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... Well, DW & I have talked about these issues since we both married (each other) over 10 years ago. I'm already-past FRA, and she is within 3 years of it. We both still work full-time jobs, although mine is "supplemented" by the fact that I needed to start taking Social Security when I hit 62.
Only recently did we actually sit & talk about "this 'retirement' thing" ...
Knowing this - and knowing that the state of Cali does not give any breaks to seniors' incomes, has caused us both to go looking elsewhere, for a retirement "home".
Someone-else suggested that this next move might actually only be independently for (maybe) 10-15 years, and then we'll likely get shipped-off to a full-time-care "home", awaiting "death panel" decisions on our outcomes.
From before we were married, I kept insisting that North Cali was no place to plan to retire. That was recently borne-out for us by DW's older siblings planning their own moves out of this wretched state. One is a graduate-level, retired college professor; others are "comfortably" retired siblings. The way I see it is, if they are looking to get-th'-heck out of Cali, then we don't stand much of a chance here, either.
Until this recent "talk", DW has been very reluctant to consider making a move out-of-state. She wants to be near her children's Family (3 grandkids), but she may be failing to recognize that, in a few years, those grandchildren will be grown & gone - off to college or somewhere, and not-really-concerned about what Grandma or Grandpa want. Meanwhile, we'd be burning through our retirement savings just so we can live near them.
... <Pause for a breath, here> ...
I know - I know ... "money isn't everything" ... blah-blah-blah ...
But, that doesn't sound like "good retirement planning" to me; get caught without enough to sustain you - and I'm not talking about "desired lifestyle" here - and the joys of retirement can quickly turn into a long groan and lament.
...
What do y'all think? ...
Last year when I had a total meltdown about staying in Washington State. I just cannot do it. He realized that if wanted to stay married he would have to move with me, for my sanity if nothing else.
... Well, DW & I have talked about these issues since we both married (each other) over 10 years ago. I'm already-past FRA, and she is within 3 years of it. We both still work full-time jobs, although mine is "supplemented" by the fact that I needed to start taking Social Security when I hit 62.
Only recently did we actually sit & talk about "this 'retirement' thing" ...
Knowing this - and knowing that the state of Cali does not give any breaks to seniors' incomes, has caused us both to go looking elsewhere, for a retirement "home".
Someone-else suggested that this next move might actually only be independently for (maybe) 10-15 years, and then we'll likely get shipped-off to a full-time-care "home", awaiting "death panel" decisions on our outcomes.
From before we were married, I kept insisting that North Cali was no place to plan to retire. That was recently borne-out for us by DW's older siblings planning their own moves out of this wretched state. One is a graduate-level, retired college professor; others are "comfortably" retired siblings. The way I see it is, if they are looking to get-th'-heck out of Cali, then we don't stand much of a chance here, either.
Until this recent "talk", DW has been very reluctant to consider making a move out-of-state. She wants to be near her children's Family (3 grandkids), but she may be failing to recognize that, in a few years, those grandchildren will be grown & gone - off to college or somewhere, and not-really-concerned about what Grandma or Grandpa want. Meanwhile, we'd be burning through our retirement savings just so we can live near them.
... <Pause for a breath, here> ...
I know - I know ... "money isn't everything" ... blah-blah-blah ...
But, that doesn't sound like "good retirement planning" to me; get caught without enough to sustain you - and I'm not talking about "desired lifestyle" here - and the joys of retirement can quickly turn into a long groan and lament.
...
What do y'all think? ...
I think you can find a lower cost of living area and still remain relatively close to the wife's grandchildren. In other words, you don't have to move to the middle of Kansas!
1. You can remain in Northern California but move out of any urban area to a smaller town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Costs would be a lot lower. Have you investigated anything along those lines?
2. You can move to Nevada. The cost of living would be a lot cheaper but you would still be within pretty easy driving distance to visit those grandkids.
Last year when I had a total meltdown about staying in Washington State. I just cannot do it. He realized that if wanted to stay married he would have to move with me, for my sanity if nothing else.
Is it primarily the Seattle area you can't stand, or the whole state of Washington? I know lots of people don't thrive when there is that much overcast weather for such long periods (mostly in the winter there, I believe). I'm just curious what makes Washington State a no-go for you.
I don't care for the State. I'm here for my job, too far along to get a transfer, etc. 4 months until retirement. I cannot take the pace, the traffic, the snarly people. It rains, skies are gray, it's cold in winter, hot in summer with no AC in most affordable homes (thats another story, housing!).
The cost of living here is very high. Nothing is cheap, nothing is simple or easy. It is a great bastion of liberalism. Take care of everyone, with the worker's money. Alcoholics and drug abusers live in better housing than I do.
I will return to my hometown in Texas, which is a large urban area. Even with the increased population, the traffic is not bad.
It's what I know, the weather is better, and I have friends and family there.
I don't care for the State. I'm here for my job, too far along to get a transfer, etc. 4 months until retirement. I cannot take the pace, the traffic, the snarly people. It rains, skies are gray, it's cold in winter, hot in summer with no AC in most affordable homes (thats another story, housing!).
The cost of living here is very high. Nothing is cheap, nothing is simple or easy. It is a great bastion of liberalism. Take care of everyone, with the worker's money. Alcoholics and drug abusers live in better housing than I do.
I will return to my hometown in Texas, which is a large urban area. Even with the increased population, the traffic is not bad.
It's what I know, the weather is better, and I have friends and family there.
Thanks for the additional details provided at my request. (I hold no brief for State of Washington - I was just interested in your reasons.)
Perhaps your remaining four months until retirement will be easier to bear because you can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope so.
I do understand. I've heard that Washington is as you explained. I'm still focusing on Tennessee, but also looking at other areas. AARP sent me an email on affordable retirement places. I'm exploring other options, mainly because where I am, everyone knows your business & having spent all my working life in the city, it's a tough transition. At the same ttime, I live in a nice 1 bedroom apartment & pay 1/3 of my income so I have enough left to live comfortably. It's really a toss-up.
I don't care for the State. I'm here for my job, too far along to get a transfer, etc. 4 months until retirement. I cannot take the pace, the traffic, the snarly people. It rains, skies are gray, it's cold in winter, hot in summer with no AC in most affordable homes (thats another story, housing!).
The cost of living here is very high. Nothing is cheap, nothing is simple or easy. It is a great bastion of liberalism. Take care of everyone, with the worker's money. Alcoholics and drug abusers live in better housing than I do.
I will return to my hometown in Texas, which is a large urban area. Even with the increased population, the traffic is not bad.
It's what I know, the weather is better, and I have friends and family there.
I concur with EscortRider. That area requires one to put up with a lot. I would have been there as well but I got lucky and stationed at Ft Devens MA instead of Ft Lewis WA for my last active duty tour. I stayed here though I would have moved to WA for the jobs as well. It is very much like MA in all those reasons except for the rain in the winter we get tons of snow. But like you fwtxcitywoman I see light at the end of the tunnel as well and will be making a home elsewhere. TX is on my short list of states but with more family up this way it isnt as high as some here on the mid-Atlantic cost.
1. You can remain in Northern California but move out of any urban area to a smaller town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Costs would be a lot lower. Have you investigated anything along those lines?
2. You can move to Nevada. The cost of living would be a lot cheaper but you would still be within pretty easy driving distance to visit those grandkids.
This is so very, very true.
You don't have to live in Megalopolis California to benefit from the fruits of living in California.
Living in "Just outside comutable territory" and the costs drop significantly.
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