Moving During Retirement Years

One year ago, I wrote that I had my house for sale and I was planning to move out of town. that was sometime ago, so I will refresh your memory. I am retired, and realized that I really wanted to spend this last third of my life closer to my daughter and my family. I have lived in beautiful Ashland Oregon for nearly 40 years now, so it was a big decision. Well, now I am living in Portland, Oregon and am so happy that I decided to go ahead with it.

In the 14 months that my home was on the market, (yep, 14 long months) I learned so many things about moving as an older person, (not ancient, older.............) and in the next few weeks I would like to share those things with you. The emotional, physical, and spiritual sides of us will be effected by this huge change. Oh, in case you forgot, I also moved my 99 year old aunt. I asked her of course if she was interested and she, like me, wanted to be closer to loved ones for whatever time she has left. So, along with all my personal growth, pain, joy and new understandings, I got to look into the world of Senior Assisted Living, and all that goes along with that.

So, stay tuned my friends, more on the move of Karen and Ruth to the Rose City!

How To Find the Perfect Canine Companion

I recently wrote about pets, dogs specifically,and how they can help older adults maintain good physical and mental health. And finding the right dog is critical to the relationship being a positive experience. Many people get swept away with a dogs beauty, or maybe they have seen the latest movie with a very cute pup in it, or any number of ways to be influenced. But, the reality is that the beautiful Border Collie that is herding the sheep in the field, will not be a happy camper living in an apartment, with a person who cant give it a job or lots of vigorous exercise. And the majestic Husky does not fit into the Florida condo life style. so, you see what I mean. Do your home work before you make this decision. See what temperment comes with different breeds, what about short hair v. long hair. As I get older, smaller dogs are better for me, when it is necessary to pick them up. I have found the very best place to go to adopt pets are the rescue organizations. They get to know the dogs, help fit them with the right person, and besides that, you would be saving a life, and discouraging practices like puppy mills. All of my pets have been rescue animals, and I have been blessed with many wonderful years of enjoyment with them. One dog in particular came from www.dogsforthedeaf.org Emily was a combo of Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel. Dogs for the Deaf is a non-profit who trains assistance dogs for people with hearing loss. Well, Emily was a pooch who really didn't want to work that hard, but loved people, so she became a "career change" dog and I adopted her. I put her through the Therapy Dog training and when she was certified she went to my office in the hospital where I worked, and greeted and calmed people in crisis. When I retired she did too, and lived until last year when sadly she passed away. There are other wonderful places in my Southern Oregon area to find such wonderful dogs. www.fotas.org is the adoption center of the local animal control division, run mostly by faithful volunteers that can help you choose a dog. www.southernoregonhumane.org is our branch of The Humane Society, a dedicated group of people to assist you in making a choice. And www.sanctuaryone.org is a Sanctuary for abused and neglected animals of all kinds, including dogs. I mention this organization because of the wonderful volunteer opportunities. And if you are not ready, or are unable to take on a dog, simply volunteering with them is a way to find great joy.

I was really amazed at how much more I got from my pets when I retired. Getting to spend more time with them has certainly helped my mental and physical health. I highly recommend it!

Retirement - Common Financial Mistakes

Check out this reprint of a USA Today Article that discussed several common mistakes with retirement finances.

The financial advice regarding retirement issues in finance notes how important it is to *diversify* your portfolio, how you should generally take full advantage of tax free and company subsidized opportunities, and other great tips.

