David Long

Saw this today and thought of my fellow RAIDERS:

Marvin Theobald

As usual, I have been sidetracked by numerous activities and have been negligent in posting messages. Before saying anything else I want to make special note of how nice it was to see Wendy Stephens jump in with a message. Occasional postings let the rest of us know our old friends are doing well. Hopefully Wendy's post will set a precedent for others that are usually quiet observers.

Sandy - Until reading your list of bad examples set for us growing up I did not realize how amazing it is that so many of us set such good examples in our lives. Those bad examples must have been overridden by exposure to good role models such as Lassie, Rin-Tin-Tin, Winky Dink, The Lone Ranger, Ozzie and Harriet, Captain Kangaroo, Mouseketeers, Leave It To Beaver, Superman and Father Knows Best. I think often of how amazingly fortunate we were to have grown up with these role models. I believe we all became far better people for it, except for Mel who claims he never grew up .

Rich G. – I thought you had huge Harley wings tattooed on your chest. It’s never too late. Guess you never smoked the right stuff in your pipe to cross that line .

Dave - The Tibetan Proverb certainly gets it right. Thanks for all of your philosophical input. It keeps our minds active and challenges our thinking whether we need it or not. At our age we definitely need it.

Linda – Thanks to your curiosity, I ran an analysis from the class directory to determine the demographic status of our classmates residing in Illinois. The directory indicates 130 in Illinois.

89 McLean County (67 Bloomington, 13 Normal, 9 rural towns)

18 Within 50 miles of Bloomington outside of McLean County

11 Chicago Area (3 Chicago, 8 suburbs)

12 Others scattered (3 Springfield, only 1 South of Springfield and none South of St Louis)

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Marvin:

Thank you for the breakdown for Illinois!   Trying to figure out if I want to end up retiring in Illinois or not.  The taxes aren't good at all!

I'm better off here.......except for property taxes that are really high.  We also don't have a state income tax.  But Texas doesn't tax inherited funds.  Illinois taxes them.

Thanks again for the info!

Love ya, Linda

David Long

Linda,

From what I've been able to gather so far, Illinois does not tax RMD.  That might help with your decision.

David Long

The Joy of Hot Chocolate!

Ray Bledsoe

I had to go and make a cup of Hot Chocolate!

Richard Gray

Linda - I would look other places than IL to relocate. When I retired in 2004 I moved to the Smokey Mtn area in TN.. One thing I didn't realize was the big differance in property taxes. I moved there because I love riding motorcycles in the mountains, I bought a home on two acres in the country. The home was built in 1938. The property taxes on this place was $316 a year. I asked my neighbors why they were so low. They told me it was because we were only half hour away from Dollywood and Gatlinburg. So because of all the tourism in that area our property taxes was kept low. In TN it all depends on what county you live as far as property taxes. The same property I had in TN would have been around $4,000 a year in McLean county IL . I moved back  to IL in 2012 to help a friend build a large shed in Ellsworth. I still think about moving back to TN. The locals in TN treat you like family.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Thanks to everyone for your input!

Love to all, Linda

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Richard Gray:  How did you decide where to live in Illinois?

Thank you for your reply.

Linda
 

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Linda, Richard and others who have asked about Illinois taxes, I am envious that you have had the good fortune to be concerned about such matters. I have been retired for nigh on 15 years and have survived most of that time on limited Social Security. During those years, I have had so little income that I have almost never had to pay income tax to the feds or state. In Cook County (Chicago) real estate taxes are reduced for senior citizens and frozen for those whose income is below a certain standard. I'm happy for those of you whose income does not qualify for such deductions. I own my own condo and can still deduct many of my real estate taxes from the IRS, which probably means my taxes would be no more than if I lived in Texas or Alaska. In the final analysis, it is about how I choose to live my life. And, believe me, I am very content.

Linda, after reading all your posts on Raiders64 about border issues and crime in El Paso, I can't believe you would be any poorer and would certainly be much happier up here that you are there. Bloomington is one thing, but the surrounding rural communities are another. When I go to Bloomington from Chicago, I am astonished at how cheaply one can live by comparison. Yet, I am happy, secure and comfortable being where I am.

It isn't about the money or taxes, it is about the quality of life. Complain as we might, our happiness is about the friends we have. Having talked to our classmates at the mini-reunions, I think they are very content. And so am I, even though our lives are very different.

It's all up to you. Selfish as it might sound, I think you would find enormous joy in coming home to Bloomington. You would be welcomed with open arms.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

This was on Facebook this morning.  I agree with Mel, I've always been happy and content here and never wanted to live someplace else.  I file federal taxes, but I get back all I paid in and I don't file any state taxes.  I'm on a senior freeze with my real estate taxes, and they go up some, but not much.  I live in an older home  (58 years June 1st)  in an older neighborhood.  Although, Ron died at 38, he made more than me or my second husband, from working on the railroad,  so I draw on his Social Security. 

You would have many friends here in Bloomington.

 s

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Mel and Sandy:

Thank you for commenting.  I know my situation is different from your's, but I also know of reading about where to retire, that ILLINOIS is listed as a place to NOT retire.   For me I would really have to pay more.  Even if I transfer many things to my children before moving, I would still have to pay much more.  Even my cpa advised against Illinois as a place to retire.

I do have a lot of relatives there but that isn't enough to entice me.  I don't like where my children live: Colorado and East Texas.  I'm thinking out loud in preparation of figuring out where to finally retire.

If I lived there I would be inviting people over very often.  I love to prepare large breakfasts on Saturday morning and invite people to join me to scarf it up.

Thanks again.

