Is any senior here spending "just one more winter"...? (pension, grandparent)
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The wife and I decided we had enough of MN winters and would be moving south as soon as retiring and selling our dairy farn.
About 15 years ago ( before we had a computer ) I would contact Chamber of Commerce in nearly every city in Tennesse, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
( the literature and relocation packets nearly filled a whole bedroom )
My 2 sisters and 2 brother-in-laws used to jokingly ask about my " fantasy"
I told them.............." I don't have fantasies. I have plans "
About 5 years ago our 4 grown children realized we were serious.
My sisters and spouses were surprised when we moved.
We moved to the North Arkansas Ozarks in January of 2012 and will be here until we die or enter a nursing home.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caladium
Sounds like you've found the perfect spot for you. Congrats! Towns are like shoes, everyone needs a a different fit, and it's always good when you find the fit that's right for you.
And some times it's nice to have more than one pair!
I still think there is opportunity for 'shared-equity-ownership' so you don't have to have capital all tied up, and you still have the opportunity to jet / drive / rail somewhere else for a spell.
Last yr I was home (PNWet) about 3 different weeks from Oct to end of May. That was not to shabby. (All was PAID by temp job assignment... yup even Asia, San Diego, Spain)
It's all about location. In some areas fall/winter is the better time to list because it's not 100 degrees outside
Families with kids tend to look in the spring regardless of location due to school issues.
I bought my current home during the winter and sold my previous home during the winter.
Both were December closings.
My last two moves were in December just ahead of the snow because I deliberately waited till well past the prime selling season here and offered low (after checking in online on the Registry of Deeds to see if mortgages were owed and the age of the owners) and got my offers accepted. In some ways moving in the cold (sans snow of course) is easier than in the hottest part of summer, professional movers or not.
My reference to paradise in my OP was not just about climate. My topic is for anyone who is going through, or not going through, one more winter season where they are now, whether they are in the North Pole or living on the equator. It is about the impetus to finally act on the desire to move.
Thank you. I had asked you to define "paradise" because it is different for different people. To me the definition of paradise is where I can afford to live and how easily I can get around. For someone else it of course will be different.
Or maybe not. Perhaps my husband and I are older than most people here (late 60's). But - as you age - I think you kind of have to be like that legendary "shark". Move or die (honestly don't know if it's true of sharks - but I think it's a valid point for people). Even if it's only a walk around the block - or a shopping trip (from your air-conditioned house to your air-conditioned car to the air-conditioned mall). You can't just sit inside and vegetate for months at a time. Even at our ages (and I don't think we're very old) - we start to feel "rusty" if we don't move around. Robyn
Quote:
Originally Posted by newenglandgirl
Oh yes I can. Try me.
I'm with Robyn on this, except I don't think it's age-related. When we were younger we were on the go by necessity without thinking about it. It is only when we are older that we even have the option to "sit inside and vegetate for months at a time". And some people just have that certain restlessness. I have it, and it's one major reason I don't like being a prisoner of air-conditioning. (In colder climates, I would feel less like a prisoner because with proper clothing one can still be out and about.)
Some years ago I was visiting my mother in Baton Rouge, Louisiana when Hurricane Andrew approached. I helped my mother with preparations and rode out the hurricane with her in her apartment. I was glad to be there to help her. We were stuck inside for about 36 hours, as I remember. At the end of that time, I had cabin fever big-time - just could hardly stand it anymore. I had to go drive around and look at the sights, even though unnecessary driving was still officially discouraged and my mother was upset that I was doing it. I had to be careful and alert - almost all the traffic signals were out and tree limbs were everywhere - but I just had to get out of that apartment!
Escort Rider: I'm with Robyn on this, except I don't think it's age-related. When we were younger we were on the go by necessity without thinking about it. It is only when we are older that we even have the option to "sit inside and vegetate for months at a time".
While I was in NY over the summer for 4 months, I was carefree, no responsibilities and doing what I wanted. I was cutting the grass, gardening, walking the dog for three miles and housework. I thought I was in good shape.
I came back to FL and I'm watching the grandkids again. The four year old is low maintenance. The toddler was in the pet rock stage last winter: eat, sleep, diapers and was just walking when we left. Now at 16 months he has two speeds: ON and OFF. Off is less than an hour and a half on a good day. I thought I was in good shape, HA! There is no rest, there is no sitting still, we are exploring everything all day long. And I mean WE and ALL DAY LONG!
I thought they were going to break me the first week, but I survived and that old saying is true: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I should be invincible by the end of this season and will need to find a toddler in NY when I get back to stay in shape.
I walk early morning and in the evenings both places in hot weather. In NY in the winter, I walked at midday when it was the warmest part of the day. The only things that keeps me inside are lightening and ice. In FL I have the bonus of weight bearing as I'm walking because I'm pushing a 24 pounder in a stroller.
It's all about moving, no matter where you are and what the climate.
So we're 4 years into snowbirding, to the gulf coast of Florida from the center of the country. This part is not typical: I'm not retired, but can work from anywhere--so we're younger than most snowbirds. But we love it very much, would move full time except for family and other ties up north.
DW is fairly likely to check out within a very few years, untreatable disease. Really hits home, the sense in trying to have fun every day as you go along. We feel very, very fortunate that we did not sacrifice all for that glorious day when we can finally retire--that probably would have been a total waste.
I'm 6 years away from retirement. Our home has been paid off for several years now. I've lived in Minnesota all my life and I am sick and tired of the Minnesota winters. I try to take vacations in the winter to escape the lousy weather. Our plan is to become a snowbird in the winter months to Florida, California, or Hawaii. Or, maybe a combination of those locations. We will rent at first to determine if there is a snowbird location we like best.
I work for a major employer in Minnesota. Our pension plan released a FAQ recently, where one of the questions was asking if people that retired from Minnesota would take their money out of Minnesota. The answer was 91% of retired people in our pension plan stay in Minnesota and do not leave. That fact surprised me at first, but I believe it is generally true. I think people that have lived in the same area of the country tend to stay there during retirement. There are many reasons for it. Family and friends, lack of financial resources, and fear of the unknown about living in a different place. Health care may be another concern.
I think the best way to make the transition is becoming a snowbird. The snowbirding time can be varied. The risk of making a bad decision by moving can be minimized by renting for extended periods in other areas. Skype can help improve the contact to your friends and family from afar. Snowbirding is expensive compared to staying in your home and hunkering down for the winter. However, if you've sacrificed and saved for many years during your working career and have enough assets to escape winter, why not do it?
For people that really love winter, I usually respond, move to the arctic circle where you can 'enjoy' winter almost all year round! Maybe you could volunteer to work and live in Antarctica, where you can true'y 'enjoy' winter all year round! My brother in law thinks people that love winter should stick their heads in their freezers!
Recently, I lost about 70 pounds and over 10% body fat. I really feel the cold now in winters, more than I have for many decades. So, my countdown continues, till the day I won't be suffering in the cold and snowy Minnesota winters anymore.
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Sitting inside and vegetating
