I had a nice day yesterday with three different friends. I took a walk with one, had lunch and shopped with another and had the third over for dinner. I love the retirement life, when I am free almost anytime and can get together so easily. And all three of these friends are within walking distance of me. I cannot imagine moving away from all this support and warm friendship, because the most important thing to me is these people. Last night, I was inquiring about a neighbor, who recently lost her husband, and my friend told me she has downsized, buying a house much smaller with a tiny yard, and selling her big house to her daughter. But she carefully bought only five streets away, so that she is still able to walk to her friends' houses and the post office and bank and grocery market, etc. She knows she needs to keep in her loving circle, but now she has a one story house and will have much less maintenance.
I've known several neighbors who moved away to "retire" and regretted it. The ones who've stayed around are happier and walking more and have buddies to go to art museums and tea and trade cuttings from plants. It's tempting to think of living by the ocean or high up with a view or deep in a beautiful forest, but is it wise? Everyone's answer may be different, but for me, what holds me upright are my friends.
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