Q for Retirees... re: Extended trips
For years, retirement was a distant concept to us, but now it's getting close and we're starting to wrap our heads around the idea. We're mostly empty-nesters now, and it appears the kids are that most-wonderful type of offspring (that actually move out). :)
Now that we can start thinking about long, relaxed trips in the fiver, we are wondering how folks handle leaving their house empty for extended periods? We've always been limited to a week or two because of work schedules, so we haven't really needed to plan for long absences. Both kids will (probably) be living in other states, so there aren't any relatives to periodically check on the house.
So how do experienced retirees (not full-timers) handle leaving your house empty for a month or more while traveling?
1. Mail? Do you have a forwarding service? Neighbors collect it?
2. Yard? Obviously we'll need a lawn service, but are leery of strangers knowing the house is empty. It seems asking my neighbors to watch and pick up flyers for months would be a little much.
3. Security? Do you have friends who periodically enter the house?
4. Maintenance? Planning to shut off the water, but a small problems could grow over the course of a month or so (ie. failed freezer, roof leak, etc.)
5. Bills? We're moving almost everything to online, but would appreciate any additional advice on this.
Finally to those who are retired, but haven't become full-timers, how long is your average trip now? Is it much different from when you were working? It seems we will be able to spend 3-4 or even 5 weeks leisurely working our way around the country, but sometimes the reality is different.
Any advice appreciated, we've been concentrating on the financial side of retirement planning, and haven't given a lot of thought to exactly "how" we'll really do it.
Now that we can start thinking about long, relaxed trips in the fiver, we are wondering how folks handle leaving their house empty for extended periods? We've always been limited to a week or two because of work schedules, so we haven't really needed to plan for long absences. Both kids will (probably) be living in other states, so there aren't any relatives to periodically check on the house.
So how do experienced retirees (not full-timers) handle leaving your house empty for a month or more while traveling?
1. Mail? Do you have a forwarding service? Neighbors collect it?
2. Yard? Obviously we'll need a lawn service, but are leery of strangers knowing the house is empty. It seems asking my neighbors to watch and pick up flyers for months would be a little much.
3. Security? Do you have friends who periodically enter the house?
4. Maintenance? Planning to shut off the water, but a small problems could grow over the course of a month or so (ie. failed freezer, roof leak, etc.)
5. Bills? We're moving almost everything to online, but would appreciate any additional advice on this.
Finally to those who are retired, but haven't become full-timers, how long is your average trip now? Is it much different from when you were working? It seems we will be able to spend 3-4 or even 5 weeks leisurely working our way around the country, but sometimes the reality is different.
Any advice appreciated, we've been concentrating on the financial side of retirement planning, and haven't given a lot of thought to exactly "how" we'll really do it.
