I did a post awhile back about things I will miss when we (finally) move. (see post Link here) I was encouraged to also look at things I’m looking forward to in this next big retirement transition.
We’ve been thinking about this move for a couple of years. We originally had it further out in the retirement vision, but things change (see blog link talking about that here). As it’s becoming more real (house is sold, movers are booked, boxes being packed, final dinners with friends happening), the bittersweet nature of the move is hitting hard.
It’s exciting to see this list of “what I’m looking forward to” is quite long! It will form the basis of my seasonal action plans and my new habits formation (start as you mean to go) as well as put a large focus on intentional connections activities. Lack of connections was the big factor in me originally not wanting to move. But in my retirement transition, I learned some approaches to help build connections and will put them into action with this new transition.
- Plan bi-monthly Tourist in Own Town excursions
- Puttering in the garden & learn a new ecosystem – succulents in pots, plants in containers, garden visits, nursery visits
- Shuffleboard dates – league?
- Explore philanthropic opportunities – 100 Women Who Care, FreeFall Theater, other?
- Getting house set – pendant lights, explore kitchen renovation, set up reading area, new outdoor dining table
- Hosting dinners/gatherings – home movie night, house warming with neighbors, craft afternoons?
- Engage in local Book Club, Garden Club, and Ladies Group; form a new Mid-Week Foodies Club
- Be active – Get on SUP and kayak, go to Beach Yoga, plan bike rides
- Become a local – Wednesday Morning Market, join local library, and find our “go to dinner place”
Yes, there are things, activities, and people I will miss, but I am excited to be starting this new stage of our lives.
Have you made a big move in your retirement? Any advice or watch-outs for me?
Picture: The house we are leaving (marketing picture)
retirementtransition 
Ah Pat, I always enjoy reading your thoughts and this post was no exception. We did our big change move over 6 years ago and whilst we have not got a house of our own here (we rent) we have found the infrastructure we both need for our health. Best GPs and so on. There is such a load on general practitioners in areas that have a high ratio of retirees as we are that finding a great doctor means for us, staying relatively local to him. I love though that I am 20 minutes from the coast and less than 2 hours from the big city we left…where family still live.
I am so enjoying your posts…
Thank you for sharing your post for Life This Week. I am always appreciative of the blogging community and you are one of those people in my blogging life. Next week, the optional prompt is Taking Stock. The new set of prompts is on my home page should you want to follow. Looking forward to see you again next week hopefully too. Denyse
LikeLiked by 1 person
Denyse, for the first time, your prompt really resonated with me! Of course, I’m off schedule for posting as my mind is juggling things (sell, donate, give-away, pack, new insurance policies, change of address, last meter readings… ack!). But I will post a Taking Stock post (and link it). I’ve enjoying “meeting” some new folks with your link-up.
I sighed at your “2 hours” to family. We are moving 900 miles. Already we’ve been asked when are we coming back to visit, and I’m not sure. Part of us making the move was because I didn’t like the back & forth!
LikeLike
When we made our big move 4 years ago it was the looking forward to list that I concentrated on – sure, there were some teething problems, but on the whole its been a fabulous adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL… I’m gonna think about that phrase now – teething problems! I am sure we will have those.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got married, combined households and moved last year. Moving is a lot of work. My advice is to allow yourselves a lot of grace and get some rest! Don’t worry if things don’t go exactly as planned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tracey, I am really, really trying to follow that advice! Thing not going as planned – oh yeah. Don’t worry – not so much! But I am giving myself some grace, and trying to not beat myself up (like the fact I have no responded to comments on blogs all week!). Appreciate your advice… and OMG – what a big shift for you amidst the pandemic!!
LikeLike
Hi Pat, I’ve not moved house for many years and have no plans to do so, but you never know do you? I wish you well as you wind down your current life and enter a new world of opportunities. I’m glad you’ve shared your list of what you’re looking forward to, it bodes well! #lifethisweek
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad so many encouraged me to write this post. It was (is) helpful as we wind down our time in our old location. All the goodbyes have been heart-wrenching!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Pat! I don’t doubt that you will make the most of your new home once you get there. You are so very good at planning and sure to find lots to keep you happy and busy. Do you have any idea of how your new “neighbors” are doing on the vaccination process? That would be the only thing that might require an adjustment on your part. Much as we want the whole pandemic thing to be over with, it isn’t (think of Michigan!) Hopefully for us all more and more people get vaccinated so that we can arrive at true herd immunity and carry on with our futures. ~Kathy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kathy, When we were there in February and vaccinations were beginning most or our neighbors and acquaintances (and hopefully new friends) were all in the searching mode to get the vaccine. Remember when we were all jealous of those who secured appointment shots? Even as I’ve done some final meet-ups here, the “Are you vaccinated?” question is easily asked before a plan is made. (so far only one “no” and I eased out of that meeting.) That will continue!