Financial Planning for Retirement

Financial planning is not always the easiest thing to do and understand. However, when considering retirement, it is a must. Retirees and future retirees have a multitude of resources to access to build their plan. One option that is really set up for retirement is a reversed mortgage. Those retired folks who want to investigate this opportunity, should make sure you have a reputable person to work with. Our local YMCA had a workshop for retired people who wanted to learn more about reverse mortgages. The presenter was a woman who had a great deal of knowledge and told us she got into the business because her mother was retired with very little income, and this option was her ticket to financial stability and a joyful retirement. The website for this mortgage broker is www.golfsavingsbank.com/loanofficers/triciasmith.htm The federal government will also send you a free information packet, just go to www.financialfreedom.com

What I Am Going To Do When I Retire

I often ask people why they chose the retirement community that they did. One woman told me it was because Ashland is a town that loves Art. Now this woman retired from academics, but she aways told herself "when I retire I am going to pursue my passion of art". She is now retired, and living in her favorite retirement community, and is painting away! Her website www.cafepress.com/rdunndalton shows how a retiree can have fun and make some extra retirement dollars at the same time. Retirement truly is the time to explore new ways to live and living in a retirement community that supports your interests is an important factor in making that decision

Choosing the Retirement Location

Retirement communities can also mean the geographical location that one wants to live in. And, then the question;how do I choose where I want to retire? One way to search out that retirement location is to do what a retired couple from South Dakota is doing. They told me that they were considering retiring in Ashland, but wanted to really "feel" the town. So, what they did is to find a small, furnished place to rent for a couple of months to see it this community fits all their retirement needs. They found a cottage on www.ashlandextendedstay.com I know that www.vrbo.com is also a good site to find temporary houseing. I think the exploration of the perfect retirement location can be an adventure in its self. Happy hunting, fellow retirees.

Karen

Affordable Retirement Communities

When we retire, we always have to consider our budget. My aunt, who lives on social security choose a wonderful retirement apartment in Ashland. It is for people who are retired on a small budget, and is subsidized by the government. It offers safety, social contact, and is kept up beautifully. When we are older and retired, we still deserve to live in a comfortable place. You could look at http://www.senioraffordablehousing.org/donald_lewis for a list of such places.

Karen

Retirement Community University?

There's a great list at AARP's website of Retirement Communities that are associated with colleges and universities around the USA. AARP lists 23 retirement communities that appear to be connected to colleges in several states.

What is a Retirement Community?

Here at RetireUSA.net we're building a resource to address all your retirement needs, many of which center around the idea of "community".

In the huge realm of retirement possibilities there remains some confusion about the meaning of the term "Retirement Community" because it is often used to mean a specific facility designed for retirees. However "Retirement Community" can also simply mean a region or city in which people choose to retire. Other terms can have different meanings depending on the region in which you live.

Southern Oregon is rising nationally as a great region in which to retire, but we also have many Retirement Community facilities such as the Rogue Valley Manor which themselves have many options for retirement.

In the coming months we'll talk specifically about the differences between types of retirement communities as well as some of the things you should look for when choosing where you or your loved ones will retire.

The Leftovers Party

As I mentioned yesterday, I was going to a dinner party at my neighbors Paul and Carol. They invited friends to come share their leftover Thanksgiving dinner as well as leftover guests. So, as I expected, I chatted with many folks who are Ashland transplants. One couple came here from Washington DC to retire, and as many of us "retired" people do, they started a business. They created a B&B called Ann Hathaway's Cottage. They mentioned to me that our friend Vicki was their mentor in the venture. (see how generous Oregonians are?) Vicki and her husband Greg own The Iris Inn B&B, which is one of the oldest in Ashland. Both of the Bed and Breakfast's that I just mentioned are on our website www.oregonretirement.info I met others who had moved here from various parts of California and Washington as well as the East Coast of the US. All agreed that they were in love with Oregon and Ashland in particular. One young couple I talked with said they had heard such wonderful things about Portland, Oregon.
As I walked home last night, with my empty salad bowl, and the light of the full moon to show my way, I felt extra thankful for wonderful neighbors and new friends.

Karen

Thankful

OK, I know that yesterday was Thanksgiving, but I was busy cooking turkey and didn't get to our blog. Thanksgiving is always a reminder to me of something that Marty and I talk about a great deal........being thankful, feeling gratitude. We realize there are so many things to be grateful for. Certainly for me family and friends are on the top of the list, along with being retired and living in Ashland, Oregon. but this acknowledgement of gratitude should not be reserved for just Thanksgiving. I think we benefit tremendously when we remind ourselves daily. So, I would encourage you to do a little exercise that I have enjoyed. Every day, write down one thing that you are grateful for. There is power in the written word, and I think you will be amazed how this simple act can lift your spirits.

