Post: #1376

(09-17-2016 11:21 AM)Vaun Wrote:  A few questions to the older guys. I'm 40, and I want to catch up quickly on my retirement. I got divorced 5 years ago, and made it through ok, but it knocked out a sizable chunk of my retirement. I am trying to understand how to create a lifestyle where I will be happy, and still save significantly for the future.

My question is; to prepare for retirement, how much sacrifice have you made to put as much money away for your retirement? And how has that limited your lifestyle as an older man?

With what I read, it is said that at least 50% of your take home income could be saved for up to(or more than) 10 years, to achieve your financial goals. I could live like this, but I would be sacrificing my disposable income for travel, going out, extra clothes, etc.

I am in a fairly young industry. I keep asking myself what am I going to do in the future. Stick this out as a full time employee for another 20+ years? To me that feels uncertain. Entrepreneurship to me is the only other alternative, unless I find a new industry/career path.

And with that, I have nothing going on outside of work and the 35-50% time with my children. Basically its the perfect time to start a nights and weekends side gig, and hustle my way into a new business. I have started businesses in the past, each making $100'sK in revenue. I've successfully started profitable revenue generating businesses in the past, starting as a kid. I was good at it.

So, my other question is, as we get older, have to face a changing job landscape, aging, retirement, post-divorce lifestyle, etc, can anyone share how they have dealt with these questions and issues they have dealt with? How has it impacted your lifestyle, ability to travel, bang younger girls, stay healthy, etc?

You are facing questions many men face these days once they are in their 40's. I don't know if it will help but here is my saga.

I got divorced 10 years later than you it sounds like. i was a marketing executive and management consultant to CEOs of start ups. I would alternate between starting and building software/services companies and then consulting as a sole practitioner when they were either sold or didn't make it.

When I got divorced, I was really disillusioned with the whole consumer, high stress lifestyle in the Bay Area. Incredibly expensive and the women and culture sucked and were getting worse daily. I had the big house, luxury car, and good looking wife and was miserable. I spent the first two years after my divorce mainly focusing on getting laid. Mission accomplished but I just got sick of the women and started refocusing on work. I found I had reached the age expiration date for most jobs and settled into mainly doing consulting with some short stints as a staff VP that I just viewed as an interim job.

I decided to focus on saving as much money as possible, raising my kid (joint custody that I had to fight for), getting my body back into shape (curing some physical pains and started lifting and lap swimming again), improving my ability to manage my investments and preparing to get the hell out of the Bay Area once my kid was old enough. I couldn't do the start up scene anymore both because of age discrimination from investors and as a single parent I could work 70 plus hours anymore. But my experience allowed me to bill high rates as a consultant. I don't know if that is available to you but I found many men were going the consulting route once they hit the mid-40's unless they worked in big companies where they could stretch it out to mid-50's.

However, by mid-50's I found that age discrimination was catching up to me as a consultant because tech increasingly prides itself on being a youthful industry. I realized I needed to start my own business in another field. I just couldn't see doing it in a place I didn't want to live and was so expensive. I decided to move overseas so that I could seek adventure while regrouping. Moving to a less expensive area in the US didn't seem like it made sense because of the women situation. I don't want to date heifers. I looked into starting an online business in Thailand but decided I wanted the hustle bustle of being out working with others for a while more with the goal of working at a start up incubator. Mission accomplished on all that and now I work part-time as an executive coach in Asia. Fortunately, I have my retirement nest egg so I just work enough to cover my daily bills.

Now I'm looking at starting one more online businesses so that I can become location independent. I don't think I'll ever want to be fully retired but still don't want to work more than 20 hours.

One other note, you'll find in the areas where you can still have the best luck with women that the cost of living is low enough that you don't need as much money for a comfortable, fun retirement as you do in much of the US. I know men in the Philippines who only have social security and have a very fun time. I'm not advocating living on just ss but if they were in the US they would be stuck in a rent subsidized apartment and only have old, ugly women available to them, if that.

Post: #1377

[/quote]

I've got a blog I set up for guys 40+ /divorced, it's early days though..http://menastery.com/ I re-entered the dating world again at 56 after my X went "Eat, Pray, Love"...
[/quote]

Checked it out, reads well so far
http://menastery.com/

Post: #1378

(09-17-2016 06:39 PM)TheBoom Wrote:  I looked into starting an online business in Thailand but decided I wanted the hustle bustle of being out working with others for a while more with the goal of working at a start up incubator. Mission accomplished on all that and now I work part-time as an executive coach in Asia. Fortunately, I have my retirement nest egg so I just work enough to cover my daily bills.

