I'm 55 with no idea where I want to retire. Housesitting is helping me work my way toward an answer.

At 55 years old, Amber Campbell had no clear idea of where she wanted to retire. Instead, she spent the past three years living out of suitcases and housesitting across Washington, Mexico, and other locations to figure out her preferences. Despite initially thinking she would have settled down by this age, she now has a better understanding of what she wants and doesn't desire in a retirement location.

Amber always envisioned herself having a permanent home with a garden and a freezer, but her experiences during this time have shown her that she may not desire such a permanent setup. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, raising her children in Seattle, and becoming an empty nester, she discovered she had no fixed idea of where she wanted to settle down.

In her quest to find the perfect retirement location, Amber started housesitting at 52, traveling without depleting her savings. Through this, she enjoyed the nomadic lifestyle and used it to test out potential retirement spots. After nearly three years of housesitting in various places, she is now reevaluating her thoughts on settling down and contemplating whether she will stay within the US.

Living in different places for extended periods allowed Amber to realize that how one wants to live is just as important as where they want to live. By staying in each home for two weeks to three months, she could get to know new places without committing to a lease or community. This approach helped her learn more about herself and what she truly wants.

For example, she initially pictured herself living in a city after spending most of her life in major metropolitan areas. However, a housesitting job in San Francisco across the street from her old high school revealed that her romanticized idea of city life was not accurate. The noise, crowds, and high costs of city living were not appealing, leading her to learn that a slower pace and less traffic are more in line with her preferences.

Amber also discovered that she needed less convenience than she had assumed and was willing to relocate further from the US for a more peaceful life. Living on a remote Pacific Northwest island where the nearest grocery store was a ferry ride away, she found solace in the solitude and peaceful surroundings. Though initially hesitant, she returned to the island multiple times, realizing that being surrounded by water and nature was worth the extra effort.

These experiences have led Amber to reconsider what settling down truly means and whether she will remain within the US. After three years and more than 50 locations, she still hasn't found her ideal retirement spot but now has a clearer idea of what she wants in a retirement location.