I'll be 52 in a few weeks, and feeling like if I'm ever going to do anything big in life, it's now or never. For those of you over 50, what are some life-changing things you've done later in life? A new job? A new career? Maybe a move to a different state?

I'm in my late 50s, my wife a little younger and we moved beginning of this year from CA to TX. It took us over a year of planning and execution before the actual move to get us to where we are today. In addition, I changed my business model a lot to accommodate my move and my wife changed jobs completely. A lot of hard work that paid off. Life is grand.

Turned 57 in September. Just about to start a new job on Monday, as my current company is getting rid of its Americans (the ceo hates us). Feeling very fortunate to have been able to find something in the auto industry at this age. Suspect that others are probably in the same boat with age discrimination.

I bought a Harley when I was 64.

Filed a divorce a month after my 51st birthday. Looking at getting a motorcycle again after 20 years. No, nothing of note, hoping life gets better when I get a bike again.

I quit a 25 year job at 53 moved 300 miles to start with a different company. I retired at 65 and have enjoyed the crap out of almost 4 years of retirement.

We've lived 2 winters in central Mexico and now we winter in Destin Florida.

I’m 51. I started my own business in 2008. Struggled through the bad economy, now am enjoying the windfalls of it. Finally.

Started a L E career full time at 48....

So I got that going for me...

Bill R

Retired 9 months ago at 58.

Definitely life changing and I highly recommend it.

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what are some life-changing things you've done later in life?

....at age '50 something' I took 3rd place in a large international stunt kite flying contest....

I changed jobs at 49. Not quite 50 but close enough.

Yep - new state, new job (same industry) and now another inside opportunity (down your way). Couple years ago I went down to SLC and did the Ultimate Challenge - feels good to be able to do something like that a couple times a year.

63 later this month. When I was 53, I moved to the Yoop (alone) and started a new chapter of my life. Volunteer Deputy with MCSO. TRIAD member. MDNR Hunter Safety Instructor.
Its my plan to stay active as long as I possibly can. At this stage, its move it or lose it.
Oh... BMW S1000XR keeps me young.

58 here, a lot of ups and downs through life. I was laid off back in 2008, landed a better job at a larger company in the same field.
A career change would be good if you need more income, you need to focus on where you want to be in 12yrs or so.

Last year I had a quad bypass done for a heart attack, 4 months of recovery on a lower income helped me realize to save more.

Make sure you have 4months or so of saved income, always be prepared for any unexpected health issues.

Got my Harley at 53 and my first computer at 56.

Moved to a different state and started a new job at 50. Just turned 64 and been retired for 4 days. Now on to the next adventure.

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Originally posted by smithnsig:
I’m 51. I started my own business in 2008. Struggled through the bad economy, now am enjoying the windfalls of it. Finally.

Tell us more. I think I just choose the wrong business. I just turned 50 and this lawn crap is for the young.

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Originally posted by 4x5:
I'll be 52 in a few weeks, and feeling like if I'm ever going to do anything big in life, it's now or never. For those of you over 50, what are some life-changing things you've done later in life? A new job? A new career? Maybe a move to a different state?

On my fiftieth birthday I piloted, albeit for a few minutes, a Britten-Norman Defender in the skies over Northern Ireland. Not at the usual 250 ft used by finding IEDs, but at a safe[ish] 5000ft AMSL.

Since then I've had four career changes and four retirements. I'm working on my fifth retirement, but not anytime soon, I hope.

Retired at 50 and started a new career. Retired from that after 11 years and started a new, much less stressful, job working in a gun store. Moved the same month I retired to a much easier to maintain house.

My wife retired a couple of years ago, just before my daughter got pregnant with our first grandchild. My daughter and son in law wants us to be there for Henry, so we have a second abode in Wisconsin. My wife is there more than I am, but it has been very rewarding.

Since I live 1/4 mile from my two childhood homes in Missouri and have lived in one place my entire life, it is interesting adjusting to living elsewhere. I look forward to being in both places. We are an important part of my daughters' family.