The dream of retiring where it's warm in the U.S.

One of my daughters lives in Florida and the other in California. For a person who has lived in the rainy Pacific Northwest for years, it would be great to be able to retire where it's warm.

Planning for retirement is a complicated, but necessary task.

Many factors need to be taken into consideration. Jane Bryant Quinn outlines the basic steps in retirement planning in an AARP Bulletin.

If you want to retire where it's warm, you'll need to do additional research.

In the communities you're considering:

• Check out the services for older adults. AARP The Magazine offers its best picks for cities baby boomers should consider for retirement. Among the top five are Atlanta and Chandler, Ariz. Included in the top four the magazine also named as places to watch is Austin, Texas.

• Find out if opportunities exist for older adults to work part time. An article in the Christian Science Monitor, "Snowbirds Work Where It's Warm," shows how retired boomers can earn income in warmer locations.

• Ask if there are retirement communities located within striking distance of employment opportunities.   

• Research housing costs and options and study the real estate market carefully. You can check with local planning departments to learn about the demographics of an area. Industry closures or the shutdown of military bases could impact the housing market.

• Make a list of the activities you enjoy and find out if they are available.

• Inquire about the public transportation system and walkable communities that would be helpful to mature adults as they age.

• Determine if you'd enjoy living in traditional retirement areas such as Arizona and Florida.

• Run the numbers, either on your own or with a financial planner, to determine if moving where it's warm is worth the extra costs.

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Best wishes with your research and planning. If you decide to opt for the sun, you'll be more comfortable if you'd studied the pros and cons of the venture.

Tomorrow's Survive and Thrive Boomer's Guide will discuss retiring where it's warm abroad.