Plotting for an early retirement - anyone want to join me?

Anonymous101

bugslet wrote: »

I'm only just a boomer having been born in '64 and I'm just a filling - can you be a filling with no bread?:p Parents died before I turned 30, OH died 5 years ago, no siblings, no children.

Mostly I think it's a plus, but I'm sure the day will come when it will be a minus. A couple of friends and I, all in our 50s, are pondering the idea of moving in together and I'm giving the idea 50/50 at the moment. Ideally somewhere like a barn conversion with a central hub. Sort of like an old folks home for friends:rotfl:

That sounds an excellent idea. A few practical considerations before you move in together and of course a plan should any party wish to move out or for when the worst happens. Generally though I think that many more people should consider living in alternative arrangements like this. Remaining living alone in large sometimes isolated houses as one gets older really isn't best.

DairyQueen

bugslet wrote: »

I'm only just a boomer having been born in '64 and I'm just a filling - can you be a filling with no bread?:p Parents died before I turned 30, OH died 5 years ago, no siblings, no children.

Mostly I think it's a plus, but I'm sure the day will come when it will be a minus. A couple of friends and I, all in our 50s, are pondering the idea of moving in together and I'm giving the idea 50/50 at the moment. Ideally somewhere like a barn conversion with a central hub. Sort of like an old folks home for friends:rotfl:

What a great idea, although I prefer to think of it as a commune for the graciously middle-aged . Unlike your family, you can choose your friends.

It's a good insurance policy for support in old age providing that you accept that some of you will likely be the carers, and some the cared for. Caring for anyone frail or disabled is a 24/7 job that is only offered FOC by the nearest-and-dearest in my experience. You guys will need to be very good friends indeed.

We considered a multi-generation home with my parents but it soon became clear that dad wasn't prepared to compromise a smidge on space or, indeed, on anything else. That's the downside of alternative living arrangements. Unless all parties are prepared to compromise then it doesn't work.

If you proceed it would make a great book.

bugslet

Anonymous101 wrote: »

That sounds an excellent idea. A few practical considerations before you move in together and of course a plan should any party wish to move out or for when the worst happens. Generally though I think that many more people should consider living in alternative arrangements like this. Remaining living alone in large sometimes isolated houses as one gets older really isn't best.

Much as I think Anonymous. It's been done before, so get it sorted at a solicitors so the legal side is nailed down.

I read something once that people who make the move to a care home get the social benefits far more than those who move reluctantly and resentfully. It does amaze me that so many older people live on their own and don't see anyone for days on end.

I saw a community in the Netherlands that had in effect taken on a farmhouse with two barns either side, sort of C shape and it meant individual living with a central area to meet up in.

I can't make my mind up if it's McCarthy Stone without the fees or the capitalist haulier is about to create a hippy commune.

It'll be something I start researching more in 69:) days when I retire.

Edit: DQ we cross posted, that thought of care as you get older had crossed my mind. There's certainly a lot to think about but as I say, it's been done before so if the will is collectively there, etc!

MallyGirl

I have definitely read about people doing this in the past - this was more at the hippy end as there were all generations in there and it was located in a big mansion with grounds so the rooms were big but they were all in one building.
My Mum is interested in moving to one of these posh setups with your own property but a concierge, shops, pool, gym etc. No idea what her husband thinks of this but he is older and much less well so it might be for when she becomes a widow. Sad to be thinking that way but their house is too big/high maintenance and in the middle of nowhere so she would not want to live there on her own. She is trying to put things in place so as not to be a burden - coping with her mother and aunt took a big toll on her and she is determined not to have us go through the same. Thankfully at the moment she is only 70 and pretty fit and well so this should be a long long way off. They are currently sunning themselves on a beach in Goa

Anonymous101

I suppose lots of people move parents in with them when they become elderly. Some much sooner into an annex or something similar. Its not too different from that really.

I've even thought about it at my relatively young age. If I could find the right farm or plot with a reasonable amount of space or outbuildings I'd certainly be willing to investigate the possibility of have my parents and/or the in laws living very close to us.

Perhaps I'm thinking too ideologically - a little like the arrangement in "escape to the chateau" if that's familiar to you.

happyandcontented

Great thread.

We are both 58 and set on retirement in July 2020 currently. We are financially secure,(we hope, but who knows what is around the next corner)we have no mortgage and our last dependent son graduates in July, so no more University payments for rent! Plus, he has already secured a great job, so will be financially independent.

We are also still wondering whether to cash in the DB pension and put it into our existing SIPP or leave it there for guaranteed income. That is a decision which needs to be made quite soon, along with whether to take the TFLS.

I have just cut my working hours down to 21, and this is my first 3 day week! OH is on contract and has just been told he is sure of it being renewed until at least July 2020 and then he can decide if he wants to finish completely or reduce his working week.

We have a long haul bucket list for travel as soon as we finish, then later on Europe and the UK will suit us very well. Lots of other stuff on there as well.

Will follow this thread with interest.

OldMusicGuy

MallyGirl wrote: »

My Mum is interested in moving to one of these posh setups with your own property but a concierge, shops, pool, gym etc.

Just make sure she understands the running costs and annual charges for a place like that before she ever commits. They will be large and likely subject to excessive increases which may be hard to challenge.

barnstar2077

DairyQueen you are a good daughter, I don't know many people these days that would look after parents if it meant being away from their partner for most of the week.

I am into tiny home living and sustainability at the moment and would like to see retirement communities made up of tiny homes that are adapted for use by the elderly and the disabled with a central hub for socialising. Shipping container homes can be decorated beautifully inside and out and if they are made form scratch to be accessed easily with no steps etc then they can make for very comfortable, affordable housing. Which would give retired people a great way to live independently at an affordable price with beautiful green surroundings and a ready made community of like minded people to socialise with,

Bravepants

barnstar2077 wrote: »

DairyQueen you are a good daughter, I don't know many people these days that would look after parents if it meant being away from their partner for most of the week.

I am into tiny home living and sustainability at the moment and would like to see retirement communities made up of tiny homes that are adapted for use by the elderly and the disabled with a central hub for socialising. Shipping container homes can be decorated beautifully inside and out and if they are made form scratch to be accessed easily with no steps etc then they can make for very comfortable, affordable housing. Which would give retired people a great way to live independently at an affordable price with beautiful green surroundings and a ready made community of like minded people to socialise with,

Good stuff! I read blogs on minimalism regularly and tiny houses caught my eye a couple of years ago. Not sure my partner would go for it. She's resisted all attempts to join my minimalist quest so far, even refusing to watch Marie Kondo's new series on Netflix with me! I do try to lead by example though!



What sort of house do you have?

barnstar2077

Bravepants wrote: »

Good stuff! I read blogs on minimalism regularly and tiny houses caught my eye a couple of years ago. Not sure my partner would go for it. She's resisted all attempts to join my minimalist quest so far, even refusing to watch Marie Kondo's new series on Netflix with me! I do try to lead by example though!



What sort of house do you have?

I have a sparsely furnished, relatively uncluttered conventional house. I would love to sell up and give it a go, but it is where to put the thing that is the problem! I want to live within walking distance of town (to avoid being isolated as I get older) and there just isn't any land like that available near me. Maybe one day an opportunity will present itself.

In the mean time I like to watch tiny home videos on youtube, my favourites being the ones by Bryce on his Living Big in a Tiny House channel.

Selling a conventional house and buying or building a tiny home is a great way to help fund a retirement too (he said clawing his way back on topic : )