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I'm in the Military and scheduled to retire in two years. My wife and I are doing our research on where to settle down. We have eliminated her hometown in Michigan and she really likes the Shoals. She just doesn’t believe that there is enough to offer.

I was born and raised in the Shoals. I graduated high school there and attended UNA. I love the area. My wife is a registered nurse and my children will be graduating high school about the same time I retire. We are simple people who want to enjoy the basics.

Some of the benefits are UNA, SCC, family, friends, cost of living, great churches, high school football, and strangers still wave to you

Help me convince my wife that the Shoals is where we should be.
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If your use to a large variety of activities then this ain't the place. I moved back after 10 years in order to be close to my mother. Now that she has past away I'm getting out of here. This place is economically depressed. All we have is places to eat , golf courses , one cinema theater, an over abundance of churches, and a crowded TN river.

We are currently experiencing a very large influx of Asians around the UNA north Florence area. I took a class at UNA last winter and I seen student body that seemed to be about 40% Asian. We are also experiencing an influx of old and young Yankees alike to the area. You might as well join the invasion. Very few good jobs exist here.
You mustn't forget the PEOPLE!
We have a great sense of community still left here in the Shoals Area.
We still hold doors for the elderly, smile at those we pass by,
and go out of our way to help those who are in need.
There is still a sense of "southern hospitality" everywhere you look.
The Shoals is a wonderful retirement destination!
O.K. first of all,thank you for considering my beloved Shoals area,I too was born here,left home at 18 and traveled the world for awhile,and then I came "home".Home is the key.You can live anywhere and find colleges,restaurants,churches,friends,but you have to be able to feel at home.The people in Florence will make you feel at home,even if you are a "yankee"(lol).We have a below average crime rate thanks to our police dept,and concerned citizens,we have every kind of restaurant you might want(or you could open one if you don't find it),we have beautiful parks and playgrounds(more than a few),we have fishing,we do have churches,we would like to see more music venues(since we were once the hit recording capitol of the world),but it will happen,we are the birth place of the Father of the Blues(W.C. Handy)we are the birth place of the Founder of Rock~n~Roll(Sam Phillips),we are the birth place of Helen Keller,among many others,George Lindsey(goober from Andy Griffith), and we have festivals every year to celebrate these people,(so that is a lot of festivals),so yea I love this area,and I can say that BECAUSE I have lived in other places.It is a good place to retire but there is still plenty of opportuinity here for the enterprising young person that may think a little outside of the "box".So yea,this is my home.I love it.
quote:
Originally posted by Strawberri:
I'm in the Military and scheduled to retire in two years. My wife and I are doing our research on where to settle down. We have eliminated her hometown in Michigan and she really likes the Shoals. She just doesn’t believe that there is enough to offer.


Your wife is correct. I've studied quite a bit about quality of life in retirement, it is part of my job. If you're considering the Shoals and aren't positively 100% sure, do more research. I grew up there, have family there, but I won't be retiring there.

I'm not being negative about the area, I'm just pointing out that there are much better places to retire. Listen to your wife and be objective, you'll be much happier for it.

You can start here.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by rolo:
All we have is places to eat



My husband and I have gained about 30 lbs in our first year and a half of living here, lol. I'm just now realizing that having all this food around doesn't mean I HAVE to eat it. It's too bad the only thing there is to do around here is eat unless you golf or own a boat!
quote:
Originally posted by miamizsun:
quote:
Originally posted by Strawberri:
I'm in the Military and scheduled to retire in two years. My wife and I are doing our research on where to settle down. We have eliminated her hometown in Michigan and she really likes the Shoals. She just doesn’t believe that there is enough to offer.


Your wife is correct. I've studied quite a bit about quality of life in retirement, it is part of my job. If you're considering the Shoals and aren't positively 100% sure, do more research. I grew up there, have family there, but I won't be retiring there.

I'm not being negative about the area, I'm just pointing out that there are much better places to retire. Listen to your wife and be objective, you'll be much happier for it.

You can start here.


Sorry. The Best Places to Retire is the LAST place you want to look. They are totally oblivious to the concept of affordable. Venice Florida and Sarasota, where I just moved from, is crowded, overrun with rude people, and horifically expensive. And you think jobs and salaries here are tough??? There are no jobs there and I'm making more here!

I was blessed that my modest house more than doubled in value in 5 years (yes, doubled and we paid $200,000 for it then!). Our taxes and insurance on our house were over $1,000 per month. My homeowner's here, plus 2 cars, is less than I was paying for 1 car there. And the house I have now would have cost well over a million dollars there (and it's not even a mansion).

