We're Number One!
 

I love it here!!

This can't be true....there are politicians running for office who claim otherwise. Politicians don't lie, do they?

I've been here for 69 years, I guess I kinda like it here too!! :)

I grew up in the area, move to 'greener' pasture, and now I retire here. So it must be numero uno.

Obviously a great place to retire, but not a great place to make money.

I respectfully disagree :)

Whats 250 + days a year at the lake worth in your dollars ?

Its hard to call it working when you are within 50' of the lake every day.

Planning to buy our retirement house up there in approximately 14 years, 3 months, 19 days, 7 hours, 24 mins, and 8 secs....but who's counting?:laugh:

I'll be bringing my NC pension but certainly plan to work doing something part time or close to it.

Don't wish your life away. It passes all too quickly.

You should buy it now and it will be almost paid for when you move in. That way you'll only be paying for a couple years into your retirement. LOL :)

Top 10 are all Blue States.

What a coincidence.

You're right! I always keep that in mind but I cannot stop dreaming of being up there permanently. A new lake house for the family is in the works up there, so that will pacify me enough until that day comes (assuming the sale closes as expected).

I didn't want this to be political, but in a few seconds I found out that two of the top five have Republican governors (Iowa and North Dakota), so I don't really understand your point or trust your assessment. Maybe it takes more than just blind party loyalty to judge a state?

I wonder how blue the map would be if the presidential election were today?

Makes me wonder about the percentage of independent voters relative to the lower ranking states. In my opinion, it's not the party affiliation that predicts success, it's the lack of party affiliation...

I have to agree here. Google party affiliation and you will found a growing trend of Republicans and Democrats changing their affiliation to Independent. What next? A new independent party?

Trailmaster of a local snowmobile club, perhaps!!

Please don't get this thread locked... Don does not like us talking politics and there are plenty of places where we can do that.

Tennessee
 

Driving through Tennessee on 81 is an embarrassment. Seeing shacks with kids running around outside in a great nation tells me we have warped priorities.

North Dakota and South Dakota is going through an oil boom right now. Not surprise here.

10 Worst Cities
 

According to Forbes, the ten worst cities in the U.S. are: 1. Detroit, 2. St. Louis, 3. Oakland, 4. Memphis, 5. Birmingham, 6. Atlanta, 7. Baltimore, 8. Stockton, 9. Cleveland, and 10. Buffalo.

What do these cities have in common? Nearly every one of them have been under exclusive Democrat control for the past 50 years.

You read my mind! That was one of my thoughts.

I agree!
 

I slowed down and stepped back several years ago, maybe too early for financial reasons. I could have stayed in the rat race but all I did was work like crazy for the weekends, weeks, and vacation days at the lake that I cherished. Every fall I counted the days until the spring launch wishing the winter away.

As I moved on in years a light went on that said that I was wishing my life away for the small percentage of time that I had at the lake. I knew I enjoyed warm weather, boating, and beaches. I realized that it was available at the lake only 6 months of the year, if that.

I am very fortunate that life worked out to enjoy warm weather and boating all year long. I attribute much of it to hard work but also realize that luck played a part too. I realize that the family and financial constraints that life presents preclude that from happening for many people. I get that.

I guess what I am saying is: If you can, make the lifestyle changes you can, don't wait! Life is too short! Enjoy every minute doing exactly what you want to do.

There are no luggage racks on a hearse!

Congratulations on working hard and achieving your goals. I like to say I have never seen a u-haul trailing a hearse! A derivative of your saying.