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I'm seventy seven, I retired in 07, I was 62 and still feeling like my mid fifties, but time does move along and the best retirement plan includes the long view, not the "livin the dream" plan, but one that lays out a path to your really elderly days. Doesn't matter how you do it necessarily, and most of us didn't have a crystal clear view of our future at retirement, it was mostly that "foggy" part of the picture. But being old and slow when trying to move from the much too big house, and also gearing down on all the other stuff we've all become attached to, it'll become a huge chore from the physical side and a lot of unneeded stress.
Some of the most content retirees I've met are those who have lived the last ten or so years in the same house, weren't too concerned about impressions, and actually seemed not to care about the majority of bogus crap the media entertains their followers with. On another note, I watched a doc on the life of Chuck Leavell, one of our greatest keyboard players ever. He seemed to be transitioning from the music world to his tree farm in Ga. Couldn't help but smile when he described what the criteria is for a good life, no possessions were mentioned. Hope you can find your "spot."
I'm seventy seven, I retired in 07, I was 62 and still feeling like my mid fifties, but time does move along and the best retirement plan includes the long view, not the "livin the dream" plan, but one that lays out a path to your really elderly days. Doesn't matter how you do it necessarily, and most of us didn't have a crystal clear view of our future at retirement, it was mostly that "foggy" part of the picture. But being old and slow when trying to move from the much too big house, and also gearing down on all the other stuff we've all become attached to, it'll become a huge chore from the physical side and a lot of unneeded stress.
Some of the most content retirees I've met are those who have lived the last ten or so years in the same house, weren't too concerned about impressions, and actually seemed not to care about the majority of bogus crap the media entertains their followers with. On another note, I watched a doc on the life of Chuck Leavell, one of our greatest keyboard players ever. He seemed to be transitioning from the music world to his tree farm in Ga. Couldn't help but smile when he described what the criteria is for a good life, no possessions were mentioned. Hope you can find your "spot."
But the "good life" means different things to different people. For me, the "good life" means not only having good health, but also being able to enjoy my activities. And these "activities" often require equipment or tools with which to perform the activities.
For example, my favorite activities include golf, shotgun shooting, pickleball, and (believe it or not) doing upkeep/maintenance/repairs on the house and yard and everything in it. This means that I need several golf bags full of clubs (I change clubs frequently based on how they are performing), a safe full of shotguns (and other miscellaneous firearms), some pickleball equipment, and a garage full of all kinds of tools and equipment to repair/fix just about anything on the property.
So, for me, the things that I'm "attached to" are the activities that I do and the equipment that I use in doing these things. I would be miserable beyond belief if I had to get rid of my tools, sports equipment, and stuff that I use to participate in the activities that I enjoy. I have a feeling that the OP rather enjoys his work in building his house, although I imagine that he might wish he had a bit more time for other things too.
If it were up to me, I'd live in about 700 sq feet. I think anything more is just clutter and useless space.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jertheber
I'm seventy seven, I retired in 07, I was 62 and still feeling like my mid fifties, but time does move along and the best retirement plan includes the long view, not the "livin the dream" plan, but one that lays out a path to your really elderly days. Doesn't matter how you do it necessarily, and most of us didn't have a crystal clear view of our future at retirement, it was mostly that "foggy" part of the picture. But being old and slow when trying to move from the much too big house, and also gearing down on all the other stuff we've all become attached to, it'll become a huge chore from the physical side and a lot of unneeded stress.
Some of the most content retirees I've met are those who have lived the last ten or so years in the same house, weren't too concerned about impressions, and actually seemed not to care about the majority of bogus crap the media entertains their followers with. On another note, I watched a doc on the life of Chuck Leavell, one of our greatest keyboard players ever. He seemed to be transitioning from the music world to his tree farm in Ga. Couldn't help but smile when he described what the criteria is for a good life, no possessions were mentioned. Hope you can find your "spot."
I have friends who live in 4000 plus sq foot homes that have multiple rooms they dont use. Honestly a nice small house with a good sized garage for hobby toys would be perfect for most. I have skis, bikes and some tools but noting that a 2.5 car garage wouldnt handle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chas863
But the "good life" means different things to different people. For me, the "good life" means not only having good health, but also being able to enjoy my activities. And these "activities" often require equipment or tools with which to perform the activities.
For example, my favorite activities include golf, shotgun shooting, pickleball, and (believe it or not) doing upkeep/maintenance/repairs on the house and yard and everything in it. This means that I need several golf bags full of clubs (I change clubs frequently based on how they are performing), a safe full of shotguns (and other miscellaneous firearms), some pickleball equipment, and a garage full of all kinds of tools and equipment to repair/fix just about anything on the property.
So, for me, the things that I'm "attached to" are the activities that I do and the equipment that I use in doing these things. I would be miserable beyond belief if I had to get rid of my tools, sports equipment, and stuff that I use to participate in the activities that I enjoy. I have a feeling that the OP rather enjoys his work in building his house, although I imagine that he might wish he had a bit more time for other things too.
I have friends who live in 4000 plus sq foot homes that have multiple rooms they dont use. Honestly a nice small house with a good sized garage for hobby toys would be perfect for most. I have skis, bikes and some tools but noting that a 2.5 car garage wouldnt handle.
As far as size of a house or number of rooms, I kind of follow the Boy Scouts motto... "Be Prepared". In other words, I like to have plenty of room (and tools/equipment) to handle nearly any occasion which may arise even though it may not be often.
Sure, a small house is easier and cheaper to maintain, but as long as I've got the money to afford it, I'd rather use that money to buy me things I use and enjoy... even though it may only be occasionally.
There is no one size fits all. Two of us live in a 3,300 SF house. We like it and it works for us. My wife has a studio, I have a an office, we have a guest suite for our usual visitors, it's all on one floor and we can easily get our two cars into the 3-car garage. If we wanted a smaller house we would have one. Each person has to decide what works best for them and needs to understand that may not work for someone else.
Is OP still here discussing his marriage problem? If he posts this elsewhere, I hope he'll attach the link so we can follow the story. Meanwhile, we're discussing square footage...
I have friends who live in 4000 plus sq foot homes that have multiple rooms they dont use. Honestly a nice small house with a good sized garage for hobby toys would be perfect for most. I have skis, bikes and some tools but noting that a 2.5 car garage wouldnt handle.
I owned/lived in a 4,000 sf house. Lawyer's foyer, the full monty. While all that room is nice, it's a lot of wasted space, and furthermore, because everyone had their own little area to retreat to, I found it isolating.
Having a large basement for a wood shop was really nice, though. That I miss. However, I wouldn't do it again given the choice.
Perhaps you can opt not to read this thread if you dont like the direction its gone,,,just a thought
Quote:
Originally Posted by otterhere
Is OP still here discussing his marriage problem? If he posts this elsewhere, I hope he'll attach the link so we can follow the story. Meanwhile, we're discussing square footage...
Perhaps you can opt not to read this thread if you dont like the direction its gone,,,just a thought
I like it when threads stay on topic. I'm funny that way. I would think you would, too, since it's your thread?
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