should we stay or should we go?

[jdsl1998]

Has anyone taken a lower paying job just to move here? We could stay another two years up north and move without a job or move now and get a job or jobs for insurance and work for 8 or 9 more years. We feel like we are just numb up north, not really living, in anticipation of moving here. Hate to look back and say, we should have just gone for it....or worst, we waited too long and one of us got ill.

[NotGolfer]

Depends on your standard of living and what your expectations of living here might be! Have known of folks who live beyond their means then find they can't afford it here due to that. You don't want to put yourselves in a bind and have it affect your retirement years.

You can't live with "what if's" neither...so guess it's an individual thing!

[Vinny]

I took a 20% pay cut to come here and will have to work a few years longer than planned but I would not change a thing. Life is so much nicer here, even when working.

[Bogie Shooter]

Work, is a dirty word!

[njbchbum]

what with the job market what it is - do you each have skills that will transfer to employment as soon as you get here, or do you have jobs where you can telecommute?

my neighbor mooved to the villages from michigan where she was a life insurance professional...she wound up with a job with part-time hrs @ dollar tree...her part-time hrs were cut in half as soon as the snowbirds returned north...good thing she is living with her uncle in the villages!

[chuckinca]

Has anyone taken a lower paying job just to move here? We could stay another two years up north and move without a job or move now and get a job or jobs for insurance and work for 8 or 9 more years. We feel like we are just numb up north, not really living, in anticipation of moving here. Hate to look back and say, we should have just gone for it....or worst, we waited too long and one of us got ill.


I would choose working just 2 years more over working 8 or 9 years more.

.

[Posh 08]

Has anyone taken a lower paying job just to move here? We could stay another two years up north and move without a job or move now and get a job or jobs for insurance and work for 8 or 9 more years. We feel like we are just numb up north, not really living, in anticipation of moving here. Hate to look back and say, we should have just gone for it....or worst, we waited too long and one of us got ill.

Work another two years where you are. Don't leave anything on the table. TV will be there in two years.

[buggyone]

Definitely work those 2 more years before moving here. Just imagine having all this great life around you and not being able to participate for 8 years because you have to work.

Also like the others have said too, the job market in this part of Florida is not good. You may have to take minimum wage jobs if you do not have some real needed skills.

[Madelaine Amee]

You probably could use some professional help with this decision and I am not the one to give you professional help, but .............

Would the move and earning less make a significant impact on your pension and social security? Would the sale of your home up North make up for any shortfall in earnings? Can you carry your health insurance with you from your jobs? Have you looked into the cost of buying health insurance? Do you have skills which are in demand in Florida?

We both worked for major corporations and before retiring we were both given something that was invaluable. This was a large piece of paper with a division down the center, one side headed PROS and the other CONS. It is simply an exercise to show you whether you are really ready to retire and also whether you can afford to retire.

You may need more money than you originally thought, because once you get to TV people seem to live forever! Good luck with your decision.

[asianthree]

We are looking at the same thing three more years here or do less and move now. Taking the stay here for now because you never know when someone else might change your plans for you. I don't want to work once i get there and plan to travel when i can so off to work i go

[Sunshine Mary]

I would work just 2 years more over working 8 or 9 years more then you are FREE to have FUN

[bluedog103]

Absolutely work 2 more years and then really retire. In our area of Florida people line up for minimum wage jobs. Outside of the bubble it's a very poor area.

[jsw14]

Work, is a dirty word!

I hate them four letter words.....Quit swear'in Bogie!!!!!!:smiley:

[graciegirl]

There are those that say...follow your dream. And those who say, If you dance you have to pay the fiddler.

I have always been financially very conservative. It has worked well for me.

[rjm1cc]

I would not move without the job.
I would have my retirement plan reviewed by a professional to make sure it will work. Be sure you are using realistic rate of returns on investments and realistic inflation rates.
Consider the possibility of losing your TV job as you will be the new employee if cut backs come. Thus your minimal plan has to work if you do not have a job.
Make sure your health insurance costs are covered.

[kgentile1010]

You could consider a third choice. Buy a house now, and rent it during the winter season and visit for vacations. We just bought a lot and are building a house. We're about 4 years away from retirement. We plan to rent the house during the winter. This will help with some of the costs. Then we'll visit a few times a year in the off season until we can get to TV full time.

