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Everyone seems to think that they need to find THE place to retire, as if they plan to live there the rest of their life. But is this reasonable? Will we want to live the same place when we turn 75 as 65? 85? Or is it less stressful and more adventurous to just pick a reasonable place (at say 65)and just give it a try. Not that we shouldn't do our homework in making a choice, but maybe we don't need to obsess over it either. I'm guessing that if one really likes the area chosen for a retirement move at 65, at 75 there might still need to be a move to a place in the same vicinity with more or different amenities. What do others think? Are we over thinking?
I think if I can continue to afford where I am now, this specific house, I will stay here. Maybe move to a continuing care community (Erickson) if unable to reasonably stay here. When retired, I do hope to spend months as an experiment living in a couple of small Western towns that I favor, but I wouldn't view it as moving there full-time, since I think they'd both be a bad place to get older in.
I guess everyone's different, but I personally don't wish to move to a series of new homes anymore. I moved quite a bit in my 20s and 30s and when I was young I found it easy to move. Now, the older I get, the more difficult it becomes. Each time I move I find it takes longer to really feel comfortable in a new town and to find things like a good doctor, a good dentist, a good accountant, a store that carries the particular things I want. When I was 30 a dentist was just someone to clean my teeth. Now I need to find a good one each time I move. And the same can be said for most of my needs these days, not just the dentist. It becomes more and more important to live near friends I've known for years. And more and more expensive to move to a new place.
So, I don't want to keep moving. I figure I have two more moves left in me--one to the home we'll have for most of our retirement, and a final move to a place with assisted living. I hope I don't have to move more than that.
We expect to move once when we retire this summer. If everything goes right, we'll be there the rest of our lives. We moved a lot when we were young - 9 times in the first 7 years we were married, following work, etc. As we've gotten older, the trend has been to move less and less frequently. We're in our current home 17 years - a record for us. Our goal is that our next move will be our last one.
By the way, regarding your question about over thinking. I can't speak for anyone else but yes, of course I'm definitely over thinking it. I do it because it's fun and some good can come from adding to your store of knowledge. You never know when you'll pick up a good tip. Besides day dreaming and research keeps my brain happy--it's something to tide me over until I finish this last year of employment.
When the time comes to make the decision, then the time of over thinking will be done. We'll pick a place and decide to be happy there. I truly believe no place is perfect, anyway, and most places have plenty of positive elements that will make it work out just fine if you decide to be happy there.
i've been retired 8 years and have lived in current location-not a first choice but has worked out to be a convenient, practical one- for 6 years. although there are places i think i'd like better,and i think about making one more move to one of those places, i will probably remain here until i go into a retirement community-ccrc- in another 7-8 years. i've moved a lot and like the idea of other possibilities, but i don't think, at this point, i'd have the money to buy another house and still have money for a ccrc when i feel the time is right for it.
certainly money and the real estate market are major issues for me in terms of moving. i don't feel i have enough money to "try out" places any longer, although i might like to do so.
I have a feeling I will be moving more than once when I retire...a major move when I'm 66-67 and see how it goes. If it goes well, I will still probably have minor moves to different towns/apts until I find the right area for me. If it doesn't go well, then Plan B.
I am not sure of the real problem in what I see. Its the first time for most that they have total freedom of choice in retiremnt and can disregard the work issue. That alone makes it a joy to most in having that limiting factore gone.
I have a house on Cape Cod which is where I am from, but still have large mortgage and taxes and cost of living is to high for living off SS. So will sell this property. We bought a house in WV and are trying to adapt it to retirement purposes, low cost house though large, low taxes, low cost of living, good medical care near by city nearby, house large enough for family to live in and help with medical problems. So we will be living in ONE place.
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