At the end of the day!

vanman · Senior Member

At the end of the day!

Bryan · Guru

I've thought of selling the house and building a granny flat at our son's place. That way we can have security, travel as and when we want and have somewhere to live when we have to hag up the keys. The one thing we don't want to do is rent the house.

The dog lady · Guru

Friends of mine just bought 5 acres on the fringe of Wedderburn (about 75 km from Bendigo in Vic) with 3 sheds and power & water connected for under $80,000. I suppose that would be a manageable amount for say 4 travellers who could use it as a home base. But I can foresee problems - what happens when 1 dies? If there is a falling out? If 1 or more can no longer travel at all? Personally I would not want to spend my last days in some second-rate van park in the middle of nowhere ( because that's all I could afford on a pension) if I can't drive anymore. I'm fortunate because I own my property which I share with my son & his family, but even so, it's 75km out of town and I dread the idea of having to ask whenever I need transport (even tho they say it won't be a problem and I feel they owe it to me so wouldn't feel guilty asking). It's the loss of independence that would be frightening. So I choose not to think about it most of the time, after all, I may not even live that long aww

And being solo or couple there is no garantee. My last husband died when he was 54 and I was 59. So the fact that I now choose

to be solo really makes no difference

-- Edited by The dog lady on Friday 22nd of November 2013 12:36:03 PM

pawsoz · Senior Member

Hi Vanman I am in that demographic, worked all my life but due to I'll health earlier little to show for that now. Only my motorhome which is getting on a bit. No home of my own now, no family anywhere, and despite studying and experience finding it hard to even get interviews let alone a job ! My thoughts were that if 2-3 or 4 of us in similar situation pooled resources we could possibly by a low cos house in a country town with enough room to park the travelling vehicles there. My thoughts are that most of us would like to be doing travels as much as we can and we would not all be 'at home' at the same time so we would not to cramped but there would most likely be someone around at least most of the time! Annie

GaryKelly · Guru

Pooling resources with other GNs has crossed my mind too... when the time comes. But I'll worry about that another day. Meanwhile, I'm happy to plod along on my lonesome and enjoy life as it comes.

Mr B2 · Senior Member

I worked my ring out for the last twenty years, All the people I worked with said I would be dead before I retired, or got my house built,

Only live people worry about dying, And there was always the very real possibility I might fall and be a Quad or Para,

So my house is built flat, No stairs or drops, So I could roll my wheel chair or strecher thru my entire house,

The house is not finished, But every thing works, and I own it, I bought a boat to retire on, But It got sank in a sudden storm, Being thrown up onto the rocks,

I bought it back from the insurance company and its currently being repaired, But the difference in the insurance money and the repairs, Allowed me to by my Coach,

But I cant afford to drive the coach untill I have sold my Boat after I sail it to the Kimberlys,

And I can Park my Coach in my front yard,

I dont get a full pension, so money is very tite, But I have set my self up nicely for retirement,

Am I lucky to have all that, No Im not, I worked very hard and extremely long hours for it,

Im now Retired and Solo, and still very fit and healthy, It can be done, Hahahaha

vanman · Senior Member

Thanks for the input very interesting.

Regards Chris

beiffe · Guru

I intend to travel while I can and then if I am like the rest of the males in my family I will get a flash and be gone. They have all died of massive heart attacks and been dead before they hit the floor.

If this doesn't work then perhaps a walk or crawl out into the extremes of temperatures with a bottle of scotch and laugh myself to death.

Regards
Brian

pawsoz · Senior Member

I too worked hard all my life, some of that work was limited to part time due to serious health issues for over 15 years, got on top of it once I realised I knew more about me than my Dr. Did! My own inclination is to keep on doing what I am loving, but if one leaves it to long there is always the danger that one might leave the decisions a bit too late and be all out of options. My previously mentioned thoughts of like minded adults get together and share ownership in a legal manner of a low cost house in a country town with a local hospital/Dr. Shops and a watering hole, and a GOOD coffee shop would likely make that place into a GN friendly town, would give all involved a low cost place to call home, but could still travel away at will. The sharing plan for 'oldies' is something I am trying to get Governments to take a look at, and some of NFP's think about taking up and running with in that it would be safest in the world at large if the matching up of sharers should be done in a safe neutral place and all parties be required to do a police check and so on. Annie

Feral Errol · Veteran Member

I think the share house idea has merit, though not without its problems (as described).

One benefit is keeping people independent longer and so out of nursing homes. I think any reduction in load on the aged care industry would be welcomed by most governments.