[Mimivillager]

We both waited until we had full retirement pensions and SS before moving here. It was hard since we were looking here for 9 years but it was worth it to be able to come here and enjoy without having to work. We are really enjoying the lifestyle. You will be surprised how fast those 2 years will pass by. We will still be here waiting when you get here. And there will still be homes available to purchase. Believe me you will be so glad you don't have to work anymore and if you really want to work you still can as much as you want to and for as long as you want to.
I love to sew and do some sewing for people for a little extra income and also sew a lot for charities. My hubby plays golf almost every day. I play 4 times a week. Come and visit often in the mean time.

[Jhooman]

Planning for retirement is so important. Financial soundness will make your life easier. Two years will pass quickly, especially knowing your goal is full retirement.

But working a marginal job for 8-9 years could be very painful emotionally and economically.

Sit down with a financial planner and map out your future, the cost will help you sort out the pros and cons. Making an educated decision is very empowering.

Good luck, I know you'll make a prudent decision.

[LvmyPug2]

One thing to remember is that if you work during the day, you won't be able to participate in a lot of activities in TV since many are held during daylight hours. I still work and I am very glad we live here, but I do wish there were more exercise, art and life long learning classes in the evenings and on the weekends.

[bogeybabe]

Has anyone taken a lower paying job just to move here? We could stay another two years up north and move without a job or move now and get a job or jobs for insurance and work for 8 or 9 more years. We feel like we are just numb up north, not really living, in anticipation of moving here. Hate to look back and say, we should have just gone for it....or worst, we waited too long and one of us got ill.
Yes! I am an RN who took a large cut in pay to come to TV. I am currently working part time and have never regretted leaving prior to retirement age. My husband is older and wanted to be here permanently. VOILA! we are here, we love it and we live within the means at hand!

[784caroline]

Someone once told me don't rush to grow up (meaning getting to retirement age) .......we will all get there soon enough. Think of the ole saying the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence......yes retirement is a great goal but believe me age can bring many unwelcome issues we all will face sooner or later. Hopefully you can use these 2-3years to better prepare yourselves for retirement wherever you may end up.

The issues of finding a meaningful job in and around the TV area and the need for health care insurance are very real so I don't think anyone would recommend a move at this time until you are very comfortable with your situation before you make the move.

We are not in our 20's or 40's any more . That said we made a move to Europe when we were in our late 20's where we lost approx 40 percent of our incone because one spouse had to give up a job. Yes that was a shock...we were not forced to do it....but it was something we both wanted to do. We had the best 4years of our life, travelled throughout Europe, made new friends who are still very close friends today.best decision we ever made.....BUT..". We were young, had time on our side, REALITY starts to set in when you in your 50's or 60's and we need to be prepared.

Good luck!!

[graciegirl]

And another thing that no one has mentioned, the Bloom Where You're Planted thing.

When we were in our twenties and lived in Columbus, Ohio with one car and two little girls we were happy. When we were in our thirties and lived in Indianapolis with the same somewhat bigger girls, we were happy. When we were in our forties and fifties and sixties and lived in Cincinnati with our girls and our son in law and grandchildren, we were happy. Now that doesn't gloss over the events that happen to all of us; Illness, accidents, sad things, changes, pressures of life and stresses.

But given all that, we surfaced and swam, we continued, we soldiered on and like most people we were satisfied with our life and did what we could to be happy.

Happy isn't a place so much as it is within us. So if you are happy there you probably will be happy here. But now is the time you are living, whereever you live, try to be happy.

The Villages will be here when you are ready and you will be welcomed home.

[jdsl1998]

We have spoken to a finance planner and we could make it either way. We could use some of our savings and have a job that has insurance with a very low rate of pay and still make it. We do own a home in The Villages and rent it out in the winter months.
I cannot help but notice that those that say "go for it" and come on down and work are here, working and loving it. Those that say stay up north two more years are still up north.
I'd hate for one of us to get sick and not live our dream of living in The Villages. Some of the questioning, what to do when, is that my husband is one of the unlucky people who contracted shingles in September 2010 and has had post herpetic neuralgia since that time. This tends to make one realize how much you can loose in life and just how fast it can happen. His pain is less when he is down in The Villages and he feels it would be less if he were to work but live down here too. Less stress = less pain.
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Keep them coming.

[Bogie Shooter]

It seems as if you are looking for someone to make your decision for you.............you are the ones who have to make such a decision.
However, if you really want to know.....move now!

[784caroline]

I cannot help but notice that those that say "go for it" and come on down and work are here, working and loving it. Those that say stay up north two more years are still up north.


Not so..I know Gracie and I are full in TV and I think a number of others are also.

[Mimivillager]

We are also here now but waited til the time was right to come-difficult as it was to wait.