Many cities and towns in Arizona are popular retirement destinations. The retirees come from the Northern United States and Canada. Some are so called snowbirds who spend 6 months away from the snow. By April, they start to go home.
J.J. and I stopped at one such retirement community in Yuma. The day of our arrival happened to be Memorial Day and the management invited us to join their poolside pot luck dinner. This park has approximately 800 residential units. Although they advertise themselves as RV and golf resort, the residential units are tiny mobile homes and the golf course is only 9 holes. Today, the ones staying are those who reside year around and a few RVs like us who stop for a day or two.
Listening to the conversation of residents, we learned that some chose Arizona for health reason such as to alleviate their suffering from allergies and asthma.
When J.J. and I commented how hot the day is, people jumped in to tell us that 85 degrees is actually cold for them. During the summer, the temperature rises to 128 degrees plus. To prevent even desert plants like palm trees from drying up, each has a dugout with a sprinkler head. The plants are watered early in the morning or late evening.
Many of these seniors are living on a fixed income relying heavily on their social security benefits. No tax on social security income, no gift tax, estate tax, or inheritance tax can impact seniors. These are reasons making Arizona a retirement destination. The park residents also told us that health care and groceries are affordable. J.J. and I surmise that is true in Yuma but not in places such as Flagstaff where the county has a nearly 10% sales tax.
I did my walk between 5:30 to 7:00 am avoiding the sun and the desert heat. The place appeared deserted with only a couple of people out and about.
Aloha -- Cathi
