Any carfree riders who are retired?

[Roody]

I'm 51 and starting to think a little bit about retirement in a few years. Can anybody enlighten us on how carfree retirement is working for them? Any suggestions or tips?

Thanks. :)

[TuckertonRR]

my fathers' sort of car-free. Has a car but never drives it. Most of the advice would apply to most other car-free, or those contemplating it.
1. live in a place with good public transport 2. walk, and do some sort of excersize everyday (not nessicarily bicycling) 3. have some sort of backup plan in case of emergency (a neighbor to take you to the hospital, for instance) 4. Plan your trips out - don't go out, come back home 5X during the day. Try to combine all your errands in one trip.

[Nightshade]

Yes, I'm retired (2003) and find that where you live is very important. If you
live in a small town with good to fair services and small business you will do
much better than if you are a city suburban dweller. It's much like "back to
the 50's" to the time when people lived closer together as a community when
you age becomes very important for lot's of reasons. Suburbia is barren
in those kinds of things.

Buy yourself a cargo trike to take the place of one ,or both, cars to save mega
bucks for errand runs. Going carfree or car-lite will become VERY important
in the not to distant future. Unless you like walking put a good quality trike
in your inventory in addtion to your bikes.

Basicly, live to a simple slower pace with more time at home or with close
neighbors or friends. Life ceases to be all about running hither and yon and
and more about peaceful activites that allow you time to breath.

When you do 'retire" get ready for a shock as your mind and body will need
to re-adjust to not being "on the clock" which will take time.

[Platy]

Carfree retirement suits me just fine. I wish I lived closer to downtown, though.