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In reply to the discussion: I'm Old, on Social Security, and Just Finished Doing My Taxes [View all]PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)I live in New Mexico, where I have some 400 days of sunshine a year.
My very best friend in the whole world lives in PA, a bit outside Pittsburgh. He grew up there and is content to stay. I wish I could persuade him to move here instead, but he has tons and tons of relatives there, so I understand why he doesn't want to relocate.
Meanwhile a few hundred dollars a year for taxes does not outweigh what I love about living here.
Perhaps this is the best part. This is a culture that honors older people, especially mothers. While I am not remotely Hispanic in appearance, I constantly get treated well because I look like mom, or more likely grandma to young people. I actually have to pay attention and not take advantage. It happened again this evening. I was waiting in line at a local brew pub to buy a beer, and the 20 something year old in front of me waved me ahead. I said Thank you, and bought my beer.
This happens all the time. It even extends to traffic stops. Like anyone, I occasionally don't honor a stop sign as I should or drive somewhat above the posted limit. In the nearly 11 years I've lived in this state I've never gotten a ticket. The cops take one look at me and think Mom, Grandma, and only give me a warning. It's pretty amazing to me.
And when I'm in other states I notice the difference. Young people don't wave me ahead of them. Cops give me tickets.
Why should I ever leave this state?