times. Well, until next year!

California Here I Come!!!
Vernita Patterson
Would You Like To Go To Niagara Falls?
Would You Like To Go To Niagara Falls?

Staying Active During Retirement

Staying Active During Retirement

Stay Active During Retirement

 

After working for 30 plus years, getting up at 3 AM, having a 6 hour commute and seeing the sun only on the weekend, I was ready for retirement. The first few days I stayed in the bed as long as possible. I ate a lot and became inactive.  I was no longer walking up and down NYCTA stairs everyday or walking those long Brooklyn blocks. I watch television more than I should have.

 

No one told me that I had gained so much weight; well maybe I chose not to hear them. That day when I could not fit into my favorite jeans, I told myself. I was out of breath most of the time. I had five chins. I became a little depressed. Until I looked in the mirror and said “this is ridiculous”.  I love me too much to allow fat to depress me, I need to do something about it.  I want to be physically and mentally healthy!

 

It is important to stay active, especially during retirement. I am not just talking about physical activity but also keeping your brain active. You need to be involved in activities that get you up out of the bed and out of the house.  Your mind needs to stay active also. Puzzles, games and reading helps to keep the brain active.

 

                         Suggested Activities

·      Taking walks and enjoying the scenery

·      There are many exercise videos on the internet

·      Take dancing lessons

·      Play music and dance at home

·      Go bicycling

·      Go swimming

·      Learn a musical instrument

·      Take a course at the community college

·      Write a book

It is important to stay active. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, staying active is important.

 

Retirement is a big change in life. Most of us have been looking forward to retiring for what may seem like forever. So why is there a high percentage of divorce, alcoholism, depression and drug abuse amongst the retired? Retirement should be a happy time. Retirement is what you make it. It is up to us to embrace the change and make the best of it.  In my opinion, planning is the key.

 

Thank you for allowing me to share with you. I hope that you have found this beneficial. 

 

RETIRED&LOVINIT!!!

 

Retirement and Starting a Business

Retirement and Starting a Business

 Retirement is a new chapter in your life. Everyday I feel like I have hit Lotto, without getting the millions.  LOL. Retirement is about being happy. You should be doing things that make you happy during your retirement.  What makes you happy? Do you have any hobbies?

Have you ever thought about starting a business? Hobbies can be turned into a business.  Do you knit, crochet, sew, draw, travel, love taking pictures or enjoy decorating? All of those activities can become a business. There are so many hobbies that exist that can become a business. Why not make money doing what you enjoy doing?

 I like helping people. I knew that I wanted to start a small business. My daughter, Naisha Patterson, owner of Brownstone Closets, motivated me to start my business.  She works full time, has a teen- age daughter and loves running her business. She does it very well.

 Deciding the purpose of my business was easy.  I had several conversations with colleagues about retirement. I asked why they were still at the job, when they had the age and the years to retire. All of them said they were scared and that they did not know what they would do.  Two of them retired after our conversation.  I helped them to see that there were many things that they could do.  One is doing well as a realtor. The other travels, volunteers and enjoys lunches with other retirees.

 That is why I started Retired&Lovinit, LLC.  I consult with those who have the age, years and are financially ready for retirement, plan for the emotional part of their retirement. Relocation and keeping busy are just a few things that I will help the pre-retired and the newly retired prepare for. If you are already retired I will be glad to help you make retirement happier. I am an Emotional Retirement Planner. 

 Here are a few tips for starting your business:

·     Do what makes you happy and that you will enjoy doing

·     Create a name and check with your state’s business bureau, if it is available

·     What type of business will you have?

·     Where will you run your business?

·     How will you fund your business?

There are several other things that you need to do and know about having a business. I suggest you do lots of research and hire a business coach.

 I have a business coach Tasha Robinson, ICB Consults. She supports, educates and pushes me. I have learned a lot from her. She cares about her clients and wants them to succeed.  She also directs you to resources that are beneficial to having a successful business.

 Having a business when you are retired is rewarding.  I am never bored because there is always something to do, places to go and people to network with that will help to make my business successful.

 Good luck to you with your retirement endeavors.

    I am So Retired&Lovinit!!!