Enjoying Retirement
Discussion
98elise said:
worldwidewebs said:
Logged off for the last time this morning - laptop is boxed up and now waiting for DHL to collect. 45 mins into retirement. Finally...
Similar to my last day. It was during covid so the whole team were WFH. It felt strange to end my working life by sticking my laptop in a box and giving it to a courier. No leaving beers, no fanfare, no goodbyes to colleagues. RichB said:
98elise said:
worldwidewebs said:
Logged off for the last time this morning - laptop is boxed up and now waiting for DHL to collect. 45 mins into retirement. Finally...
Similar to my last day. It was during covid so the whole team were WFH. It felt strange to end my working life by sticking my laptop in a box and giving it to a courier. No leaving beers, no fanfare, no goodbyes to colleagues. A few times I was asked if I wanted to do a goodbye “ zoom “ though.
My CEO at the time also said if I wanted to come up to London he would buy me dinner.
rdjohn said:
Mr Magooagain said:
Looks like you’re having a great time Rodger! Glad it all worked out for you.
I hope that you are also settling into a nice steady groove. Going to France for the first 17-years was the perfect step from working flat-chat, full time to being busy doing nothing, in particular.
Rob 131 Sport said:
What made you want to leave France. I often considered France as a retirement destination. However in recent years when I retire I think we’ll stay in the UK and just have longer holidays.
We certainly did not fall out of love with France, we are still taking holidays there.We were 54 when we retired from proper work. We never envisaged living life from one holiday to the next. We do not have kids and so were really planning what we would do for the next stage of our lives. In 1990 we went to Le Mans and the Monday after we arrived in Saumur and thought it would be a great place to retire to. That initiated the dream.
In 2000, we bought a place in the hills behind Marbella and so the big plan crystallised, we would live in France during the summer, and rent out holiday homes to couples like ourselves and spend winters in Spain.
We bought land, a 6500m2 piece of vineyard and I designed a house for us, plus 3 to rent. We moved to France in April 2005. Our business was pretty successful and my wife’s pension alone is sufficient for a good standard of living. The place in Spain had been perfect for holidays, but living there in winters was far from perfect and so we sold it in 2006 and rented on the coast thereafter.
I had designed the house open plan so thinking ahead for even wheelchair living. We had a spare house to employ a carer. This seemed sustainable until Covid came along. With no visitors and confined it made us realise that the reality was to go shopping, or a restaurant we had to drive 14km, unlikely to be sustainable if we make it into late 80s.
That is why we bought a nice place in town, on the coast in Spain and sold-up in France. We now also have a nice apartment in the UK, were if one of us is gone and the other has a zimmer frame we can still get into the town centre and visit restaurants.
I think it is also fair to say that by trying to live in two places, we did not truly adapt to living in France. By contrast Mr Magooagain is fully immersed in his community - essential in a rural area.
I would not deter anyone from living in France, they still have a health service to be proud of, while I honestly feel that we will be failed in the UK, just at that point in life when we may need it. But you do need to embrace your lifestyle choice with open arms. Our neighbours were fantastic and always helped when asked, but we failed to become fully integrated.
At the end of the day, we were born Townies and now live as Townies.
Very good point about being townies..
At 76 I have an old Victorian house in Toronto and a modern one story place in Arizona. In both places there is convenient access to all services and the Arizona house is a big flat floor plate. Eventually the Toronto house with three flights of stairs will be difficult to manage and will have to go; probably a condo, though my doctor who is the same age downsized to a smaller place and installed an elevator..
Certainly the next few years will necessarily involve getting rid of a bunch of hardcore sports cars. Can’t really see myself doing Spa at 80. There are realities of ageing as you have rightly pointed out.
Have thought of a European house but will more likely just visit my son who lives in Malta and is looking for a place in Portugal so we can swap now and then.
At 76 I have an old Victorian house in Toronto and a modern one story place in Arizona. In both places there is convenient access to all services and the Arizona house is a big flat floor plate. Eventually the Toronto house with three flights of stairs will be difficult to manage and will have to go; probably a condo, though my doctor who is the same age downsized to a smaller place and installed an elevator..
Certainly the next few years will necessarily involve getting rid of a bunch of hardcore sports cars. Can’t really see myself doing Spa at 80. There are realities of ageing as you have rightly pointed out.
Have thought of a European house but will more likely just visit my son who lives in Malta and is looking for a place in Portugal so we can swap now and then.
RichB said:
Ed Moses said:
Looks like a crime scene from Naked Gun! Bonefish Blues said:
RichB said:
Crime against floor coverings
Somebody said:
Just back from 3 weeks in Thailand. Went to Hua Hin for the beach and seafood, Bridge over the river Kwai death rail, then Bangkok and floating and railway markets.
Hearing Christmas songs and seeing sales people in Christmassy gear in "MerryVille" felt somewhat surreal in that heat.
