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I started thinking about moving in retirement at about ten years out (about last year). My thought is to snow bird. We will likely downsize in our present location, close to family and old friends. During the winter months I need to get out of the freezer. Luckily I also have family in Florida, so we have been visiting there for years. Snow birding seems to be the best choice for us. I wouldn't want to be in south Florida in the summer months, as much as I no longer want to be here in the winter. Also, it is a 2 1/2 hour flight if we need to return quickly. Family, recreation, health care, culture, outdoors- these are the things that matter most to us.
Cheers.
DC
I was ten years old when I first encountered this place and always wanted to live here. Life had other plans. After retirement we looked at other places and had a plan B and C if needed. I knew I didn't want to stay where I was. After 55 years, I'm happily installed in my new spot. My only regret is that it took so long.
About 12 years before retirement I got real serious about gathering info on different places to retire to
. Nine years before I retired I started actually visiting various places.
I started thinking about moving in retirement at about ten years out (about last year). My thought is to snow bird. We will likely downsize in our present location, close to family and old friends. During the winter months I need to get out of the freezer. Luckily I also have family in Florida, so we have been visiting there for years. Snow birding seems to be the best choice for us. I wouldn't want to be in south Florida in the summer months, as much as I no longer want to be here in the winter. Also, it is a 2 1/2 hour flight if we need to return quickly. Family, recreation, health care, culture, outdoors- these are the things that matter most to us.
Cheers.
DC
I think this is probably the ideal scenario. At least for me. The trick is affording it.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DebNashua
I think this is probably the ideal scenario. At least for me. The trick is affording it.
Lots of options,
Consider house /pet/ plant sitting. Many retirees who stay with us, have found their 'spot' after several house sitting gigs. My SIL has enjoyed 35 yrs of Maui and Kauai 'apartment / house free' she has a list of clients and moves house to house as the seasons change.
A Belgium couple we just stayed with have been 'house / pet sitting' the same place in Tokyo for 10 yrs. owners travel 3 months every year and are happy to have regular house / pet sitters. They have worked out a schedule so they can each enjoy different seasons in various destinations.
House swaps is another option
Staying in camps / resorts off season
Helping on farms and ranches
Host at state parks
Seasonal employee at National Park
RV
Park Models
Elderhostel / learning and research fellowships
Extended / relocation cruises
Caretaker at island home (one of my bosses did this for 20 yrs!)
Caretaker at company retreat area
Short term mission / HC / CA volunteer
Disaster relief (it's no vacation, but free room and board and very good use of time)
Globe trekking... I did a yr in Thailand very cheap
Consider house /pet/ plant sitting. Many retirees who stay with us, have found their 'spot' after several house sitting gigs. My SIL has enjoyed 35 yrs of Maui and Kauai 'apartment / house free' she has a list of clients and moves house to house as the seasons change.
A Belgium couple we just stayed with have been 'house / pet sitting' the same place in Tokyo for 10 yrs. owners travel 3 months every year and are happy to have regular house / pet sitters. They have worked out a schedule so they can each enjoy different seasons in various destinations.
House swaps is another option
Staying in camps / resorts off season
Helping on farms and ranches
Host at state parks
Seasonal employee at National Park
RV
Park Models
Elderhostel / learning and research fellowships
Extended / relocation cruises
Caretaker at island home (one of my bosses did this for 20 yrs!)
Caretaker at company retreat area
Short term mission / HC / CA volunteer
Disaster relief (it's no vacation, but free room and board and very good use of time)
Globe trekking... I did a yr in Thailand very cheap
PT working gig that has paid travel
The list goes on...
Wow- a wealth of options . I like the house sitting idea and seasonal Park employment. A part time job that I would enjoy is something I will likely think hard on.
We knew we wanted to retire to a warm winter climate as we were golfers and wanted to play year round. With our families all east of the Mississippi it was basically narrowed down to the southeast so over the years we vacationed/traveled there. We narrowed it down to Charleston SC about 4 years before we retired and then concentrated on that area.
I am having some trouble narrowing down the elements of what I want in a retirement home or area. . . (and) see if others might want to share their stories of how they made their decisions on where to spend their retirement. How did you decide? How did it work out for you?
It was about a five-six year process for me. First was considering weather, (hate humidity), then defining what is important to me in a retirement home/city/area. I did not have to consider family and was free to go wherever I choose. Definitely leaving my current location due to high COL and current political climate.
After choosing a region of the country, mostly based on weather, started visiting and researching various states/cities. Disregarded most due to lack of the things I deemed important to me available in that area, or because of the cost of housing. Finally settled on a small area about two years ago and have been spending visits getting to know the area better and where in it I want to live.
"How did it work out for you?" I'll let you know in a few months.
I
10. If you see a house or apartment you might consider, go sit in your car and observe the area at night when kids are home from school and adults are home from work. Maybe, after people get home from work and kids get home from school, the nice quiet place is really noisy.
All your suggestions are good. One of my neighbors was thinking of a golf court lot. So she went out in the morning and sat next to the golf course for a few hours. She moved one street away from the course.
Also, visit your future destination the worst month weatherwise.
You may be moving south for mild winters but see what it is like in July or August.
( and vice versa if you are one of the rare ones re-locating north )
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