My one year "trial retirement"

[Frugalityisthenewblack]

It's one month completed of my "trial retirement"...and I am loving it! Did lots of travelling the first month. This month living in a travel trailer near a river where we canoe/kayak. Peaceful, serene, near bike trails too. I will get lots of reading done.
Next month we will move into our condo and for the next ten montsh live the "downsized" life in a vibrant city on the ocean; walking distance to just about everything. Doing more travelling as well during that time.
Eleven months from now I will return to work, but I will have a much better idea of how I want to retire, where I want to retire and how much money I will need to retire and live the lifestyle of my choice.

I've always worked since age 14 either part-time as a student or full time. Being able to sleep in every morning if I wanted was kind of a strange feeling at first. I kept waking up at my usual 5 am, as my previous job I was out the door before 6am, so it is a hard habit to break....but ...ahhh...I am getting used to it now

[eytonxav]

Ah, looks like your doing some very good pre-RE planning. While I'm not retired yet, I am on that same wake up go to work schedule as you and wonder if I will ever be able to sleep in once retired. Enjoy your next 11 months!

[Frugalityisthenewblack]

I lived out of my suitcase the first month, travelling. We're living in a 22 foot trailer next month (176 square feet) then to a 1,000 sq feet condo. Already I am thinking for my permanent retirement I will be buying a different place. One with a second bathroom. During my retirement I will want to be able to have guests stay...and only one bathroom is sometimes inconvienient for a two bedroom place.

[ejman]

I took a year off way back in 1990 (age 40 at that time) to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my working life. Lived in a coastal city in northern California (O.K. just south of San Francisco) Long bike rides and walking on the beach and hiking many coastal trails took a lot of my time. Over the course of that year I came to realize that what I wanted to do with the rest of my working life was not working it. I reoriented everything to ER and fortunately at age 52 was able to do it. Highly recommended.

[Koogie]

Hey "Marg", are you from down east or did you move there for this early retirement ? I ask because we are considering early retirement in a year and a half and are casting around for different low cost areas in Canada (currently in the GTA).

[Frugalityisthenewblack]

I can highly recommend Halifax as a retirement destination. I bought a two bedroom condo (new) there about three years ago, paid 230,000. It is 10-15 minute walk to a very vibrant pub/music scene. DH is retired, so we will keep a place in Ontario (until I retire at least). We are both from Ontario and found Nova Scotia a favorite holiday destination . The great outdoors and ocean are at your doorstep. Reasonable taxes (I think), nice parks, nice people. A big city with a small town attitude...very multicultural too...Lots of different ethnic restaurants.
Grocerys, beer, gas is more expensive than GTA...But I plan to walk most places have an urban garden.

[Koogie]

I do like Halifax and enjoy visiting (a friend used to live there). Will you be there during the winters though ? Bone chilling. And somewhat isolated in the fact that is a long drive or airplane ride to get out of the Maritimes (don't get me wrong.. that could be a plus or minus !!) As Ontarians, what made you choose that instead of a lower cost are here (if that is not to nosy).

[Frugalityisthenewblack]

Koogie,
The 'Fax has the best trad music scene this side of Dublin, if you're into celtic music. And I am! Every night of the week, winter or summer. So winter's are enjoyable there for me. When I retire permanently I intend to travel south during the coldest months and be a snowbird.

[superdave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koogie I do like Halifax and enjoy visiting (a friend used to live there). Will you be there during the winters though ? Bone chilling. And somewhat isolated in the fact that is a long drive or airplane ride to get out of the Maritimes (don't get me wrong.. that could be a plus or minus !!) As Ontarians, what made you choose that instead of a lower cost are here (if that is not to nosy).

I am from Halifax as well. Probably colder in Ontario during the winter, as the ocean acts as a heater to some extent. Most retirees I know have saved up, maybe , 35K and purchased a second winter home in Florida anyway

[Frugalityisthenewblack]

I have an aunt who lives near Halifax and she was always able to harvest vegetables out of her garden long past when the frost killed everything in Ontario, so I noticed , yes the winters are milder due to the ocean effect. I used to think I would have a second home Florida or Texas, now I think I will just rent, and leave the options open where I go each year.

[Milton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdave I am from Halifax as well. Probably colder in Ontario during the winter, as the ocean acts as a heater to some extent.

I spent several years in Halifax and don't remember the winters as being particularly bad. All in all it is a nice place to live.