What to do in retirement

[Retirementsoon]

I am estranged from my large family. I don’t have a lot of friends. I feel like retiring soon. What’s the best way to enjoy this? I have quite a lot of money luckily.

Volunteering
Travel
Baking
Sports
Reading
Gardening

Could you do some volunteering?

I joined a lovely spa, I go a couple of times a week and have made a good friend there. I go on holiday about 8 times a year, go to the cinema frequently (I have a pass). meet friends, go for costal walks and visit my DM in her nursing home a lot.

I am a few years off retiring yet but am already planning how to spend my time:

Start a masters in vulcanology- not because I want a job in the field but because it is a topic that has always interested me and I would like to learn more.

Volunteer at the local food bank and I am also going to enquire at the local care homes to see if I could go there regularly to play board games or read to the residents or similar.

Sign up for language classes at the community centre.

Go out for long walks in the countryside and try to learn more about the plants and wildlife in the local area. Maybe get involved in conservation projects

What sort of things do you enjoy doing?

U3A is useful for getting to know people as they usually do a wide variety of activities.

Reading, sports, languages, travel, not really thinking of volunteering.

Thinking of trying golf.

Open to other ideas.

Could you volunteer abroad

I’m planning a degree in art history, buying some land to rewild, and a lot of travel.

I don’t want to volunteer.

I've recently retired, and I haven't really found my groove yet, so big thank you @madaboutpurple for the U3A recommendation

Swimming/gym
Shopping on a weekday
Book club
W.I
Cinema
Travel and holidays
Museums and Day trips
Art galleries
Lie ins
Dating
Day drinking and eating out

The thing I love the most is not having to jump out of bed at 6.30 and rush around getting ready. I can just turn over and go back to sleep. I do a lot of swimming and probably waste a lot of time! I see my grandchildren when invited to and read books I’ve been meaning to read for ages. Retirement is amazing and I am so glad to be out of the snake pit of the working world!

Travel

Thinking of trying golf.

My DH has hit into golf since he retired, he plays two or three times a week, he’s also taken up tennis.

All I would say is crack on and do plenty whike you can. I'm finding travel much harder in my seventies

Volunteering can be a great way of acquiring new skills and new knowledge, and of doing things you never imagined you’d be capable of. (Volunteering isn't just about charity shops)

Why not? What about volunteering do you not like?

Give me some ideas on volunteering please.

Main advice I’d give is seize every opportunity that comes your way

I was also going to suggest the u3a. As each local group is run independently by its members the classes on offer will vary, but it's a good way of getting out, meeting people and keepeping active.

You can look to see where your nearest ones are here.
u3a - Find your local u3a

I have worked in information technology all my life mostly in the health service. I’m not sure what i could volunteer at.

I like the sound of the u3a but I’m not retired yet and all the local classes and meetups are for during the day.