Personal Inventories Guide Retirement Decisions — RVing in Retirement

My husband and I created a personal inventory to guide retirement decision. We evaluated our desires before purchasing our 22-foot travel trailer. Then a year later, we traded in the trailer for a 40-foot new-to-us motorhome. However, our personal inventory drove all decisions.

While reading retirement forums on social media, one question is reappearing as a focus of discussions. “How do I decide where to retire?” This question often invaded our thoughts when my husband, Randy, and I retired just over two years ago. We knew we wanted to travel but where not sure how much and how far.

Though a final decision is elusive, we have determined several variables to consider when narrowing our final choices. Our decision-making process is a work in progress. As elements of life change, we expect to either want to or must modify our living situation. Therefore, we addressed each category with knowledge of the present and an eye on the future.

Understand Personal Background

Location

Since we are native Idahoans and have accepted as fact what our parents drilled into our heads, “Idaho is God’s country,” we have no desire to move any great distance — permanently. But since we wanted to see the world, an RV seemed like a logical choice.

Social Circle

We associate with friends who know our history and value relationships, people who finish our sentences, laugh at our jokes, and love to dine at our favorite restaurants. This support system appears during the daily events, but their presence also sustains us through the ugly moments that we keep secrets from casual acquaintances.

Develop a system to remain in contact during retirement. When traveling, we touch base often with friends, post on social media to share, and have even included friends who also travel in our itinerary.

Family

Both of our daughters live within walking distance of our current home with their husbands and four granddaughters. When we are on the road, FaceTime keeps us close. The grandchildren know they can ask Alexa to call Grandma and Grandpa to magically have our faces appear on the screen in their living room. Sure I miss the hugs but we will smother them in kisses when we return.

Consider Lifestyle

Outdoor Activities

In our life, opportunities to be active are important. We enjoy nature and take advantage of outdoor living. Long walks, bike rides, golfing, cruising on our Harleys, and ATVs all offer excitement and exercise. This is the best part of RV life. Everything is still available just outside our door where a new environment awaits with each new stop.

Hobbies

For us, golf is the allure that keeps us on the road. A couple times a week, we swing the clubs. This activity provides exercise and bonding time for my husband and me. To be honest, my learning curve challenged my husband’s patience but, in the end,, we laughed loved the experience. If you don’t believe me, read our story Golfing with My Husband was Fun! Really it Was!!

Entertainment

Once upon a time, we enjoyed concerts, fairs, and large gatherings. Now we avoid crowds and all the discomfort they inflict on our aging bodies. I suppose we have a “been there, done that attitude.” Thus, we gravitate towards events that attract an older generation, provide choices, require little risk; often we tend to live vicariously.

No matter what your interest, entertainment is available when traveling. Currently, drinking coffee while watching the sun rise and sipping wine when the sunsets fit our desires.

Space

Being a car buff his entire life, Randy needs space to store his collection: a classic car, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and a four-wheeler. In our case, we have a cabin that houses his toys and provides a place for us to land for short periods. We are fortunate to have the best of both worlds.

We love not having the landscaping and upkeep of a large residence. It frees us to explore this new life of retirement.

Assess Finances

Income

Unfortunately, this necessary evil must be considered. In our case, we live on a pension from lifelong careers as teachers. It allows us to live comfortably but not extravagantly. Since our monthly checks are automatically deposited, there is little influence on our place of residence.

However, other people say revenue can influence where they live. If they move, their income sources will deplete significantly. Several variables can change this reality: part-time jobs, pension restrictions, rental income, and past business expectations. All issues to consider.

Expenses

Many considerations require pondering. Different vicinities require various premiums, dues, incidentals, and levies. Explore hidden fees so they do not impose monetary restrictions that may impact daily life. Examine the tax rate increases over time. Research daily living costs: groceries, gas, home goods, all the personal items used on a regular basis. Be aware of the past, present, and potential future trends of the area under consideration.

Recognize Health Needs

Resources

Unfortunately, with age our bodies require more pampering and attention — at least mine does! My father at the age of 85 chose to move from his cabin in the woods to a home closer to medical facilities as his health deteriorated. This was a deeply personal decision.

A needs assessment provides valuable insight. A simple process would be to create a three-column chart. In the first column list relevant needs: prescriptions, specialists, therapists, support groups, transportation, food service, etc. In the second column list services available, and in the third column record average costs. Such a detailed document provides valuable information to support informed decision making.

When traveling, whether you are a senior or not, best practice is to be aware of the closet medical facilities, think ahead about how to access help, and remember to plan a system to receive prescriptions.

Climate

My mother’s rheumatoid arthritis pushed her from a wet climate to a dry, humid desert environment to reduce inflammation and pain.

My husband desires four seasons. He refuses to enter a fitness club because his physical exercise regimen comes from shoveling snow, raking leaves, cutting firewood, and long walks. These fit his needs when at the cabin. I imagine the day will come when this will change so we are forced to balance current desires with changing needs.

Snowbirds follow the sun as they travel from a warm climate to another to provide a consistent environment. Since we have been in the motorhome, we have started Yoga by watching YouTube videos. I’ll admit I never thought my husband would participate but we love it. Riding bikes and long walks also keep us limber.

Currently, our long-term accommodations are in what I call a golf-cart community in Palm Springs. Each morning at 9 a.m. a group gathers at the pool for water aerobics, fulfills our exercise needs and introduces us to new friends.

By considering the climate’s impact on lifestyle and well-being, the final decision will provide a more satisfying result.

Philosophical Alignment

This area is often overlooked but relevant. The degree a person becomes active in their community and the level of importance assigned to specific factors should be considered. My husband and I focused on two areas of importance, religion and politics. Without providing unnecessary details in either area, suffice it to say, we didn’t want to be immersed in a community of conflicting or overwhelmingly different beliefs. Be sure to examine what is available.

Trial Run

Currently, we are in the trial run phase of retirement. Because we were blessed at a young age to invest in a small family cabin that now is paid for in full, it is our landing pad.

We are exploring opportunities and loving the adventures. Where we wake is dictated by careful consideration of the above criteria and the relevancy at a moment in time. We recognize our fortune to have multiple choices but also recognize with age our needs may change.

Unsure about where we will settle when the time comes, we acknowledge that a decision will be required. For now, we are accessing opportunities to live life during our exploration of retirement.

Read another story by Brenda Mahler on Vocal Media

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