Best places for a soaring pilot to retire?

I'm retiring in Tucson, Arizona. A nice little college town with excellent soaring and no snow shoveling! If I had to stay in the USA, I'd also consider Utah or Nevada for Great Basin soaring or Colorado. No worthwhile places further east of the Rockies

Second on my list would be Southern Africa (I did live in Jo'burg for ten years) including Namibia (arguably the best cross-country soaring in the world).

Third would be New Zealand, best described as like 1950's Britain but with Internet! It's hard to get in, though (they don't want whiny immigrants looking for free healthcare!)

Mike

On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 10:24:23 AM UTC-5, Mike the Strike wrote:
No worthwhile places further east of the Rockies

Really? Ever hear of the Appalachians?

-John, Q3

On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 11:55:02 AM UTC-6, John Carlyle wrote:
On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 10:24:23 AM UTC-5, Mike the Strike wrote:
No worthwhile places further east of the Rockies

Really? Ever hear of the Appalachians?

-John, Q3

Agree with John C. Cast your eyes on the OLC N. America Champion list of 2014 and yes, there is a pure East Coast pilot in 5th place, who would have thought. That's Michael Higgins of Fairfield PA and we have the honor to hear from him this weekend at our Midwest Soaring and Safety Seminar here in the Chicago area. Mike is logging some unbelievable flights in his Discus, the longest last year was over 1,341 km. Together with Baude Litt he also explored some fantastic Winter routes.
I suggest to Matt to include some of the very active E. Coast clubs in his search, my favorite is of course New Castle, VA.
Herb

On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12:45:23 PM UTC-8, wrote:
On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 11:55:02 AM UTC-6, John Carlyle wrote:
On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 10:24:23 AM UTC-5, Mike the Strike wrote:
No worthwhile places further east of the Rockies

Really? Ever hear of the Appalachians?

-John, Q3

Agree with John C. Cast your eyes on the OLC N. America Champion list of 2014 and yes, there is a pure East Coast pilot in 5th place, who would have thought. That's Michael Higgins of Fairfield PA and we have the honor to hear from him this weekend at our Midwest Soaring and Safety Seminar here in the Chicago area. Mike is logging some unbelievable flights in his Discus, the longest last year was over 1,341 km. Together with Baude Litt he also explored some fantastic Winter routes.
I suggest to Matt to include some of the very active E. Coast clubs in his search, my favorite is of course New Castle, VA.
Herb

Interesting discussion. Each ones definition of great soaring place is different. For some it means a place with potential for very long flights during the season even if the season is short or the great soaring days are sparse, for others it mean be able to fly year around regardless of how good the conditions are.
For myself, I am looking for a place where I can have access to multiple soaring sites (need variety) to be able to fly long XC (500km +) year around, all within 1-3 hours drive. So far living in the eastern Bay area provided me with good XC conditions 10 month of the year, but I suspect Southern California (San Diego area) is even better. I realize this is somewhat different from the criterias Matt has, but I would like to hear where else one can fly long XC year around in thermals. If that place has lower housing cost, than I may be able to retire earlier...
How about Florida? Only good in winter and spring?

Ramy

Not questioning that you have some excellent soaring back east if you're into ridges. However the OP was asking about excellent places to retire and most folks like to have a more benign climate than the east coast! Old bones don't like snow!

Mike

On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 5:23:31 PM UTC-5, Mike the Strike wrote:
...OP was asking about excellent places to retire and most folks like to have a more benign climate than the east coast! Old bones don't like snow!

A location where it is pleasant to be outdoors in the summer and fall, warm days and cool nights, is important to some. One mid-octogenarian, who is a very active pilot, winters in Florida and summers in Vermont. He and his crew (aka wife) are residents of FL for tax purposes. Rents a ski resort condo cheaply in VT in summer and fall.

Annual migration opens a lot more possibilities. Snowbirds that like to soar.

I live and fly in socal, and I agree with Ramy.
One can "almost" have acceptable soaring conditions year around if you don't mine driving a couple of hours in one direction or other.
Spring, summer, and fall seasons almost always offer good and great conditions. Plenty of wave in the winter.
Active, high scoring OLC region, if it tells you something. ......