There's so much talk about boomers doing retirement differently. Of course - why not? Boomers change every life stage in America. This ahould come as no surprise.

What would be your perfect retirement situation?

I think this post may have been overlooked or passed by because to me, there will not be a retirement. Oh I have retired from one company, but I will always have to work, I suppose.

So perfect situation? That would be one where I worked because it was what I wanted to do, not what I had to do. And I would have time to play with my grandbeauties, travel, and go see mom whenever I wanted. NOW THAT's what I'm talking about!

I've been thinking about this, and can see two perfect stages for hubby and me. For the immediate stage, I'd most like to live in the same neighbourhood as our grandchildren, so that they could come over and play with us anytime they want to.

Then further down the road (figuratively speaking), I'd like to move to one of those retirement communities, where you can own your own home, but have access to all of the community resources and activities. Hubby has a cousin who lives in one of those here in Montreal, and it's very appealing. They have the best of both worlds - privacy and autonomy when they need it and all of the resources of a vibrant, active community...there's a swimming pool, an on-site dining facility, on-site medical, banking and shopping, good-quality entertainment brought in regularly, and a wide range of activities to choose from...everything from computer, board and card games to bowling, billiards and badminton. I think that would be a perfect retirement situation for us...a good balance between privacy/solitude and healthy social interaction that we can participate in as a couple and separately according to our energy and interest levels.

Eagleheart, I was thinking the same thing about joining a retirement community. My Hubby would never go, so this is a thought of mine in case I should become a widow. I have two problems with this, though.

The first in being they don’t have these kinds of communities in Germany, so I would move back to the States, which means far away from my children and grandchildren. On the other hand, although we are a close knit family,…we don’t have that relationship that daughters have with their mothers. It’s different with sons. They usually leave things up to their wives. And these wives have families of their own. So I don’t want to hike up great expectations, and rely on my children in old age.

My second hesitation on living in a resort is that I’ve heard it’s a phoney atmosphere there. I know someone who spent a vacation in one. She said she almost freaked out, because people were always dropping what they were doing to smile and wave. It was as if they were constantly on camera. I’m all for friendliness, but not phoniness’. This was a resort in Florida. Maybe they are different there. In any case I would first want to rent a place, and see if I like it. If I could find a resort on Cape Cod, that’s where I would probably like to go to, and hopefully then with my brother.

I love Dotsie’s idea about a huge beach house for us Boomer ladies.

Perhaps you can start a retirement community in Germany, EW. Since you're in real estate, might that be something you could probably look into either as an investment with a lump sum return in cases where you sell off the units or, shorthold tenancies for those who rely on state funds? Imagine, how great it would be to have your own retirement community with the potential to generate income and not even leave home.

IMO, by the grace of God, hubby and I are presently in the perfect retirement situation. We travel twice a year and are otherwise at home in a country setting. I like the idea of those self-contained, retirement communities. There is 1 behind Tropical Palms called Celebration City. It's my understanding that The Disney Corporation built it. It's totally awesome. I'd love to live there. Friends have purchased a second home in The Villages at some lake. They fly down a few times each year and hang out. I don't like to fly. But some of The Villages look inviting. I love that dancing in the streets stuff that they do down in Florida. I like the street bands, etc. I don't gulf but am willing to learn. I love to play cards. So 4 me, "perfect situation" is any place a person can enjoy themselves.

Raking in the bucks while I enjoy what I do..and not HAVE to do it!

Although I love what I do now!!! It's the pressure I do not like depending on sales etc.

My own retirement community Lola? Aaah yes…I sure would have some ideas for it.

Beautiful dining area, with palm trees, aquariums, carpeting…to avoid clattering sounds, tasty food, live background music and sexy dudes serving us boomer ladies. We would have an open terrace and large picture windows that present a view over a crystal clear lake and snow-capped alps in the background.

Our apartments or homes are all one level, of course. And each house has a cleaning lady, with a cheerful attitude, who knows how to clean corners and toilets.

Every evening there are programs to participate in, and during the day wellness, golf, tennis, sailing….you name it. A large swimming pool surrounds the resort…it’s miles long, where if you wanted to, you could swim to your friends house, and just cross a little bridge to enter each home.

You want city life? Anyone can hop in one of the spacious air conditioned buses and spend the day in Muenich, only 40 minutes away. They have casinos there too.

Large out door movie theatres are shown under the stars, where each guest gets a massage recliner chair, to just sit in and enjoy. Oh…mustn’t forget those cute hunks serving cocktails…with big pineapple slices and red cherries on top. And if you wiggle your toes, a hunk will come over and give you a heavenly foot massage.

We will also have our very own publishing company, that will publish any book written in the resort and market it off for millions. Oh the same goes for the artists living in the community. Want to earn money off your talent? We have exciting art shows, where people from all over the world come to see and buy buy buy.

And for you, my dear Boomer friends…it’s all free for you and your little pets...who of course will have their own wellness center.

Ooooouch…who just pinched me? Did I forget anything?

Yes...the massage and reflexology people.
Hairdresser too.
Mountain ash

I don't think I would aim exclusively for retirement community. A place that still has a range of generations living around but in a well-managed building with security personnel.

It feels abit wierd reading all your responses. This is where we live now:

our building has a swimming pool, hot tub pool, and exercise machines. (I keep on forgetting to use that facility.) Also underground bike lockers ..and 1 kayak locker for a few kayaks. Building has 2 meeting rms. that you can book.

At the foot of our building is a well-known walking and cycling path. It goes around the shoreline for 20 kms. Grocery stores, cafe, restaurants, wine stores, drug store and several banks are within 15 min. walk. so is a community center where there are events, exercise classes..I've used facility to do dreally messy art there.

There is also a marina at the foot of building. (No we don't own any watercraft. Unfortunately we don't know of friends who do either.) A little ferry boat service ..for a scenic ride of less than 10 min. to enclosed indoor market to shop for food, bakery, art, entertainment...

WE also live 15 min. walk to light rapid commuter train. There will be another one in different direction that will take one to airport.

Now....do we need to live in a retirement community?

Now, aside from accommodation..I wish not to work until 65. But that ain't going to happen.

I'm not sure I want to live in a retirement community and later...hear all the health problems and complaining as the residents age. Since I don't have children, it's probably better I allow myself to be exposed to younger people.