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Retiring
10 months ago
I have been a practicing mechanical engineer for over 29 years, 25 years of which were in the aerospace industry. This included the last 13 years of the Space Shuttle Program and now over 10 years here in Littleton, Colorado working in the Artemis Program. But as exciting and interesting as it has been, I have grown weary of work and grown weary of living in the United States.
Things have grown crazy here. I am deeply disturbed by these mass shootings that seem to occur regularly to the point that they are commonplace. And lately, it seems like Canada is a good deal more politically stable than the United States. I cringe as to what will happen in the aftermath of this upcoming election with the vitriolic divisions in this country.
Then there is the cost of healthcare in this country. I've done the math. Universal health care, while not a perfect system, still makes cost of living in Canada less expensive than in the United States. Once I retire, I will have to buy my own insurance if I stay in the United States. It will cost me more in premiums and paying out of pocket for deductibles than would the higher taxes in Canada, even in Québec, which is the province with the highest taxes (but a very low cost of living, even with GST and PST). Quality of living is also better there and property is less expensive in Québec.
I miss being in Canada, and I miss my family there. I have for almost every year visited them, except during the pandemic. I don't think I ever emotionally recovered from the isolation of that year when the Canadian border was closed. I find myself frequently browsing through Realtor.ca and Centris.ca for nice homes along the St Lawrence River between Québec and Montréal. So last year, I decided the time was near. As a first step towards repatriation, I applied for and received my Canadian passport.
But it really all began in 1996, when I sat in on a presentation by financial advisors and learned that living on social security alone will leave you at close to the poverty level. It was an eye opener for me and I immediately began to prepare for this moment that will soon be upon me by opening that first IRA.
And now, the time has come. Last Tuesday, 22 October 2024, I notified my company of my intention to retire. My last day with Lockheed Martin will be 30 January 2025. I am interviewing movers now, and have already selected a realtor who will help me sell my home here in the Columbine Hills. Sometime in early February of next year, the movers will come and pack all my things away, and I will make the long drive from Littleton, Colorado, United States to Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Once in the Montréal area, I will find a place to rent and over the next six to twelve months explore the surrounding neighborhoods and find some nice home to buy to settle down in and begin vacationing 365 days a year, camping, traveling, attending fur meets, and going to furry conventions (Furnal Equinox will be my next fur con, since Toronto will be only a 5-hour drive away).
Things have grown crazy here. I am deeply disturbed by these mass shootings that seem to occur regularly to the point that they are commonplace. And lately, it seems like Canada is a good deal more politically stable than the United States. I cringe as to what will happen in the aftermath of this upcoming election with the vitriolic divisions in this country.
Then there is the cost of healthcare in this country. I've done the math. Universal health care, while not a perfect system, still makes cost of living in Canada less expensive than in the United States. Once I retire, I will have to buy my own insurance if I stay in the United States. It will cost me more in premiums and paying out of pocket for deductibles than would the higher taxes in Canada, even in Québec, which is the province with the highest taxes (but a very low cost of living, even with GST and PST). Quality of living is also better there and property is less expensive in Québec.
I miss being in Canada, and I miss my family there. I have for almost every year visited them, except during the pandemic. I don't think I ever emotionally recovered from the isolation of that year when the Canadian border was closed. I find myself frequently browsing through Realtor.ca and Centris.ca for nice homes along the St Lawrence River between Québec and Montréal. So last year, I decided the time was near. As a first step towards repatriation, I applied for and received my Canadian passport.
But it really all began in 1996, when I sat in on a presentation by financial advisors and learned that living on social security alone will leave you at close to the poverty level. It was an eye opener for me and I immediately began to prepare for this moment that will soon be upon me by opening that first IRA.
And now, the time has come. Last Tuesday, 22 October 2024, I notified my company of my intention to retire. My last day with Lockheed Martin will be 30 January 2025. I am interviewing movers now, and have already selected a realtor who will help me sell my home here in the Columbine Hills. Sometime in early February of next year, the movers will come and pack all my things away, and I will make the long drive from Littleton, Colorado, United States to Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Once in the Montréal area, I will find a place to rent and over the next six to twelve months explore the surrounding neighborhoods and find some nice home to buy to settle down in and begin vacationing 365 days a year, camping, traveling, attending fur meets, and going to furry conventions (Furnal Equinox will be my next fur con, since Toronto will be only a 5-hour drive away).
Maybe I'll see you there.