What is the best way to get a gig like that in Asia for those who are still in the US and working in the corporate environment? I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is looking for recruiters on LinkedIn, but there's got to be a better way.

Also, what options, other than executive coaching, are available in Asia for those with solid corporate experience (say in Finance), but no management experience?

Post: #1379

(09-17-2016 08:49 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  What is the best way to get a gig like that in Asia for those who are still in the US and working in the corporate environment? I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is looking for recruiters on LinkedIn, but there's got to be a better way.

Also, what options, other than executive coaching, are available in Asia for those with solid corporate experience (say in Finance), but no management experience?

Finance, teaching, engineering and nursing seem to be the best fields to get a gig overseas. It somewhat depends on your age and language skills though. If you know the local lingo, are under 40 and have a solid track record in one of those areas, you can get a job in a lot of places. If one or more of those are lacking it just gets tougher. I'm not sure what areas of finance are the hottest. Best bet is to pick a country and start researching it. Except for teaching Thailand is hard because they only want thais. Same with Mexico. Other countries such as China, Australia and Taiwan can be a little easier.

Post: #1380

This is also something that every guy I think needs to have as a retirement plan, living part of if not the entire year in a foreign country such as anywhere in SE Asia. You'll be able to date younger women and live so much less expensively than in the US, allowing you to preserve much of your retirement savings. Great post TheBoom.

Post: #1381

(09-17-2016 09:47 PM)doc holliday Wrote:  This is also something that every guy I think needs to have as a retirement plan, living part of if not the entire year in a foreign country such as anywhere in SE Asia. You'll be able to date younger women and live so much less expensively than in the US, allowing you to preserve much of your retirement savings. Great post TheBoom.

This is a good idea especially for those who live in the upper mid-west. For a variety of reasons.

1) Cost of living and buying a nice house on a lake in the middle of nowhere is very reasonable. There are some nice places that are stunningly beautiful, but only for June-August. The rest of the year can be too cold.

2) Live June-August in the States in a beautiful setting, do teaching 8-9 months a year in China/S.Korea/Taiwan. Very doable, best of both worlds.

3) Access to very cheap consumer goods, health care, etc while in the states for the summer. Also, if you live in Thailand the summer is oppressively hot, best time of the year to be somewhere with a more mild summer anyway.

This is my goal and I have spotted very nice housing for under 100k that are in smaller towns right on lakes. Some even large enough that they have decent hospitals.

Post: #1382

(09-17-2016 09:43 PM)TheBoom Wrote:  

(09-17-2016 08:49 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  What is the best way to get a gig like that in Asia for those who are still in the US and working in the corporate environment? I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is looking for recruiters on LinkedIn, but there's got to be a better way.

Also, what options, other than executive coaching, are available in Asia for those with solid corporate experience (say in Finance), but no management experience?

Finance, teaching, engineering and nursing seem to be the best fields to get a gig overseas. It somewhat depends on your age and language skills though. If you know the local lingo, are under 40 and have a solid track record in one of those areas, you can get a job in a lot of places. If one or more of those are lacking it just gets tougher. I'm not sure what areas of finance are the hottest. Best bet is to pick a country and start researching it. Except for teaching Thailand is hard because they only want thais. Same with Mexico. Other countries such as China, Australia and Taiwan can be a little easier.

I'm still under 40 (sorry for posting in this thread btw), but I'm curious as to why is it easier to get a job in Asia if you are under 40? It seems like there's more respect there for people of age than in the West.

Post: #1383

(09-17-2016 10:01 PM)ball dont lie Wrote:  This is my goal and I have spotted very nice housing for under 100k that are in smaller towns right on lakes. Some even large enough that they have decent hospitals.

Can you give some examples of these towns? What are the property taxes and other expenses to keep the house like? Is it possible to buy a house there for under 100K and rent it out while you are in Asia?

Post: #1384

(09-17-2016 11:16 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  I'm still under 40 (sorry for posting in this thread btw), but I'm curious as to why is it easier to get a job in Asia if you are under 40? It seems like there's more respect there for people of age than in the West.

Asians respect their ancestors and older monks. There are a lot of negative attitudes about old age though.

