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I don't often create threads here, but I'm tired of reading all the negative and depressing threads that have been posted lately, such as shopping for cemetery plots, being concerned with vision problems, the "joys" of growing older, the stigma of being "a useless old guy", not being invited to one's high school reunion, being bored in retirement, what would you miss if you were about to die, how to divvy up your money once you're dead, etc., etc. etc....
So, since today is the 14th anniversary of the day I retired, I created this thread to wish myself a happy anniversary and to celebrate how wonderful retirement is and has been for my wife and myself. I took early retirement at the age of 54 so that my wife and I could travel the world extensively while still relatively young. And 14 years later, we're still enjoying doing so, with several international trips taken every year (except during the Covid years). In fact, it's rare that we're home for more than a week or two at a time these days without at least a weekend trip somewhere.
And speaking of home, we've also relocated several times. We moved from Washington, D.C. to Las Vegas on the day I retired; stayed there for three years before moving to an oceanfront condo on Miami Beach for another three-year period; then a short relocation across Biscayne Bay to a sfh in the City of Miami for six years; before moving two years ago to a lakefront home on an island near Savannah's historic district. And we'll no doubt move again in the relatively near future; perhaps even across the Atlantic. So, when you're planning on where to live in retirement, don't think of it as a one-time only opportunity to decide where to live for the rest of your life; you can always just pack up and relocate again and again if you want. We've made new friends and formed new bonds everywhere we've lived. We have social events to attend every week when we're home, and my wife is currently training to be a docent at one of the local museum houses. It is a joy just waking up each day and having the freedom to do what we want, when we want, and where we want.
I'm sure that some will see this thread as nothing but me being a braggart. So be it. But for others, this can serve as a positive example of how wonderful retirement can be, or at least serve as a respite between all of the depressing topics usually found here.
I told my wife recently that it seems like so many people who post here are unhappy with their lives and sometimes can't understand those of us who are retired and are content with our lives. Kind of reminds me of my late mother's incessant negativity (my sister and I always swore that we must have been adopted).
I told my wife recently that it seems like so many people who post here are unhappy with their lives and sometimes can't understand those of us who are retired and are content with our lives. Kind of reminds me of my late mother's incessant negativity (my sister and I always swore that we must have been adopted).
To be fair, it seems to be the same 3-4 perpetually negative people, filter them out and this forum has been pretty useful!
Happy 14th Anniversary!! It's wonderful that you and your wife were able to retire while you were still young enough to thoroughly enjoy it. And you've been on an adventure ever since. That's the way to do it!!
Congratulations! Your hard work has really paid off.
Happy retirement anniversary to you! Your level-headedness comes through in your post. Thanks for that. And, all the best with your move across the Atlantic. Do share your thoughts and learnings from that - as it is one of the options for us, though not at the top-of-the list for now.
Happy anniversary to us both. Since I retired 8 years ago this month as well. I am celebrating that by taking a trip to S Korea to attend the wedding of a nephew that spent a lot of time living in my house while he went to school here. It should be a great time. Our daughter and her husband will join us there as well. Even MIL at age 91 is on board the flight. It should be a very memorable one I hope.
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