A fascinating series from the Guardian which I’m sure will resonate with many folks here.
5 Likes
We had our new adventure after Jim retiring at 60.
We came to live permanently in our second home, bought specifically for that purpose.
We came to live in Trivy.
2 Likes
I did it the other way round @Nigel-at-BUF-House, driving road trains at about 25 then downsized from that. I too had a Mack, not 4 but 3 trailers but longer ones for carrying cattle. Also no dodads in the cab that this bloke has. No electronics, no cb, no phone, no camera, no fridge. The coldest thing was the ever present canvas water bag which starts life leaky on the ‘roo bars’ up front, before being transferred to the floor of the cab to be swigged at regular intervals during the long drive.
He’s only 8 years younger than me, but I certainly wouldn’t want to be doing it now. 
4 Likes
Nice caveat.
Although just over 60 I’m about to ‘start again’ to avoid being sucked into the life of a retired Brit in rural France. It’s filled us with a mixture of sadness, excitement and anxiety but we know that if we don’t do something now we’ll always regret it.
4 Likes
Oh… you are good for a laugh…
you make it sound like a fate worse the death… 
Retirement is supposed to enable one to do what one wants to do… no Big Boss making the Rules…
I’m teasing, as you surely realize…
and I wish you well in whatever you decide to get up to now… 
1 Like
I’m busier nowadays than when I worked, I don’t know how I found time to fit work in.
7 Likes
Same here… although I’m beginning to slow down just a little…
In a previous life, I would be laughingly told-off for running in the corridors, while trying to get back to my office to take an urgent phone call…
Nowadays, when I dash to the Mairie… it’s more of a swift, veryfast… walk… with just a bit of jogging
Constant socialising with the same circle of people seems to be the norm with many Brits here and that is our idea of hell. We have therefore taken what many would say is the mad decision to sell up and move back to the UK whilst being financially able to do so, we’ve swapped a large 200 year old manor house in the country for a small three bed semi in a reasonably sized city where we can walk to the shops, pubs, restaurants, theatres etc.
9 Likes
I am sure she’ll still be here 
They are the life choices and we do what we do. Looking to do a bit longer in France with a possible relocation but at the same time we see bored relatives drinking too much and wanting to hang around all the time and why relocating in the UK still appeals as it has for you.
1 Like
Yuk… no thanks… got fingers in so many pies that we are never bored, there simply isn’t the time…
Only thing holding us back, just a little, is OH’s heart… but I can live with that (if he can)
Some have hobbies which keep them busy and they too like to meet occasionally but it seems to take time for people to adjust to the slow pace of the countryside and thats where some never adjust. Ok for me to say that as I am constantly busy when here but on a pension when you cant afford to carry out a lot of projects I may fall into the same trap. At least in the UK we have a lifetime of knowledge on where to go like theatres etc.
1 Like
For us it’s the excitement of discovering new things… to eat… places to visit… nature at its magnificent best… so much within walking distance, let alone by car…
EDIT: we’re all so different, what is perfect for someone will be hell-on-earth for someone else…
It would be sad NOT to do something one really wants to do… and if that is leaving France and/or going back to work… whatever… so be it… and best of luck…
I hope it works really well, for you @tim17 . You certainly shouldn’t be bored with lots on offer there 
When we arrived here, (I was 65), we were so worried about the life you describe as being often the norm for Brits, that we didn’t meet up with any at all, only French people 
It’s working well for us and there are so many things for us to do here, but it certainly wouldn’t suit a lot of people at all. Horses for courses and all that…
2 Likes
I can’t recall the last time I mingled with ‘the same circle of people (Brits)’ for years. In fact, I can’t recall the last time I spoke with a Brit, other than members of the family . No one is obliged to mix with Brits or any one else for that matter. France is big enough to avoid others if you so wish.
Returning to the UK would be hell for me and would be seen as a distinct downgrade in my standard of living.
Each to their own Tim, good luck mate.
4 Likes
I came as a thirty-something mum with two small children so it was actually no different for us - school, work,after school activities,visits by relatives in the summer. We would never have bought a ruin to renovate if we had been 60 or more, preferring to have an easier life instead
Yes I agree, it is the discovery part thats great and dont get me wrong but sometimes people think they want one thing and a few years later want to change back and the financial implications can be a real problem.
2 Likes
@tim17 I can understand what you feel about living somewhere with an easy walk to events and amenities.
Has anyone suggested to you possibly waiting a year or two before you buy a final UK property? The market is forecast to go down, anywhere from 15 to possibly as much as 30%. Of course, it depends on where and what size but may be worth holding fire for a bit?
Good luck to you tim 
, it just that what you are proposing is my idea of hell 
, we have a large circle of friends both British and French so we are here to stay, I left the UK for the reasons you are leaving France, I will be here till the day I die.
4 Likes