Although I intend to ER in a few years, this post is about my parents who retired in their 50s and are now in their late 70s, early 80s.
Upon ER my parents had a very sound plan for their retirement including to investigate CCRC options throughout Germany; my parents both live there. Their plan was to sell their house and move into a CCRC facility in their 70s.
However, when the time came, they were more than reluctant to execute this plan. Instead, they suffered through multiple years of grocery shopping via bicycle, taking care of yard work and living/managing an oversized house; not to mention the awfully dangerous concrete staircase connecting the floors. To my siblings and I it was clear, the CCRC plan was abandoned, due to the fear of change, the concern of downsizing and loosing "precious" possessions and a general lethargy towards change.
It took significant "convincing" and "pressure" to guide my parents back onto their original plan. They finally agreed and have lived in a CCRC place for over two years now. They love it! They now live in a large city, with great public transportation. My mom often goes to the theater, she doesn't need to cook anymore and the grocery store is just 5 minutes by foot. My dad has a huge public park to enjoy and the car stays in the parking garage for months at a time.
Looking forward to my own retirement, I am concerned I may behave just as "illogical" when my time comes.
What is your experience? Any tips "up-front"?
Upon ER my parents had a very sound plan for their retirement including to investigate CCRC options throughout Germany; my parents both live there. Their plan was to sell their house and move into a CCRC facility in their 70s.
However, when the time came, they were more than reluctant to execute this plan. Instead, they suffered through multiple years of grocery shopping via bicycle, taking care of yard work and living/managing an oversized house; not to mention the awfully dangerous concrete staircase connecting the floors. To my siblings and I it was clear, the CCRC plan was abandoned, due to the fear of change, the concern of downsizing and loosing "precious" possessions and a general lethargy towards change.
It took significant "convincing" and "pressure" to guide my parents back onto their original plan. They finally agreed and have lived in a CCRC place for over two years now. They love it! They now live in a large city, with great public transportation. My mom often goes to the theater, she doesn't need to cook anymore and the grocery store is just 5 minutes by foot. My dad has a huge public park to enjoy and the car stays in the parking garage for months at a time.
Looking forward to my own retirement, I am concerned I may behave just as "illogical" when my time comes.
What is your experience? Any tips "up-front"?