Well, we met with our financial advisor again today. Those who did not want me to consider a CCRC will be happy to know he has reversed course and feels it is NOT the best option for us. Not that we could not afford it, but he feels it would be better to purchase a home/condo at this point in our lives. Not sure I agree with him, but I am fearful he is right so I am paying him and will listen to his advice.
Sooooo- the reservation for the stay and tour at the CCRC have been cancelled and we were actually able to get an inexpensive rental at our Pollard Brook resort for the same dates via a VRI spring sale, so as not to lose a getaway, which we could use.
We also asked him to run numbers so my husband could retire the end of this year instead of waiting until next year. This will enable us to implement the financial plan, take care of health insurance for both of us and so forth and then after tax season concentrate on putting the house up for sale. It will also save him from commuting in the winter.
So- back to retirement communities. As discussed with the FA, we really need a place where we do not have to deal with a lot of home maintenance issues, not just lawn and plowing. I am talking about the outside of the home itself- the roof and siding and windows and so on. Not sure if there are retirement communities like that- 55+ resort types.
We do want to be in New England badly because we know it and are comfortable there- climate and all. We know NH (and VT) well and know we would liek living there overall. But there is so little around and out of the choices not many are affordable- at least in our price range. Plus many do not have all the amenities. Like a pool- indoor and outdoor- important to me. Gyms also. Activities. Etc.
A realtor sent me a few listings today in NH- a little above our price range but the issue - only 6 miles from the race car track! Ummmm...... no. Who the heck builds a 55+ community near a race track??!!
Anywhere else we would move, how would we know we would REALLY like it? I mean- it is one thing to visit for a few days or when you are on vacation; it is another to live there. Lots of people retire to places they have never been and discover this and then move back or to somewhere else seeking nirvana.
Actually, if we did not HAVE to move due to the seclusion of the home, we would probably be best off financially just staying here in our paid off home. But not a good option as we get older so best to move sooner rather than later while we still can. I can see now why most people do not move in retirement, especially if they have friends and family nearby.
We want a one level home/condo- UPDATED and BRIGHT- with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, central ac, laundry also on the main level, and a garage.
We need a mid range price no more than $300,000 if we can help it, hopefully much less. Low HOA fees if there has to be any. Low property/school taxes- at least lower than we have now.
We do not play golf but I happen to really like being around golf courses. I just like the landscape and the quiet. For a while I was even considering The Villages. Then I remembered I heard it gets really crowded. We hate big crowds. We hate flying so I know we would nto want to hop on a plane to visit our son or other family for holidays and so on. We also do not like driving more than 8 hours. LOL!
And- what about our timeshares which are now drive-able? If we move really far away, we would have to give those up as we won't fly to them every year. The one in NH allows day use of the facilities for owners.
My husband's biggest hobby is the shooting range and hunting at a lesser level. He also likes to putter. He is not as social as I am. He does not like the beach either. I like reading and the pool/lake/ocean and exercising and socializing and sightseeing and so on. I guess I might join a game of something or other maybe or a club of some sort. I don't play tennis nor do I want to.
We both hate high heat and humidity and tornadoes and hurricanes. We both love Fall. We love mountains and wildlife.
We don't like gators or reptiles or huge bugs. We like the warm blooded animals. Fish we are ok with. Ha! Ha!
We would like some cultural activities in the area- maybe like a college town with an arts center and nice library. Also- good medical care nearby.
I don't think a place exists for us.
