There are many paths to a happy retirement, with each of us having our own unique set of wishes and goals. Whether you’re craving a change of scene, more family time or increased opportunities to focus on your health and hobbies, take inspiration from those who are currently living the dream.
“I swapped city living for a sea and tree change” Linsey Bamping, 61, Qld
“I’m grateful to have enjoyed a fun and fulfilling career in publishing, working with some very talented and professional people. Following my divorce, I lived in an apartment by the beach in Sydney, which was close to the city, cafes and restaurants. It was a beautiful place and during the 22 years I was there its value increased exponentially.
But as retirement approached, I yearned to escape the noise, the crowds, the busyness of the city and be closer to nature. So I sold my beachside pad and bought a four-bedroom house in Currumbin Valley, Queensland. I didn’t expect to feel at home so quickly, but the community greeted me with such warmth: bowls of tomatoes, a pumpkin at my door, eggs, vegie seeds and cuttings.
I heard that retirement would be boring and I would lose my purpose, but that hasn’t been the case for me. While I have slowed down, I have the freedom to focus on new things like growing vegetables, recycling, composting and learning about permaculture. I love the sense of connection I have to this place, the green and the quiet. I smile a lot.”
How I achieved my dream: “I’ve always been a good saver and financial independence was important to me. I had a budget of sorts, but I also love to travel, eat great food, drink wonderful wine and enjoy life. In my late 50s, I used a spreadsheet to capture everything I spent so I could better understand how much money I would need in retirement to maintain my lifestyle. I found a financial adviser who helped me consolidate my assets and set savings and investment goals. When I bought my property, there were extra costs for insurance, house maintenance and garden equipment, which required jiggling things around. I’m fortunate that my apartment turned out to be an amazing investment.”
“We hope to travel around Australia soon” Ken and Sue Muller, 60s, NSW
“Life before retirement was busy! Ken was working full-time in a role that required large amounts of overseas and domestic travel, while Sue worked part-time as a registered nurse. Our son had recently moved back to the family home with his two young children, and most weekends were spent maintaining the garden and pool.
For us, retirement meant an end to a stressful job for Ken and more time to focus on leisure-based hobbies like camping, fishing, hiking and golf. Our holiday house on the mid-north coast of NSW was in need of a renovation, which gave us the opportunity to move up there to supervise the reno and enjoy a non-city lifestyle.
We love the lack of stress and structure that retirement offers. We have no set agenda on any given day, and can enjoy reading a book all day if we want. We’re members of the local gym and have amazing beaches nearby, where we can walk, swim or fish. Our newly renovated house is now big enough for friends and family to visit, and being close to the border, we can easily visit family in Queensland. We purchased a camper trailer with the idea of travelling around Australia, but due to Covid, we’re still in the planning phase.”
How we achieved it: “While working, we always contributed to our superannuation fund, even when times were rough. We also managed to pay off all three mortgages on our two Sydney properties and our mid-north coast home, so we could retire with no debt. And we’ve had a financial planner for many years who manages our investment share portfolio.”
“We stayed put, close to family” Wendy O’Halloran, 65, WA
“I retired eight years ago, after almost 40 years in the fashion industry. I was the owner of three boutiques in Perth and its surrounds, and have formed great friendships with many of my regular customers.
My husband and I decided to stay living in the family home where we raised our three kids. It was an easy decision; I’m a bit of a homebody, and was keen to stay in the area where I’ve made lifelong friends. My daughter lives in the same area, which will come in handy when she starts a family. I’m also just a few kilometres from my 97-year-old mum, who still lives at home independently. I see her every day and we have lots of laughs together.
Retirement has given me the freedom to enjoy my hobbies and passions. Fitness is a big part of my life with my husband, and we’ve always enjoyed running together. I joined the West Australian Marathon Club when I retired and started running competitively – I’ve surprised myself by winning the Club Champion in my age category five times! I also took up golf, and I sing in a small community choir. I recently started jamming with a band of three other girls, which has been a real blast – something I never thought I’d do!”
How I achieved my dream: While we were working, Grant always ensured our super contributions would set us up for a worry-free retirement. We entered this new stage of our lives in a good financial position, with no mortgage and no debts.
Brought to you by Boomer Home Loans. The first specialised lender for Australians aged 55 and over, Boomer Home Loans offers a range of specialist home loan products for retirees and soon to be retirees, helping you to live the life you deserve by unlocking the potential in your hard-earned wealth. Get in touch to learn about the full range of products on offer and their terms and conditions. Boomer Home Loans Pty Ltd Australian Credit Licence Number 532798
