Community Chat

[chrystaltree]

I don't think it's a matter of age, I think you start over somewhere new at any age.  I think it's matter of health,finances, family connections,  one's ability to make friends easily and where it is you intend to go.  We've been on some wonderful vacations over the years and I always think "this where I want to live when we retire".  It's because vacations are fun and worry free and we have all that vacation money to spend.  The reality of living somewhere new will not be vacation.  We intend retire at 70, before we had grandchildren (both are about year and half now) we thought we would retire to somewhere warm where the living is easy and homes and condos less expensive than they are here.  But the reality is that I don't want to be visiting grandmother.  I want to be a real part of grandchildren's lives, a hands on Nana.  The reality is that I don't make friends and easily as hubby does, I'm more reserved.  Also, I think the older we get, the harder it is to make true friends.  I'd be lonely, I'm sure, if I left my friends and sisters.  The reality is that while getting away from fridgid cold and snowy winters would be wonderful; every part of the country has it's weather problems.  110 degree summers,  hurricanes, floods, fires.  Moving means trading one bad thing for another bad thing.  There is no perfect place to live.  So, now we think that we'll spend the winter months somewhere that has milder weather and no snow;  January through April.  That's the thought now but retirement is 12 years away so who knows what we'll think then.

[RedTop]

Answering solely for my husband and I, the answer is yes.   We are the type of people who bloom where we are planted so to speak.   Our families were living in this local area before it became West Virginia in 1863.  Generations of our families have stayed right here with never a thought given to moving.   

I have visited, or vacationed in nice places that were fun to go to, but I would NEVER be satisfied to live anywhere but right here.   I’ve always felt that way, but feel even stronger about it now after participating here and learning many things about other cities and states.   I live a very peaceful, comfortable, easy life here.   I don’t have any hassles going to my DMV, post office, bank, pharmacy or grocery store.   I can get an appt with my medical doctor within 48 hours.   I retired from a top notch hospital and know where I can receive quality health care, and specialty care if needed.   

My husband and I flat out do not have an adventurous spirit to leave what we have and jump into something new somewhere else, for any reason.   We have raised two adventurous daughters, who always talked about moving to other states.   As they have traveled, and experienced life in different areas, each has come to realize the specialness of home, and appreciate living in the mountains of West Virginia.   

[Catiele]

We are still in the house that we raised our children in. We are here because we both love it. In the country at the end of a private road. Is it too big yes. The only way we would move is to a place near the ocean. It might happen as my son and his family live there. He would like us to be there so If we need him we would be close by. 

[Jordan2]

I think there is a time when it is too late to start over. My mother is 90, she would love to move, but I think at her age it would be too much for her. I guess though your as young as you feel, if someone has the means and energy enough to start over, I say why not!

[kelsey17]

We were in one place all our lives...then in our late 40's we moved across country (knowing relatives were there) and thought it would be better for us....needless to say 2yrs later we had an opportunity to come back to our home town.....we grabbed it and never regretted it..........i missed the feeling of being connected, memories, family still there....friends, connections, etc......won't be moving again...

[millieshops]

I think age is only one factor to consider.  Health comes into play for sure as does money.  So do a person's interests and even a person's own personality.  But people do start over at lots of ages, and some doing even when they don't move to new territory.  There just isn't only one answer.

[nana59]

just the thought of starting over is very overwhelming......

[Kitlynn]

I don't think there is an age limit at all on moving or trying something new for the first time in life. It does however depend on if you can afford it or not and your health permits it. A lot of people have the traveling bug while others just are content to be where they are. For some it is a mixture.

[jeanlake]

I think there's a pro/con calculation people make about living arrangements. Some people are anchored while others take flight. 

I wanted to downsize to a new, maintenance provided neighborhood once my last child graduated from high school. Eleven years later, husband finally agreed to make the move. Now we're discussing future retirement plans. Sometimes I entertain retirement in another city, perhaps an active retirement community. Husband is  grounded and involved here. Siblings and parents (80s) live ten minutes from us. The best compromise we can come up with is renting a condo for three months of winter in a costal city we agree on. Husband has concrete shoes. 

[Karie2022]

I think it just depends on the person...sometimes it’s just nice to be somewhere familiar...and that’s coming from someone that moved a lot....I know as my parents age it would be hard for them to move, finding new drs, new grocery stores, all the things that go along with that would be very stressful for them...it’s just not in the cards anymore...