Retirement is something we dream of all our lives! No more working. No one to boss us around except each other. Freedom to do exactly what we want! But the fact is, retirement is scary. Oh the no working part sounds wonderful but the fact that we won't have the same income we have coming in now, is frightening. So is the fact that we are living the last quarter of our lives.
My husband and I have a big decision to make. Where to live? We are not from Louisiana, we just live here because of his job. I hate the summer weather down here so I'll be darned if I'm going to spend the last part of my life suffering in this heat!We are both from the same town, Edgerton, Ohio. The winters are brutal up there, at least for my husband as he hates the snow and cold. But that's where most of his family still live.
My dream is to retire someplace beautiful. I've always wanted a home where I could look out my back window and see hills, water, or trees. The view from our last few houses have just been the tops of peoples roofs.
Our dilemma is, do we want to do it AGAIN!!?? Today, we are thinking not. It's on our minds that we should move closer to Edgerton. Maybe 1 hr. or so away. That way whenever there is a Stotz family event...we can actually attend. Plus we both have people in the area that we still consider good friends and would love getting together with them once in awhile.
But...you knew there would be a but didn't you? But, I would have to give up my dream of hills and probably water, plus the mild weather that Tennessee offers. Ohio and surrounding areas are as flat as Louisiana. Pretty farm country, but we aren't farm people. And my husband would have to deal with freezing to death.So although we are excited for retirement, we are also soooooooooo confused!
I'm curious to see what some of you would do. Would you give up your dream of beautiful scenery and gorgeous mild weather or would you give that dream up to be nearer family and friends?
Hmm...Have you considered Kentucky? Kentucky experiences the four seasons but the weather is more moderate than the colder north and the extreme heat of more southernly states. It also has a variety of landscapes depending on what part of the state you're in, and of course, it's closer to Ohio. I lived in Lexington for six months while attending school, before returning to NY, and found the state to be lovely.
ReplyDeleteNo, but we've talked about it. So many different places to explore! Kentucky does sound nice. Thanks for the advice.
DeleteI believe in following y'alls dreams. You have them for a reason. You won't be sorry. You and Brad deserve your dreams to come true. Go for it!!!
ReplyDeleteProblem is, we don't really know what our dreams are for sure!! Yikes.
DeleteMy parents just retired last August and it hasn't been peaceful. They both have very elderly parents who need a lot of care. I feel bad that the responsibility is falling on them. One set of my grandparents needs to go into assisted living, because they need nurses, not my parents. It's a tough situation.
ReplyDeleteI hope your retirement is peaceful!
Hello Allyn, I retired last year and have to say I love getting up when I want, doing more or less what I want, and taking life a little easier. I miss the income and dislike having to count the pennies but honestly the benefits far outweigh the down sides.
ReplyDeleteRegards moving - Terry and I are also torn. Our son (one and only child) lives in Australia with his wife and two little daughters, BUT his two grown-up sons from a previous marriage are in the UK. My sister and her family and my husband’s parents are also here. We’ve agonised about moving to Australia. Our son has tried his best to persuade us. What to do? Goodness knows! If only we could win the lottery, we would have a home here and another one there.