They worship money, youth, looks and light skin. Lots of negative views of dark skin. Skin whitening is huge in Eastern Asia. (This provides an opportunity to bang darker skinned women they don't want though).

Some of the negativity comes from the idea that the traditional role of old people is to look after grandkids. People didn't age well in developing countries and they have traditionally died around 68. Now people are living longer but the negative image remains for the most part. Not as bad in Taiwan.

I'll give you a couple of examples. I was in China and met a Englishman and his Chinese girlfriend, now wife. He was 50 and she was 32. They were based in Singapore and ran an exec recruiting company. He had been trying to get an in-person meeting with the CEO of Asian for a multi billion dollar company. He asked me to sit in on a phone call with the guy and I closed the meeting in 15 minutes. The CEO said I was the first one he had met at a recruiting company that really got his business and his hiring needs. (I have years of experience selling and marketing to execs).

The CEO of the recruiting company offered me a job as their VP of Biz Development on the spot. I didn't want it but was fascinated by the girlfriend's response. She flipped. She was furious that I was even in the meeting. She told him later that it would be an embarrassment to have someone my age associated with the company. I was 57. And, she felt no one could be older than the CEO. He told her that I was perfect because I had the skills and was the same age as most of their Western clients. She said she didn't care because I was too old.

One other. I was leading a seminar in China filled with uni educated professional women on financial planning. We got to discussing the concept of lifetime value. It turns out that all of them wanted to be dead by the time they were 60. They didn't see the point in living when you were that ancient.

Generally people don't do much hiring past the mid-twenties. When you see adds for senior positions that stress experience, the experience desired is usually 2 to 5 years.

Post: #1385

(09-17-2016 11:29 AM)smashley Wrote:  Vaun,

Where do you live and what is your salary? It is all dependent on that.

Happiness can be had for very low cost, it just depends on your wants and desires.

If you make 30,000 then you wont be able to save much. 50% of 30,000 is 15,000 which is tough to live on. 50% of 200,000 is 100,000 which is very easy to live on. Percentage is not a good measure.

Also, as i've watched my dad age, he stresses have fun now, because when you're older money doesn't mean much.. Unless you're betting on prostitution later. But girls are here now. When you're older they are much more difficult. So enjoy the money now. Just save enough so you will be able to live comfortably later.. That is tough to tell you unless I know what you're making. There are plenty of online resources to tell you how much you should have saved give various investment returns. Check them out and it should give you an idea of how much you need. Don't forget bout social security, etc. Also factor in your health and predicted lifespan. Once you know your number then backdate your age and see what you need to save per year. Keep in mind the government regulates how mch you put into a 401k per year as well as roth IRA.

I think maybe a million is enough to retire humbly in the U.S.A., if you don't have alimony, or kids to support, college tuition fees, medical problems, etc.

Post: #1386

Boom, thanks for that info, I appreciate your input on this thread; im planning to visit China in the within the next couple of years. I was considering staying there or Japan for a while, but there cultures seem just so seriously alien to anything I have experienced. Still I will go there with an open mind and enjoy the culture shock as usual.

Its funny they dont mind relationship age gaps in China but with work is different.

Post: #1387

Chinese are more open on older teachers and trainers than many other Asian countries. They particularly are open to older people teaching small kids - grandparent syndrome. Work world whole diff matter.

Age gaps in relationships are common because money trumps everything for men. Successful men usually only marry women under 25 who are light skinned.

A way for an older dude to play the young woman game in China is through We Chat. You can go after married women (women marry for money not love) who want sex because the husband isn't supplying it or by going after the "leftover women." Leftover women are a major controversy in China. They are women 27 or older who haven't married. No high status or status conscious man will marry them. Chinese marry and have a kid by 25 90 plus percent of time.

Have fun

Post: #1388

I think that true success at any age is being with the woman you actually want to be with.

Post: #1389

(09-15-2016 07:05 PM)TheBoom Wrote:  Seems like there are a lot of people in denial about aging on this thread. I hate to break the news to you but after mid-forties, options start getting narrower unless you are filthy rich, famous in some cool way (e.g., writer women like) even if not rich, or lucky.

This guy tell the truth.

I have a close family relative he has had $2M+ years in finance. He loves to go out to get away from the wife. He is tall and good looking a male 8.

Mid 40s now a silver fox type. Doesn't get even 15% of the attention going out he used to get in his late 30s.

