Where do you want to grow old?

We downsized from one acre to a 55+ owner occupied mobile home park 24 years ago in the country and we LOVE it! I designed a new manufactured home to replace the older mobile home and landscaped all to be low maintenance. Thanks to Suze Orman and her three major tips for retirement; 1) No mortgage. 2) No debt and 3) 6-12 month emergency fund and Grace The first 16 years we had 2 bad neighbors but now we have great neighbors, a meadow off our back deck with wildlife that visit often, a nice view out the kitchen window of Monterey Bay in the distance and mostly peace of mind. We hope to decompose here with the night owls, horses, deer, hawks and Madrone trees. We pinch ourselves everyday and thank the Good Lord for always providing for us. The brass plaque nailed to our outside wall by the meadow has a quote by C.S.Lewis that says: "Our father refreshes us on the Journey with some pleasant Inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for Home"

We retired from the Air Force in 2005. Our chosen location was 40 acres of Heaven in southwest North Dakota that we called Pheasant Acres. I did volunteer tax preparation work, Public Health Volunteer Reserve, and worked at our local golf course for fun. Fifteen years later my wife wanted to move to town to be closer to her mother (assisted living) and brother (Downs Syndrome) who had relocated from Minnesota. Just as we got settled into town Covid hit and visiting wasn’t possible. My wife and I took on ever increasing roles with our local health unit that is responsible for an eight county area in SW Dak du Nord. We worked Covid testing and vaccinations and emergency preparedness and response. I had wonderful health until Covid caught up with me in September of 2024. Covid, Covid pneumonia, detached retina caused by violent coughing from the pneumonia, microscopic colitis, post Covid adult onset asthma, RSV, dysautonomia, long Covid and last but not least last Fall HFpEF quickly followed. Fortunate that we moved when we did as I couldn’t keep up with Pheasant Acres in my current condition. I’ve had to retire from my Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator position. Having neighbors fifty feet away versus a mile away is a change. Can’t say its ideal but its what is possible so its great. Trying to figure out living with all this stuff versus just taking a multivitamin every morning. Its all good though…upright and not crying.

@altilla
I know life can curve balls. I live in Toronto wanted to move out of the city get some land and enjoy the countryside. Unfortunately my mother-in-law died and now we have to take care of her father who has mild dementia so that dream will probably never happen. But you have to be happy to have your health and to be able to help.

My husband announced about 9 months ago: "You may all go to hell, but I am going to Texas". We now own two houses because I tried living in Texas for 15 years and could only complain about the God awful humidity.

We are 70. We are healthy. We both exercise. I eat healthy he eats modified "Texan" meaning sweet tea and BBQ brisket, lots of rice, fried food and Blue Bell ice cream; he lives Texas/Southern lifestyle of sitting on the couch watching: ML baseball, college football, college baseball...

I rarely watch TV and need to be outdoors all the time. Going. I still enjoy working - it makes me feel useful and I enjoy the light social that brings as well as pocket change in retirement..to go travel when I get an urge to go.

I tried "retirement" in Texas. It is too humid to do anything outside, even sit, without sweat pouring off of me.

I am a very active person, four walls close in very quickly. I am not the "volunteering" type...I enjoy a paycheck as it makes me feel useful and contributing to society. Don't get me wrong, I do for others, just not in an organized manner.

If one of us gets deathly ill or sick, we have agreed visit to where the sick one resides to manage in home health or whatever other arrangement befits the situation.

I changed my whole life around at 79, soon to turn 80. I needed to move from my 2nd floor walk-up condo in Illinois, with uncovered parking, which was difficult and dangerous when there was ice and snow. My daughter was moving to SC and my son was already living in FL. I visited Margaritaville in SC, loved it. Sold my IL condo and had a villa built near Hilton Head. Although I have plenty of back issues, there are indoor and outdoor pools for healing exercises which I use 3 times weekly. I have joined a few clubs I am interested in. Most of the residents are in their late 60’s to mid 70’s but are very welcoming. I have more friends now than ever. People are smiling, helpful and most of all, I am having fun every day! Best move of my life! Don’t be afraid, take a chance on improving your life!

@crn I replied above and when I am in my 80s or so I will likely finally move to be near one of my four kiddos or 9 grands...AND get a small villa in a village of olders, too.

Hopefully one of them will live near or in mountains, as I am a mountain lover.

Sounds like you are doing well. Congrats on your great move.

Agree: at this age, take a change improve life.

@altilla You have an attitude that serves you well and will continue. Refreshing to read this morning.

Ideally at home, with help as needed. Though nobody knows what the future holds…therefore we do have to do some planning.

@slarson14
You go, girl!!

I did the numbers. With my savings, I could only live (frugally) in a senior community for 10-12 more years. If I aged in place at my condo, I can live for 24. I’m 73
My mom lived into her early 90s so I don’t want to take a chance at being completely destitute at the end of my life and I don’t want to burden my kids financially. Like a previous poster mentioned, we don’t know what curve balls life will throw us. I’ll take my chances at my condo.