Hi All
I have a dilemma..my other probably better half of 28 years thinks I should retire sell our house & buy & live on a houseboat for a better life!!!! I have emphysema which really isn't getting any better I struggle to work each day , 57! Years old & scared...Helen what would you do????
Hell0 mophead1960, since you are the one with COPD, my thought is, you need to be where YOUR life is more comfortable and easier for you. In the long run, this will most likely be easier for your wife as well.
I just can't wrap my mind around where life would be easier or better on a houseboat. Seems everything would be more of a challenge for you.
Weather plays such an important part for most everyone with COPD.
IF hot and humid, does your houseboat have A/C?
If chilly and rainy, would you have heat?
If you need some alone time, would you have a place for that?
My advice , research this, make sure before you makes this dramatic change in your life, especially if your struggling now with certain aspects.
Good luck and God Bless.
Thankyou, there certainly is a lot to think about before making a decision.
I agree with Madonnalee, you need to do what is best for you.
I retired at 58 due to health issues, it sucks financially, but I do feel better having less stress.
My dream is to sell everything we own, buy an RV, and hit the road. Although my emphysema is still mild, the humidity gives me issues, as does very cold air. I live in Western New York (in the US) and normally our summers are not real humid, and I stay inside in the winter, and when I have to go out I cover my nose and mouth so I don't breathe in the cold air. Unfortunately I cannot think of anyplace that is warm but not hot, cool but not cold, and not humid. Up north you have winter, but down south you have hot and humid.
We all have our dreams/wish list/bucket list, but you have to look at all angles, gather as much information as possible, and decide what is best for you.
I do agree with your better half on one thing, if you have the ability to retire early, do it. You said you struggle to work each day, I think you would probably feel better if you retired.
I wish you the best.
Thankyou...and follow your dreams too, all the best.
Great post. I've looked into the weather thing here in the US, and San Diego is the only option. Maybe Flagstaff in Arizona is a possibility since it's high in mounts.
I did live on a float house in Alaska which was quite remote when I was dx with COPD.
It's a wonderful, exiting, peaceful, lovely life.
Yet there are many factors to consider.
Where are you planning to be? Will you be ' off grid"? How close will you be to emergency services? Will you be traveling via skiff ( boat) to get supplies?
Hi...we will be moored on a marina with emergency hospital nearby & gp,supermarket delivery to the boat, so I guess really not much difference to dry land apart from the lifestyle, & being skint by not working!! Alaska must've been amazing on a boat!
I'll say that I miss the lifestyle ,,it was wonderful & feel blessed for the 10 years there. I now am building on an island where I can skiff to town in 7 minutes which is a bit safer. However I am severe COPD and the chores of living off grid are quite taxing,,,filling genset with fuel, readying the skiff for town trips, I have to have help with loading groceries from town,,I use a 4 wheeler & sled to bring up supplies up from beach, I've built my dream home on another island here in Alaska,,, 5 acres with 434ft of waterfront and pray I can get it to a point I can continue to manage,, off grid life is not the easiest !
My partner on life is commercial fisherman so I am home alone much of the year. I was deckhand prior to getting I'll & also miss that lifestyle. Yet I have embraced retirement & find all sorts of new things to keep me busy,, mostly just surviving out here. LOL
Just had a flock of geese fly over ! Fish are jumping out front heading for the streams, have an Eagle who comes by for hot dog treats !!
Island,,,or life on the water is awesome , it brings abundance for heart & soul !
Go for it!! 😊
Much luck to you
Wow sounds amazing...sounds like your living the dream, life's too short not too & Thankyou...happy days 😃
Lung damage from TB , COPD
Still coughing and spluttering!!! 
New on here would love to make some new friends 
copd
