It's funny how people don't take interest in their retirement until they get there . And sometimes it doesn't work out well . I've been thinking about mine for 10 years and I'm still not there yet !
I thought your example of the lady downsizing wasn't bad at all . At least she has a place to live of her choosing and with plenty of money in the bank . A lot of people are far worse off than her . I reckon retirement is just another phase in your life and should be welcomed rather than dreaded . It's interesting about your friends who are bored . I talk to a lot of people who are on the cusp of retirement ( my personal research ) and many of them have no idea of what they're going to do . I don't get it although maybe I'll change my view when I get there .
I sort of agree about the Mcmansion thing . Yes , they were a bit of a blue collar status symbol and some were poorly designed . I know as I have an old one as a rental ( 6 bedrooms ) . The irony is that it is very popular . The people who rent it are early fifties and their extended family kind of comes and goes . It seems that one of the kids ( grown up ) is in some sort of crisis regularly . That said , the house works really well for them and they could probably never afford to buy such a house . At least , that's what they think anyway . Also , young families seem to be increasing in size . Births are actually up a bit so not everyone wants a small place .
That said , some of the Mcmansions have really big blocks that aren't really suited to subdivision . I reckon those ones will struggle down the track .
