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I can only speak for myself. You are young enough to start somewhere else, and I always think that's a great thing! If you rent, you can always move back if these don't work out, but they most often do. As I say here, "If nothing changes, nothing changes." It's true. I have found in my life that "be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid."
I'm probably in the minority here, but I have taken these kinds of risks and found glorious new beginnings, but I did a lot of research first. All this being said though, I couldn't leave my granddaughter or I would be in the Pacific NW now.
I've pm'd you about an early retirement forum where the questions that you asked are very frequently asked/answered. Sabbatical is a good idea, if availble. I'm retiring in 5 months, also at the peak of my earnings - took 22 yrs to get here, but like you, I count the hours to the weekend, don't enjoy going to work ever day. I guess with the higher salary comes the responsibilities and the stress.
Good luck. Hope you are able to find your answers.
I am 65 today and retired for 2 1/2 years. I collect a pension and social security. I am thinking of relocating an hour and a half from where I am now. There is nothing for me here in this town. Ive lived here most of my life and if I move I will be near three beautiful beaches and a town with activity. My children live on their own in this area, and have their own lives. They are not married, but date. I dont want to have to be involved in their lives that wouldnt be fair. Im just scared to move from a place I lived in so long, but am not happy here and to be in a strange town which I know a little of, but no friends. I cant seem to make a decision. I just sit in this apartment daily, go for a walk and take naps from boredom. Im a young 65 year old Female. Why did age frighten me to go and live alone elsewhere?
Last edited by Doreen Cardillo; 08-13-2010 at 08:32 PM..
Reason: remove name
First if your not sure ;then I would thnik aboput some other changes in my life that got to be hwbit when finacially struggling. You might in time find that mucg of the tiredness comes form having struugled so long with finacial and other probels its brings.Set some goals for yourself like getting healthier and do some thing that your better finacial situation how allows. break some of thsoe old habits and see what comes about. Its alwasy best to decide that for the first time in your life you really have a choice ;that is you can kicj=k the work at anytime as long as your willig to make the sacrifice it brings. Just that attitude can make a big difference in outlook and feeling more independent.G8ve thouygt alos to what your goals are in retiremnt and be able to afford them ralistically.
For each alternative you’re considering, ask yourself, “Is this really me?”
What you’re asking is whether each path is a fair expression of who you truly are. To what degree does each option reflect the real you?
Decisions are acts of self-expression
When we look at choices as being more than just paths — as being creative statements of self-expression — certain decisions become much easier to make. You may say to yourself, “This path isn’t going to be easy, but I know this is the right way to go because it’s who I am.” Or you may conclude, “No matter how I try to represent this to myself, I know that deep down this isn’t who I am. This just isn’t me.”
It’s very important to separate this evaluation step from the act of summoning the courage to act on this knowledge. It’s OK to acknowledge you’re in a place you don’t want to be, even when you lack the ability to do anything about it right now. The courage to act comes later.
Here are some ways you can apply this method:
Is this job really me?
Is this company really me?
Is being an employee (or enterpreneur or investor or business owner) really me?
Is this relationship really me?
Is this city really me?
Is this house really me?
Is this book I’m reading really me?
Is this shirt/dress/tie really me?
Is this friend really me?
Is this hobby really me?
Is this car really me?
Is this food really me?
Is this habit really me?
Is this spiritual or religious belief really me?
Is this level of fitness really me?
Notice that you can apply “Is this really me?” to decisions both big and small. This is something you can use every day, even when you’re just deciding what groceries to buy. I use "Is this really me" everyday. Doing this takes me 60 seconds to make decisions 85 % of the time. Try it.
Since the original post in this thread is almost two years old, it would be interesting if the original poster could update us on what she decided to do and how things have worked out.
Since the original post in this thread is almost two years old, it would be interesting if the original poster could update us on what she decided to do and how things have worked out.
Thanks Escort Rider for messaging me to let me know this post had been revived, and for asking how things worked out for me. I did retire - on May 1, 2009 - two weeks before my 54th birthday. I did not relocate...for several reasons. Although I still hope to one day move south, for now I am staying put. My SO and I decided to make a real commitment to combine our resources and plan a life together. And, since he can't retire for another 6 years, and because there are really no jobs in south Florida, we are staying put for now. Plus we have my granddaughter nearby, and that was a really important consideration.
I spent 15 months de-stressing and getting used to the freedom of being retired. I have loved every minute of it. I was able to adjust to living on less money, and it really wasn't that much of a big deal. It's amazing how much it costs to have to work every day.
I had developed some health issues (I was diagnosed with Graves Disease) over the last few years of working and I was convinced that this was related to stress. My doctor thought otherwise, but I convinced him to let me try coming off the meds and a year later I am fine and my thyroid levels are normal. I have lost 25 of the 40 pounds I gained while on the meds and feel good about being able to take off the rest of the weight.
Now here is the crazy part - ever since I retired my old boss has been trying to convince me to come back to work part time. I wasn't interested. But over time she wore me down (and sweetened the offer) until I finally decided to give it a shot. In July I started working 2 to 3 days a week - usually from home - and so far I really love it. There were parts about my work that I enjoyed and those are the projects that they need help with. Between my pension and my part-time pay I am actually bringing home more than I was when I was working full time (no deductions for retirement, dues, health insurance (that comes out of my pension), etc.) I work when I want, and am free to take off when I want. I don't have the stress of managing and supervising other employees and making sure deadlines are met. And the best part is that I know that I don't need to do this. I can quit whenever I want.
For me - at this point in my life - I feel like I have the best of both worlds.
Thanks Escort Rider for messaging me to let me know this post had been revived, and for asking how things worked out for me. I did retire - on May 1, 2009 - two weeks before my 54th birthday. I did not relocate...for several reasons. Although I still hope to one day move south, for now I am staying put. My SO and I decided to make a real commitment to combine our resources and plan a life together. And, since he can't retire for another 6 years, and because there are really no jobs in south Florida, we are staying put for now. Plus we have my granddaughter nearby, and that was a really important consideration.
I spent 15 months de-stressing and getting used to the freedom of being retired. I have loved every minute of it. I was able to adjust to living on less money, and it really wasn't that much of a big deal. It's amazing how much it costs to have to work every day.
I had developed some health issues (I was diagnosed with Graves Disease) over the last few years of working and I was convinced that this was related to stress. My doctor thought otherwise, but I convinced him to let me try coming off the meds and a year later I am fine and my thyroid levels are normal. I have lost 25 of the 40 pounds I gained while on the meds and feel good about being able to take off the rest of the weight.
Now here is the crazy part - ever since I retired my old boss has been trying to convince me to come back to work part time. I wasn't interested. But over time she wore me down (and sweetened the offer) until I finally decided to give it a shot. In July I started working 2 to 3 days a week - usually from home - and so far I really love it. There were parts about my work that I enjoyed and those are the projects that they need help with. Between my pension and my part-time pay I am actually bringing home more than I was when I was working full time (no deductions for retirement, dues, health insurance (that comes out of my pension), etc.) I work when I want, and am free to take off when I want. I don't have the stress of managing and supervising other employees and making sure deadlines are met. And the best part is that I know that I don't need to do this. I can quit whenever I want.
For me - at this point in my life - I feel like I have the best of both worlds.
Fantastic! I have a friend who was in a very similar situation. She waited until she was 65 and then retired completely. I say keep working part-time at home until you are eligible for Medicare. Then decide what you want to do.
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I couldn't leave my granddaughter or I would be in the Pacific NW now.
The OP here is almost two years old.
