Things to do after early retirement?

missile

redmalc wrote: »

We are contemplating the purchase of a small villa in Spain to live in the Winters and rent out in the summer.

Do you have any experience of property letting? It is not as easy or as profitable as you may think. There are many rental properties in Spain which stand empty / rent for a loss. Who would manage your property?

k6chris

Posting in this excellent thread partly to bump it up, but also to focus on the early retirement aspect. Being (touch wood) reasonably fit at present, filling my time on good weather days will be simple, but what new indoor activities have early retirees been able to do with their new found time???

pollypenny

Join your local U3A. You'll find a wide range of things to do, from intellectual to fun, outdoors or indoors.

Arthurian

For couples who have always divided home life into 'his and hers' chores, may I suggest thoroughly learning what the other half does? For example, the one who always deals with finances should teach the other about the basics of investing, where the tax forms are kept, etc. The one who loves gardening should teach the other how the lawnmower works. The DIYer should explain the intricacies of the hot water system, etc. It's too easy to just let the other one just get on with it, until one day you suddenly realise you have to do it all, and it's too late to ask how.

knightstyle

In our case we went to France and spent 17 years buying houses, renovating them living in them each time, we even built a new one to our design. We started when I was made redundant for the fourth time at 50 and had had enough!
We didn't make a fortune but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. we then moved to the UK to be near ancient parents and our family.
I feel many who take early retirement just play and could do with a real project to keep them alive inside!

fatbeetle

While I agree with you, there's a fine line between "just play" and fulfilling hobbies and interests.

My hope is when I retire* that my hobbies become, if not more meaningful, then at least something I can give more time, care, and involvement to, recreation as "re-creation" of myself. They also include a fair bit of skills development.

My hobbies are gym, photography, visiting archeological sites, (mainly bronze age,) music making, rock climbing, hill walking, cooking, gardening, home brewing and foraging, amongst others.

We also hope to explore Blighty and Europe in a campervan. So yes, we will do a fair bit of play, but not meaningless play, if you see what i mean!



*13 working days to go!!!!!!

knightstyle

Hey fatbeetle, we have recentlt bought a caravan and are having fun in our 70s exploring UK. We joined the camping and caravan club plus the caravan and motorhome club. We enjoy going to the small private club sites with a max of 5 units.
Maybe we will meet up sometime.