Where do you want to grow old?

People have many options for living arrangements as an older adult, like living in a house with a group of friends (think Golden Girls), going to a 55+ community, or staying in your own house.

What are your plans? Where do you want to grow old?
or
What choice did you make? What are the the pros and cons of your arrangement?

What advice do you have for others?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

@oceanhikes

Tell me where not to move to. please. Tell me about North Carolina by the Ocean. I have allergies/hay fever and lived in Monterey, CA for 10 years where I did great. But now I'm in Sacramento Area foothills. Terrible spring allergies. Does N.C. Ocean area have good air?
I think Florida would be too humid for me....how is N.C. re: humidity?
Judy

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I enjoy living in Minnesota and going for walks around the apartment complex and also outside especially when the weather allows.

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@oceanhikes

Tell me where not to move to. please. Tell me about North Carolina by the Ocean. I have allergies/hay fever and lived in Monterey, CA for 10 years where I did great. But now I'm in Sacramento Area foothills. Terrible spring allergies. Does N.C. Ocean area have good air?
I think Florida would be too humid for me....how is N.C. re: humidity?
Judy

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Florida is very hot and humid and has high allergy rate

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My husband & I chose to buy a house that is located in the middle between relatives in FL and relatives in the tri-state area. We have always liked to travel so we thought this would be the best place for us to settle for retirement. Our 2 grown kids and a son in law live with us. Our kids got jobs here and like it here. I wish my neighborhood was more friendly and I don’t like the hot and humid summers but other than that the milder winters are nice. We have been additionally looking for a summer home in a cooler climate and hoping our daughter and son in law will take over our current home being they live here already and consider it home. We are from NY. Our kids are native Californians.

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Do people move to Rochester in retirement for the health care? I’ve considered this but after research, feel there is a shortage of retirement communities offering care levels. I’ve researched the Presbyterian retirement communities in Wisconsin and Minnesota. There are many in Minnesota but none close to Rochester. Does anyone know why this is?

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Good evening all.........and a special tag to @sueinmn. I have now been in Minnesota for 6 or so years and I think I have made up my mind. Tonight I reviewed all of your posts just to make sure I haven't missed some place or forgotten another. Believe me......this "discussion" has great value and I was glad I decided to review it.

Number 1. I truly believe that I was born to live the last phase of my life in Minnesota...... particularly in St. Cloud where we live right on the Mississippi River along with seven acres of trees and treasured plants.
Number 2. Yes, I miss my Cavalier, Roxie, but oh what fun I have training chipmunks. They generally live about three years and we become pretty close friends. In the beginning, when they are frightened, to the time when they share their wants and wishes with us, and enjoy being petted and held, we get to watch their unique personalities develop.

And then there are the birds. In addition to the three-window wide feeders in the kitchen, we now have new ones on our bedroom deck. Sometimes our guest meals are pretty quiet, while everyone attempts to identify all of them by using the guidebooks on the table. Somehow, we now have flying squirrels that also pay us visits. And....our eagle famly has been with us for years.

One of my worries was the fact that I had no friends here. Guess what? I do now. I carefully limited my expectation to a number that I could have time for and were participating in activities that I loved and wanted to share. As you might expect I have also developed an interest in some new concepts from Eastern Philosophy to weekly Mahjongg.

Now, you are probably wondering about all the grandchildren and their families. We have four now (3 girls and 1 boy) from (5-25)and they visit us in St Cloud a few times a year. My heart almosts bursts as they come running across the front patio to jump into my arms. The quality of our time together is right next to spectacular.

Is everything perfect? Just imagine and be ready to forgive and forget when needed. My heart is pitter pattering as I write this.

Finally, how are we doing? As you might imagine, health must be attended to more frequently at 77 and 82. We are fortunate to have the Mayo clinic very close. And we have learned enough from all of you to watch carefully for new aging issues.

Just this morning, I srolled around the Mississippi River front, enjoying the spectacular beauty of natue and the quiet of our gracious surroundings.

Good luck to you all.
Chris

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@artscaping

Good evening all.........and a special tag to @sueinmn. I have now been in Minnesota for 6 or so years and I think I have made up my mind. Tonight I reviewed all of your posts just to make sure I haven't missed some place or forgotten another. Believe me......this "discussion" has great value and I was glad I decided to review it.

Number 1. I truly believe that I was born to live the last phase of my life in Minnesota...... particularly in St. Cloud where we live right on the Mississippi River along with seven acres of trees and treasured plants.
Number 2. Yes, I miss my Cavalier, Roxie, but oh what fun I have training chipmunks. They generally live about three years and we become pretty close friends. In the beginning, when they are frightened, to the time when they share their wants and wishes with us, and enjoy being petted and held, we get to watch their unique personalities develop.

And then there are the birds. In addition to the three-window wide feeders in the kitchen, we now have new ones on our bedroom deck. Sometimes our guest meals are pretty quiet, while everyone attempts to identify all of them by using the guidebooks on the table. Somehow, we now have flying squirrels that also pay us visits. And....our eagle famly has been with us for years.

One of my worries was the fact that I had no friends here. Guess what? I do now. I carefully limited my expectation to a number that I could have time for and were participating in activities that I loved and wanted to share. As you might expect I have also developed an interest in some new concepts from Eastern Philosophy to weekly Mahjongg.

Now, you are probably wondering about all the grandchildren and their families. We have four now (3 girls and 1 boy) from (5-25)and they visit us in St Cloud a few times a year. My heart almosts bursts as they come running across the front patio to jump into my arms. The quality of our time together is right next to spectacular.

Is everything perfect? Just imagine and be ready to forgive and forget when needed. My heart is pitter pattering as I write this.

