There's two of me. One wants Sierra Nevada mountain living and the other wants a more economical, socially oriented lifestyle that's right outside my front door. Who will win? Unless we hit the lottery (I don't play, Carl does) the latter or left side of (the one that harnesses the feminine energy) me wins, meaning the preparing for aging in place side, the one out of the US. If we're lucky the place we land will have elevation and socialization right out the front door.
It really strange. I'm surrounded by people that must be loaded. They spend money and travel like here's no end to the money-mobile. And, I've been chastised about my views on the last four years and the economy. I was harshly reminded I'm not an economist, and I'm not. But I'm certainly an expert on how far my spending takes me, and the energy it takes to keep my lifestyle going the way I like to thrive. You echoed so much of what swirls in my mind. This has a way of cheering me up when I start second guessing what I see and hear these days.
I think you're way more ahead of the game (so to speak) then you even realize. I can see and feel it all taking shape. Not knowing the exact destination is only part of the journey. I mean, yeah, we know where we're going, but we can't reasonably say we know how things will unfold for us, in terms of settling in, my experience with the language, Melisse's career change, etc.
But you've prepared so well, and you have a plan. Even if it doesn't pan out exactly how you think it will (and it likely won't), the hard work has been done so you can pivot accordingly. I usually fly by the seat of my pants, but being married has taken on a new meaning to preparing and learning to pivot differently. There are two of us to consider. Haha, that's a lesson in life in and of itself. But a fun one for sure. I'm doing things differently this time around, and I have you and a couple other people making this leap to thank for guiding me along the way.
I wonder about some of the people around me as well. Then I remember what they do for a living, and realize that they must be putting everything on credit...
I didn't think of that, you're right... the people I know must be blowing through retirement money they've saved. That's part of my concern, living a great life and not outliving our money.
Your numbers are consistently on par. The national median price for a house ($433,229.) is an accurate representation of a fixer-upper in a bad neighborhood around these parts of Northern California. My kids are looking to buy next year in a posh suburb/rural area in the hills, which carries the median starting price of $750,000. -if they can find one.
Their theory is to buy a property and let me build an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) which they admit will be the only way for me to build and afford something nice and in a good area. I find it sad that my kids have to think this way.. and more sad that it is true.
My wife and I traveled to Spain for the first time a year ago and loved it. We knew it would be enjoyable, but even more than we expected, we found that we could walk out of our hotel or VRBO - in Madrid or Granada in our case - into (as you describe it) "a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented built environment". People of all ages were walking everywhere, even pretty late at night by our standards, and having a great time! We can't wait to go back and I'm currently studying Spanish in order to enjoy it more.
There's two of me. One wants Sierra Nevada mountain living and the other wants a more economical, socially oriented lifestyle that's right outside my front door. Who will win? Unless we hit the lottery (I don't play, Carl does) the latter or left side of (the one that harnesses the feminine energy) me wins, meaning the preparing for aging in place side, the one out of the US. If we're lucky the place we land will have elevation and socialization right out the front door.
It really strange. I'm surrounded by people that must be loaded. They spend money and travel like here's no end to the money-mobile. And, I've been chastised about my views on the last four years and the economy. I was harshly reminded I'm not an economist, and I'm not. But I'm certainly an expert on how far my spending takes me, and the energy it takes to keep my lifestyle going the way I like to thrive. You echoed so much of what swirls in my mind. This has a way of cheering me up when I start second guessing what I see and hear these days.
I think you're way more ahead of the game (so to speak) then you even realize. I can see and feel it all taking shape. Not knowing the exact destination is only part of the journey. I mean, yeah, we know where we're going, but we can't reasonably say we know how things will unfold for us, in terms of settling in, my experience with the language, Melisse's career change, etc.
But you've prepared so well, and you have a plan. Even if it doesn't pan out exactly how you think it will (and it likely won't), the hard work has been done so you can pivot accordingly. I usually fly by the seat of my pants, but being married has taken on a new meaning to preparing and learning to pivot differently. There are two of us to consider. Haha, that's a lesson in life in and of itself. But a fun one for sure. I'm doing things differently this time around, and I have you and a couple other people making this leap to thank for guiding me along the way.
I wonder about some of the people around me as well. Then I remember what they do for a living, and realize that they must be putting everything on credit...
I didn't think of that, you're right... the people I know must be blowing through retirement money they've saved. That's part of my concern, living a great life and not outliving our money.
Your numbers are consistently on par. The national median price for a house ($433,229.) is an accurate representation of a fixer-upper in a bad neighborhood around these parts of Northern California. My kids are looking to buy next year in a posh suburb/rural area in the hills, which carries the median starting price of $750,000. -if they can find one.
Their theory is to buy a property and let me build an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) which they admit will be the only way for me to build and afford something nice and in a good area. I find it sad that my kids have to think this way.. and more sad that it is true.
My wife and I traveled to Spain for the first time a year ago and loved it. We knew it would be enjoyable, but even more than we expected, we found that we could walk out of our hotel or VRBO - in Madrid or Granada in our case - into (as you describe it) "a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented built environment". People of all ages were walking everywhere, even pretty late at night by our standards, and having a great time! We can't wait to go back and I'm currently studying Spanish in order to enjoy it more.
This is great, Doug. My wife and I just read this and it made our day. Come visit next year!
Greetings from Segovia. I’ll be in Valencia Tuesday, a step ahead of you
Excellent! We expect a full report. Enjoy. You're not missing much here!