New job? - Retiring to the farm - advice?

[LBrown59]

In a few short weeks, I'll leave my office job and move full-time to what has been our weekend farm home.
1*We have what remains of my wife's family farm and have been coming here on weekends for over 25 years.
2*I've worked for the same organization for 37 years.
Thanks,

1*Where have you been living all those 25 years ?
Is it very far from the farm ?
2*My wife retired in Nov of 2000 after 33 years with the US Treasury Dept.

 

[Patriotic Stabilist]

I had to quit working way way early, like 15 years early because of sick mom and daughter. Really screwed up my retirment income. I had a terrible time adjusting as I was a type A individual. I was an accountant and used to deadlines, working till midnight if needed and all that good stuff. I liked the work a lot.

Suddenly all I had to look forward to was doctors appointments and dealing with an elderly sick mom, who thought she was at times or was at other times, and sick mentally challenged daughter. Hubby always worked long hours or away from home. I went through **** or in my mind I did for years. I wanted to continue working. I got very depressed during those years.

Somehow I survived those 10 years, can't say they were much fun, but I tried. Hubby, thankfully, had increasing income so we were fine. We didn't miss my income, though I did personally, because I hesitated to do or buy things I considered frivoulous. But eventually I was ok, time changed things, my mom passed on, daughter got better. I decided it was finally time to start living for me. After I started drawing SS and some other income I started enjoying myself. Tom isn't ready to retire, he actually likes working. I'm afraid if he does he is going to work me to death. He was talking about building small houses to rent and other stuff, I think he is starting to drop that idea, I sure hope so. I'm 64 and I told him mowing, taking care of rentals, gardening is about all I want to do. I know when he is retired he will take over the rental stuff and mowing, that will help. It's been quite a transition but the last 3 or so years I've really started enjoying myself. DD and I have been on cruises and plan to do more, we just bought a newer motorhome and she and I are traveling and going fishing. Hubby travels the world so not that much interest to him and he doesn't like to fish. He may travel a bit, that is to be seen.

So I got a 2005 Winnebago Sightseer with 2 slides. I think its really going to be nice, its only 29 ft, 30 bumper to bumper. But something I can get around, can park many places with one this size. Life is good, enjoy all you can, because you never know what can happen. I think now, well it happened back then and not now, I might not have had the energy to do all that now. I wish my husband were here, but he is doing what he likes and he is making it possible for us to do what we like too. He thinks its fine DD and I travel and that is very good of him.

I don't know how it will work later, but for now its good and that's all you can ask for anyway.

I wish all of you the best and hope your plans work out for you.

The peninsula where hubby is living in Lobito, Angola. He said at work he can look out to the boats in the harbor people fishing and all. He has the Atlantic on one side and the bay on the other. He said today it was just beautiful out.

The others are our motorhome and Sue Anne ready to go. It's raining so we won't leave and I have beans and peas to pick.

You can be as happy as you want to be!!:laughing:

 

[lhfarm]

1*Where have you been living all those 25 years ?
Is it very far from the farm ?
2*My wife retired in Nov of 2000 after 33 years with the US Treasury Dept.

We have spent the work week these past 25 years about an hour from the farm. It is a 20 minute walk, 5 minute drive to the office. The roads from here to the town house are two lane and dangerous. Early in my career, I had a daily commute of 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic and I hated it. 5 vs. 60 was a no brainer. For years, we have come over Wednesday evening and I've commuted two days in the summer. In winter, we would come over on Thursday evening and I'd commute Fridays.

Adding in that 10-11 hour days were the norm and I was too tired to do much at the end of the day, I wasn't willing to make the drive every day. In fact, we had been looking for land within 20 minutes of work, before we took over the farm. Given the joy we have gotten from this place (including keeping it in the family) that would have been a mistake.

 

[forgeblast]

My father retired reciently and this is what helped him.
1. join a gym, he was working construction and noticed a lot of muscle loss once he retired this has kept him in shape.
2. a schedual, he was stressed when he wasnt waking up at the same time or going and doing something....we all say we cant wait for the free time but it can be stressful if you dont have anything to fill it.
3. he reads a lot more,
4. he has taken classes at a local community college.
5. he travels
It seemed once he got back on a schedual, his own (but a schedual none the less), he is enjoying retirement so much more.
Good luck, enjoy your time you earned it.

 

[MossRoad]

We are between Columbus and Nashville, in the land of clay and Brown County stone (sandstone). Mostly rolling hills, with only 6 or so tillable acres (all in prairie grass). No plans for crops or livestock.

Indiana is an interesting and lovely state. We do plan to travel, especially in January and February, when no one should have to live here...

Ahhh, that is a beautiful area, indeed! :thumbsup: We just drove that way at the start of April. Took the oldest daughter to tour Ball State, then we swung down and across through Columbus to look at the architecture, then across to Nashville to look at, well, Nashville, then over to I.U. Bloomington for a tour. Been down there many times. Many, many years ago I got lost around Beanblossom while trying to avoid a detour, or "run around" as the locals call them. I asked the lady at the dry goods store how to get back to Brown County S.P. She said there's two ways. I asked which way was shortest? She said drive down to the first fence and turn right. Drive down the lane, ford the creek.... I interrupted her and asked for the long way! :laughing:

 

[DaveMK]

I wouldn't plan your days out so much. That's the great thing about retirement

I retired in 2001 from 34 years of computer work. I haven't missed it at all! Moved from the suburbs to this place in spring 2002.

I hate spring, too many things that need to be done and it's gone before you get to do the fun things you want.

Beware of adding animals, pets or otherwise, if you will ever want to do any traveling or camping. At one point we were breeding horses (we were up to 23) and that kept us from getting away at all.

We love it here! Can't imagine being retired and living in the suburbs!

Best wishes,
Ken

Hey Ken

I see you have Southern Ohio as your location just wondering what part of Southern Ohio.

 

[lhfarm]

My father retired reciently and this is what helped him.
1. join a gym, he was working construction and noticed a lot of muscle loss once he retired this has kept him in shape.
2. a schedual, he was stressed when he wasnt waking up at the same time or going and doing something....we all say we cant wait for the free time but it can be stressful if you dont have anything to fill it.
3. he reads a lot more,
4. he has taken classes at a local community college.
5. he travels
It seemed once he got back on a schedual, his own (but a schedual none the less), he is enjoying retirement so much more.
Good luck, enjoy your time you earned it.

Thanks! If there is a theme/thread it seems to be to learn to pace myself with the help of a new, but flexiable schedule. I'm trying to put some of this in place now, during the last few weekend stays. We have an annual reunion over Memorial Day weekend and I wanted to have several projects completed. I can't get those done in the hours available, so I'm going to pick one and worry about the rest later.

 

[kevindsingleton]

I only have 19 years to go! :confused2:

Me, too! I'm counting the days!

 

[mjarrels]

I retired about four years ago at age 52, uncle retired at 55 about 30 years ago. I beat his record. I'm starting to get bored stiff. Daughter, age 17 is asking why I don't go to work like her friends dads. If I had a tenured position at James Madison University at $150,000 per year X two (wife is a professional too) I would probably still be working (at least showing up). Damb, I forgot she wreaked her new hybrid toyota too (professionsls kid). I have more than these people will ever have and I sleep well at night.

mark