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Ideas of Retirement Moves vs Extended Vacations to Explore various regions of the U.S.
powercropper
1799 replies77 threads Senior Member
in Parent Cafe
We are a long married couple about to become empty nesters. I have always thought moving to the beach would be a fun idea, but the reality of leaving friends, neighbors, church family, doctors, etc. makes a move seem less ideal now that we are actually staring at the finish line of parenting. (Our youngest goes off to college in August. Oldest has graduated college, married, and gainfully employed.) We will be supporting youngest child financially through college with money from our current earnings.
If money was not an issue, I could easily see us renting in a different location each fall, a month or two at a time. My H works FT, and can work anywhere he has reliable internet. But money is an issue, so we would need to either rent out our home (we have paid off our mortgage) or scale back with a long term Airbnb type rental. Would probably have to settle for a less ideal rental location, smaller place, etc. Thinking we could use long weekends to explore both locally and take day trips within the region.
I am looking for stories from people who have enjoyed empty nest travel in different ways, or how you went about choosing another location to move to permanently.
99 replies If money was not an issue, I could easily see us renting in a different location each fall, a month or two at a time. My H works FT, and can work anywhere he has reliable internet. But money is an issue, so we would need to either rent out our home (we have paid off our mortgage) or scale back with a long term Airbnb type rental. Would probably have to settle for a less ideal rental location, smaller place, etc. Thinking we could use long weekends to explore both locally and take day trips within the region.
I am looking for stories from people who have enjoyed empty nest travel in different ways, or how you went about choosing another location to move to permanently.
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Replies to: Ideas of Retirement Moves vs Extended Vacations to Explore various regions of the U.S.
Perhaps instead of a month or two at a time, you could do 2 weeks? This worked for my parents.
Then I’d make my personal list—where are the docs? How far to shopping? Taxes? Cost of living? Etc.
We are coming to the realization that a drastic move is not our style. So we are exploring ways to enjoy empty nest without actually moving. I was hoping to hear stories of how others have used their free time after raising children.
I get stuck in my thinking, and CC parents have always surprised me with new/different ways of getting outside the box. I am trying to figure out what would make me happy in empty nest, if moving away to an area closer to a beach is not a realistic choice for us. My H is working full time (entire company works remotely around the world), plus has a side business and several seasonal referee jobs. It is possible to travel around hitting tournaments and H working a 3-4 day event.
If there was a way to downsize in our current community, could we keep a small "home base" but still travel to see friends and family, sight see, etc., within the constraints of H working along the way?
So I am not looking for "where should I move to" but more stories of "this is how life looked different for me as I transitioned from active parenting to empty nest".
My H and I enjoy going to small venue live music events. Especially listening rooms, where the focus is on the music, and there is not talking in the audience. We like to be near or have a good view of mountains, lakes, oceans. Sitting on a porch in a comfy rocking chair with a view and a good cup of coffee in the morning is a treat.
We love nature but currently have physical issues that require us to enjoy nature in small bits, so no long hikes. We prefer deep friendships with fewer people, but enjoy playing card and board games and could meet up with folks along the way who enjoy that type of activity.
Anyway, this friend liked the experience so much he and his wife will be doing it again later this summer. Renting a cheap place for a month in the country in Italy, and renting out his house to a family doing a big home remodeling project. .
I have several family members that are AIRBNB hosts. One built a new home. Over the garage there is a unit they rent out year round. They also rent out their main residence at times when they travel, going abroad for a month or so at a time. These set ups not only pay for their trips but pay for their mortgage as well. The couple is in their 30s/40s.
Another family member has an apt in their home with a separate entrance. They used to lease on an annual basis. Now they use AIRBNB and rent out for vacation and business travel. It pays the mortgage on the entire house.
Just examples of ways to make the finances work.
We've found that many campgrounds overseas also have self-contained cabins. These run less than a hotel and we can cook. Has been a cost-effective way to travel for us.
Our new place won’t have a mortgage.
We then plan to take 4-8 week jaunts over the winter months to different places. If we like a place, we will go back...but this gives us the freedom to try lots of different places, but not lose the connections we have here. There are so many places where you can rent for a month or two...and that is far less costly than owning a second home someplace. We have friends who have been doing this for years...and they have been to San Diego, Santa Fe, San Antonio, Key West, Charleston, Savannah, Sedona, Seattle, Portland Or, New Zealand, France...lots of choices.
We would not rent our regular home while we were gone.
It's an issue for us. Currently, we travel separately to visit our children and other friends and family.
The only ones I know who love their “second home” bought in convenient tourist type towns or very close. And they bought condos or super small places so they could lock the door when they leave and forget it. They picked spots that they kept going back to could get to easily from home base.
I know one couple who sold their home and moved to a smaller one closer to the local airport since they liked to travel so much.
I’d look at local airlines and see the routes they offer.