What are some of the most unusual retirement lifestyles

[classof70]

Retirement is coming up for me, maybe sooner than I would like, but it is coming. The thought of holing up in an active adult community with golf balls bouncing off my roof all day isn't doing much for me. If I know me, I would be at the bar reliving the round I didn't play, looking for something in life I just wasn't getting.

So that leads me to thinking, we only go around once. But maybe we get a couple of chances. Round 1 was fun, a challenging job, pretty good money, lovely wife. And I was one of the fortunate ones - i got 2.0 pretty close to perfect children - no decimal children for me.

Round 2 of course is harder with a lot of hobbies going in. I don't think I would appreciate an astronomy-based retirement community like i read about at Topretirements. All the stars look pretty similar to me. As for an airplane focused community - the incessant sound of Cessnas taking off all day doesnt do much for me. Plus, anyone who would get in a plane with me as pilot needs a good old-fashioned pyschiatric evaluation.

So what else might you suggest, that might be interesting, have the chance to meet interesting people, keep me fulfilled, and my wife in good spirits (she is pretty adaptable). Love to learn of your experiences, or those of friends or acquaintances. No idea too whacky!

[2putz]

My friend K has what I think is an unusual, and pretty nice, retirement life-style. He and his wife operate a B & B on a midwestern lake during the spring, summer, and fall. When the leaves come down they pack up in their mobile home and head to Key West, FL. There they park in a fairly inexpensive trailer park and goof off until the birds start flying north again.

[BETTY FITTERMAN]

We've joined the ranks of the RV community, certainly an out-of-the-box lifestyle. We live full time in a mobile home and are traveling the country to find that special place. Or not! Mobile living is fun and adventurous and we love the pace.

[classof70]

This made me think of 2 very opposite types of unusual retirements. One guy, who I am pretty sure spent time abroad in the armed forces, retired to Thailand, which he views as paradise (particularly as a single guy). His polar opposite is a man who spends about half the year in the Dominican Republic on a project he created that builds homes for the extremely poor. The actual home builders are US volunteers - boy scouts, youth groups, kids in church youth groups. He helps administer the program. Both guys enjoy their lives.

[mysterygirl]

Here's one i just heard of. My hub might love it, but it sounds like a certain slow and painful death to me. The Castlemaine Hot Rod Centre is planned for Castemaine, Australia (vaguely near Melbourne). It's a community for retired hot rodders. Amenities include a museum for vehicle displays, a cafe, catering facilities, a fully equipped function room, training facilities, and modified vehicle inspection services.THere are 80 residential units targeted for the active hot rodder and other automotive enthusiast retirees (long- and short-term living). They will all have an attached garage and workshop areas. http://streetrodder.automotive.com/92619/0811sr-castlemaine-hot-rod-centre-ltd/index.html Street Rodder Magazine

[adnama52]

My husband is 67 and I 56, but he works several months a year in disaster areas. He is contracted to a company that contracts to the government. We bought an RV early in 2008 and love it, just wish we had bought one with some more amenities. So we are looking and hoping to move into the RV of our dreams within the next year and make it our forever home. Even as he slows down we can use the RV to settle into somewhere on a lot either near my son or on a lake somewhere. I find that there are a lot of benefits to RV- cheaper to live in and then you can go where the weather is warm, or move out of the way of a storm or stay near friends for a long visit etc.

[62andout]

how's this for an unusual retirement lifestyle? In light of this horrible economy, someone retires at 62 on a comfortable pension and never has an economic care in the world. I wish!

[sue]

If you are like me, love the ocean, love to travel but not that wealthy to be able to buy a multi-million dollars condo on a luxury cruise ship that circumnavigates the world on thousands of dollars a month, what options are there for you? Not much, you think.
Being the dreamer and can’t stand still type, I keep looking around and to my delight I find something that will satisfy my desires/standards without breaking my piggy bank.

I am talking about retiring in an independent living community on board a modern beautiful mid-size ship docked in Miami, where there is sunshine and warmth year round and occasional hurricanes – but not to worry! You can always move your floating home out of harm’s way before the hurricanes arrive. For a modest price, you own your own condo on the ship. It is not too big a community so you get to know your neighbors. There are plenty of open spaces, lounges, library, game room, gift shops, gym, everything a cruise ship offers. You can socialize all you want or you can find a quiet nook to savor some solitary moments. Household chores become memories. Meet and chat with your fellow retirees daily over breakfasts, lunches and dinners that are included in your monthly maintenance fee. Plan your week-end cruise itineraries. Talk about your day. Meet to discuss homeowners association matters. Organize activities of interests to you such as dance lessons, arts and crafts, or woodworking projects etc.

You will have peace of mind regarding your healthcare needs because you are living in a complete retirement community with doctors, nurses and other medical conveniences.

Can you imagine when your grand kids come to visit you (oh, there are some units reserved for homeowners’ visitors!) how proud you will be to show off your ship in all its splendor?

All for less than what a traditional retirement facility will cost.