Sometimes (some would say all the time), I just ramble. I’m not looking for advice or solutions, though comments are always welcome. Even Vince and I are not seriously, wholeheartedly putting all our efforts into this but at least once a day we have this “where are we going to retire?” discussion.
Last night we came in about dark, which is after 8:30 p.m. We were both tired, sweaty and very dirty. Our day started out with the temps being 37° but about 7 p.m., it was 90° with more humidity than we’re used to having. When we had both had our showers and were sitting and relaxing, we looked at each other and both said “condo on the beach!” We laughed — it sounds good but that kind of living isn’t for us.
There are several things that are non-negotiable and we’ve agreed on these things:
- We will never have two places. This doesn’t mean we won’t buy one place before the previous one is sold but we’ll never have a home and a lake house. We’ve had two houses before and it’s more maintenance than either of us is willing to do. Neither of us enjoy traveling, eating out, staying in hotels . . we’re just home bodies.
- We will not buy a place that needs updating nor will we buy land and build. It’s just too hard to get people to show up when they say they will and do what they say they will do and that’s a headache we don’t need.
Lakehouse
While at my aunt and uncle’s lakehouse last month, I was convinced that living on the water somewhere is what we need to do. Vince agrees. Waking up to sunrises over the water or sitting out at night seeing the moon reflecting on the water . . to me that is peaceful and so relaxing.
Moon Over the Lake
Vince is adamant that he will never move back to Nevada, MO so I had been looking at other locations in southwest Mo. Just this past Friday, I had sent him a couple of links to places on the water in Neosho, MO and Noel, MO. You can bet all those places are now flooded. This morning at breakfast, we decided we’ll narrow the search down to places on lakes have a slim to zero chance of flooding.
Then, once we decide the area where we want to go, there are the issues with the house. Many of these things are things I learned from living in this little house. Our next house doesn’t have to be big – I’m thinking about 2,500 square feet would be good.
- It has to have a decent sized laundry room.
- There has to be a nice pantry.
- It has to have at least 2-1/2 bathroom.
- The kitchen must have stained cabinets. I do not like painted cabinets.
- It has to have an enclosed garage. No more cats sleeping on my vehicle!
Hopefully we can find a place that has a shop for Vince and something that will work as a sewing/craft room for me.
At least I have something to occupy my time . . always searching for the perfect retirement place! 🙂
Joyce says
Judy, my family is all in the Joplin area! Love hearing a familiar name in your blog. 🙂 Have you looked at Grove, Oklahoma? My uncle had a place on the lake there and I had the best catfish dinner of my life there. Only two things I know, but it’s a pretty easy drive — about an hour — from Joplin. Good luck in your hunt. I love being along for the ride.
Stephani in N. TX says
A retirement home near your aunt and uncle maybe? That would provide lakefront, company you enjoy, and the added attraction that Chad and family would and could visit.My retirement plans were made for me when my husband passed. Loved my home of 32 years, but bought a new home in the outskirts of Dallas. Hope I never drive downtown again, but my sons are both settled in their homes, also on the outskirts of the city. One is 20 minutes away with a spanking new grandson. Couldn’t ask for more. Could have gone to CA where my family resides but the ties to grand children is pretty strong. Miss the ocean, miss my quilting friends at my former residence, but Dallas holds plenty for a quilter as soon as I complete unpacking. Did I mention he grand chidren…
Mary Nikko says
I recently found the site Retirement And Good Living which lists some of the top retirement locations in the US and overseas. There are also many guest posts by retirees who settled in various locations in the US, Central and south America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. Good first hand accounts of what it takes to move during retirement.
JudyL says
Most often, the things the average person is looking for in retirement is not what we’re looking for. For instance, it lists Austin, TX as a great place to retire and for many, it is but not for us. We do not like cities. It has no places listed in Louisiana, Arkansas or Missouri and those are probably the top choices for us. No place is perfect for everyone . . we’re just trying to figure out what’s best for us.
danielle nabozny says
I love how you say the house doesnt have to be big – and then you mention a square footage larger than any house I have ever lived in! LOL
Carol says
Have you checked out Bella Vista? Just about a 30-minute drive to Neosho, and we have 7 lakes (only 2 are fairly large). Lots of high ground that will not flood!! Low cost of living, and it is BEAUTIFUL.
JudyL says
Bella Vista is high on my list . . not so high on Vince’s list. One thing for sure . . the houses there on the lake seem to sell very quickly!
Edith says
I stopped in Joplin to check out a quilt shop this weekend while doing a long driving trip. There was a nice main street area and the quilt shop was nice. They were very friendly. I drove through Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri to avoid the flooded interstate and it did not seem to be flooded. Perhaps they control it with dams and such for the lake?
JudyL says
Yes, I’ve always liked Joplin. It’s amazing how much it’s grown since the tornado 6 years ago. Yes, there is flood control on the Lake of the Ozarks. In order to keep the water level down there, the Truman Lake area usually ends up being flooded.
Which quilt shop did you visit in Joplin? There was a great one in Carthage but it’s closed since we moved away and there was one (Sew Neat) that had lots of fabric but it was all lost in the tornado and they didn’t build back as far as I know.
Edith says
Fabric Merchant. It was on Main Street. Modern, cheerful fabrics along with quite a few Australian fabrics.
Cilla says
What would you about Cat? He’d be lost without you.
