..... To be honest I haven't really thought much about retirement. I do have a pension but as to what exactly we will do I am not sure. We could use our house as a base camp and travel from time to time. I'm not one to just pack up and move away from here ..... David
Dave, I worked at the same place for well over 30 years. I wondered the same thing before I retired. But 5 years before I did retire, I considered this:
was I happy only doing this
was there other things I really wanted to accomplish in my life
did we want to work until we were forced out of age or health or death as with other friends we knew
what would make the wife & I happy
was I happy living where we were or was there some other life we want
what changes would / could make us happier and content instead of what would we put up with as we did the last few decades to survive
We retired, sold the house and moved to an area we selected. (In another state) Built our home and settled in. We see deer in the morning or night grazing, rabbits running everywhere, foxes cruising the land, and way way more. We travel to see the kids and grandkids once or twice a year and minimum one other place neither she or I have never been before. (some years 4 trips) We have enough land that the wife has a garden bigger than she ever though she would have, I putt around the yard with a 40 HP Massey and a Sthil chainsaw (a lot of trees), enough room I don't see the neighbors.
We never had a 2nd thought of what we did and never want to move back. Just open your mind and think of what you REALLY want for YOU, and you'll be fine.