Retirees and near retirees...

[Babs Johnson]

I retired at the end of last year and DW will retire next year. We‘re not looking to move at all. Just some longer bits of traveling.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Close to retirement. First choice would be Florida and backups would be Tennessee, possibly Kentucky. My last close family member is currently living in FL, I'm already Southern so the climate won't be much of a change for me, no income tax, and for ease of travel it's far less expensive to fly out of Orlando or Miami than where I currently live. I also am in favor of the way the state is going politically. It won't hurt that the land of the mouse will likely be a short travel away.

 

[China Expat]

nice change! funny thing is that it seems every week or so i read on facebook about someone i grew up with in that neck of the woods gearing up to retire and leave wine country. are you doing sonoma as in the city itself or one of the outlying communties in the county?

We will be right near the Old Town district in town. Our son lives in the Bay area and we need to be closer to him as we age. We plan to sell our house in SO Cal, spend $250,000 on a gorgeous mobile home in Seven FLags retirement park in Sonoma, and then use the balance of the house sale on a nice RV and bucket list international travels.

 

[Kimkimba]

We aren’t retiring yet (we’re in our 50s). We’re moving from Philly suburbs to Florida next year. Our family is there and my 3 kids (youngest is 16, graduating early, and taking a gap year) are coming with us. We’ve almost moved before but the timing was off. We’re ready.

 

[AnnaS]

My DH has been home for many years due to medical reasons and I retired early a few years ago. Babysit the grandchildren.

We have never thought of moving - unless we move close to my DD. My DD lives in DE with her family (2 hour drive). My two sons (with their family) live 20 minutes away.

We always considered snow birding or taking frequent and longer trips. We would never move away from our grandchildren and kids. Even if the grandchildren are older, as we age, it is important to be close to one of the children. We would not want to be far away from all of my DH's doctors.

We would consider moving from this current home only for certain reasons but would love to stay put. Even if we want to downsize, our home is a small perfect one-story ranch. No steps/not many steps is so important as we get older (broke foot and ankle last year). If we had to downsize, a first floor condo is the next step. Not many great choices here.

Having said that......not thrilled when we get a lot of snow!!

 

[barkley]

We will be right near the Old Town district in town. Our son lives in the Bay area and we need to be closer to him as we age. We plan to sell our house in SO Cal, spend $250,000 on a gorgeous mobile home in Seven FLags retirement park in Sonoma, and then use the balance of the house sale on a nice RV and bucket list international travels.

so nice! i love the old town district-so charming and great to walk around. sounds like a great set up for your plans-you can be near your son, a short drive to anything you would need but removed from the hustle and bustle of the busier parts of the area. enjoy!!!

 

[antmaril]

Sorry to hear that - one of our biggest fears is I work till retirement and then one of us passes.
One of the reasons I am sort of taking a time off now unless a job falls into my lap.

I saw my Grandfather work till 62 retire and die at 63 - he painted ships during WWII and that got him in the end - no lawsuits back then either.

My dad worked till 70 to get the "full retirement" bonus and died a year or so later - so never got to enjoy it.
Even had he lived he was not as mobile anymore so Disney was no longer an option for him.

I'm going roll the dice and retire as soon as I qualify - I'd rather enjoy what I can well I am younger and I may suffer later but at least I will have enjoyed myself.

Congrats on the grandchild as well.

Thank you! I retired early because my husband needed me, but he didn’t last long. We had been together since we were 15 years old and married 34 years. My dreams of growing old together were not to be.

I am so excited to be a grandma. I wasn’t sure it would ever happen, but she is expected in early May. WooHoo!

 

[dvcgirl67]

We will be right near the Old Town district in town. Our son lives in the Bay area and we need to be closer to him as we age. We plan to sell our house in SO Cal, spend $250,000 on a gorgeous mobile home in Seven FLags retirement park in Sonoma, and then use the balance of the house sale on a nice RV and bucket list international travels.

