Retirement , what is the end game.

Steve Maskery said:

I last went to the US September 2024. My biggest problem was re-entering the EU. I was stopped at Reykjavik because I had only 6 weeks left on my residency card. The guy behind the desk didn't recognise it at all (it was, understandably, all in French). I think he let me in with some reluctance.

This couple were not so lucky:

‘Don’t go to the US – not with Trump in charge’: the UK tourist with a valid visa detained by ICE for six weeks

Karen Newton was in America on the trip of a lifetime when she was shackled, transported and held for weeks on end. With tourism to the US under increasing strain, she says, ‘If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone’

www.theguardian.com

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Wow. That Guardian article is revealing. It really needs wider coverage. Will ask the Missus if she’s heard about it as she’s the news junkie in our house. Certainly I’d be cancelling my US trip if I had one booked.

The news moguls doing what they do best, This is AI research…..The Guardian is generally considered to be anti-Trump, often portraying him negatively in its coverage and taking a stance against his policies and actions. This aligns with its left-leaning editorial perspective.

Personally I think this forum should concentrate more on woodworking and be a little less concerned on medical and political interests.

The same story is covered by the Daily Mail and Express, hardly lefties.
But yes, back to retirement (without incarceration). It's 10.20 and I'm just getting up...
S

This is a good illustration of the problem of knowing what to believe/where to get your news …


Unfortunately there is a trend for news articles to be created by AI for mainstream media. They pick the misinformation on social media up and repeat it as fact. Quite worrying really.

Anyway - enjoy breakfast/brunch @Steve Maskery

Good point Jonathan, about getting on with some woodwork !

Cabinetman said:

Just a bit curious Roger, what is the Political situation that deters you from visiting San Francisco? Not a city I’ve visited unfortunately.
Ian

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I seem to have stirred up a hornet's nest here. Loads of speculation about social media, ICE etc, and our reasons include all of those. I also object to having to supply details of my extended family, including contact details etc. I don't have their permission to divulge that, and nor am I going to ask them. When we visit San Francisco, we sometimes take a lodge for the weekend in Yosemite. So far the admission price has been $35 for a car and all its occupants for a 1 week pass, and I have no issue with that. But after the world's richest man sacked most of the National Park staff, from 1st Jan the admission price has applied to US citizens only, and foreign nationals have to pay a $100 per head surcharge, so the price for us has risen from $35 to $235. For a family of 2 adults and 2 teenage children, that would be an increase to $435. Nothing shouts "f*** o** foreigners" louder than that, as far as I'm concerned. Some sources say this is only for those arriving on commercial tours, but that's not what the National Parks web sites say. Having visited the US multiple times, and having travelled extensively down the west coast and through New England, we have many happy memories, but there are other places to visit where we would be more welcome. It is only our son's presence there that is a draw now, and it would be unfair to expect him to do all the travelling, in addition to being closely involved with 2 business, so I suspect that we may relent at some stage.

Anyway, we're in danger of this becoming a political thread, and we digress from the OP who was enquiring about moving locations upon retirement. It's too easy to become too prescriptive. What is right for one would be a disaster for another. We have found that some meticulous pre-retirement planning has played a serious part in our feeling of well being.

CHJ said:

Retirement , what is the end game.​

To live it to the best of ones ability within any given constraints of health and wealth.

Personally after 33 years of retirement and never enough hours in the day, DIYing my daily surroundings into something that melts into a state that blends into the unconscious acceptance with the prospect of better equipment and facilities for hobby time enjoyment its Anno Domini and health that is frustratingly calling time.

What do I have? contentment in my everyday surroundings, constant partner support (over 64 yrs.), dispersed family that are all doing OK, a few close friends/neighbours and other acquaintances that would willing jump in to provide assistance if needed on a reciprocal basis of past events.

What do I think has been the most significant factor to personal wellbeing, Partner and daily surroundings.

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I am completely with you on this. Being at ease with your surroundings is important, as is the unconditional support (gladly reciprocated) of a partner - in my case just 49 years. But I guess it is easier to live in harmonious contentment with your surroundings when you live in one of the most picturesque coastal villages in the country and not in a flat over a launderette in an inner city. Also remember that if you move away, you take yourself with you!