As retirement gets closer, we keep weighing our options and talking and probably overthinking about all the possible locations. We’re now working with a realtor in Louisiana to see what we can find there. I had always thought we would move back to the Lake Charles area but I doubt that happens. When you’re living somewhere or even living with someone, you don’t notice subtle changes over time but when you go back to an area that you haven’t spent much time in for 20+ years, or you see an old friend you haven’t seen in 20+ years, you notice huge changes.
Vince and I keep talking about whether we just stay here for a while. My suggestion is to visit the three main areas we’re talking about for retirement, check out the real estate . . not so much what’s available right now but just in general. Some areas I look at the real estate for sale and over half of the houses in our price range look like places I could live. Other areas, I look at houses and not much appeals to me.
We’re getting older so we’ve talked about having less acreage but then I see houses and rooftops when I look out the windows on some of the houses for sale and I don’t know, if for us, that’s a very good quality of life.
Baker Creek Catalog
And then the Baker Creek catalog arrives and despite saying I’m not having a garden again, I’m itching to have a garden.
And then, if I’m going to have a garden, we need a well for watering.
And then we look at the houses and realize, unless we go to MO where we can have a basement, we’d probably have to add a room for a craft room.
And then I think about that amazing Carrier air conditioner we installed last year and the solar panels and then I think about having a huge electric bill somewhere else.
And then . . we’re right back to . . why don’t we just stay here!
Sometimes I wish we’d never moved here and wish we’d never found a nice little house on 45 acres with water wells and planted fruit trees and made the garden spot and added the chicken coops.
The last thing I want to do is move and then wish we were back here.
But, we may go look at places in Louisiana in a few weeks and find the perfect spot and know that’s the place we want to be for retirement but if we don’t find the perfect spot, life is pretty good in Texas. I think a good place to be in life right now is . . if we stay, that’s good; if we go, that’s good.
Cilla Tyler says
Plus think about Cat! You can’t leave her alone.
Judy Laquidara says
I would never leave her alone. My closest neighbor would take her.
Kate says
Judy, I understand – we are there, too ! And I believe interest rates are going to head up soon.
Good luck to you.
Karen Goad says
just take your time and don’t rush it – you don’t have to move the minute Vince retires after all – make sure it is what you want
Judy Laquidara says
No, we don’t have to but if we know where we want to go, we want to get on with the next chapter of our lives and not sit and wait. One of the “hurry up” issues is that we need to buy a car and we’re not buying a car til we get a garage and there’s no garage here and no easy way to add one.
Dar says
Carport? Quonset hut? Not ideal maybe but… Or, figure out a way to do a proper garage. Or, don’t listen to me because I’m famous for trying to fit square pegs into round holes! LOL (just ask my husband!) ;-D
Melody A. says
it is a conundrum, I am back and forth about what to do and where to go, should I stay where I am and if so which property should I keep, or sell everything and do something totally different !!! so I understand what you are going through. I would make a list of pros and cons for every place. which is what I am doing. If there are any health issues it is best if you can live all on one level. I agree with the lady above, take your time. You will know when it is right. Happy Holidays from Iowa
Judy Laquidara says
I don’t want a house with upstairs (bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.) but I do want a basement. That’s why we’re trying to do the investigation now . . so we’re ready to make decision once Vince retires. But, we’re ok with staying if that’s what seems right.
Joyce says
Re-read this post in the middle of July when it is blazing hot and dry, and Louisiana will start looking really good again…LOL
Toni in TN says
The one thing I wished we had paid more attention to when hubby retired was good, close by medical care. This small town is down to only two internist and two DO’s. The rest have left due to the local hospital 15 miles away being so badly managed. We now drive 30 miles to see our doctor. In ten more years we won’t be able to do that. Here we are at 74 and 77 thinking about moving.
The Eclectic Abuela says
I got my Baker Creek catalog today–dreaming of gardening!
cassews says
No garden for me this year … I need to replenish the soil and rework it all, plus do some repair work on the raised gardens. I will just go to the local Farmers Market in June and get what I need thru October for salsas, canning tomatoes, peaches,jellies & jams etc…
Besides this coming up year is the year I need to replace 2 roses and make sure all the rest of the roses are getting some care. I want to plant more Irises. AND there is my poor grape vines-they need more attention that they received last year. So I need to take the time for the rest of the yard then in 2019 start a garden.
I guess talking to the plants is a good thing, I am sure my neighbors think I am the crazy plant lady, Which IF I plant more roses that means we are staying here for a while. I just wish I didn’t have neighbors so close, even tho I mind my own business.
Susan says
Fortunately, there’s no deadline. =)
Nelle Coursey says
You know there is container gardening don’t you? I hate for you to have to leave us but I understand! There is a lot more I need to learn from you! LOL