Discussions

It has become clearly evident that my retirement pension will not be sufficient for post retirement as long as I choose to stay living in Brandon. Constant tax increases, the winter weather associated heating costs and other factors leave me no choice but to move on. Selling my property is first on the list. That will give me a decent sum of capitol to at least get started. Would like to live in a warm environment for the winter for 6 months of the year and back here for the summer months if I could find a cheap rental option. There is no problem finding good budget locations in other parts of the world, it is here where I can't find budget rental options. Has anyone had any experience with house sitting? Have read a bit about it on line and it actually does appeal to me. Approaching the senior age maybe it's time for some adventure and escape the boring routine here? Have absolutely no interest in buying a condo here just want the convenience of picking up and leaving at anytime and letting someone else worry about the maintenance and upkeep. Wondering what others that are in my situation have done and what they recommend What do snowbirds do with their accommadations down south when they come back home for the summer? I would be fine looking after their property in exchange for free rent and the piece of mind knowing someone they know was living in their place and looking after it. Anyway any options or ideas are welcome at this point. Have worked at the same place for 30 years, time for a new chapter in my life to begin.

I am actually on the same path. I plan to sell the house this spring and get an RV and live in it full time. I will spend the winter down south and then come back for 6 months. Without all the costs associated with keeping a house, I will actually be able to afford to travel.

B.K. said "I am actually on the same path. I plan to sell the house this spring and get an RV and live in it full time. I will spend the winter down south and then come back for 6 months. Without all the costs associated with keeping a house, I will actually be able to afford to travel. "

Seems to be quite popular. I follow this blog of a BC couple who do just that.  
http://www.loveyourrv.com/

I have thought about an RV but there goes my house sale money. Most decent models are really expensive. Also would still like to tinker in a yard a bit. Maybe a little gardening to keep busy sometimes.

What about buying in a small outlying community like baldur or such lower property values and taxes

tafeel said "What about buying in a small outlying community like baldur or such lower property values and taxes "

Is quite cheap. Houses go for a lot less up here, if ya do not mind the non-stop boredom. Buying is way cheaper than renting, here.  
 
Look at renting a mobile home in Texas or Florida for the winter. Buying means you are on the hook for all costs year round.

No offence but I think I would die of loneliness in Baldur or any other town that small for that matter. Better off renting a cabin at a lake somewhere at least I could go fishing. Lol

Well like I said the warm locations are no problems to find on a budget. Chaing Mai Thailand I can rent a decent place for $500 cdn per month. Mexico $800. Ecuador $600. Here in Canada or Manitoba at least it's impossible to find deals like that and still get a decent place for it . Keep looking I guess. Everything is a lot different now living on a fixed income . Got to find the deals.

Glad you started this discussion Kroogs. I've been trying to figure out the same thing. Just don't want to spend another Manitoba winter watching the weather channel.  
A small, low rent apartment seems to be the answer but really hard to find.

There is houses in Ninette. Pelican Lake for sale. fishing, sailing, golfing near by

into an apartment such as sokol manor if you are retired. Rent is by income, go away in the winter and not need to worry.

I must stress again I Don't want to buy a house or Condo or anything else. It makes no sense for me anymore . Have been a home owner for 40 years. I don't want to pay a mortgage don't want to pay any mortgage interest don't want to pay anymore city taxes don't want to do the upkeep or maintenance on something I buy!! It makes more sense for me now to just rent where ever I want to go and just lock the door and leave, The money I will receive from my house sale is now for me to do some fun time living not to buy more property. Been there done that! I'm in my early 60's it's time to live!!!! I'm in the last third of my life and this third is a lot skinnier than the first two ! I'm still very active that could all change in a heartbeat! It's now or never !

Rent a cottage or park model up by Clear Lake on the summer and do the same in Arizona, Texas or California in the winter.

Has anyone tried the housesitting option? Must be lots of snowbirds who could use this service ?

Snowbirds might need a house sitter, but they'd need it during the winter. If I'm not misreading your post, you want to live locally April to September, and somewhere warm October to March?  
 
Maybe you could hook up with a student and share their rental while they go home for the summer, but I doubt you'll find six months worth of house sitting. Especially if you're looking for more than a week or two at a time.

Sometimes you can find motels that rent for long stays at a reasonable rate. They are furnished, have internet and tv, no utilities.  
When you say that you want a warmer place to go in the winter, are you talking in Canada, or elsewhere?

Have also been considering keeping the house and just going away for 4 months, to escape the winter.  
I realize will still have to pay utilities, taxes, insurance, etc., plus someone to keep an eye on the house.  
Any ideas of where to go Dec-March that wouldn't break the bank?

