At Happy Hour last night, a couple we know and love—along with their young daughter—got us thinking. They shared that they are seriously considering moving from our neighborhood to be closer to other families with young children while staying within their current school district.
Listening to them plan their next move made us pause. It reminded us that life is a series of transitions, and it served as a catalyst for us to look further down the road. We’ve been having a lot of fun lately expanding our own horizons and imagining what retirement might actually look like.
Now, before anyone gets ahead of themselves: we haven't made any final decisions. We still have plenty of time to plan—at least, we think we do. What we don't want is for that final "gig day" to sneak up on us only to realize we have no roadmap for the chapters that follow.
We’re taking our time and asking the big questions. What does it look like if we stay put? What does it look like elsewhere? Most importantly, what will our days actually consist of? We already know our "must-haves" for a life well-lived:
Service: Giving back to others and our four-legged friends.
Engagement: Odd jobs or a fun part-time gig to stay active.
Soul: A life built around community, music and good food.
We’ve been careful students of those who retired before us, taking note of the pitfalls. We all know the cautionary tales: the person who retires only to escape a job they hate, losing their spark shortly after. Or those who leap without the financial means to support their golden years. My own parents found themselves in similar situations, and those lessons have stayed with us.
The tactical side of this exploration—the budgeting, house hunting, and city scouting—is genuinely exciting. It’s amazing how quickly you can find information today when you’re looking for a new path. But it isn't all brochures and spreadsheets. In the back of our minds is the reality of politics, both in Idaho and across the country.
We cannot ignore the momentum behind stripping away hard-won rights. As we look at the map, we have to ask: Which states offer the strongest protections should things change? Where can we live safely, without harm, enjoying the same rights our straight friends take for granted? Seeing those protections chipped away at here in Idaho weighs heavily on our hearts as we plan.
So, for now, we research. We explore. There is no set timetable, especially as things remain raw following Barbara’s passing. The world feels heavy right now—between global conflict, high interest rates, and the everyday sting of inflation at the pump and the grocery store.
In a volatile world, we’re choosing to be intentional. We’re dreaming big, but we’re making smart choices.
For the foreseeable future, that means staying right where we are—with our eyes wide open.
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