Hi Opensauce, When I took early retirement at 50, I thought I would walk into a wee part time job nae bother.
It didn't happen and so I tried starting my own business, went to evening school and everything to learn how to do it, but that didn't work out either.
Looking back, I'm seriously glad it did not work out. It meant I kept all my pension payout and now, 19 years later, I am sitting pretty.
WORK is a 4 letter swear word and I prefer to "work" for myself in my garden rather than cow tow to the whimsical ideas of others.
On another tack, although many people are now 'sitting pretty' with a decent pension, I remember that we did not necessarily have an easy ride. What about the quality of dentistry in our early days, or when mumps, measles and rubella were not diseases, but rites of passage. It could be argued that the younger generation are benefitting from better health care than we did and can look forward to a longer, healthier life.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
The survey cànnôt predict the best place to live based on personality traits. I was very surprised, as it would have been the last place I would live. lol
Life is about how people make it and were people place happiness and what is important to them.
Two people could be in the exact situation of the same age, how they deal with it, would depend on their character, personality life experience and how they learnt it through family values and experience. It's not an exact science as there are far too many variables.
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
Feb/March: Red Squirrel
March: lakes
June: Morecambe
Aug: Lake District(not camping camping)
October: Red Squirrel
Since retiring and our circumstances having changed, we now have more time to think and plan our future requirements, things that we now need and will need in the future.
These are all very different to what was required when we were working.
When working a car (or 2) were essential where we live but these will not be needed or wanted say 10 or 15 years from now and so access to public transport will become more important eventually.
Good local shops will also be a necessity, whereas in the past we would think nothing of driving 15 or 20 miles to a big supermarket or a speciality shop.
Retirement, for many, is an exciting and happy new experience, but for some it is the opposite, bringing loneliness and worry.
I hated my work and the people I had to work with, so retirement is the best thing that has happened to me.
But it is not so with everyone.
I just did that 'best place for you to live' questionnaire on the link in the original post. Pffftt! Oxford? I don't think so - too far from the sea, for one thing. Worst place was Carlisle - wrong again, I think that would be a good place to be - good jumping off point for Scotland Hadrian's Wall etc. Of course they work this out based on personality scores of people living in the various areas, not the scenery. Flintshire was also mentioned as the 'best near me' option - funny, I used to live there.
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
I took voluntary redundancy at 60,went part-time till retirement. I then enjoyed my retirement. The wife and I did all the camping on a motorbike and had some good times and enjoyed it all the time. The wife's health got a bit worse so started to camp in the car for a short while. It was never the same from then. We now just do what we want and go and enjoy what is locally and see what we have missed. I am happy at the age of 79,go to the gym the odd time or two just to try and keep fit. I also still get the motorbike and go for a bit of a ride.
Happy Boomer.
I paid extra AVC pension at work and downsized to a bungalow to retire at 55. 16 years next week.
Not a lot of money to spare but we have a used car and 2004 caravan.
Nice places to live have been mentioned.
I live in a nice little cul de sac in Blyth, Northumberland. 12 minutes walk to the Beach. Four of my children, six grandchildren and two brothers live within 15 minutes walk or closer. My sister lives across the street. We all like it here.
Worst place to live Carlisle?
Carlisle was the promised land to me as a child. We lived in Newcastle and went to our grandmothers house for our summer holidays, near the river Caldew and Holme Head Bay waterfall. Best times of my childhood and Cumberland sausage.
Enjoying retirement.
Last year we took our caravan to Benidorm via Tours and St Jean de la Luz France. We stopped of at Bordeaux and other French towns on the way back. Total 8 weeks.
Caravaning, Bellingham May, Cornwall June, Peak District July. Lake district August, Oxford and Henley September.
At home. Blyth Beach or family barbecues on the odd sunny days.
Because I was 70, I walked up seven mountains. Puig Campana in Spain 4613ft. Blencathra, Kinder Scout, Two in the Cheviots and two easy ones in Dartmoor. All over 2000ft. Met a lot of walkers older than me!
During the winter we help with child minding grandchildren but come spring our caravanning comes first. Planning it now.
This year we have been to Benidorm, January (plane) and booked family holiday (19 of us) in Spain in August.
As mentioned in this thread, our children and grandchildren may not be as fortunate.
Us boomers in the main, are very lucky to be born when we were.
All the best,
Fred.
Totally agree with you Fred.
Being born when we were and having seen the changes we have, I am not overly enthusiastic about what the future will bring for those born recently.
We live in a very troubled world where the gap between the haves and the have-nots appear to be growing every day.
History has dictated that that will only lead to conflict.
So, for us boomers, enjoy yourselves while you can.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Ha Ha People aged 65 to 79 `happiest