America is a gigantic diminishing return drop in mid 40s for men, money or not most of the time unless you are Instagram whore rich or have an artistic or athletic niche.

It has gotten so much worse for him, he told me after the last night we went out he'd rather not go out and rather wake up early to do a physical activity. This is coming from a complete addict to animal night game.

Post: #1390

Interesting, but who cares? Dude's married.

Isn't the greater imperative to get a high quality girl? And no, that doesn't mean hot, it means good looking and [more importantly] feminine, as we always say.

Post: #1391

(09-17-2016 11:21 AM)Vaun Wrote:  A few questions to the older guys. I'm 40, and I want to catch up quickly on my retirement. I got divorced 5 years ago, and made it through ok, but it knocked out a sizable chunk of my retirement. I am trying to understand how to create a lifestyle where I will be happy, and still save significantly for the future.

My question is; to prepare for retirement, how much sacrifice have you made to put as much money away for your retirement? And how has that limited your lifestyle as an older man?

With what I read, it is said that at least 50% of your take home income could be saved for up to(or more than) 10 years, to achieve your financial goals. I could live like this, but I would be sacrificing my disposable income for travel, going out, extra clothes, etc.

I am in a fairly young industry. I keep asking myself what am I going to do in the future. Stick this out as a full time employee for another 20+ years? To me that feels uncertain. Entrepreneurship to me is the only other alternative, unless I find a new industry/career path.

And with that, I have nothing going on outside of work and the 35-50% time with my children. Basically its the perfect time to start a nights and weekends side gig, and hustle my way into a new business. I have started businesses in the past, each making $100'sK in revenue. I've successfully started profitable revenue generating businesses in the past, starting as a kid. I was good at it.

So, my other question is, as we get older, have to face a changing job landscape, aging, retirement, post-divorce lifestyle, etc, can anyone share how they have dealt with these questions and issues they have dealt with? How has it impacted your lifestyle, ability to travel, bang younger girls, stay healthy, etc?

It is great to read some new posters in this thread. There is a lot of wisdom imparted here.

Vaun, I am in a simliar phase in life, although without a kid.

I mentioned about one month ago that I was setting up some long-term financial and lifestyle goals.

I turn 41 soon.

If I stay in my present career position, I will be able to retire at 55 with a full pension of about 65-70k annual income. I would also have about 500-700k in home equity and 401k. This should put me a comfortable position for spending most of the year in South America with a few months of the year with my family in the US.

55 is the absolute latest that I would want to wait to retire and relocate.

I am thinking of ways that I could make this happen at the age of 50; however, it would require me to significantly scale back my traveling. I don't want to do this, as this represents the most fulfilling part of my life now. It is hard to find the right balance, but I will keep exploring options on how to make this happen without giving up on traveling.

Post: #1392

You know what seems the most difficult is trying to game caucasian women 35 and above, even if you are 40 +, and caucasian! Or is this particular to the Anglosphere (US, Canada, etc.)? Read that somewhere, and experienced it a lot.

I mean, today I was in a supermarket, where the majority of decently preserved middle-aged women ironically behave like neurotic, shy, 13- year -olds ready to run; and the only IOI I got was from a blonde 19ish employee there, helping me find something. It was encouraged perhaps because I was wearing a tanktop, shorts and was pumped up from the gym. I had plenty of time to ease into Galnuc, but I was so surprised by the look in her eyes, I forgot.

Post: #1393

I'm happy with whatever the board decides, but I thought this thread was for pick-up, game, tips, etc. Savings and retirement has it's own thread[s] with probably way more info, from more informed posters overall, about other countries for those that area interested. Just my 2 cents.

Post: #1394

As for me, I'm meeting with a 19 and a 20, maybe 2 this week, probably ghost on the 21 who canceled late last week. I also have a new plate that wants to do the 'strangers in a hotel bar' in the next few days.

FWIW, my success rate is probably 300% better than it was in my late 30s. More girls are into older guys, and the salt and pepper hair seems to be a huge positive. And glasses too, surprisingly. I get complimented constantly on them.

Post: #1395

(09-19-2016 05:56 PM)Half Century Wrote:  You know what seems the most difficult is trying to game caucasian women 35 and above, even if you are 40 +, and caucasian! Or is this particular to the Anglosphere (US, Canada, etc.)? Read that somewhere, and experienced it a lot.