Yes, there are amenities in Sarasota. But no normal person can afford them. And the most Venice has to offer is living in a golf community where people get fined if their grass is the wrong kind or their house color hasn't been pre approved by the homeowner's association. And the builders are CROOKS and LIARS (I worked for one)! PS, Tampa is over 2 hours from Venice and has all the inconvenience of a large city with none of the benefits so don't count on going there (you'd probably get murdered anyway).

And we haven't even addressed the drug and gang problems...
quote:
Originally posted by miamizsun:
quote:
Originally posted by Strawberri:
I'm in the Military and scheduled to retire in two years. My wife and I are doing our research on where to settle down. We have eliminated her hometown in Michigan and she really likes the Shoals. She just doesn’t believe that there is enough to offer.


Your wife is correct. I've studied quite a bit about quality of life in retirement, it is part of my job. If you're considering the Shoals and aren't positively 100% sure, do more research. I grew up there, have family there, but I won't be retiring there.

I'm not being negative about the area, I'm just pointing out that there are much better places to retire. Listen to your wife and be objective, you'll be much happier for it.

You can start here.


I whole heartedly agree with Miamizsun! I too was born and raised in the Shoals area, moved away for a time, and have twice returned in a vain attempt to "go back home". Unfortunately, I've discovered that for me, there is no going home. I've lived away too long, in too many exciting places that had so many more interesting and fun things to do than just eat, boat, play golf and go to the movies or roam around the mall. When you boil it down, that's pretty much all there is to do in the Shoals and you can't even do two of them year round so that leaves eating, movies and mall crawling during the cold months. Sound boring yet?

Yes, the cost of living is low, but the reason for this is there are NO jobs, unless you want to learn welding or work on an assembly line. I still have the majority of my family in the Shoals, but like miamizsun, my husband and I won't be retiring there. We are looking further south, to just below the Florida panhandle on the Gulf side near Panama City or maybe Ft. Walton Beach. There are a couple of Air Force bases there which we can visit for commisary and BX privileges and lots of things to do year round.

I would encourage you to pay attention to your wife and continue to consider other options. A large part of me will always be attached to the Shoals because it was where I spent the first 21 years of my life, but the area is slowly dying and I don't want to die along with it.
Since you're retired and do not need a job this place would be ok. That is why our so-called leaders are trying to make thia a retirement area. They are unable to recruit any decent paying jobs, only retail or service type jobs. So, they said what the heck? We can't get any decent jobs, so let's go after the people who don't need jobs. In doing this, they are in essence admitting their incompetence.
I left her for college and did not return to live her for another almost 18 years. This is home - and for that reason I enjoy it. The quality of life beyond family is reasonable. Luckily we are only 2 hours or so from Nashville, Birmingham and Memphis. If you enjoy good restaurants, that helps. Ours here are for the most part, chains with decent but not interesting food - nothing fine. We are desperate for a grocery store and many people drive to Huntsville or Decatur to buy groceries. It remains a friendly place with a great police force that keeps crime relatively low. The cost of living is reasonable. Our leaders need to be replaced as they seem incapable of attracting industry. If my assessment does not seem exciting - it's not. But, as I said, it is home and that's why I came back here and have made a really good life.
Uh,excuse me,but we just had Billy Bob Thornton in town tonight,at the the old Shoals Theatre,FOR FREE,..no charge,Lucas Black from the movie Jarhead,and he was the kid in the Slingblade movie...two of Hollywierds most top players in the Shoals tonight...and I read comments about how people can't find anything positive about this area but weight gain and golf,come on people,get off the couch!
quote:
Originally posted by sevin storey:
Uh,excuse me,but we just had Billy Bob Thornton in town tonight,at the the old Shoals Theatre,FOR FREE,..no charge,Lucas Black from the movie Jarhead,and he was the kid in the Slingblade movie...two of Hollywierds most top players in the Shoals tonight...and I read comments about how people can't find anything positive about this area but weight gain and golf,come on people,get off the couch!


Tell It Like It Is Brother Sevin!!
Cause we aren't missing a thing around here!
quote:
Originally posted by MOBY:
quote:
Originally posted by miamizsun:
quote:
Originally posted by Strawberri:
I'm in the Military and scheduled to retire in two years. My wife and I are doing our research on where to settle down. We have eliminated her hometown in Michigan and she really likes the Shoals. She just doesn’t believe that there is enough to offer.


Your wife is correct. I've studied quite a bit about quality of life in retirement, it is part of my job. If you're considering the Shoals and aren't positively 100% sure, do more research. I grew up there, have family there, but I won't be retiring there.

