60 things you’ll miss if you don’t spend your 60s in Hawaii

    The 60s are the best decade of your life--by far. Ten years when you’re old enough to know better and young enough to do it better at the same time.

    If you’re thinking about leaving Hawaii for the mainland or a foreign country, take a breath and ask yourself these questions: What’s the alternative? Will it really be better there?

    Here are sixty reasons to help you answer those questions. Some will be obvious and some will not, but they all remind you of what you’ll miss.

1. You’ll miss how “aloha” really means aloha and how it breeds more aloha.
2. You’ll miss how much people really care.
3. You’ll miss how personal people are.
4. You’ll miss phone calls that are answered by real people.
5. You’ll miss how the best things in life really are free.
6. You’ll miss lying on the beach instead of the psychiatrist’s couch.
7. You’ll miss tax-free IRA money.
8. You’ll miss the friendly banks.
9. You’ll miss inexpensive, island-style décor.
10. You’ll miss plantation-style architecture.
11. You’ll miss weathermen who try and make “partly cloudy in the 80’s” sound different every night.
12. You’ll miss living in the fitness capital of the world.
13. You’ll miss the more vigorous lifestyle.
14. You’ll miss warmer, looser muscles.
15. You’ll miss living in the nation’s healthiest state.
16. You’ll miss watching world-class athletes.
17. You’ll miss the home of the Ironman.
18. You’ll miss the incentive to look better in a bathing suit.
19. You’ll miss the cooling trades.
20. You’ll miss Honolulu’s flashy cars.
21. You’ll miss being happy driving an old clunker.
22. You’ll miss the brilliant restorations by classic car buffs.
23. You’ll miss world class hotels with a personal touch.
24. You’ll miss the underwater wonderland.
25. You’ll miss the world famous sights.
26. You’ll miss playing outdoor sports every day.
27. You’ll miss boating in light trades.
28. You’ll miss the predictability of the Pacific.
29. You’ll miss being casual about everything.
30. You’ll miss the irrelevance of the class system.
31. You’ll miss taking the time to do it right.
32. You’ll miss our multi-cultural population.
33. You’ll miss your extended ohana family.
34. You’ll miss how easy it is to see a new movie in a first-rate theater.
35. You’ll miss how easy it is to see big stars perform in person.
36. You’ll miss “Talkin’ story.”
37. You’ll miss the wide variety of massage techniques.
38. You’ll miss the world’s best body workers.
39. You’ll miss how many fixer uppers are available.
40. You’ll miss opening the windows instead of the air conditioning.
41. You’ll miss rising property values.
42. You’ll miss knowing Hawaii is a long-term success.
43. You’ll miss downsizing your stress while you downsize you house.
44. You’ll miss how easy it is to simplify your life.
45. You’ll miss our friendly airlines.
46. You’ll miss the excellent access to anywhere.
47. You’ll miss knowing the first names of your flight crew.
48. You’ll miss the local crafts.
49. You'll miss the family-run shops.
50. You’ll miss the caring service.
51. You’ll miss high-end brands with a local flavor.
52. You’ll miss Kona coffee.
53. You’ll miss how well the restaurants make everyday food.
54. You’ll miss Pacific cuisine.
55. You’ll miss the local seafood, veggies, fruit and meat.
56. You’ll miss how personal the doctors the are.
57. You’ll miss the excellent medical care.
58. You’ll miss wondering if your waiter is the next Picasso.
59. You’ll miss the artistic subject matter.
60. You’ll miss the quiet.

    I’m currently on route 66. But, whether you’re in your 50s, 60s, 70s or 90s, there are at least 60 reasons why you should retire in Hawaii.

    Since most of us peak in our 60s--since we’ll never be this young and old at the same time again --and since our 60s are the last chance to combine physical vigor with wisdom, why move? It’s worth remembering that “Paradise” is no joke. It’s worth asking why not live where everyone wants to visit? And it’s worth noting if you don’t stay, you’ll miss living longer.