Simon Legree

Forty years ago yesterday I considered it a permanent move. I still do. I would venture to say that most people do. MOST older people do NOT move away for the winters. Some of us are able to do so but I would say it was the minority. It isn't a question of coping with the winters. We are geared for it and it isn't a problem. Life goes on. However, if one is able to do so why not ?

riosangel

I agree Simon, if you are able to do so I don't blame you at all and that is what I thought - that you must be geared up for the Winter over there, but then reading this thread I did start to wonder. Thanks, you have put my mind at rest.

Cookie

We are here definitely for the long term, maybe forever but I would like the option of winter sun and heat in my dotage

Steve_P

The nice thing about retirement is you can choose to go away for long periods (if you can afford it) or just short three or four day trips and everything in between.

BristolUK

No doubt a lot of people won't like me saying this but members of BE are, perhaps, not your typical citizens.


With the UK Capital some have arrived with and/or the high pay levels that go with the high skills/qualifications that made them so in demand as to be able to get through the immigration process, being able to afford more than the "norm" should not come as a surprise.

This is not "everyone" of course but maybe enough to make things appear different compared to other groups of people.

Even I, a lowly UK Civil Servant, was able to use UK equity for a good home in Canada and a rental property; living on a reduced pension and rental income.

That rental property, as mentioned in yes-can-do's plan, could have been in somewhere like Florida and available to me for winter. If I had been a little older and not taken the pension so early; in better paid employment in the UK (£15k salary isn't a fortune is it?); had not taken a complete retirement in Canada; my wife had been able to work as well (as with many couples) or any combination of these (and more) factors, who knows what lifestyle I could have afforded here?

Luckyone

Hi there,
thanks for all the feedback on my original thoughts/concerns about being old in our Canadian winters. It would appear that this is a concern for a number of posters. It obviously makes a difference if one is born and bred in Canada, as you're well used to the winters, and quite frankly probably don't know anything else. Travelling down south is something that many look to be considering, but again, this will probably have to come to an end at some point as one gets older.

For those with family, then I totally see how you'd wish to be here with them, and their children. For those of us that are left without children, it really is a different situation, and one that will leave one of us completely on their own at some point.....a scary thought, not made any better with the frigging cold.

Not sure if the answer is to move back to the UK though, as some consider. It is always a possibility, but I am very aware that the country I left almost 20 years ago, doesn't exist anymore.....However, thanks again, it's good to hear the thoughts and advice of others.

kastan

I have met so many Albertans who have moved to the Island recently.And the reason they moved ,was they were fed up with the cold and snow.It rain's less here than when we lived in Surrey,and i can cycle and play golf all year round.When we moved to Canada 3 years ago,it was the Island or not bother moving for us .Because i am not a fan of cold and snow.

stepnek

I am. I haven't figured out my exit plan yet but I don't plan to be here for my later years. Nope. Not at all.

Simon Legree

Judging by the number of Alberta licence plates I thought half the population was down here ! There are many many of them.
One of my neighbours here is from Vcr Island and says that there hasn't been so much snow there for years.

Largo

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Novocastrian

Brief, but no doubt as good a post as many.

I don't see that. Being born in Canada doesn't give you a better idea of being old.

There are however, a good number of alternatives other than the UK, Arizona or Florida. Beirut or Baghdad come to mind.

Steve_P

Not sure about that.

I swear my eldest was born 40 and grew into it.

Novocastrian

Oh dear. Does s/he vote conservative?

Steve_P

Definitely not.

He lives in Rob Anders ward.

Novocastrian

Oh jeez. One of the worst of Harper's NCC hacks.

I'm glad your offspring has turned out to be a chip off the old block.

May he breed profusely.