What Do You Really Want Out Of Retirement?

What a person expects out of retirement varies widely based on several things. Interests, health, income, savings and preferences, to name a few. But don't let a lot of your feelings dictate you right into unhappiness. I had a friend who owned a nice home in the country of eastern North Carolina, who was an avid fisherman. When he and his wife retired, he wanted to purchase a lakeside home some distance away and could visualize himself spending the rest of his life on the lake, doing what he loved. He sold his home and used the proceeds from it plus his small nest egg saved to purchase what he thought would be it. It was a nice semi-exclusive housing area with gates to keep out uninvited people. But it had several things in the agreement to which he paid little attention. He built himself a boat ramp, a chore for which he had little expertise and to use some of the local lingo, it looked "fair rough". His neighbors called his attention to the rules of which required that a boat ramp must be professionally constructed with an overhead cover.

There were a number of other things which arose, that most would not consider. The entrance gate, located in a rather secluded area, was regularly broken by those wanting to get into the area to fish. The agreement was that the residents all chip in to repair such things, including any road patching. They were not on any public water system but the development had their own. So his water bill was more than all the other public utilities combined and continued to rise with every piece of repair needed. As the years past and his budget stretched to the limit, he grew weary of fishing which was hampered by failing health. His wife began to be highly concerned over her own welfare if he should die before her. His pension check would cease and she would be limited to her own social security check which would be totally inadequate to sustain that home. So they decided to sell and move back near where they were. After having to take a loss on his investment, he finally sold the house moved home into a small but comfortable place. Both are now deceased but their retirement shows how one can become unhappy, especially if finances are a problem.

Those who are wealthy enough to do anything they please, need no advice from me. And, the fact is, probably no one needs my advice. But, I have been retired now for eleven years, with very limited finances. But having been accustomed to living on limited funds, we have been content and happy. We purchased an older refurbished home in need of some repairs. We painted it ourselves, scraped and repaired the old windows and put in new glass where cracked, we installed storm windows and doors and had professionals insulate the house and install a new metal roof. I had a chain link fence installed around the back yard and one side for the benefit of my dogs. We have entertained ourselves with gardening, feeding birds, and about once per year, going for a few days in the mountains or in Florida. My wife is an avid indoor house plant fiend, and I spend my spare moments on my computer either studying religious doctrines or the Bible, and writing articles. Many may think that is the dullest life you can imagine. If you feel that way, then it probably would be for you. But let me explain why we like it.

We are free to do what we want, limited only by cash. We can sleep late if we desire, which I don't. I'm up by 4:00 A.M. most mornings but occasionally, I may feel somewhat tired and lay there for an additional half hour or so, silently thanking God for the comforts and pleasantries He has blessed me with. My wife is an evening person and she normally stays in bed until about 7:00. If we want to go out for lunch or supper (and funds are available), we go. If our chores are done, and we have nothing going on, sometimes we sit on our front porch swing and listen to the birds thanking us for our feed and water we keep out for them. Some Summer evenings we can hear the melancholy call of whippoorwills in the distance. Frequently, we will take a drive out of town into the rambling roads through the hilly countryside, especially during Spring and Fall. I am content. I have said most of this to show you that exciting hobbies are not the same as quiet and peaceful surroundings, at least for me. I cannot imagine buying a mobile home and taking to the road. Perhaps I could have at say, 60 years old or so. But driving or riding now, just kiiiils me.

When you think of retirement, you desperately need to consider how few years you may have remaining to be in good health, that will allow you to do those things you plan. So let me do a selling job on you for a location to retire in, and especially those of you who will have to watch their expenditures. Piedmont, Alabama. My wife and I happened to have been raised here. That is one reason we love it, but let me tell you why you would also.

Piedmont once was a thriving little town with a huge textile mill, three garment manufacturing plants and several other businesses, a manufacturer of metal products, showcases, etc., and a fairly large manufacturer of truck seats. This was before all of our fair trade agreements with Bangladesh, Timbuktu or whoever. All the garment plants have closed and the huge textile factory has closed down. Even the Showcase builder is considering moving away. So if you are looking for work, stay where you are. But if you are looking for a somewhat depressed town with lots of old folk (like us), low property taxes, very reasonable utilities, ultra cheap nice housing and plenty of it. This should please you. Let me itemize some of the good things about Piedmont. (by the way, they aren't paying me one dime to say all this stuff.)

(Entrance to Gnatville Cemetary, 7 miles out of Piedmont. I was raised about 100 yards friom this spot) Piedmont is located near the eastern state line bordering Georgia. It is about 80 miles east, northeast from Birmingham, Alabama. It is about 90 miles due west from Atlanta, Georgia. Less miles than either of those to Rome, Georgia, Gadsden, Alabama and Anniston Alabama, all within 25 to 40 miles and of adequate size for most any needs. Somewhere around 40,000 each. 16 miles northwest from us is the Weiss Dam and lake on Coosa river where water sports are available, it is claimed to be the Crappie capitol of the U.S. Boating, fishing and water skiing are great. There are excellent sightseeing and attractions within driving distance. Chattanooga, Tennessee is about 90 miles northeast, where the many sights of Lookout mountain and other interests are. They have a great new aquarium, an old time steam engine train through the hills, riverboat, and atop Lookout mountain is the popular Rock City, the incline rail car ride up a terrific slope and many other attractions. About 125 miles south from Piedmont is the famous Callaway Gardens, a mountaintop wonderland of wild and domestic flowers and beautiful paved woodland trails.

Homes are half priced or even less than in most areas. Here is an example for instance. I picked this up from a local realty. This house is 9 years old, with 6 acres of land! Read their description:

This house is between 1 and 2 miles from my home. It is probably within the city limits but may not be. The road is paved, a small country road and has very little traffic. An exceptionally quiet area. I just wanted to show you an example. If in or near Atlanta for instance, this would cost over half a million. Actually there is not much telling what it would bring with those 6 acres. A contractor there would make big profits by building 5 more houses and selling them for half a million each. The acreage here is probably worth $100,000.

And this is only an example, there are numerous decent housing under $100,000. And some all the way down to $40,000, smaller and possibly needing some repairs, etc

Depending upon one's annual income, your home (must be where you reside full time) may be totally exempt from ad valorem taxes for seniors. Higher income may result in partial taxes and if high enough income, full taxes may result. My income is low so I have none to pay. We have a 3 bedroom, one and one-half baths, living room, dining room and kitchen. We live on a nice quiet street but not anything considered upscale.

To learn more about our town, check my Alabama City Guides website for Piedmont at: ALCG Piedmont If any additional information is desired, contact me. Then come on down!