Small towns across America are dealing with something they haven't seen in a long time, population increases. For decades the United States have been urbanizing, as young people left their home towns in search of better opportunities in the nation's cities. Now, a mix of COVID-19 and riots and looting have driven them from the cities. They fled with their families to small country towns, seaside summer homes, and cabins in the mountains. In the Boston Globe, Vermont locals explain how they feel about the new influx of former city-dwellers who have turned up, filling their schools, roads, … [Read more...]

You read yesterday about how to live an "island life," whether that be on an actual island, or by simply protecting yourself from the dangers around you. One of the best parts of living on an actual island is access to the beach. But many islands with top beaches come along with a high cost of living. Thrillist has put together a list of the "World's Most Beautiful Beach Cities Where You Can Live for Dirt Cheap." There are some nearby places like Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic, and some further afield like Canggu, Bali. The author writes: More than a few Americans fantasize … [Read more...]

If you want to get a glimpse of what the Green New Deal will do to America, then take a look at California. The Wall Street Journal's editorial board writes: Electricity blackouts are awful at any time, but especially during an extreme heat wave and for reasons that are man-made. That’s what millions in California have been enduring in recent days, and their plight is a warning to the rest of America about the risks of Green New Deal policies. The California Independent System Operator (Caiso), which manages the state’s power grid, declared a high-level emergency Friday and Saturday … [Read more...]

You’re telling me you want peace of mind and security for your family and that you’re sick and tired of the unrest in your city. You’re also telling me you beat inertia and packed your bags. Don’t despair over all the boxes. From a client: “E.J./Survival Guy,” We finally completed our move this last week and our new address is: (not in the city). We are still waiting for our land line phone to be hooked up so you can reach us on the cell. We want to send the proceeds of our sale to our Fidelity account for you to manage. What a RELIEF to be out of the city. Talk to you soon.” Your … [Read more...]

You’re telling me you want Maine Lobster. Lucky you, you’ve come to the right place. Allow me to set your table. Before we dig in to that sweet, juicy, mouth-watering bite of warm buttered lobster, a word to the wise: Bigger isn’t necessarily better. It just means bigger, and oftentimes, bitter. The sweet spot is 1 1/2 lbs, give or take, and if you like the delectable red roe (coral), a female is for you. Call our local seafood market before 5 pm, and they’ll steam ‘em for you or call our friends at the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound, and they’ll ship ‘em live to your door. Now, in terms of … [Read more...]

In times like these, your safety tops the retirement survival checklist. If you can live on an island (Newport, Key West for example) do it. Islands can be easily defended, period. Your island doesn’t need to be surrounded by water. I like the idea of a cul de sac or some high elevation retreat. You get the point: Easily defendable and easy to shut down access. Making the thugs think twice is the point. They aren’t looking for “hard” targets. It’s why I love the work Lauren Boebert is doing in Rifle, CO (can you think of a better name for a town?) at her Shooters Grill restaurant. If … [Read more...]

In the summer of 1984, we traveled across the country in our 21 foot Winnebago Brave (yes we were) and can relate to this article as a new swath of RV drivers hit the roads to dodge COVID restrictions. Joe Barrett writes in The Wall Street Journal: Brad Swenson, who lives in his RV, was at a stoplight in the Black Hills of South Dakota last month when he saw a rental RV trying to use a fast-food drive-through—a typical rookie mistake. “It was like I was about to see a dog get hit by a car. I wanted to help, but there was nothing I could do,” said Mr. Swenson, 50, a Seattle property … [Read more...]

You’re telling me your life is good and, in times like these, it is so great to hear. You’re telling me, especially if you’re retired, that your life hasn’t changed all that much. No, you don’t see family as much (you’re looking forward to the 4th when you might), but you’re keeping busy. Here are a few items we spoke about this week: You’re golfing a lot. But not as well as you’d like to. At your recent doctor’s appointment, you asked for a prescription to get you straighter off the tee. You’re building a deck. That is, if you can find pressure-treated wood. I spoke with two … [Read more...]

You can still have the retirement life you deserve, it just takes a little more time and patience. I think you'll like these pics from a client who writes: "Hi EJ- thought you might like to see a few shots from Grand Teton/Yellowstone. When we got home, we ran across an article about that specific bear. Google Grizzly Bear 399 and look for the recent article about her and her cubs." Here's the story about Grizzly Bear 399, from Mike Koshmrl at Jackson Hole News & Guide: Steve Franklin’s lifetime bucket list included both being in Grand Teton National Park on opening day and … [Read more...]