LikeLike
I think it is so important to make a list like yours anytime we embark on a new adventure. Sometimes the anxiousness can overwhelm and its good to have something(s) tangible – or at least written down – to remember all the good things we have to look forward to. What a different ecosystem you are going to be living in. I’m a big lover of succulents so I put that at the top of good things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Janie, I am moving from the mid-west 4 season eco-system, where I know what to plant and when to prune, to a sub-tropical coastal eco-system. Salt-tolerant, maybe two seasons (hot and not so hot), and lots of palm trees. We have over 8 different kinds on our property and I’m still trying to learn all their names. It’s probably close to your desert ecosystem! But very new to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
About 6 months after retiring we moved about 30 miles from a rural setting back into the city to be close to things. So, very little was new. Over my career I moved a few times and it was always exciting because of the new opportunities of the new location. Enjoy the new experiences!
LikeLiked by 1 person
For 35 years I have moved within a 30 mile radius, so like you nothing that new. It was a bit shocking that even then, friendships which were based on proximity faded. My focus on connections recognizes that’s going to be the big area of need… even my Tourist in Own Town plan involves linking with other people!
LikeLike
Another great post. Thanks for the list of ideas and I look forward to your future posts on what you learn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know I am a planner! Not all the plans on paper pan out, but it helps me in creating the lifestyle I’ve envisioned when I’ve put it on paper. And yes, I will be posting what I learn and what works out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the shuffleboard mention, Pat. Very Florida indeed. 🙂 I actually made a similar note to myself to try it, and for a time we actually rented a condo directly across from a clubhouse with an active shuffleboard area. I either got shy or decided it was too emblematic of whatever “retired” meant to me at the time, so I never tried it. I regret that now in hindsight. Definitely join that public library! – Marty
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marty, St Pete Shuffleboard Club is huge! We have been a few times for open club nights (pre-Covid) and the range of ages says, “this is NOT a retiree sport anymore”. Lots of younger folks on date nights, families with kids, groups of millennials. It was also a super fun night – not a lot of skill required to just play… yes, you can get skilled and become competitive, but I found it just a fun social game. Joining the public library will be a shift for me… I’ve always done the used book shops. But the library is less than a mile to our house … an easy bike ride!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Pat, I just helped my daughter pack up and move literally across the street from her former home. She had been in her place for only eight years, but the sentiment of loss was still apparent. Once you get past the emotions of leaving your home, you will be fine. Just like Tom said above, ‘say YES to everything.’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Suzanne, I chuckled at “only 8 years”. We have been in this house for only 4, but it was only a 6 mile move from our previous 20-year home and we moved a lot of stuff since it was so easy to. We’ve got 30 years of yard equipment accumulated! But it’s the 35 years of friendships that’s harder to deal with as a loss. Yes, some will survive, but others will fade-away. Proximity is such a big part of friendship.
LikeLike
Hi Pat – I think you’ll have a wonderful new life in your new home – there’s always a transition process and some pain involved in the process, but going with a positive attitude and the knowledge that you have heaps to contribute to your new community will make all the difference. My post today was on the move we made when our kids were tiny and how that panned out so well – I’m sure yours will too x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Leanne, I was intrigued with your post about big life decisions. As I look back on each of my moves, they all lead me to where I am and its a very good place. I know this one will work out well, even as I am sad to say goodbye to things “here”.
LikeLike
We moved four years ago (four years already!) and were advised by my smart brother in law: Say “yes” to everything. Then after you get involved in some things you can scale back on what doesn’t speak to you, and focus on the things that are important. Of course, Covid has done some major scaling back for us; but we’ve still found several groups and activities that are both fun and meaningful. Good luck on your move … it sure does become “real” when your house in sold!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tom, what great advice! I tend to be hesitant on anything that requires commitment (a retirement thing for some reason – I’ve been committed to many things in my life), but I will try and say yes to new experiences! I’ve heard pickle-ball is a big thing where we are going….
LikeLike
I undertook a seachange over 8yrs ago and I’m really glad I did, but I was only in my mid 40s so unable to retire yet. And… the biggest challenge for me has been the lack of employment in the area I moved to. I’d never been unemployed before so it’s been quite difficult. The cost of housing etc is lower and I’m closer to my mother, so there are positives.
My other lesson involved getting involved in some community activities to meet new people given I’d left my best friends behind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Deborah, I am also leaving my best friends behind – the ones who really know me and “get me”. I have a number of things planned to try and find a new tribe, but also know that friendship formation can take time and effort.
LikeLike
New beginnings are always exciting. Lots of opportunities! My only advice is to keep some free time to enjoy your new environment,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the advice. I think I might need to relearn the balance of Being and Doing since my nature is to do! I do have an amazing environment to enjoy too.
LikeLike