I have a large number of activities planned for my retirement, and have thought beyond just selling my house, moving north, buying another house, and becoming familiar with my new community (not to mention spending more time with Frank). I have a list of 20+ activities that I love or would love but never seem to have time to do. These range from birdwatching to taking up the piano again, growing roses again, becoming probably the very last baby boomer to complete a 10K, and much more.
From all I've read here, you're about the most prepared for RE of anyone I''ve read. Some people can be satisfied with retirement as a permanent vacation but you can't count on that. Frankly I don't really think anyone will be happy in retirement as an extended vacation - I think most of them were just so active outside their worklifes that they naturally fell in to their other activities without thinking about it - that is great, but you can't count on that. It's not a permanent vacation, it's another stage in life.
You must have activities to
retire to, not just
retire from --- or you risk boredom and disappointment. Working at a second career, part-time or even volunteer work are good options for some. Doesn't mean you have to work or do something to contribute to society, but you have to have activities that give your life meaning or you might not be happy -
that would be a shame. Your list of 20 activities is one of the smartest things you can do in advance, as long as they are not all finite activities (ie, paint the living room, sell the house, etc.). Some have to be lifelong or long-term activities, such as photography, gardening, golf, join a club, etc. And of course the to-do's and other activities can change throughout your life, not as if you have to decide by the day you walk out the (work) door.
And from what I've read, your finances are in order, good for you (really).
I noticed another piece of advice here that dawned on me recently too. DW and I have been madly trying to decide where to move to when we retire - had to know where before retiring. I have come to realize what's the need? If I decompress where I am now, take whatever time needed to get my house ready to sell and get it sold (whether that's 3 weeks or a year - so what), and research places to live when I'm retired and have more free time to do it - that's probably smart. You've said you're going to MO, but take your time, no need to rush off as quickly as possible. Go when everything is in order and
you are ready, whether that's in weeks or years.
I know I speak for many here in wishing you the best of luck...