Trains and retirement

"O" Scale is so nice on the eyes and hands. I really like the heft of it.

Be nice if you could have room in your home... build at your own pace maybe invite some folks over who aren't know-it-all's and there to criticize every move.

Trains are a great hobby even if you never finish.

Chuck

You may want to consider Ford's Colony, Williamsburg, VA.  Though not a "retirement community", most of the 53 members in our model railroad club are retired. The club has members building railroads in G, O 2 rail, O 3 rail, On3, On30, S, HO, and N.  Two of us are building large O scale 2 rail basement layouts and host weekly work/operating  sessions.  Beyond the almost unbelievable density of model railroads in our community, Williamsburg offers 15  area golf courses, the cultural diversity of a university town, historical roots, and perhaps best small town warmth.  For more info email me using the address in my profile.

Ed Rappe

You did not indicate if cost of living is a factor.  Arizona is of course beautiful and very hot.  Williamsburg has four seasons, one of which is hot and humid.  90 degrees and humid is a lot like 102 in the desert.

We in SoCal have heat waves now and then, and we used to have rainy seasons, but in general we are in the best climate on Earth for human comfort.  We have few insects - a mosquito now and then is a big deal, and only if your neighbors do not pick up dog poop do we have flies.

San Diego has two O gauge layouts in the Museum, and at least the 2- rail part is crying for operators.  I think they even pay sometimes when the going gets rough.  And they really, really need locomotives!  I have an Atlas here awaiting parts, and we are beginning to think it will never run again.

But the buy- in starts at three quarters of a million bucks in a middle class neighborhood. Wasn't always that way - 

phill,

When we retire we are thinking about downsizing from our 4-bedroom colonial to a condo with a basement.  The main floor will have the wife's sewing / hobby area while the basement will be the home of the layout and workshop.  At least that's what we're hoping for.  It may even work out that if we downsize our belongings appropriately, there may be room for a layout bigger than the current Panhandle.

I intend to stay with O gauge.  My eyes aren't getting any better.

George

Ed, looked at williamsburg and see there are many reasonably priced homes. Will have to keep it in mind.

Thanks

Phil

Hey Bob.

Next time I come down to San Diego I can bring a few locomotives and some rolling stock and run for a few hours. Are you guys running DC or DCC?

Phill,

I'll throw out Denver as a suggestion.  In my opinion, Denver has a mild climate only occasionally interrupted by periodic heat in the summer and maybe five days to a week of truly disruptive snow in the summer.  Dry air like Arizona.  I deal with the snow because I have to go to work.  If the two of you are retired, then sit out the occasional days of snow.  It doesn't stick around for long in town.  I'm from the midwest, where I characterize the winters as getting grey around October or November and finally clearing up again in May.  In Denver, it could snow a foot today and be blindingly beautiful tomorrow.  It's frequently the case actually. 

With regard to O scale trains, for starters look to posts here on the forum by Erik Lindgren.  He has over time posted about the DSMR club now removed from Union Station, as well as a new modular club group that has sprung up to fill that void.  The new group meets regularly and sets up at various local shows.  And the old DSMR club may yet be resurrected at a new location.  In addition to these two clubs, Erik has posted about the opportunity to run trains at Tim's Trains in Louisville, a suburb located between Denver and Boulder (a town I might add that has been voted as best place to live in the U.S. at least a couple of times lately).  So right there are three possibilities.

Also look up the Appalachian and Ohio layout belonging to Dave Stewart just north of Denver.  The second version of the layout is currently under construction but based on the first it will no doubt be first class when finished. 

For real trains, there is a somewhat busy sampling of BNSF and UP trains through town each day in all directions.  There are any number of narrow gauge operations in the state as well.

I can't offer too much insight into the sewing and knitting presence around town, although I do know there is a busy quilting scene in the Golden area.  I don't know if quilting counts among your wife's interests.

Money wise, I think Denver is a bit on the high side but not San Diego high.  I know my rent is too much, but I expect that bubble to burst within a year or two.  Of course things depend on what part of town you look to.

And lastly, Denver is home to Caboose Hobbies.  What could become an honest to goodness Local Hobby Shop for you.  They don't carry a large inventory of O scale on the shelves, but any number of people employed there or that frequent the store are O scalers.  I see Erik and Rick there on occasion, and I believe some of the staff were part of the DSMR.

My only real current issue with Denver is that I am beginning to feel like the town is getting too big. Otherwise I love the weather and the amount of things to do outdoors within proximity to town.  I'd like to have more consistent prototype train action, but it's still decent.

I suppose inviting somebody to move to Denver doesn't help with my gripe above but what the hey, what's two more people on top of the 80,000 a year already moving here.

Take a look around.  I hope all this babble gives you an idea or two.

Jim

P.s. Erik's signature includes a link to the new modular club. Click here for the website for the Appalachian and Ohio.