Finally, how are we doing? As you might imagine, health must be attended to more frequently at 77 and 82. We are fortunate to have the Mayo clinic very close. And we have learned enough from all of you to watch carefully for new aging issues.

Just this morning, I srolled around the Mississippi River front, enjoying the spectacular beauty of natue and the quiet of our gracious surroundings.

Good luck to you all.
Chris

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Yes, Minnesota is a good place to live. And, weekly MahJongg is a fun way to socialize and challenge the mind. It can take awhile to learn but is worth it.

REPLY

This morning I read through this entire discussion.
I am so grateful for this web site and for Mayo Clinic's open-minded, sensible approach to health and life.
And I am grateful to all who have shared their problems, solutions, disappointments and joys.
Thank you!
Ed

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@artscaping

Good evening all.........and a special tag to @sueinmn. I have now been in Minnesota for 6 or so years and I think I have made up my mind. Tonight I reviewed all of your posts just to make sure I haven't missed some place or forgotten another. Believe me......this "discussion" has great value and I was glad I decided to review it.

Number 1. I truly believe that I was born to live the last phase of my life in Minnesota...... particularly in St. Cloud where we live right on the Mississippi River along with seven acres of trees and treasured plants.
Number 2. Yes, I miss my Cavalier, Roxie, but oh what fun I have training chipmunks. They generally live about three years and we become pretty close friends. In the beginning, when they are frightened, to the time when they share their wants and wishes with us, and enjoy being petted and held, we get to watch their unique personalities develop.

And then there are the birds. In addition to the three-window wide feeders in the kitchen, we now have new ones on our bedroom deck. Sometimes our guest meals are pretty quiet, while everyone attempts to identify all of them by using the guidebooks on the table. Somehow, we now have flying squirrels that also pay us visits. And....our eagle famly has been with us for years.

One of my worries was the fact that I had no friends here. Guess what? I do now. I carefully limited my expectation to a number that I could have time for and were participating in activities that I loved and wanted to share. As you might expect I have also developed an interest in some new concepts from Eastern Philosophy to weekly Mahjongg.

Now, you are probably wondering about all the grandchildren and their families. We have four now (3 girls and 1 boy) from (5-25)and they visit us in St Cloud a few times a year. My heart almosts bursts as they come running across the front patio to jump into my arms. The quality of our time together is right next to spectacular.

Is everything perfect? Just imagine and be ready to forgive and forget when needed. My heart is pitter pattering as I write this.

Finally, how are we doing? As you might imagine, health must be attended to more frequently at 77 and 82. We are fortunate to have the Mayo clinic very close. And we have learned enough from all of you to watch carefully for new aging issues.

Just this morning, I srolled around the Mississippi River front, enjoying the spectacular beauty of natue and the quiet of our gracious surroundings.

Good luck to you all.
Chris

Jump to this post

Your beautiful post brought tears to my eyes, my friend! We are truly blessed by having this community to help us remember that every chapter in life, from beginning to end, can be beautiful and purposeful.
Hugs!

REPLY
@artscaping

Good evening all.........and a special tag to @sueinmn. I have now been in Minnesota for 6 or so years and I think I have made up my mind. Tonight I reviewed all of your posts just to make sure I haven't missed some place or forgotten another. Believe me......this "discussion" has great value and I was glad I decided to review it.

Number 1. I truly believe that I was born to live the last phase of my life in Minnesota...... particularly in St. Cloud where we live right on the Mississippi River along with seven acres of trees and treasured plants.
Number 2. Yes, I miss my Cavalier, Roxie, but oh what fun I have training chipmunks. They generally live about three years and we become pretty close friends. In the beginning, when they are frightened, to the time when they share their wants and wishes with us, and enjoy being petted and held, we get to watch their unique personalities develop.

And then there are the birds. In addition to the three-window wide feeders in the kitchen, we now have new ones on our bedroom deck. Sometimes our guest meals are pretty quiet, while everyone attempts to identify all of them by using the guidebooks on the table. Somehow, we now have flying squirrels that also pay us visits. And....our eagle famly has been with us for years.

One of my worries was the fact that I had no friends here. Guess what? I do now. I carefully limited my expectation to a number that I could have time for and were participating in activities that I loved and wanted to share. As you might expect I have also developed an interest in some new concepts from Eastern Philosophy to weekly Mahjongg.

Now, you are probably wondering about all the grandchildren and their families. We have four now (3 girls and 1 boy) from (5-25)and they visit us in St Cloud a few times a year. My heart almosts bursts as they come running across the front patio to jump into my arms. The quality of our time together is right next to spectacular.

Is everything perfect? Just imagine and be ready to forgive and forget when needed. My heart is pitter pattering as I write this.

Finally, how are we doing? As you might imagine, health must be attended to more frequently at 77 and 82. We are fortunate to have the Mayo clinic very close. And we have learned enough from all of you to watch carefully for new aging issues.

Just this morning, I srolled around the Mississippi River front, enjoying the spectacular beauty of natue and the quiet of our gracious surroundings.

Good luck to you all.
Chris

Jump to this post

I grew up in Winnipeg, which is roughly 500 miles north of Minneapolis. I moved to Southern California in 1958. At this point in my life (I will be 90 in September) I do not think I can handle winter weather anywhere. Glad you are enjoying it, but I think I will stay here where there is no snow.

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I also grew up in Minneapolis and of course, we went “to the lake” on summer weekends! I raised my children in the Chicago suburbs. But my son and his family now live in Florida and my daughter is headed south in a couple years. At 78, it’s time for me to move south, too, especially while I am still active. Many of my friends are 10 years older than me. It’s difficult to continue losing friends to various diseases. I would like a senior community with plenty of amenities in Florida.

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