Retiring is a real shock so what do you do in retirement

chesky369

You don't have to worry about busfares do you? One of the few perks of getting old is the over-60 bus pass (or whatever you call it in your neck of the woods - in London it's a freedom pass).

mardatha

I'm not 60 yet, but when I am , I can get a bus pass yes.

seven-day-weekend

You can use the bus pass anywhere in the country as long as it is on local buses.

Errata

I found the trick was to find something that gave my days and weeks structure. That was the thing I missed when I finally finished working, rather than the activity of work itself which, let's face it, isn't rewarding every single minute of every day.

I've found it takes me twice as long to do half as much because the time pressure is absent - no more here,there and everywhere, start this, finish that !

It can be difficult to think of something or things that will to a degree, replace work. What suits one person fills another with horror.

What can help is to take a large blank sheet of paper and start listing things that interest you; at this point you're not tyring to find the ONE thing that interests you, you're making a very long list to help you to start narrowing things down. Take a week to do it - there's no rush, and just jot things down whenever they cross your mind - the good, bad and indifferent. Somewhere in that list is the one thing or things that will be a good fit for how to enjoy your retirement. You'll find it - good luck.

seven-day-weekend

You could do the same as we did when we took early retirement - uppped sticks, took my husband's Teachers' Pension and went to live in a very traditional Spanish village on the side of a mountain and learned (still learning) a new language and culture!

No time to get bored!

chickmug

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

You could do the same as we did when we took early retirement - uppped sticks, took my husband's Teachers' Pension and went to live in a very traditional Spanish village on the side of a mountain and learned (still learning) a new language and culture!

No time to get bored!

Yes I must admit it is something on our mind but we have seen so many people we know who have done that and ended up coming back as they missed their friends and family. One couple at the moment who have been trying to sell in Spain for well over a year with zero success.

seven-day-weekend

Selling your house is problematic at the moment; however should we wish to come back we can do so as we still have our UK home (our son lives in it). We have no mortgage on either house so if we came back we could if necessary just lock up the Spanish house and leave it until the economic climate is better. I really think it is better if you don't burn all your boats.

And the people who are not selling their houses may be able to do so if they offered them at realistic prices; most people ask far too much (I know this isn't always the case). If and when we sell we are happy to get whatever we can for the house, i.e. something rather than nothing.

Also, you could rent out your UK house and use the money to rent in Spain, that is another way of not burning your boats.

Rosie75

I teach in higher education and have a few students each year who are retired, have always been interested in the subject and are now taking a part-time degree in it, purely for pleasure. Regarding financing it, I admit I'm not too clued up about how they are doing it (I think most are fairly well off) but my understanding is that the student loans system is very favourable to those who retire before 60 in that you can take out a loan, but don't have to pay it back if you don't earn more than £15k. At my institution, the part-time fees work out cheaper for part-time students, too, pro rata, since they pay per module rather than per year.
Lots of my retired students also tell me they found it a huge shock and adjustment being retired, and that was one of their reasons for starting the course.

pollypenny

I fully intended to volunteer for CAB when I retired, but I have not had the time! I joined our local U3A, originally just two interest groups, but have joined others and also co-ordinate a book group and a poetry group.

DH and I have made lots of new friends, as well as having more time to see the old ones. We are also confirmed gallivanters!

Although I do miss the good parts of the job ( the buzz of being in the classroom) but not the hours of marking!

Retirement is great! :j

Jennifer_Jane

I'm not retired yet - although am 62 - retiring end August 09. I will certainly be getting hold of my local one. If your local one doesn't suit, nothing to stop you joining a different one.

Although it's called University of the 3rd Age, it's more relaxed than that!

http://www.u3a.org.uk/ (edited to say, I typed this before I saw the post above).

Let me know if you join and enjoy it.

Re getting there, well, there should be one in your local area. So not too far away.

Otherwise, how about a part-time job, or temping, if you feel the need for some structure, and you need money?

Jen
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