For good or bad I've built my life around my bride. I love her as much today as I did over 56 years ago when we made our vows to each other. I love my 5 grown kids and my 12 grandkids, but they all have busy lives and it is my wife, not the kids or grandkids, that center my life. Sadly for me the few good friends I had are gone, and old friends from my youth or my 24 years in the military are not a real part of my life anymore. It occurred to me that if my wife passed, nothing would really be holding me to this location. I have no love for the state I currently live in, Illinois, nor do I enjoy the months of winter when I cannot be outside riding my motorcycle or otherwise enjoying the outdoors. So its crossed my mind that if my wife were gone (and she has no desire to move even just the few miles it would take to cross the border into Wisconsin) and I moved to a warmer, and politically more friendly part of the country, just how difficult life would be on my own as an old grumpy man. I think that making new friends would be a non-starter at my age. Not being a church goer, that route would not appeal to me. Then again, maybe if my wife were gone I would find myself wanting to visit my kids more than I do now. But the thought of living where being a Conservative does not make one a pariah, where I could enjoy a pro-gun political climate, where I could ride all or most of the year, might be a decent way to spend what time I would have left on the green side of the grass. Just another rant from me as I sit here while its -8 outside and the wind is howling.
I wonder how difficult it would be
- Thread starter vito
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If you don’t think you can make friends or enjoy church, you won’t.
Life is one big social event ….. some participate and some, well, not so much.
There’s no reason to talk politics. No obligation to tell others how you feel and no reason for you to ask them. Unless of course you want to judge each other by that alone.
We’re all about as happy and content as we DECIDE to be.
Life is one big social event ….. some participate and some, well, not so much.
There’s no reason to talk politics. No obligation to tell others how you feel and no reason for you to ask them. Unless of course you want to judge each other by that alone.
We’re all about as happy and content as we DECIDE to be.
You might consider southern Arizona. I've heard there are lots of cranky old men there.
Given that scenario I would be heading to north Tucson. Of course at my age now I would not do it but a few years ago we both thought about it. Health issues and age put a damper on our possible plans.
If I'm not mistaken I think in another post you mentioned you were 80. Sound like you are at the cross road of life, why don't you get your wife to take a visit to say the Villages in Central Florida, Lots of folks from the north have relocated there and love it. You could get yourself one of those juiced up golf carts, you wouldn't really need a car, each section down there has it's own little city for whatever you need, food, doctors, businesses of all kinds. And of course you would meet others that still love their two wheel scooters and their weekly planned trips. Check it out.....
I’d move down by Cholo. He’s got all the cool toys and more Harley’s than one man can ride.
Bad Barlow
Single-Sixer
Move to a nice climate,and join a gun club... worked for me!
Bob Wright
Hawkeye
Your "what if" became reality for me on June 21st. of this year. The house in which I live is small, has a nice yard, and my workshop. I have a sister here in a Senior Living home who has no memory at all of things that happened two minutes ago. And two nieces, not the daughters of this sister. But I have many friends whose last names I don't know, we just meet every Tuesday morning grocery shopping. And my church, with all of its youngsters who need an old man to be their surrogate grandpa. Plus all the folks in my Sunday School class and other members of my church. And a pastor who is not only a good preacher, guiding pastor, but my friend as well. We raised three children in this house, and it still echoes with their shouts of glee or sadness. And cemeteries are here where so many of my past are buried. Still visit the graves of my mother and father, not often, but at times. And Nita's mother and dad. My sister and her husband. I've got roots planted very deep here.
And Memphis barbecue is a factor too.
No, I came here to stay here.
Bob Wright
And Memphis barbecue is a factor too.
No, I came here to stay here.
Bob Wright
Sounds to me like you should stay close to your family assuming they or most of them are close together. Sounds too cold up there to me but be careful what you wish for... down here it tends to get a little warm in the summer.
Take her there in January.
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
Lots of building going on here in Zephyrhills, FL (sigh) Most say "Low $300's" but the weather is usually good (except this weekend with the cold) and the Dade City Gun Club has a nice range ($120 year membership). Aint happy with all the Northerners moving down but a Ruger Forum Member would be welcome.
LOL
Vito's cool and he'd be more than welcome to move near me.
I'm not sure he could handle all the Confederate flags flying in my historical Civil War town, though
Sturgis270
Single-Sixer
Vito I'm not to far north of you apparently. I'm west of Milwaukee and almost due east of Madison. This weather event we are sharing is certainly a nasty one. Not much snow but very ugly cold and windy. Forecasted for the 31st is 50 degrees! Hang on its going to get better.
I lived in Ft Lauderdale many years ago. Florida is honestly a great place. However if I were to go there it would be in the St Pete, Tampa, Tarpon Springs area. I, and the wife, like Arizona because of the lack of humidity. Heat I handle well, humidity a don't care for. Realize i presently live in Maryland. Humidity is a given here.
It's not the heat it's the humidity. I was in Vegas for a week and the air was painful to breathe. With Zekiah Swamp behind the house humidity is a given.
powder smoke
Hawkeye
Too many good choices to list! America is a great place! Pack your bags fire up your wheels
and head out in the direction of your dreams! BTW It is NEVER too late to enjoy life!
and head out in the direction of your dreams! BTW It is NEVER too late to enjoy life!
I always preferred Pompano. Just far enough to be out of the Lauderdale rush, reef close to shore, and about 45 minutes to good Everglades fishing. I would load up my Deep Sea fishing gear, my freshwater fishing gear, my diving gear and my canoe.
Montana Cowboy
Bearcat
Vito, I would take a moment and be thankful for all of the good things in your life, things could be much worse.