Well, now I need to organize my turkey dinner leftovers. My neighbors Carol and Paul are hosting a "leftovers" dinner at their house this evening. Neighbors are bringing not only their leftover food, but their leftover house guests! It should be a fun evening, and you know I will be telling out of state folks all about www.oregonretirement.info and bragging (humbly of course) about my beautiful home state of Oregon.

In Gratitude,
Karen

The Geezers and Excercise

No, this is not a lecture about "you must exercise!".........well, maybe a little. However, there have been enough studies done on the physical and mental value of exercise that is it something we all need to consider, and especially if you are retired. I say that, because when we have freedom over our daily schedule, it is so easy to put off, wait, and then totally dismiss the practice of exercise. Now, what I find is that one must discover the way or ways to exercise that agree with the individual. You have heard that Marty loves cycling, Mark is an avid golfer (he walks, no cart!) and I have my favorite too, and that is rowing. So here in Southern Oregon we all get to satisfy those "athletic" passions. One of the greatest days of my life is when I read that The Ashland Rowing Club was formed. Yes, here in little Ashland, Oregon, we have a rowing club! We row in Immigrant Lake, which is south of Ashland. We have around 150 members, we own shells of all sizes, now have a great boat barn and coaches! Many of our members race competitively and have done very well. Some have brought home gold medals on international races. Many prefer recreational rowing without the discipline and pressure of racing. One of the things I love about the Ashland Rowing Club is there are people of all ages, many retired and one woman who is 80 years young! She is such an inspiration to all of us. The men have a racing crew that they have labeled "The Geezers". All men over 60 years old. They too are role models! You can learn more about our rowing club at our website www.oregonretirement.info My real point in telling you about rowing is to remind you that your body and mind need exercise. Find what gives you pleasure and it will keep you off the couch and out of your doctors office and reading my blogs when you are in your 90's!
I would love to hear what kind of exercise you have found in retirement.

Time to go to the lake!
Karen

Off to

Bargain dining in Ashland

Retirees on a budget are frequently clipping coupons and looking for special offers in order to find affordable ways to experience Ashland's fine dining. One reason people from larger cities love to retire in Ashland is that they don't have to sacrifice this enjoyable aspect of life when they move to a small town. We believe that Ashland has at least 30 restaurants that rival any in San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle, with another 30 casual dining cafes, pubs and wine bars. Last night Mark and I took a bottle of our favorite wine to Omar's, where corkage is free on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Check out their web site http://www.omarsrestaurant.com/ for directions, hours, and a sample of their menus. Additionally, they always feature an extensive list of daily specials with some of the finest fresh seafood and steaks around. Also on their web site you can sign up for their newsletter which included a $10 coupon last month. So we were very pleased to have a fantastic dining experience and not have to take out a second mortgage on our house!
For listings of many other of Ashland's great restaurants, visit our web site www.oregonretirement.info
Stay tuned for more tips from the Frugal Fork Wielder.
Marty

For the Love of Cinema in Ashland

Mark, Marty and I along with our friend Kathie went to the movies this weekend. Kathie is retired, and used to do some work in the film industry. She has a much more sophisticated way of looking at film that we do, so we especially love for her to join us. The conversation after is much more interesting. Actually, there are many people living in Southern Oregon who are actively working in movies. I could drop names, but one of the reasons they live here is to have some anonymity. They also love the environment of culture that they find in Ashland particularly, as well as the many out door pleasures. Clark Gable used to come to fish the Rogue River. He was one of my mothers favorites. And, I am not getting to the point of what I wanted to mention this morning. We are so fortunate to have The Ashland Independent Film Festival here each Spring. The next one is April 3-7, 2008. It is the seventh year for them and they are rapidly becoming one of the most notable in the United States. You can find more about them on our website www.oregonretirement.info Just look under Art, Music and Theatre. This is the kind of thing I can do now in my retirement. I can attend the festival and watch movies all day! Besides this wonderful event, we are blessed with two cinemas in Ashland, and I believe 10 screens in all! OK, now I am going to check the Ashland Daily Tidings for the weeks line up of movies! And just wait until I tell you about Mark's annual Oscar Party in February!
Cheers, Karen

