Thinking about retirement but don't really want to hang around with retired people

[SwedishEdith]

Okay, slightly dramatic thread title. But I'm thinking about pulling the plug completely on work when I'm about 62. Feeling jaded about the work but I do enjoy the contact with a wide range of people over a wide range of ages. I do think it keeps me younger in mind and more in touch with the world etc.

So, what are people doing in retirement that allows them keep some sort of contact with people other than retired people? No grandchildren yet so that's not an avenue for me yet.

Join something. Political party, choir, local community group, charity fundraising.

There's nothing wrong with retired people anyway, they're a complete range of different people.

How old are you now? I am early 60s and have friends ranging from mid 20s to mid 70s ! Many people retire mid 50s . Am not sure what you are bothered about TBH .

I'm thinking about in the daytime. Daytime non-work activities are more likely to be done by retired people. There's nothing wrong with retired people (obviously, because I'd also be one) but I'd rather be part of a group over a wider age range. So was looking for ideas other retirees had found that kept them in touch.

Volunteer, dh volunteers twice a week on the nature reserve most are a similar age but there’s sahm mums of school kids, school leaves who are unemployed etc as well

I'm 62 and near retiring.

My plan is being able to run whenever I want, and to learn to sail, go back to clay pigeon shooting. Plus some travel and seeing ds during university holidays.
I think that sounds OK 😊

That sounds good - that mix of people.

Don't assume weekday daytime activities are only attended by retirees. My activity is also attended by people who are self employed, shift workers (various medics, train drivers), someone working US hours, someone on a career break. The retirees make up max 50%.

I’m 37 and have friends ranging from early 20s to mid 70s. You can hang out with whatever groups you like. But although not always the case, generally speaking you are more likely to find other retired people available to meet up in the daytime on weekdays unless you’re involved in volunteering groups or doing some part time work

I volunteer for the National Trust. Lots of young people working there, volunteering and visiting. DH and I are part of a local beach cleaning and litter picking group and the group includes the local scouts and kids from the local school doing their Duke of Edinburgh awards. We also have an allotment where there lots of young families and I'm part of a swimming group at the local sea pool where there are women from 18 to 80 plus.

Oh, I also do a course every year - everything from languages to dress making and drawing - all ages there.

I play tennis and pickleball and play with a range of ages from teenagers to 85 year olds.

I also volunteer. It’s mainly sports volunteering at international events but again there’s a wide range of ages from teenagers to people in their 80s. Great fun!

I bet your local town council are crying out for councillors OP.

Other ideas - volunteer at the library, for School Readers or at your local hospital. My friend does hospital volunteering and a lot of her 'workmates' are students from the university.

It’ll depend on your area. Round us there’s a lot of SAHMs who have not gone back to work even after all their dcs are school aged. They are often getting involved in volunteering projects and sports /fitness clubs but only in things that happen 10-2 in term time. Avoid anything starting before 9:30 if you want it full of younger not retired people.

Thanks all. Some encouraging stuff here about the range of people volunteering - I'd stupidly forgotten about self-employed people and shift workers etc having different hours 🤦‍♀️

This is such a weird worry to have. I haven’t worked since I was 33 (due to disabilities and inheritance and previous high earnings) and you can do whatever you like, mix with whatever crowd of people you like! It’s wrong to assume it’s just older, retired people pottering around during the day. Lots of people of all ages and backgrounds either don’t work for various reasons or work shifts etc. You just have to find something you’re interested in.

I’m shamelessly mining this thread for ideas!
@ChurchWindows What does your friend do at the hospital?
@Meadowfinch How do you get into clay pigeon shooting and is it expensive?

Are you scared of catching the age OP?
I kind of get it, I'm retired and 56, but imagine how you'd feel if 30 year olds felt that you were too old to associate with.
I have friends from all age groups.
I don't sing Vera Lynn.
I sail, I go to art college, I go to the gym.
Keep your options open and don't discount friendship with anyone on grounds of age.

I cook at a food project a couple of times a month. We have students, freelancers, people between jobs, and yes, retired people too. Another charity I volunteer with has an environmental leaning and has regular volunteers between mid 20s and mid 70s. DH volunteers at the local hospital supporting clinics so is with NHS workers.

@FictionalCharacter She is with the RVS and does hospital visiting to keep people who don't have family or whose family live a long way from the hospital company. She meets all types of people and loves it.

I've just thought of HomeStart. They're a brilliant charity whose volunteers are paired up with young families who need help.

I was waiting for DH to retire. I now volunteer and there is a big variety of ages from 18 to 86. I actually think cross generational interaction is very important for all ages.

I’m 62 and retired at 57.

I do a lot of things with the local u3a, who are by definition retired and mostly older than me. The activities I do with them attract the more active people - age itself is not an issue.

I also sing with a choir, and while there are quite a lot of older people there are also plenty of younger ones as well.

And I volunteer with a community transport charity. When I’m driving, I’m taking elderly people. But I also work in the office one day a week, alongside the employed person, who is younger than me, and has become a friend.

People don't change interests once they are retired! My mother-in-law was always crazy about wildlife and was out in the middle of the night watching badgers until she was over 80. It would have been longer if old age hadn't fucked her knees. She died at 101 (during Covid) but was lucid right up to the end.
She did a lot for her local wildlife society - arranging for Jane Goodall to give a talk, and also Gerald Durall - but he inconveniently died!

Dp is retiring on 3 years and is mentally standing by the door waiting to do a part time university course.

Yes, all good points. I'm definitely not against anyone of any age just prefer there to be that mix. Anyway, lots of suggestions on this thread that I can explore ☺️

That's my view as well.