Wow...I googled the mobile home, and it might literally be the only one I'd ever live in...lol. Very nice! Love your plan. It would seem that there's a very good market for the mobile homes as well. Do you own the land...or does the park own it? Because of the desirable location and amazing price I'd expect they sell quickly even if you don't own the land?

I only ask because my parents were left a mobile home in Vero Beach that my father's parents retired to. They bought a double wide, which wasn't all that uncommon. However they had it placed on the center of a double wide lot that they then leased. When they passed my parents could not unload that thing for *years*. Generally people who retire to mobile home parks aren't looking to pay double the lease for the extra 5 feet that my grandparents wanted on either side of the home. In the end my parents had to have it moved over to a single lot and took a decent loss on the whole ordeal.

 

[china mom]

I do agree - and there are like minded folks everywhere - you just have to find them - not always that easy as people try to hide it to not be ostracized.

Had a neighbor who just assumed for several reason that I was not on the same page as them. After five years we ran into each other in a pub and come to find out we agree on most things and now hang out every once and a while.

That said - some of my best friends have a totally different view and we have great discussions and lots more common ground then people would think. Just different perspectives on the same issue in many cases.

Unfortunately it does seem people don't even want that anymore - if you don't agree with them on everything you are the worst thing ever. Its very sad.

IMO the real issue is the 10 or 20 percent of extremists on both sides and they way they are portrayed in the media.

For me it is not about hanging out with like minded people or not wanting to be around people with different politics or beliefs. I enjoy a good discussion with people with differing backgrounds and viewpoint. For me (and like a previous poster, I am a conservative in Maryland) it has more to do with big picture politics and government than who I live next to or who I share a drink with in a bar. I do not agree with how my tax dollars are being allocated or certain laws that are being passed. I especially do not agree with how Baltimore is handling crime. I want to live in an area where most voters align with my conservative values and elect a government that reflect that.

 

[barkley]

Wow...I googled the mobile home, and it might literally be the only one I'd ever live in...lol. Very nice! Love your plan. It would seem that there's a very good market for the mobile homes as well. Do you own the land...or does the park own it? Because of the desirable location and amazing price I'd expect they sell quickly even if you don't own the land?

I only ask because my parents were left a mobile home in Vero Beach that my father's parents retired to. They bought a double wide, which wasn't all that uncommon. However they had it placed on the center of a double wide lot that they then leased. When they passed my parents could not unload that thing for *years*. Generally people who retire to mobile home parks aren't looking to pay double the lease for the extra 5 feet that my grandparents wanted on either side of the home. In the end my parents had to have it moved over to a single lot and took a decent loss on the whole ordeal.

i think the ones in that area rent the lot space from the park owners and it runs about $800 per month on average. thing is-unless a local municipality in california puts a law on the books limiting rent increases mobile home communities are exempt from state rent control laws and it's a HUGE topic of concern esp. in the senior communities b/c their rents have been skyrocketing year over year.

i had a friend in the same situation as your parents-his mom had a stunning mobile home (looked like a custom traditional home inside) in a senior park. last year or so of her life he moved in to help her (had to jump through some hoops to meet the community's criteria for someone under their minimum resident age to reside w/her)-the minute she died he was put on notice and given 30 days to vacate. he was still obligated to pay for lot rent though and his only option was to try to sell b/c renting was not permitted. there was no way he could have the thing moved-cost prohibitive, no available lots in any of the non senior parks in the area, land even back then in napa was psycho crazy expensive to buy (and noone would let you rent a vacant lot and park a mobile on it). someone got a great deal on that place.

 

[dvcgirl67]

For me it is not about hanging out with like minded people or not wanting to be around people with different politics or beliefs. I enjoy a good discussion with people with differing backgrounds and viewpoint. For me (and like a previous poster, I am a conservative in Maryland) it has more to do with big picture politics and government than who I live next to or who I share a drink with in a bar. I do not agree with how my tax dollars are being allocated or certain laws that are being passed. I especially do not agree with how Baltimore is handling crime. I want to live in an area where most voters align with my conservative values and elect a government that reflect that.

