I will try to be helpful by sharing our experience. WE are both 69.5, my wife is retired and I am going to retire next year. We have been going south in our MH for about 10 years for 2 to 3 weeks. I have not found a place we want to stay all winter every year, many nice places but none that we want to be locked into. MY wife's health has deteriorated badly in the last 3 years to the point we couldn't go this year. You can never tell what will happen in 8 years and you don't even know for sure where you want to be. My advise is to decide what you are willing to spend and put that money in an investment account where you will be earning interest instead of paying interest. When you are able to take the time, travel to the places you are interested in and see if you can find the ideal place. Then when you retire you will have the cash to buy what you want where you know you want to be. Wishing you the best of luck and hope your dreams come true!!!
P.S. Wish us luck too as we are still hoping to go next year.
Sincerely,
Ed & Ruby :@