[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Work, is a dirty word!

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

[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.