8 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE^ 10/
READER FEEDBACK
SOURCE: POLL SURVEYED 452KIPLINGER’SREADERS.Evanston, Ill.? Claremont,
Cal.? Astronomical housing
prices aside, some of these
locations are suffering seri-
ous state budget issues and
problems that are unresolved
and therefore creating a
highly risky en vironment.
There are many, many
choices that you overlooked
based on your criteria of
cost of living, low median
home prices and college
perks that would have made
for far better recommended
locations. Several are in
Virginia and Tennessee,
for example.
GEORGE REPA
SALEM, VA.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We looked for
geographical diversity in our selec-
tions to give readers a wide range
of options. It’s true that Evanston
and Claremont are not inexpen-
sive, but we have a number of
affluent retirees and preretirees
among our readers who want to
move to those areas. California
and Illinois both exempt some re-
tirement income from state taxes.
Your description of Fayette-
ville, Ark., could have men-
tioned that military retired
pay is no longer subject to
state income tax.
JAMES BRITT
LITTLE ROCK, ARK.
Best banks. When it comes
to “best banks,” I sincerely
believe you need to reassess
your methods and criteria
(“The Best Bank for You,”
Aug.). The best bank for
almost anyone is a commu-
nity bank that actually cares
about its customers and
knows them. Many commu-
nity banks will often match
rates, and I know firsthand
from many years of experi-
ence (I have been a com-
munity banker for nearly50 years) that it is commu-
nity banks that make a dif-
ference in people’s lives.
JOHN KINGSBURY, PRES.
BANK OF DIXON COUNTY
PONCA, NEB.EDITOR’S NOTE: We focused on
institutions with a national reach
to offer readers as many practical
choices as possible. But we en-
courage readers to consider local
banks and credit unions, too.Solar roof caveat. There
is one additional cost that
is never mentioned when
mounting solar panels on
your roof: when you have to
replace your standard roof-
ing composition shingles
(“Solar Heats Up,” Aug.).
I had solar swimming pool
heating panels on my roof,
and after 14 years in Florida,
I needed to replace my fiber-
glass shingles. I paid to have
these solar panels removed
and sold them. I put on anew metal roof and in-
stalled an energy-efficient
electric heat pump for the
pool. My recommendation
is to install any type of pan-
els on the ground (if you
have the yard space) to
avoid this extra expense.
GEORGE PAPP
TITUSVILLE, FLA.Retirement savings booster.
Kudos to Oregon and state
treasurer Tobias Read for
attempting to boost retire-
ment savings for workers
without an employer-
sponsored retirement plan
(“Ahead,” Aug.). To call
86,000 enrolled accounts
with $20 million accumu-
lated over nearly two years
impressive is a bit of stretch,
however. That works out to
an average of $232 per ac-
count, or $10 a month saved
per enrollee.
TODD HEILSKOV
WEST DES MOINESCORRECTIONS
The First-Time Homebuyers
Tax Credit referred to in
“Solar Heats Up” (Aug.) is
available only to residents of
the District of Columbia. The
federal credit expired in 2010.Capital One’s online shopping
website, Paribus, is Paribus
.co, not Paribus.com (“Sim-
plify Your Finances,” Aug.). ■WRITE TO US
Letters to the editor may be edited
for clarity and space, and initials
will be used on request only if you
include your name. Mail to Letters
Editor, Kiplinger’s Personal
Finance, 1100 13th St., N.W.,
Washington, DC 20005, fax to
202-778-8976 or e-mail to
[email protected]. Please
include your name, address and
daytime telephone number.Q READER POLL
What are your strategies
for complaining?
For tips and strategies on how to complain effectively, turn to page 68.56 %18 %14 %10 %Threaten
legal
actionPost a
complaint
on social
mediaMail a letterContact top executive(s)Call customer
service2 %Smart Places to Retire
I was delighted to see that Richmond, Va., was listed in
“Smart Places to Retire” (Aug.). It is a great city with lots
to offer every age group, including retirees. However, I was
disappointed by the omission of VCU Health, an academic
medical center with some world-class physicians as well as
groundbreaking researchers. It is an important resource for
retirees and, while it is located downtown, there are satel-
lite offices all over the city and surrounding suburbs.
PHYLLIS ELLENBOGEN
HENRICO, VA.