Retirement USA

Oh boy, it is Friday! Whenever I say that, my friends laugh at me and as though Friday has no significance to a retired person. And the truth is it still does. It was always a favorite feeling when I worked. I loved my job (I managed a social service program at Asante Health System) and enjoyed serving the patients and community that asked for our service. So really, at the end of Friday afternoon, I could celebrate the people I helped, ask for guidance for those whom I couldn't, and feel the joy of having time to myself. I try to maintain that "emotional schedule" in my life now, even though I am retired. For instance; Marty and I nearly always check our website www.oregonretirement.info each morning, to add more links or clear ones that may not be valid any longer. We blog, and then we email each other with an update on our website project. So, we have a "job"! Granted it is done in our jammies with a cup of coffee nearby, but it provides a certain discipline that we follow. Then comes Friday, and we have what we call "decktails". It all started when Mark and Marty built a house down the road from me. It has a large deck and we would gather there Friday after work along with other friends who may want to join us. We would potluck appetizers and wine and enjoy the beautiful hills of Ashland from the deck. By the way, those hills are amazing! It reminds me of Southern France (only it is Southern Oregon) and no matter what time of year it is, the hills will give us a light show that is breathtaking. We see fields of purple vetch in the spring, frosting of snow in the winter, and all the colors in between the seasons, plus an occasional rainbow. Yes, retirement is wonderful, but so are Friday nights in Ashland!

Cheers, Karen

Retirement USA

This morning I am thinking about community service. This is one of the very best parts of retirement! One has time to volunteer! Marty and I are both eager volunteers, especially around feeding the hungry. Yesterday we had a shift together at Uncle Foods Diner, which is the local "soup kitchen". It is such a simple concept that is set up in the Methodist church kitchen, here in Ashland. We receive food donations from Southern Oregon University, the Growers Market, Market of Choice, and others who can give food. We chop, peel, clean, and get more inventive than you can imagine. The talented chef from one of our local resturants , Larks in the Ashland Springs Hotel, can make a meal out of anything! We feed 60 to 80 folks on Tuesday afternoon. I get so much out of helping on this project, and am so grateful that now I am retired I can do this sort of thing. Many retirees say that they don't want to have another schedule and are reticent about stepping into the volunteer world, but there are many ways to do it. Marty and I are a team in this particular effort, and if one of us is out of town, the other can fill in.

We believe that volunteering in our communities is so important, not only for those who receive, but also the ones giving (good for your mental health, my friends) that we have included volunteer opportunities on our website www.oregonretirement.info

I would love to hear from some of you who will share your volunteer stories with us.

Bye for now, Karen

Retirement USA

My daughter and I returned from our week holiday. We visited another beautiful state..Hawaii. Or, Kauai to be specific. I love that island and will continue to spend time there, but I do have to admit that I am always happy to return to Oregon. As I drove into Ashland from the Medford International Airport, I sent up a thank you for returning me safely and especially to this beautiful area of Southern Oregon. As you see I mentioned the airport, which is only 15 miles North of Ashland. It is such a bonus to living in Southern Oregon, as we who are retired tend to travel a bit, and getting to an International airport easily can be so important. You can check out our website www.oregonretirement.info and read more about the airport in Medford.

It is a sunny, bright morning and I am eager to get out in my garden and see what needs to be done for winter. Surely raking leaves, but in this Oregon air and sun, what could be better?

Until tomorrow, bye for now.

Karen