I'm not being negative about the area, I'm just pointing out that there are much better places to retire. Listen to your wife and be objective, you'll be much happier for it.

You can start here.


Sorry. The Best Places to Retire is the LAST place you want to look. They are totally oblivious to the concept of affordable. Venice Florida and Sarasota, where I just moved from, is crowded, overrun with rude people, and horifically expensive. And you think jobs and salaries here are tough??? There are no jobs there and I'm making more here!

I was blessed that my modest house more than doubled in value in 5 years (yes, doubled and we paid $200,000 for it then!). Our taxes and insurance on our house were over $1,000 per month. My homeowner's here, plus 2 cars, is less than I was paying for 1 car there. And the house I have now would have cost well over a million dollars there (and it's not even a mansion).

Yes, there are amenities in Sarasota. But no normal person can afford them. And the most Venice has to offer is living in a golf community where people get fined if their grass is the wrong kind or their house color hasn't been pre approved by the homeowner's association. And the builders are CROOKS and LIARS (I worked for one)! PS, Tampa is over 2 hours from Venice and has all the inconvenience of a large city with none of the benefits so don't count on going there (you'd probably get murdered anyway).

And we haven't even addressed the drug and gang problems...


I respect your opinion. I don't think you looked at the whole site. I just posted this one link for a possible starting point. I would(and do)subscribe to research for myself and my clients. I have a short list of places I want to retire, it will probably change some as I get closer to my target date. Good luck.
quote:
Originally posted by Top Down Beemer:
quote:
Originally posted by miamizsun:
quote:
Originally posted by Strawberri:
I'm in the Military and scheduled to retire in two years. My wife and I are doing our research on where to settle down. We have eliminated her hometown in Michigan and she really likes the Shoals. She just doesn’t believe that there is enough to offer.


Your wife is correct. I've studied quite a bit about quality of life in retirement, it is part of my job. If you're considering the Shoals and aren't positively 100% sure, do more research. I grew up there, have family there, but I won't be retiring there.

I'm not being negative about the area, I'm just pointing out that there are much better places to retire. Listen to your wife and be objective, you'll be much happier for it.

You can start here.


I whole heartedly agree with Miamizsun! I too was born and raised in the Shoals area, moved away for a time, and have twice returned in a vain attempt to "go back home". Unfortunately, I've discovered that for me, there is no going home. I've lived away too long, in too many exciting places that had so many more interesting and fun things to do than just eat, boat, play golf and go to the movies or roam around the mall. When you boil it down, that's pretty much all there is to do in the Shoals and you can't even do two of them year round so that leaves eating, movies and mall crawling during the cold months. Sound boring yet?

Yes, the cost of living is low, but the reason for this is there are NO jobs, unless you want to learn welding or work on an assembly line. I still have the majority of my family in the Shoals, but like miamizsun, my husband and I won't be retiring there. We are looking further south, to just below the Florida panhandle on the Gulf side near Panama City or maybe Ft. Walton Beach. There are a couple of Air Force bases there which we can visit for commisary and BX privileges and lots of things to do year round.

I would encourage you to pay attention to your wife and continue to consider other options. A large part of me will always be attached to the Shoals because it was where I spent the first 21 years of my life, but the area is slowly dying and I don't want to die along with it.


I see similarities in our situations. I will probably have dual residences, or access to multiple locations. Generally, I like warm weather, sunshine and a lot of options for my entertainment.
quote:
Originally posted by annehr:
. . . private clubs (Turtle Point) that have excellent cuisine.


Now there's a reason to "load up the truck and move to Beverly, . . . Hills that is, . . swimming pools, . . . movie stars." SEGREGATION!

There really are lots of nice, progressive, right thinking people around here - don't think whitey and the private club set are the way, the truth and the life.
Last edited by bubbaluck
Why would I live in the Shoals? If you are a steady church goer you will fit right in. If you're a golfer you will will fit in, if you're a big wig we have them here too and you will fit in if you think the way they do. If you're a republican you will fit right in if you're for change you will not fit in. If you're looking for a job forget it unless you have the right connections. If you watch fox news you will fit in and have something to talk about with your other republican friends. Most go out of town to sin but live a good consevative life in the shoals with a smile. Don't forget to go to church this sunday.
quote:
Originally posted by JJPAUL:
Why would I live in the Shoals? If you are a steady church goer you will fit right in. If you're a golfer you will will fit in, if you're a big wig we have them here too and you will fit in if you think the way they do. If you're a republican you will fit right in if you're for change you will not fit in. If you're looking for a job forget it unless you have the right connections. If you watch fox news you will fit in and have something to talk about with your other republican friends. Most go out of town to sin but live a good consevative life in the shoals with a smile. Don't forget to go to church this sunday.


