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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Retirement Housing Options Compared

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli  

The cost of housing is typically the largest part of the monthly budget in any household. Knowing some housing choices can make this an exciting avenue to pursue in retirement. Why limit yourself to only one stationary housing selection? You have many options.

Our house sit in Antigua, Guatemala

Our house sit in Antigua, Guatemala

House Sitting

House sitting is gaining momentum as more people realize the benefits of having handpicked and trustworthy sitters care for their home and pets while the owners travel. Home owners have the security of someone living in their homes and caring for their pets and gardens while they travel for weeks or months at a time. Sitters have the benefit of staying in a home in lieu of a hotel in exchange for living like a local instead of a tourist, and have all the advantages of visiting foreign locations. Some people manage their retirement lifestyle as professional sitters, scheduling sits throughout the entire year and lessening the need for owning their own home.

Pros

There is a variety of homes around the world available to sit

You are able to travel and see foreign countries and cities affordably

A way to meet people and make friends/connections with home owners

Live in a location not as a tourist but as a local

Not tied in to owning a home or long term lease or financial obligation

You can save yourselves money in the housing category of your household expenses

It’s a turnkey situation

 

 

 

 

 

Cons

While some sits can be for 6 months or a year, this is not a permanent situation. Eventually, you have to leave the location

You will need to deal with Visa restrictions in foreign countries

You have the weight of the responsibility for someone else’s home, and while you have the option of sitting for pets or not, if you choose to sit pets, you have the responsibility for the animal.

You may not speak the language in the foreign country where you are sitting

Some exchanges require working on the property in exchange for lodging. This could entail gardening, operating a Bed and Breakfast or feeding horses and livestock, for instance.

Floor plan from myfusionhome.com

Floor plan from myfusionhome.com

Gen 2 Homes also known as Next Gen homes

Resurging in American living styles is the major trend of multigenerational living. Now there are designs for homes that allow extended family to live all together in one home – except with separate living spaces. It is literally a home within a home, with floor plans incorporated into the main home in a way that allows it to be a separate space but also offers direct access from the main house, depending upon the family’s needs.

Grandparents can be nearby to help care for children, and conversely, money on adult care for older parents can be saved because they live with their own adult children.

Pros

Multi-generations of family can live together and still maintain private living space

Stay connected with your family on a day to day basis

Save money by sharing a mortgage, a vehicle, utility bills, Wifi, cable, insurances, etc.

Can be like an assisted living situation in case grandparents’ health needs require this

Safety and familiarity for all involved

Kids can visit grandparents easily, and the worry about grandparents aging and needing care is lessened.

Can have your own pet

Cons

Expensive – prices for these homes range from $300-600k

These “home within a home” styles are only available in particular communities so might not be allowed for existing homes without certain permits

If there are family conflicts, there is very close proximity with no chance to take a break

This style of living is not for everyone, might be too close to family – not enough separation for individual living.

Surfer walks Manly Beach in Australia

See the world!

Travel as a lifestyle

This is a very flexible lifestyle, where you are not attached to any one particular housing situation. You can utilize apart/hotels in any country, which provide maid services, WiFi, access to a kitchen and include utilities. You might try house sitting for a while, rent a hotel room for months at a time, rent a flat, a casita, or a cabin in the mountains, or try being a roommate in large cities like London, Rome or Paris.

For the most part you can come and go as you please, depending on your budget, the weather or your desire to continue traveling the globe. Since there are relatively no long-term financial commitments, you can be in a beach paradise one month and the Swiss Alps the next.

Pros

The world is your oyster -  you are only limited by your imagination

It's an economical manner of living since you are not paying for a mortgage, insurance, property taxes and maintenance of a home

Opens your perspective of the world and its peoples

The learning never stops - languages, culture, food, geography, history

Make friends all over the world

Opportunities of all sorts will fall into your lap

The digital nomad lifestyle is much easier now - banking, getting your news, movies, music is a breeze. Staying in touch with loved ones is easy through any of the VOIPs.

Cons

Some people feel groundless, having no definable home base

You must be aware of visa restrictions in the countries you are visiting.

If foreign languages intimidate you, or you have no curiosity about them, this could pose a challenge

You must travel light and anything you value, you carry with you

If utilizing medical tourism frightens you, this lifestyle might not be for you

Entrance to a Snowbird community in Naples, Florida

Entrance to a community in the sun belt

Snow Birding

Snow Birding as a housing option for those who live in the far north and who want to get away from cold winter temperatures, and this choice has been around for a long time. People who are tired of freezing weather will purchase or rent another home, condo, or manufactured home in a location in the Sun Belt and spend their winters in warmer climes. Some people choose to winter in places such as Mexico, whereas others will go to Active Adult Communities in Florida, Arizona, California or Texas. When the winter subsides up north, the “Snow Birds” return to their home.

Pros

6 months at one location, 6 months in better climate

Can still have half a year with family “back home”

Offers variety to one’s living experience

Can have a pet accompany them to their winter home

Active Adult Communities often have a large selection of social activities and conveniences like tennis courts, golf memberships, swimming pools

 

 

 

 

Cons

Must like to travel to get to your second location

Must maintain and pay for the care of 2 properties, or rent the second one

Will be away from your regular doctor and must have a second doctor in the winter location

amenities in a Resort RV park

RV parks have lots of amenities

RVing

RVing has become popular as a lifestyle option because of the variety and independence that it affords. Far from being simply a “trailer,” some of these recreational vehicles are like rolling condos complete with Corian or tile countertops, wood paneling and washer and dryers. Slide outs make a narrow rectangle living space swing out into complete comfort. Having the independence and familiarity of taking your home anywhere you would like to travel makes this option attractive. Your front porch changes, but your home remains the same.

Pros

Travel offers variety in lifestyle

Self-contained home and all your familiar home attractions - kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom

Affordable living

Is a social lifestyle

No high property taxes

 

 

 

 

Cons

Not in one stable location must have mail forwarding address

Maintenance of both car and home

Licenses for vehicle and trailer must be renewed annually

Have no bedrooms for children to visit

Fuel cost could be high

Must pay camping fees or dry camp

Having alternatives in your housing choices can open up the world to you. You are not stuck in one location and with a little bit of flexibility and adventure, planning for your retirement living can be very attractive and exciting.

What's Your Number? - How much money do you need to retire?

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About the Authors

 
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

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