I mean, today I was in a supermarket, where the majority of decently preserved middle-aged women ironically behave like neurotic, shy, 13- year -olds ready to run; and the only IOI I got was from a blonde 19ish employee there, helping me find something. It was encouraged perhaps because I was wearing a tanktop, shorts and was pumped up from the gym. I had plenty of time to ease into Galnuc, but I was so surprised by the look in her eyes, I forgot.

A lot of times older guys don't go after younger women because they feel creepy about it, or don't think younger women will go for it.

In real life though, women our age are nasty, mean, pointless, and younger girls are sweet and encouraging, and sometimes it takes a while to throw away your programming in favor of your actual perceptions.

It is like real life is pushing you towards younger women, and the only thing holding you back is societal norms.

Some younger woman don't relate to you like an older man, you are just a guy to them. Or they recognize you are older, but it means nothing, it is like a flavor of ice cream.

Usually I go with Rocky Road, but today I tried Older Guy.

Programming is strong though, and it can convince you to ignore what is right in front of your eyes. That's why sometimes we get shocked by these younger women, and don't believe in IOI's, even when we see them clearly.

I lost my innocence about younger women when my stepson's friend, a high school exchange student from South America, slipped me her phone number when he was out of the room. I was 50.

Laws being what they are, and loyalty, (stepsons before hoes), nothing was ever going to come of it, but it made me realize that some girls are just like that. I told my partner at the time that it had happened too, and she was mad.

She wasn't surprised, she was mad. Women know what's up. Men don't.

The first time I went out with a younger woman came about pretty much because of the dynamic you describe. I moved to a new town in my mid thirties, and none of the women my age gave me the time of day. Meanwhile, college girls flirted with me and were nice.

So after a while I thought, no one my age likes me, so I might as well.

Post: #1396

(09-19-2016 06:28 PM)debeguiled Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 05:56 PM)Half Century Wrote:  You know what seems the most difficult is trying to game caucasian women 35 and above, even if you are 40 +, and caucasian! Or is this particular to the Anglosphere (US, Canada, etc.)? Read that somewhere, and experienced it a lot.

I mean, today I was in a supermarket, where the majority of decently preserved middle-aged women ironically behave like neurotic, shy, 13- year -olds ready to run; and the only IOI I got was from a blonde 19ish employee there, helping me find something. It was encouraged perhaps because I was wearing a tanktop, shorts and was pumped up from the gym. I had plenty of time to ease into Galnuc, but I was so surprised by the look in her eyes, I forgot.

A lot of times older guys don't go after younger women because they feel creepy about it, or don't think younger women will go for it.

In real life though, women our age are nasty, mean, pointless, and younger girls are sweet and encouraging, and sometimes it takes a while to throw away your programming in favor of your actual perceptions.

It is like real life is pushing you towards younger women, and the only thing holding you back is societal norms.

Some younger woman don't relate to you like an older man, you are just a guy to them. Or they recognize you are older, but it means nothing, it is like a flavor of ice cream.

Usually I go with Rocky Road, but today I tried Older Guy.

Programming is strong though, and it can convince you to ignore what is right in front of your eyes. That's why sometimes we get shocked by these younger women, and don't believe in IOI's, even when we see them clearly.

I lost my innocence about younger women when my stepson's friend, a high school exchange student from South America, slipped me her phone number when he was out of the room. I was 50.

Laws being what they are, and loyalty, (stepsons before hoes), nothing was ever going to come of it, but it made me realize that some girls are just like that. I told my partner at the time that it had happened too, and she was mad.

She wasn't surprised, she was mad. Women know what's up. Men don't.

The first time I went out with a younger woman came about pretty much because of the dynamic you describe. I moved to a new town in my mid thirties, and none of the women my age gave me the time of day. Meanwhile, college girls flirted with me and were nice.

So after a while I thought, no one my age likes me, so I might as well.

Oh my gods, thank you for this post! This is great. Buzzing heavily off the reality now.
When younger, I acted older. Now older, I act younger, especially with the people I currently deal with professionally and socially.
Even at my age I still don't really look like anyone's father. I am wondering if I should continue to adjust my personality younger, grade my language down, like with foreigners, while engaging with a 20ish lass. Or should I quote Shakespeare and open with a discussion of Schopenhauer?