I'm like you, but on the "other side" if you will. I don't mind conversations with people who don't agree with me. I enjoy that, even a lively debate. And I prefer to live in states where my tax dollars go towards things that matter to me.

What's a relatively new phenomenon is people moving to areas where they are likely to *only* come in contact with like-minded individuals. And not because that's just a coincidence.....that's why they're moving to these places.

The Villages in Central Florida comes to mind. I'm not sure if it started out being a conservative Mecca, but it has become that. I suppose the good news for left-leaning individuals who moved there, saw the changes and want out....is that they wouldn't have a problem selling their home. I understand wanting to move to Florida if you're looking for lower taxes, warmer winters, and even an environment that aligns with your values, but I don't get wanting to *bathe* in that environment to the tune of political golf cart parades and the like. It just speaks to the deepening polarization I suppose.

 

[China Expat]

Wow...I googled the mobile home, and it might literally be the only one I'd ever live in...lol. Very nice! Love your plan. It would seem that there's a very good market for the mobile homes as well. Do you own the land...or does the park own it? Because of the desirable location and amazing price I'd expect they sell quickly even if you don't own the land?

I only ask because my parents were left a mobile home in Vero Beach that my father's parents retired to. They bought a double wide, which wasn't all that uncommon. However they had it placed on the center of a double wide lot that they then leased. When they passed my parents could not unload that thing for *years*. Generally people who retire to mobile home parks aren't looking to pay double the lease for the extra 5 feet that my grandparents wanted on either side of the home. In the end my parents had to have it moved over to a single lot and took a decent loss on the whole ordeal.

I'm not concerned about the resale. It's the only affordable option in the Bay area and they sell like hot cakes.I saw one listed in the Seven FLags park that looked like a new upgraded and large home with vineyard views.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I'm like you, but on the "other side" if you will. I don't mind conversations with people who don't agree with me. I enjoy that, even a lively debate. And I prefer to live in states where my tax dollars go towards things that matter to me.

It saddens me so much when I hear how many people are never ever willing to even have a conversation with someone who disagrees with them. If you only talk with people who agree with you, you'll never learn anything new. And oh my, beware. You might even - change your mind on some points!! Glad you can have a civilized discussion/debate!

But in retirement, I wouldn't base it on any current political climate and direction. Those climates change very quickly based on national and international events. I expect in my retirement, I could pass through several state political leanings. I prefer to be near family, near attractions we enjoy visiting, and not worrying about the many decades of pressures and issues that came up when I was a working lad......! I prefer to focus on spending as much of my kids' inheritance as we can enjoy!

 

[kerry1379]

We have been thinking about this too. Our dilema is that, on the one hand, Colorado cost of living is crazy high and I honestly don't know if we can retire here. But on the other hand, we have a severely disabled adult son that will live with us for as long as we can care for him. Colorado has good services for him and he already qualifies for some now, with some services being a waitlist of 15 years. If we move when we retire, we will lose that and everywhere else I know of also has waitlists of many years, sometimes decades long that you then start at the very bottom of. So assuming he makes the top of the waitlist here right about the time we retire-what do we do? I honestly don't know. I guess I am hoping we can afford to stay but we shall see.

 

[tony67]

It saddens me so much when I hear how many people are never ever willing to even have a conversation with someone who disagrees with them. If you only talk with people who agree with you, you'll never learn anything new. And oh my, beware. You might even - change your mind on some points!! Glad you can have a civilized discussion/debate!

But in retirement, I wouldn't base it on any current political climate and direction. Those climates change very quickly based on national and international events. I expect in my retirement, I could pass through several state political leanings. I prefer to be near family, near attractions we enjoy visiting, and not worrying about the many decades of pressures and issues that came up when I was a working lad......! I prefer to focus on spending as much of my kids' inheritance as we can enjoy!

Agreed - but there are states that will probably never change and are basically one party states.

You probably don't want to choose those if you don't agree with them.

