Best Place to Retire and Airport Fly-In Communities

[dweyant]

I currently live at Cross Country Estates 07TS in Georgetown, TX. Great lighted grass strip.

We just bought a lot at Hensley Airpark, in Chuckey TN for retirement. It has a paved strip and a grass strip. Close to things, five miles from the smoky mountains, and the folks we have met are great.

Hoping to build a hangar next year sometime, and the house 2-3 years after that.

-Dan

[N456TS]

Originally Posted by Toobuilder

After living on an airpark for 20 years my advice is to make sure you understand what the CC&R's are (if any). Also try to get a sense of ALL the neighbors motivations are, as well as any POSSIBLE negative power over your life if new neighbors roll in. If you are interested in flying and pursuing a "live and let live" existence, make sure you dont have neighbors that are attempting to maximize property value at every turn... Odds are that eventually they're going to find something about your property that doesnt fit with their idea of "upward mobility" and you are going to have to defend your position. I'd also look at how the runway itself is managed.

This is absolutely most important thing. Location is nothing if you have bad actors in the neighborhood. Some folks are interested in building communities, but others are interested in control/power which breaks apart communities. Most everyone wants to build a community, but it only takes a single person to destroy the positive efforts of others. A non-pilot on an airpark HOA board of directors is a red flag. They are NOT there for the runway!

[BVD]

I live on Kelly Airpark - CO15 - and absolutely love it. http://kellyairpark.org

There are a total of 57 lots and I believe there are two still available. Home values here seem good considering what you're getting, and deals can be found now and then. Although I don't think there are any up for sale at the moment, there is a list of lots and a map on the website.



About half way between Denver and Colorado Springs and out to the east a bit at 7040'. I've got lot 17 up on the NW with a short taxi right onto the hammer on the north end (little grey icon on the image above). I'm about 20 minutes from any store I could want in three directions.

HOA fees are very reasonable and include RW and all common area maintenance. Our primary runway 17/35 is paved and we have a gravel/turf crosswind runway 8/26.

Here's a short video one of my neighbors made: https://tinyurl.com/y8pdaf7d

[Carl Froehlich]

What kind of taxes do you get hit with for your airplane at CO15?

Carl

[BVD]

That's a good question! I never paid a cent for the -8A I built and flew for 7 years. However, I believe there is a use tax in CO. When and if I get a bill, I'll let you all know...

[Red Mtn flyer]

The Colorado Pilots' Association was successful, many years ago, in getting the property/ licensing tax removed for all based aircraft. CPA is one of the best resources for GenAv in the State.
You WILL pay a sales or use tax on any purchase of aircraft --'use' is the alternative if a new purchase from out of state. NO, not triggered just by moving there.
There is also a sales tax exclusion for aircraft parts, passed some years ago to entice United to move a facility there [which didn't work].
WARNING: I stopped following the Colo Legislature's antics 3 yrs ago - check for currency of this info.

[wjnmd]

I live at Buckingham Airpark just outside Ft Myers, FL. We have a three year old house in the developement that used to be the site of a gunnery training school in WWII. Our house apparently sites on the site where the base movie theater used to be. The runway is pavement maintained by the State of Florida as the airport is the location of Florida Mosquito Control. There are roughly 50 houses there with access to the runway via remote control gates. I bought my house two years ago for ~$450,000 for 2600sq ft plus a 1700 sq ft hangar. Lots sell for $55,000 for 1/2 acre MOL. There are few houses for sale but numerous lots. Everyday from 4-5:30 we meet for happy hour in the hangar of the unofficial mayor who just turned 95. Every Wednesday we fly to Sebring for breakfast and every Saturday we fly to one of several other breakfast spots. I?m retiring in two weeks and can?t wait to be there full time. There are all types of aircraft there including numerous RVs. I have an unlimited number of airplane owners available to me who are an inexhaustible source of wisdom and advice for all sorts of aircraft questions. I?ve looked at Spruce Creek and Heavens?s Landing but I found Buckingham to be very affordable. We?re out in the country but an easy drive into Ft Myers or Naples. My property taxes for two lots (I bought the lot behind me so nobody can build on it) are ~$4000 this past year. HOA fees are $300 per year (yes, per year). The airport identifier is FL59 and just under the outer circle of KRSW

[Jaypratt]

Hanger no house, is a no brainer. . I don’t want the expense or time spent to maintain a house. Here at Hicks that’s what we have.
My Problem is, my flying interest is in Utah, Montana and Idaho. Off airport operations Super Cub type flying is hard to come by in Texas.
Defining priorities for retirement is semiliar to deciding which airplane to have,,, then buying both,,, Fast and Slow. RV8 And a Super Cub

[Mark33]

Originally Posted by Jaypratt

Hanger no house, is a no brainer. . I don?t want the expense or time spent to maintain a house. Here at Hicks that?s what we have.
My Problem is, my flying interest is in Utah, Montana and Idaho. Off airport operations Super Cub type flying is hard to come by in Texas.

You?re preaching to the choir!!

[texdog]

Jay, the problem with the area you are talking about is 9 months of winter. It's cold up there and hard to fly because of that. I suggest 3 months in the mountains and 9 months in Texas.