DETOUR, of sorts . . . .

Glory Way at Christian Retreat in Bradenton, FL was my perceived "end of the road" destination, BUT apparently HEAVEN had other designs for my retiring years; (still working of course!) For over 10 years I held becoming part of the Tabernacle Family there & purchasing a co-op owned Mobile Home in my heart as a #1 Wish, Desire, Goal, Plan. It wasn't going to happen . . . A mobile home did become available that lowered their price into my range, yet I still needed to plan for years when my income might only be Social Security, which the co-op ownership provided. Nevertheless, buying into the membership was beyond my means; so began looking 1st overseas, then at lake properties in Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, & Tennessee.

Expatriots or Ex Pats held my attention for a bit, thinking Panama, Costa Rica, Valore, or Belize might be the course I'd have to take. What they fail to mention when 1st painting their colorful "live better for less" pictures, is there are many hidden costs & snares when considering locating outside of the good ole USA for people that aren't affluent; the category I'm in. Signing up for a $2000 guided tour of the most heavily USA evacuee populated areas is the beginning of the expatriate strategy in the relocation process, while also factoring in gaining citizenship rights, finding alternatives to American lifestyle comforts & tastes, etc. Fortunately, Internet Searches do provide ample postings from those who've left the USA behind to look for a better land. Some adventurous, independent, financially secure folk do make the trek successfully & the tours are designed to expose the good, bad, ugly, & sad elements of making the move. Others, on the other hand, find themselves stranded, lost, discouraged, & taken advantage of by those who want to make a buck from another's ill-advised decisions. The $600 online relocation guide is another alternative to the tours for lone rangers with nothing to lose & in need of a new, simpler life.

Yes, Thank GOD for the Internet! I was able to "know" by reading many posts that moving outside the USA wouldn't be a delight for me, as it has been for many. Consequently, Realtor.com became my constant spare time companion over a year's time as I scoured for lake properties that were affordable & didn't require major renovations. I couldn't return to the snow, so I focused on the Bible Belt for maybe higher morals, fewer costs, & still the pleasantries I'd grown to appreciate & in making a few trips to look at what was available in my price range, I discovered that realtor.com kept turning up run down & outdated properties. Fortunately, a GA-AL realtor got me in the know for a place I've grown to love. . . Whispering Pines Community in Georgetown, GA on the Chattahoochee River & just over Alabama's state line. This well maintained 2 BR 1 BA modular home had been a vacay home for the former owners & it is the delight I was looking for & more! The 200 lot Community sits on the Chattahoochee River that's been dammed & made into Eufaula Lake.