Early-retirement wannabe

Gatser

You raise an interesting pre-retirement dilemma!

Where to live? (and in What?)

I agree that we should not just "pack up and go" away from all acquaintances... made over years.
Do we really want to start all over again?

We consider a "nice" apartment with rooftop garden... but will we start to feel imprisoned and away from the world?

We do not want to make an expensive mistake so the pondering continues....

ibizafan_2

Living in the Midlands, I have always had a hankering for living on the South Coast when I retire (April). I have no family in the area as my sons are in London and Australia, but my OH is Warwickshire born and bred and all his family live in this area, so I know that he wouldn't be entirely happy about moving so far. I have started to think about the positives of staying here, such as 30 minutes to Birmingham Airport (we do love our holidays!) and easy motorway access to everywhere in the country. We are also within 45 minutes of London by train, so I guess that it isn't always the best thing to move away. Never say never though!

jamesd

Renting is one way to help evaluate choices and types. You may not want to do it long term but a year or two in a type or two of place might be useful.

ibizafan, it's also a fairly low cost area compared to some, so that'll help with the retirement finances.

liz-paul

Sorry to butt in - just wanted to add my thoughts. I moved to NI to be with my OH and I have been here nearly 10 years. I hate it & can't wait to move back to London/England which may well not be until I retire (in 30-40 years!!). My experience and the experience of others I know is that there will always be an emotional pull to 'home'. Although if as you say you are very nomadic then you may not have this/or 'home' may not be where you were born/grew up.

Re your kids/grandkids. My mum moved over here shortly after me (she couldn't afford to stay in London). It was weird at first but has been great since I had my kids as she has given a lot of help & support (emotional & practical). My friends who don't have their family around to help feel very alone & I really miss the rest of my family (we're quite spread out too). So it may well be a mugs game with them moving on etc but you might also get to spend a lot of time with them/your grandkids. I know my mum & MIL treasure being able to see my kids regularly & I really love that they are close to my kids. However I feel a lot of responsibility to them; I would love to move on from here but feel I can't. Esp as my mum hates it here now & has nothing here except us (that is a lot of pressure on me).

I also found it hard to settle here and it took me at least 5 years to make friends etc. Part of that is the place (don't move to Ireland, North or South, it is impossible to integrate) but part of it is that its hard to meet people any where esp if you're not working and don't have young kids.

good points about the airport above.... I would say that if you have the money to visit your kids wherever they are then that is a good start. And about the swimming pool - in all seriousness if you want your offspring to visit you then live somewhere they will want to go!!!

Sorry this is so rambling...

peterg1965

My wife and I (age 47 and 50 respectively) are beginning to think we need a lifestyle change to take us into the next stage of our lives leading to retirement. We are well provided for in terms of pensions 'in the bag' but for a variety of reasons we have begun to talk about doing something different and maybe giving up our current jobs to change direction. No minute details but the children and just about grown up but we have a dependant disabled 22 year old and I have spent my career mostly away from home. I did have the next 7/8 years (until I am 55) all mapped out from a financial/career perspective, but we may not want to wait that long.

We want to look into the in and outs of running a business, maybe a high quality B&B/guest house or a holiday complex or something similar. Maybe an established business of some sort. A venture that is enjoyable and profitable and will enable us to maintain and improve on a high quality standard of living. We have looked on Rightmove and a few other websites and there is a range of options in our potential price bracket. Both of us are unafraid of hard work and commitment.

Has anyone else thought of doing this or actually done it? I hope this isn't too off topic for this thread....but I would view this as sort of semi retirement!

gadgetmind

peterg1965 wrote: »

Has anyone else thought of doing this or actually done it? I hope this isn't too off topic for this thread....but I would view this as sort of semi retirement!

I've thought of a complete change, but more along the lines of writing or running cycling tours. This is because from 13 until 21 I worked in hotels waiting on tables, washing dishes, working in a kitchen, working reception, and much more. It's *very* hard work and it's totally inflexible regards the hours.

You'll also find that no matter what "class" you pitch to, many will treat you and the place with very little respect, and you'll also struggle to find employees you can trust.

However, that's just my sixpence 'apenny and others may have very different views.

peterg1965

gadgetmind wrote: »

I've thought of a complete change, but more along the lines of writing or running cycling tours. This is because from 13 until 21 I worked in hotels waiting on tables, washing dishes, working in a kitchen, working reception, and much more. It's *very* hard work and it's totally inflexible regards the hours.

You'll also find that no matter what "class" you pitch to, many will treat you and the place with very little respect, and you'll also struggle to find employees you can trust.

However, that's just my sixpence 'apenny and others may have very different views.

That doesn't surprise me. I think I would be more leaning towards the holiday let business, where the major work is centred on a single changeover day. At least that would leave free time for me to perhaps do something else as a sideline, or to get a job locally.

We are definately in data gathering mode and the realities of life may steer us way from certain thoughts!

gfplux

Marine life makes an interesting and important point about health costs.
We live in Luxembourg and I/we have been retired for quite some time. Our health costs are just under €400 per month. I have always made voluntary payments as I was never directly employed in Luxembourg. This figure is based on the minimum wage in the country and perhaps Marine life should check as his health care costs may be lower when he retires.
Those costs may sound a lot, but frankly the service here is first rate and as good if not better than "private" in the UK.
We will not return to the UK (other than holidays) as amongs many other reasons the NHS is just too frightening to contemplate. (That is not a critism of the many fine people who work in it)

gadgetmind

peterg1965 wrote: »

I think I would be more leaning towards the holiday let business, where the major work is centred on a single changeover day.

Ah, that's different as you can get people to do the changeover when you can't, and agents to help with emergencies.

Go to the "Lay My Hat" forums for a wealth of information on this.

http://www.laymyhat.com/

kidmugsy

ibizafan wrote: »

I have always had a hankering for living on the South Coast when I retire (April).

I agree; the bits of the south coast where we have worked or taken holidays have been delightful. Time for a caravan? Or a Winnebago?