Do you live in the Shoals? If you do, why? Confused
quote:
Originally posted by JJPAUL:
Why would I live in the Shoals? If you are a steady church goer you will fit right in. If you're a golfer you will will fit in, if you're a big wig we have them here too and you will fit in if you think the way they do. If you're a republican you will fit right in if you're for change you will not fit in. If you're looking for a job forget it unless you have the right connections. If you watch fox news you will fit in and have something to talk about with your other republican friends. Most go out of town to sin but live a good consevative life in the shoals with a smile. Don't forget to go to church this sunday.


Wow, JJPaul, you need to start hanging out with different people. I know MANY people who do not fit into any of those groups and love the Shoals. My dad and one brother/sis-in-law are democrats, my mom and other brother/sis-in-law are republicans and we all get along smashingly!

How weird to think you'd have to go out of town to do "your sinning". There are plenty of places to get into trouble in the Shoals. I know, I frequented many of them when I was in college. Wink I learned a long time ago to not worry about what people think about you; they usually will think what they want, with or without any facts.

However, if one has a bad attitude, it really doesn't matter where they live. They will be unhappy regardless. Life is what you make it. The Shoals or any other town in the world does not exist simply to entertain you. (Well, except for Las Vegas...) Smiler
If this gentleman is like a lot of retiring military, he is not going to want to try to live on his military retirement alone. It's nice but not a lot to live on unless you are retiring at a general's pay. He is probably going to want to get a job in the private sector and let's face it Shoals folks....the Shoals DOESN'T HAVE ANY! Unless this guy wants to get a job as a greeter at Wal-Mart, he should look elsewhere for his future home needs.
quote:
Originally posted by JJPAUL:
Why would I live in the Shoals? If you are a steady church goer you will fit right in. If you're a golfer you will will fit in, if you're a big wig we have them here too and you will fit in if you think the way they do. If you're a republican you will fit right in if you're for change you will not fit in. If you're looking for a job forget it unless you have the right connections. If you watch fox news you will fit in and have something to talk about with your other republican friends. Most go out of town to sin but live a good consevative life in the shoals with a smile. Don't forget to go to church this sunday.


quote:
Originally posted by mandomama:
How weird to think you'd have to go out of town to do "your sinning". There are plenty of places to get into trouble in the Shoals.


Could be JJPAUL is one of those
married men that does his "sinning" out
of town so he doesn't get caught. Razzer
I used to live there and there are many places to get into trouble. Everywhere you go people are the same. I live in a small very rich town outside of Houston,Texas and believe me it is more stuck up here than there. Talk about church going republicans! wow I'm surrounded.People rarely smile here and the last time I was in alabama I stopped for direction's in Birmingham and at least 5 people offered to help me wow, you don't see that hardly anywhere. One lady was willing to take me where I needed to go. If JJpaul I do not agree or disagree but where you live is up to you and you have to make it work. Find friend's with common intrests. My best friend's since I was 10 years old live there and surrounding areas. I love them dearly and wish I could live near them even if it was in the worst town ever. The sky is blue wherever you go!
quote:
Originally posted by mandomama:
quote:
Originally posted by JJPAUL:
Why would I live in the Shoals? If you are a steady church goer you will fit right in. If you're a golfer you will will fit in, if you're a big wig we have them here too and you will fit in if you think the way they do. If you're a republican you will fit right in if you're for change you will not fit in. If you're looking for a job forget it unless you have the right connections. If you watch fox news you will fit in and have something to talk about with your other republican friends. Most go out of town to sin but live a good consevative life in the shoals with a smile. Don't forget to go to church this sunday.


Wow, JJPaul, you need to start hanging out with different people. I know MANY people who do not fit into any of those groups and love the Shoals. My dad and one brother/sis-in-law are democrats, my mom and other brother/sis-in-law are republicans and we all get along smashingly!

How weird to think you'd have to go out of town to do "your sinning". There are plenty of places to get into trouble in the Shoals. I know, I frequented many of them when I was in college. Wink I learned a long time ago to not worry about what people think about you; they usually will think what they want, with or without any facts.

However, if one has a bad attitude, it really doesn't matter where they live. They will be unhappy regardless. Life is what you make it. The Shoals or any other town in the world does not exist simply to entertain you. (Well, except for Las Vegas...) Smiler



mandomama, Well said and I agree. Wink

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