Love to you all,

Linda

Richard Gray

Just seen the post that Illinois is the 2nd Happiest state, That is quite different than all the studies I have seen in the last 10 years. Illinois always ranked high on the list of the states most people are leaving. There are some things I like about IL. I like the four seasons we have. Then on the other hand TN has four seasons also. The 8 or 9 years I lived in TN I would compare temperatures often with IL. Normally the temp in SE TN was 10 degrees warmer than Bloomington. The roads in Bloomington have to be some of the worst in the country. Back in the 70's when people had CB's in their vehicles I was listening to the truckers talk. One trucker said he could always tell when he came into IL , the roads got rougher.

Dennis Flachsbart

Linda, everone's situation is different as are their priorities.

However, from personal experience, I can tell you, that Scottsdale, AZ is a wonderful place to live.

Denny

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Denny:  Thank you for the info.  However, my brother lived there and it was hotter than a pancake on a skillet!  Also, from the irrigation, it had become more humid than ever.  Can't do it.  

Thanks again.

Linda

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Richard:   I was a little surprised when I saw that also about Illinois.  I've always heard about people leaving   because of high taxes.  

Ron always wanted to move someplace where he would be closer to fishing.  

I guess I'm just a homebody and like to be near my kids and friends, although, they have their own lives and I'm not around them often.  Except my youngest Son, who lives behind me.  He likes to help me when I need help with something. 

Marvin Theobald

Boo and her husband, Dave, in Bloomington visiting her brother, joined Diane, Judy and I for an afternoon on the lake at my house. We enjoyed brats, potato salad, guacamole, chips and refreshments on my pontoon boat. We had a very fun outing reviewing old memories and making new ones. Wish you could all have been able to share the day with us.

David Long

Marv,

I don't about everyone else, but it appears that my invitation to come out for brats, et al, must have been lost in the mail.  Maybe next year?  Can I bring my fishing rod?

Linda,

Dorothy and I have been fortunate enough to live in several places around the country (USA) and even did a couple years in London (UK).  From a straight COL perspective, Florida was definitely the least expensive.  We lived in a suburb of Tampa, to the east, called Valrico.  We loved it.  We moved to Overland Park, KS, on the other side of the border from Kansas City, MO.  We were there for 32 years and were it not for our daughters and grandkids living in Chicago, we would still be there.  We lived in the Philadelphia area for a few years before moving to the UK when I worked for Shared Medical Systems, now Siemens Medical Systems.  We also lived in Columbus, OH, and I did a couple of years in the Pittsburgh area. So, speaking from experience, the places I've lived that I would not recommend are:  London (UK) - the taxes and COL would eat you up; the Philadelphia suburbs are great but the taxes and ability to get to the airport or train station for travel is very problematic.  I do not like living in Chicago. On the flip side, Overland Park was great, the COL was good, and traffic flow was very acceptable; the same holds true for Columbus, OH.  From an entertainment perspective, while maybe hard to believe, Overland Park, with its easy access to Kansas City was the best, by far because the prices were extremely reasonable (even with Ticketmaster jacking up the prices).

Wishing you nothing but the best with whatever decision you make.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

I just emailed Boo Baxter and told her what I'm going to tell you all!

On Yahoo today, they said that they are looking for movie extras in Myrtle Beach, SC.  It might be a fun and different thing to do,........who knows?

Perhaps it would be best not to sign up for any NUDE scenes at our age.....or maybe it would........I don't know about that either!

Have fun!

Love to y'all,

Linda

David Long

Linda,

I'd suggest the movie 'Calendar Girls'.  Amazon Prime or Apple TV+ before making a decision about nude scenes.  Hubba Hubba 

Linda Bristow (Elias)

David Long:

I'd bet that some of us would need our skin ironed before signing up for movie parts!

Linda

Richard Gray

Linda - I never tried acting. I did try Kareoke at Slick Rck's bar one night. When I finished the song Chantilly Lace by the Big Bopper Rick had one thing to say to me. He said if I ever sing again he was locking the doors. I took that as a suggestion to keep my daytime job. I played that song on my 45 rpm record so many times I knew every word to the song. That was in Junior High School.

David Brock

Regarding living spacesand locations--In anothr lifetime, I performed Radon testing. I did not test in every state, but there were areas very susceptible to Radon.  Radon is a radioactive gas that is naturally occurring and evey housre has some.  It was,and I presume still is, the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US..

The testing limit to Radon was 4 picocuries per liter of air.  That was the equivalent of smoking half a pack of cigarettes daily.  Columbus Ohio, in general, was high and about 60-65% of tested houses failed.  Missouri, especially in  the lead-belt south of St. Louis was very high about a 75-80% failure.  California, in general, faired well because they had very few basements and very few residential Air conditining units.  To get proper/ideal testing conditions was next to impossible.  The next big factor in the failure rate was the age of the house.  Virtually all housing constructed since the mid 1980's has been very tight--very little air mixing from both inside and out.  Since the Radon enters  the house from the soil, the gas gets trapped in the house and you haven't a clue (it is odorless).

Just an interesting side note--or not

Linda Bristow (Elias)

David Brock:

I was taught to understand that a good source of radon gas could come from granite under ground.  Then it became fashionable to have granite countertops!  That can't be good!   At least the quartz countertops are stain resistant and look great without leaving radon gas.

Do you know anything about that?

Linda Elias

David Brock

I don't remember the specifics about granite countertops, although they could be a source.  Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from the soil.  I can remember a few houses in the  west (Wyoming, Utah and Colorado) that had large natural (unsealed) stone fireplaces that did not pass the air tests.  Since Radon is naturally occurring, every house has some and that is why there a threshhold that needs to be exceeded before failure.  Radon does not get the publicity today that it did 20 or so years ago.