Looks great. Apart from one new year in Spain I've never been abroad this close to Christmas, so I guess it would be a little strange with the heat. Hearing Christmas songs and seeing sales people in Christmassy gear in "MerryVille" felt somewhat surreal in that heat.
Just back from playing our first of three pre-Christmas gigs. Really lovely crowd (many would be potential members on this thread I reckon), very friendly and have asked us back next spring and also asked if we'd be interested in playing on New Year's Eve...might make a change from just watching Jools Holland on the telly.
They had cameras so they could show the stage on various TVs around the place, so I've also been on telly tonight.
Time to unwind with a G&T at home.
@Oldskool. Was it you that was standing in on the vocals also? How did it go for you? Must’ve been nerve wrecking!
In Magoo retirement news we we went and collected this 2007 tipper truck with only 50,000 KLM’s on the clock yesterday morning. We’ve a fair few projects lined up here at home that needs stuff carting about so it should come in handy like.
In Magoo retirement news we we went and collected this 2007 tipper truck with only 50,000 KLM’s on the clock yesterday morning. We’ve a fair few projects lined up here at home that needs stuff carting about so it should come in handy like.
Mr Magooagain said:
@Oldskool. Was it you that was standing in on the vocals also? How did it go for you? Must’ve been nerve wrecking!
In Magoo retirement news we we went and collected this 2007 tipper truck with only 50,000 KLM’s on the clock yesterday morning. We’ve a fair few projects lined up here at home that needs stuff carting about so it should come in handy like.
That looks great, always fancied a tipper.In Magoo retirement news we we went and collected this 2007 tipper truck with only 50,000 KLM’s on the clock yesterday morning. We’ve a fair few projects lined up here at home that needs stuff carting about so it should come in handy like.
I bought an old truck for moving stuff, it has a winch on the front and a tow bar, it has proved incredibly useful for all sorts of things. I don’t mind what I throw into it as it is already old and used, I even took the back seats out for extra storage and carrying stuff.
Plus with the weather we get having a proper high/low 4 wheel drive system is a bonus.
Pictured here carrying a handy load of snow!
rdjohn said:
Rob 131 Sport said:
What made you want to leave France. I often considered France as a retirement destination. However in recent years when I retire I think we’ll stay in the UK and just have longer holidays.
We certainly did not fall out of love with France, we are still taking holidays there.We were 54 when we retired from proper work. We never envisaged living life from one holiday to the next. We do not have kids and so were really planning what we would do for the next stage of our lives. In 1990 we went to Le Mans and the Monday after we arrived in Saumur and thought it would be a great place to retire to. That initiated the dream.
In 2000, we bought a place in the hills behind Marbella and so the big plan crystallised, we would live in France during the summer, and rent out holiday homes to couples like ourselves and spend winters in Spain.
We bought land, a 6500m2 piece of vineyard and I designed a house for us, plus 3 to rent. We moved to France in April 2005. Our business was pretty successful and my wife’s pension alone is sufficient for a good standard of living. The place in Spain had been perfect for holidays, but living there in winters was far from perfect and so we sold it in 2006 and rented on the coast thereafter.
I had designed the house open plan so thinking ahead for even wheelchair living. We had a spare house to employ a carer. This seemed sustainable until Covid came along. With no visitors and confined it made us realise that the reality was to go shopping, or a restaurant we had to drive 14km, unlikely to be sustainable if we make it into late 80s.
That is why we bought a nice place in town, on the coast in Spain and sold-up in France. We now also have a nice apartment in the UK, were if one of us is gone and the other has a zimmer frame we can still get into the town centre and visit restaurants.
I think it is also fair to say that by trying to live in two places, we did not truly adapt to living in France. By contrast Mr Magooagain is fully immersed in his community - essential in a rural area.
I would not deter anyone from living in France, they still have a health service to be proud of, while I honestly feel that we will be failed in the UK, just at that point in life when we may need it. But you do need to embrace your lifestyle choice with open arms. Our neighbours were fantastic and always helped when asked, but we failed to become fully integrated.
At the end of the day, we were born Townies and now live as Townies.
Rob 131 Sport said:
Interesting story and thanks for sharing. One of the stipulations I’ve always had for any move abroad in retirement is that we must rent in the proposed area for at least a year prior to purchasing anything.
That is probably decent advice for anyone moving *anywhere* in retirement!Well done on the gig, OldSkool, I bet it was a blast. Surprised you were posting so soon after, I always assumed the band went on to the after party with all the groupies
We managed to ‘hoover up’ (mow) the many leaves and willow branches down here, & set a trap for MrMole before he can destroy the lawn again….but generally a relaxed week ahead for us on the IOW.
Toying with ‘investing’ £2k in a lifetime joint NT membership, now we are both over 60. Give us the chance for maximum value out of it in the (hopefully!) many years ahead.
Mr Magooagain said:
@Oldskool. Was it you that was standing in on the vocals also? How did it go for you? Must’ve been nerve wrecking!