Post: #1397

I guess I'm really jaundiced about women in general in the US. Foreign ones seem like a better deal especially in Central Europe and Asia. (I can't speak to South America or Eastern Europe). Old ones are not worth the effort in the US and most young ones sound stunted at the 6 year old level at least verbally. Add in the possibility of being falsely accused of rape and all the mind games you have to play and why not go to saner grounds like Roosh is always writing about? Not only can you more easily bang younger women overseas you aren't mainly surrounded by heifers and you don't have as many downsides like being accused of rape if the woman decides she shouldn't have banged you or gets mad? Add in the fact that you can go to places like Central Europe and Asia and live a nice lifestyle for around 1200 USD, why not get out of the US for at least most of the year unless work ties you to the US?

Post: #1398

(09-19-2016 03:24 PM)Dantes Wrote:  If I stay in my present career position, I will be able to retire at 55 with a full pension of about 65-70k annual income. I would also have about 500-700k in home equity and 401k. This should put me a comfortable position for spending most of the year in South America with a few months of the year with my family in the US.

Retiring with more is always better than retiring with less. But in most of the places I've been to that are great for getting laid when you are older, I would feel like I was needlessly blowing money if I spending more than around 2K a month or maybe in a few places 2.5K. 2K puts you at the level of most of their highly paid professional elite. When places get more expensive, the attitudes get worse and then you really have to up the money you have to way more than 70K per year.

Post: #1399

I have a question for our older members who are divorced: how long did it take you to recover financially?

A quick background: I am 45 years old and divorced with two girls. The ex got custody and gets child support. I have seven more years of paying child support. It is not hyperbole for me to say the divorce and it's aftermath have cost me in excess of $1 million.

I have been told/read that it takes 5 to 10 years to recover. Has that been true in your cases? What steps do you wish you had taken after the divorce was finalized to help speed along your financial recovery? I was thinking that a financial planner who's niche is divorced dads would be a great business idea.

I have three more payments to make to my former attorneys and then I am free of those leeches. It will be like getting a nice raise every month. I have no debt aside from the mortgage on my condo. I have been aggressively paying that off and will apply the additional funds that had been going to the attorneys to principal after the first of the year. I figure I should have my condo paid off by early 2018.

I lost nearly $300K from my 457b plan. I have less than $50K now between that account and my IRA's. I have not been funding either but have rather been applying that money towards my condo. Some people have told me that it is a mistake because I will be giving up my mortgage interest deduction. I don't care. I just want to be free of it.

Once I am done paying off my condo and the attorneys are paid off then what? Do I fund the accounts again or save the money for the downstroke on another condo in my building? I am very close to a university and never had a problem renting my place out.

As I have gotten older I have realized that working hard, saving your money and investing it is not the complete picture. Our largest expense our entire lives is taxes. What are the most intelligent moves I can make now financially to benefit me as I grow older?

Ideally I would like to retire in 10 years or less with 5 condos fully paid for. That should bring in $10K/mos. My pension- if it still exists- should bring in another $65-$70K.

Thoughts?

Post: #1400

(09-20-2016 08:57 AM)Caractacus Potts Wrote:  Ideally I would like to retire in 10 years or less with 5 condos fully paid for. That should bring in $10K/mos. My pension- if it still exists- should bring in another $65-$70K.

Thoughts?

I'm a big fan of real estate investing for financial freedom. In my experience, condos don't provide the best ROI for investing in real estate. Of course, your market may be completely different than mine.

I would suggest looking at other real estate investments such as single family homes in your area Do some provide better ROI's? In other words, invest in the best ROI real estate investments, not just the one you are familiar with (your condo building). Also, is your area the best to be investing in? If you are putting a ton of money into real estate investing, why not pick the city or town with the best ROI prospects.

You also want to look at leverage. If you can retire in 10 years with 5 condos paid off, why not retire in 10 years (or less) with 10 condos 50% paid off? Which one is going to give you more cash flow and appreciation? It's definitely nice to not be leveraged up with debt in retirement. But if you've bought right, 50% L-T-V plus your pension income should be very comfortable for you.

If you are looking to put a major part of your net worth into investment real estate, do some research now on how to maximize that. For example, you are obviously looking to invest to maximize monthly cash flow in retirement - but appreciation actually makes up a greater part of your ROI than cash flow. So you don't won't to be myopic and just focus on cash flow. There are ways you can change the appreciation for cash flow, and it has better tax consequences too.

Out of curiosity, how much does a condo that rents for $2k/mo cost in your area?