Just to clarify that when I say I am looking for a warmer climate in the winter months I am looking elsewhere than Canada . Once you become a retiree and are living on a fixed income you realize that this wonderful country we call home is not exactly budget friendly . Also when I asked about the snowbirds I meant what do they do with their places down south when they come home for the summer ? I'm thinking they are paying someone to look after it . Maybe I could live there and look after it for them . It doesn't matter if I stay down there in the summer months or the winter months I am basically trying to get the best bang for my dollar .

Question for B.K. - where will you park the RV when you come home in the summer?  
It sounds like a wonderful adventure.

Baldur was just a suggestion there are many small communities in manitoba depending on your intrest. Inglis or drop more right by lake of the prarie if you are into fishing rossburn if you like fishing and hunting gimli if you are a drag racing or snowmobile outdoor enthusiasts. If you are dead set on city living expect city expense

CatMan said "Question for B.K. - where will you park the RV when you come home in the summer?   It sounds like a wonderful adventure. "

I might get a seasonal site somewhere. Or maybe I will just hop around to different areas , or I may just visit other provinces ha ha. I am not sure yet. I will just have to roll with it and see what happens.  
 
Honestly I would like to boondock, but there aren't that many opportunities here for that. I like the idea of being off grid and self sufficient, which is how I plan to travel down south as much as possible.  
It will be an adventure for sure.

Does anyone know the name of the place on the north hill that has a few cabins and a strip motel? It is next to what once was a little convenient store there . I think they might have monthly rentals or at least they used to. Then the place got sold and I think they changed management? It has been renovated from the outside.

I think that place is the chalet just to the east of freightliner if that is the one you mean

RV? Repairs. GAS!! Parking fees! If you're looking for a cheaper retirement lifestyle better reconsider that option. Try a small town near a larger centre, a gas miser car, and if you're in good shape do odd jobs to supplement your income. You ignored a suggestion to move to senior oriented subsidized housing. Why not! Wish you well. We lucked into a low cost place near Riding Mountain. Retirement is good.

things to consider:  
health care elsewhere, getting permission from the province to be out of the country for greater than 90 days and keeping your prov coverage in tact. travel costs to where ever you want to go. safety issues in that location: having an exit strategy for when you want or need to return to canada. Having resources to return to canada and live here. rent medical costs pres:criptions long term care funeral arrangements or keeping life insurance in place. giving up or maintaining your Canadian residency. finding a place to house sit may or may not be realistic. our place is checked by friends at a cost of about 200 for the year so why would I want someone living in it. I could probably ramble on but the wheat kings game just started

things to consider:  
health care elsewhere, getting permission from the province to be out of the country for greater than 90 days and keeping your prov coverage in tact. travel costs to where ever you want to go. safety issues in that location: having an exit strategy for when you want or need to return to canada. Having resources to return to canada and live here. rent medical costs pres:criptions long term care funeral arrangements or keeping life insurance in place. giving up or maintaining your Canadian residency. finding a place to house sit may or may not be realistic. our place is checked by friends at a cost of about 200 for the year so why would I want someone living in it. I could probably ramble on but the wheat kings game just started

thanks for bringing up this topic - I'm also interested in what is being written, as retirement is not that far off for me

I know people who stay in Mexico in winter and stay in a fifth wheel camper up here May to early November. (You can't be out of the country more than 6 months) You could by a decent used camper for 12-15000 and set it up on a seasonal lot year round.

I had asked if you prefer Canada or if you would like to go to another country, because I know someone who was out in the Okanagan in B.C. She rented a motel room in Penticton for 3-4 months at $695/month. There are busier times of the year, so you might want to check into this a few months ahead of time. Penticton has milder winters, but I wouldn''''t say "warm", exactly.  
There are a lot of retirees that go there for the winter months and the owner says he''s booked right up.  
I went to visit there in 2015 and stayed at this motel, and found it quite comfortable.  
I would love to leave Manitoba right now because of the cold weather we are experiencing. Have also thought of getting a house sitter. Maybe next year.  
 
Edited by Jean , 2017-01-04 10:51:08

I know people that live here in their cabin all summer then go to Calgary and house sit for snobirds all winter, but that is because they have family there. I am sure there would be no shortage of people with empty places down south in the summer when it is unbearably hot, but what are you going to do in our winter months? Everyone has the same desire to live here in the summer and somewhere warm in the winter so you have to think outside the box. It would be easier to find someone to swap with living down south in the summer then here in the winter, you just have to learn to love winter. bradjoc is bang on with his comments - there are many things to consider for long stays out of the country or even province. Good luck in your quest.