Best bet (IMO) is somewhere that switches back and forth regularly or is at least a reasonable split so one party is not making 100% of the decisions. Not sure there really is anywhere like that.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I do love it up there - spent many a summer there.
Weirs beach, Funspot (I still go up there once a year), the Common Man, the Tamarack good times.

A short drive north and there are some good things for younger children.
Used to enjoy Santa's Village at Christmas - but been a while - not sure if its as good as it was.
Same for Storyland.
Six Gun City was pretty good too - but that must be gone.

Still all that snow.

Yup, pretty much our "backyard"! Storyland is still around and Weirs Beach is as popular as ever. Views are stunning. Glad you had the opportunity to hang out here!

Just a few local year round folks and 25K or so rich and famous that show up with their fancy cars for the summer LOL. I thank them for offsetting our taxes...now if they would just do something about all that S N O W??

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thank you! I retired early because my husband needed me, but he didn’t last long. We had been together since we were 15 years old and married 34 years. My dreams of growing old together were not to be.

I am so excited to be a grandma. I wasn’t sure it would ever happen, but she is expected in early May. WooHoo!

's

 

[Christine]

It saddens me so much when I hear how many people are never ever willing to even have a conversation with someone who disagrees with them. If you only talk with people who agree with you, you'll never learn anything new. And oh my, beware. You might even - change your mind on some points!! Glad you can have a civilized discussion/debate!

But in retirement, I wouldn't base it on any current political climate and direction. Those climates change very quickly based on national and international events. I expect in my retirement, I could pass through several state political leanings. I prefer to be near family, near attractions we enjoy visiting, and not worrying about the many decades of pressures and issues that came up when I was a working lad......! I prefer to focus on spending as much of my kids' inheritance as we can enjoy!

I don't think anyone minds divergent viewpoints but there has been a change where you can't even do that. People have become so radical and vocal that you *cannot* have divergent viewpoints without someone just beating you down over it. In that regard, it's very important to be somewhere where it's not solidly leanding toward one party. I need to be in a diverse political area where it's okay to calmly be either/or. I'm in Virginia now and we have that. Going down south, I'm not seeing political diversity.

 

[dvcgirl67]

It saddens me so much when I hear how many people are never ever willing to even have a conversation with someone who disagrees with them. If you only talk with people who agree with you, you'll never learn anything new. And oh my, beware. You might even - change your mind on some points!! Glad you can have a civilized discussion/debate!

But in retirement, I wouldn't base it on any current political climate and direction. Those climates change very quickly based on national and international events. I expect in my retirement, I could pass through several state political leanings. I prefer to be near family, near attractions we enjoy visiting, and not worrying about the many decades of pressures and issues that came up when I was a working lad......! I prefer to focus on spending as much of my kids' inheritance as we can enjoy!

Very true, conditions can and will change quickly. Social media has intensified this phenomenon for sure. Still, we ditched cable in the last year. We had a habit of having one of the news channels on in the background, and that can seep into your mind and affect your mood. As we age, I hope to stay informed with conditions around me without getting sucked into the doom loop so to speak. At 56, I've hopefully got another 1/3 of my life left to live. I don't see things getting any less crazy in the time we have left. It only gets slightly less crazy if you tune a lot of that out. No kids here....so will also be laser focused on spending it all .

 

[dvcgirl67]

My parents are in The Villages. The are historically conservative but not the "new" breed, if you will, so I'm sure they'd be accused of being "Liberals" but they are doing okay there. They've had a few people approach them and spout of some nonsense, but they've been able to shut it down. I don't think it's nearly as bothersome as the media portrays, but they are also fairly quiet people. Maybe if they were more social and out there, they'd see it more.

Interesting. I suppose those who are really out and about are the ones getting all of the attention. They just seem "extra" into all of that stuff. DH and I have always know that we didn't want to do the 55+ community. My FIL (MIL passed a year ago) has been in one since 2000 and absolutely loves it. He does not understand why everyone wouldn't want to live in a community like his...lol. Different strokes I suppose.