Angie says
It all depends on how old and able you will be when you retire. Many people nowadays simply do not ‘retire’ because they like their jobs, or don’t have any other hobbies. Health issues are certainly a consideration when you retire. How close to medical facilities your retirement home will be. Now that we are old, and yes, retired. Looking back we should have never retired in the normal way people think of retirement. Worked as long as physically possible, and then moved to a retirement community that offers a lot of amenities. Now, here we are paying someone to run the weed eater, do some of the heavy gardening, (aka pruning) driveway up keep, cleaning. When you are your age you never think about those types of thing, but as the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s approach, or should I say happen! then you do. So, look for an easy upkeep home, close to medical care, and preferable close to family and dear friends. You never know what the future holds. I’m not sure why you want to live close to water. We do, and the mosquitos are awful. So, plan for a screen room!
Sherry V. says
I am glad to hear that I am not the only person who looks for houses even when moving is not in the picture, at least not at this moment!
You look in different areas than I do so I have fun checking out the places you mention.
We have looked into modular homes. . . .and have found 2 models that we love. . . .now if we could only find a piece of land without so many darn building restrictions!
Ranch Wife says
We have the same discussion around here. Our list includes at least a 3 mile dirt road, no neighbors, a creek, a barn, and a wrap around porch. And something we cab afford – which rules a lot of places out. LOL
Linda says
Hi Judy
Interesting your subject this morning and all the comments. It seems I am not the only one dreaming of a retirement home/location. At the moment, my kitchen is being completely remodeled/restored due to heavy water damage. The word ‘retire’ does not exist in my DH’s vocabulary. So being age 78, I’m insisting on age-related improvements, i.e. pullouts & turntables instead of shelves, a handy place to store my new step stool with the easy grip handlebar, etc. I’m looking for ways to continue the upgrading throughout the house, because it is likely that DH will continue to work until he drops. In which case, our senior/elderly/last years may be spent right here in this home. These improvements are my way of compensating, turning what we have into what will be more comfortable for those last years. The only thing I cannot change is a bit worrisome… we live near water. Big water. On a level with that big water. We cannot see it from our house, but we can hear it. It is very unlikely that it will flood, except that it did flood a bit this last spring. For the first time in 40 years. If I were to choose a house near water again, I would want it to be atop a cliff or hilltop, for safety’s sake. On the Chesapeake Bay, many years ago, we occasionally rented a summer house atop a high dune overlooking the bay. With water access. That was lovely. Something like that. So, even tho’ I expect and plan to finish out my years in this house, I still dream about the ‘perfect’ retirement house and location. As my mom used to say, ‘We’re all sisters under the skin.’ 🙂
Blessings!
Dianne Smith says
Closer to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dezertsuz says
Best of luck with your search. One of the reasons I liked living in a 5th wheel was that we could move it wherever the urge took us – lake front in Oklahoma today, mountain top in Arizona two days later, etc. Paul didn’t want a permanent place to be tied to, but I think that would be the best of both worlds. A place to go home to and a home to carry with me wherever I felt like going. I still think of doing that – we’ll see in a couple of years. I love to travel, and sitting in one spot is driving me crazy. LOL Whatever you do or don’t do, you know enough to love what it is you have.
Penny in CA says
I think it’s smart to plan ahead on retirement especially where you will live and it probably makes for interesting conversation!
Diana G says
Those reasons are the reason we are in the city we want to retire in. Only if we win the lottery (yeah fat chance), will we ever move again. His parents live 3 blocks from us and his brother lives a block and half away. His Aunt and step uncle live about 3 miles. I would want to move out further as they won’t travel to see people you have to go to them.
So we are here and probably will retire in this house. But we live in a high desert environment, weather has been wacky this year tho. Otherwise its fine with us (I ignore his family and do my own thing).
Patty says
My husband always wanted to retire to a house far enough out in the country that we could have a shooting range in the back. The house would be a one story with three bedroom, 3-4 car garage, room for a sewing room and on a paved road. We ended up with a two story on a gravel road near the top of a mountain no shooting range with a small two stall garage. We had to build a new two stall detached garage. I do have a wonderful sewing room and what people tell me is a million dollar view. Unfortunately he got cancer and died in February! I miss him terribly and find myself quite lost many times. I hope wherever you retire you have a long, long time to enjoy the things you have planned for years. I so have enjoyed sharing the journey with you!
Jan O says
Interesting how everyone’s retirement wishes are so different! My DH and I live in suburban St. Louis but we’re looking at 55+ resort communities near Phoenix AZ. My parents moved to Leisure World in the 1980’s and I always said that’s the kind of lifestyle I want when I grow up. We have 3+ years til retirement, but it’s good to start the research and have the conversations now. Then there’s the issue of downsizing our household, 39 nears of accumulated stuff, and the thought of sorting through it and figuring out how to get rid of much of it is daunting.
Good luck in your search!
Martha says
I have been following you for three years but never said anything before. I saw your blog once and I had just moved. I have very similar feelings about how we left our home and children back in DFW Texas and went to west Texas. While our lifestyles are different, I have had the same mixed feelings and impatience to return home so reading your blog is like therapy for me. Your retirement entry this day is also a discussion we had every day. I’m a knitter , cross stitcher, crocheted, and would be a spinner if there was someplace to learn how here before investing in a wheel.
Thank you for your blog and sharing. I am happy I’m not the only person with these feelings.