Yes, we haven't got a singer now as she moved and it's too much of a pain to pick her up as she doesn't drive. A couple of my friends came along, plus my wife, so it's always good to have some friendly faces to look out at, but the crowd were up dancing on the first song, so that helps clear any nerves. Got another booking from them out of it. mikeiow said:
Well done on the gig, OldSkool, I bet it was a blast. Surprised you were posting so soon after, I always assumed the band went on to the after party with all the groupies
Toying with ‘investing’ £2k in a lifetime joint NT membership, now we are both over 60. Give us the chance for maximum value out of it in the (hopefully!) many years ahead.
Well my 'groupie' came with me, so our party was back at home. Toying with ‘investing’ £2k in a lifetime joint NT membership, now we are both over 60. Give us the chance for maximum value out of it in the (hopefully!) many years ahead.
My Dad & Step Mum had a lifetime membership, though sadly left it a bit late (after years of buying annual ones) so they didn't really get the benefit from it, so it's good you're looking at getting it at 60.
OldSkoolRS said:
Well my 'groupie' came with me, so our party was back at home.
My Dad & Step Mum had a lifetime membership, though sadly left it a bit late (after years of buying annual ones) so they didn't really get the benefit from it, so it's good you're looking at getting it at 60.
Houseparty….wasn't that a terrible TV show back in the day?!My Dad & Step Mum had a lifetime membership, though sadly left it a bit late (after years of buying annual ones) so they didn't really get the benefit from it, so it's good you're looking at getting it at 60.
Yeah, the NT thing does feel like something that could easily pay for itself over the 20-40 years ahead. Here on the Island they own a fair number of places, and car parks too….Leicestershire is a bit of a barren NT area, but lots doable with day trips, etc…..& we always say we want to see more of the UK. It could become a theme to mini-breaks!
mikeiow said:
Houseparty….wasn't that a terrible TV show back in the day?!
Yeah, the NT thing does feel like something that could easily pay for itself over the 20-40 years ahead. Here on the Island they own a fair number of places, and car parks too….Leicestershire is a bit of a barren NT area, but lots doable with day trips, etc…..& we always say we want to see more of the UK. It could become a theme to mini-breaks!
You can download the NT App and it will give you all the details of places near where you are, or you can put in a location (I think) to see what's near where you plan to go. I had an annual membership many years ago and made it a bit of a theme for various breaks too. Can't remember how many sites we had to visit to 'break even' but it wasn't that many, so we got our money's worth at the time. Yeah, the NT thing does feel like something that could easily pay for itself over the 20-40 years ahead. Here on the Island they own a fair number of places, and car parks too….Leicestershire is a bit of a barren NT area, but lots doable with day trips, etc…..& we always say we want to see more of the UK. It could become a theme to mini-breaks!
skeeterm5 said:
Mr Magooagain said:
@Oldskool. Was it you that was standing in on the vocals also? How did it go for you? Must’ve been nerve wrecking!
In Magoo retirement news we we went and collected this 2007 tipper truck with only 50,000 KLM’s on the clock yesterday morning. We’ve a fair few projects lined up here at home that needs stuff carting about so it should come in handy like.
That looks great, always fancied a tipper.In Magoo retirement news we we went and collected this 2007 tipper truck with only 50,000 KLM’s on the clock yesterday morning. We’ve a fair few projects lined up here at home that needs stuff carting about so it should come in handy like.
I bought an old truck for moving stuff, it has a winch on the front and a tow bar, it has proved incredibly useful for all sorts of things. I don’t mind what I throw into it as it is already old and used, I even took the back seats out for extra storage and carrying stuff.
Plus with the weather we get having a proper high/low 4 wheel drive system is a bonus.
Pictured here carrying a handy load of snow!
In the tipper deal yesterday came six(6) new tyres.
The old pickup owes us nothing but it’s a bit tired now so the tipper will help in not using the trailer so much.
OldSkoolRS said:
Looks great. Apart from one new year in Spain I've never been abroad this close to Christmas, so I guess it would be a little strange with the heat.
Just back from playing our first of three pre-Christmas gigs. Really lovely crowd (many would be potential members on this thread I reckon), very friendly and have asked us back next spring and also asked if we'd be interested in playing on New Year's Eve...might make a change from just watching Jools Holland on the telly.
They had cameras so they could show the stage on various TVs around the place, so I've also been on telly tonight.
Time to unwind with a G&T at home.
Well done OldSkool for stepping up. Just back from playing our first of three pre-Christmas gigs. Really lovely crowd (many would be potential members on this thread I reckon), very friendly and have asked us back next spring and also asked if we'd be interested in playing on New Year's Eve...might make a change from just watching Jools Holland on the telly.
They had cameras so they could show the stage on various TVs around the place, so I've also been on telly tonight.
Time to unwind with a G&T at home.
Nothing quite like a live band.
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