Gratitude for this selfless action by the concerned GN's, could be expressed by providing Government incentives via breaks on sales tax, transfer fees and duties.

Any thoughts?

jules47 · The Happy Helper

beiffe wrote:
I intend to travel while I can and then if I am like the rest of the males in my family I will get a flash and be gone. They have all died of massive heart attacks and been dead before they hit the floor.

If this doesn't work then perhaps a walk or crawl out into the extremes of temperatures with a bottle of scotch and laugh myself to death.

Regards
Brian

Brian - love your philosophy - we have told the families, if they hear of a motorhome found, with two skeletons in the front seat with big grins on their faces - come and claim us!!!!

jules47 · The Happy Helper

pawsoz wrote:
I too worked hard all my life, some of that work was limited to part time due to serious health issues for over 15 years, got on top of it once I realised I knew more about me than my Dr. Did! My own inclination is to keep on doing what I am loving, but if one leaves it to long there is always the danger that one might leave the decisions a bit too late and be all out of options. My previously mentioned thoughts of like minded adults get together and share ownership in a legal manner of a low cost house in a country town with a local hospital/Dr. Shops and a watering hole, and a GOOD coffee shop would likely make that place into a GN friendly town, would give all involved a low cost place to call home, but could still travel away at will. The sharing plan for 'oldies' is something I am trying to get Governments to take a look at, and some of NFP's think about taking up and running with in that it would be safest in the world at large if the matching up of sharers should be done in a safe neutral place and all parties be required to do a police check and so on. Annie

Annie - we have a friend who does just that - shares with another female friend, who doesn't travel anymore, but our friend still gets out and about, but has the security of a home.

As you say, the match up would have to be just right!

(What are NFP's? pardon my ignorance)

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Theres a couple of developments in our oldie-friendly town that might meet your criteria Pawsoz. There's 2 "relocatable home" places, where people own their own home on rented land with secure tenure. It seems that all the people who live there are in close contact... sometimes too close, according to the residents.! Theres lotsa permanent caravans as well but I'd really rather not live in those.

In the ACT, and maybe elsewhere, the Gov't Housing owns at least 2 "Abbeyfield Houses", which are sort of Hostels for self-caring elderly folk who fit the financial assessment for Gov't housing. They have a live-in cook (Lunch and Dinner) who does the cleaning in the common areas and residents are responsible for cleaning/caring for their own space, which is a biggish motel-style room with external access, and they come and go as they please.

Found a link ... http://www.abbeyfield.org.au/(S(m4nlrs2uz3ltv2455nz1t3zn))/aaModel.aspx

NFP? Not For Publication?, Non Feral People? Not For Profit Organizations I think!

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Saturday 30th of November 2013 09:29:34 AM

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Saturday 30th of November 2013 09:35:05 AM

Highwayman · Senior Member

Hey vanman hi di hi to you ..but wot a scary subject..for me that is..soon I will b leaving vic and flying solo to who knows where ... My camper is my only asset no super just the pension the usual older aged maladies . No matter what's put my way ...ill deal with it ..I put my trust in a universe that's taken care of me and lead me to some great experiences Maybe today's jails will take care of me they get fed clothed good meds who knows? Cya

Happyjack · Veteran Member

One thing is sure in this life - one's situation is not unique, and there is always plenty worse off then yourself.

This topic hits the nail for me too.

After living all my life in NZ, the last 18 years with a very wealthy woman, travelling the world, owning (hers) a beautiful launch, etc etc. her bipolar got worse and things turned very nasty. So I upped sticks and currently live in my caravan on friends' vineyard out of Kingaroy helping with the maintenance both viticultural and mechanical. Next May I am intending to head off towards Tasmania after they return from a 10 week Europe trip ( I'm looking after the vineyard, the dog and replacing a deck for them).

I'm now on the pension, most from NZ, topped up by Aussie. With a small amount of funds in the bank.

Once I get to Tassie (why Tassie? Lot's of water, seafood, mountains, green bush, cooler etc, ), I'll sort out an area to settle down, maybe the Huon Valley or maybe somewhere on the East coast but close enough for the occasional good movie, orchestra, opera - even a good woman smile .

Maybe it will take a while to get there too, winding my way down the East Coast. You never know I may fall in love with some place on the way down. Anything is possible.

I'll look at renting a small place, selling the van, maybe buy a much smaller one for travelling.

The Abbeyville House as Huonville looks interesting too.

And when my health and or money runs out I have a plan as I do not want anyone to have to look after me.

-- Edited by Happyjack on Sunday 1st of December 2013 10:10:45 AM