The Retirement Pipe Dream

Over the course of the last few days, I began to allow myself to daydream of what would be my prescribed fantasy retirement.  Here are bulleted excerpts of what would be my most beloved current dream:

• My wife and I would both be in decent health.
• We would sell our home and move somewhere where the COLDEST it would normally get would be in the dead of Winter perhaps just reaching the point of freezing, but that the "cold" would last perhaps 4-6 weeks at most and we might get occasional dustings of snow, if any.  Beyond that 4-6 week period, the routine temperatures would at lowest be in the 40s (or 50s) and most of the year would probably be somewhere in the 60s - 90s.  
• If we could move to somewhere that was ALWAYS above freezing, that would be a bonus feature.
• We would want to live in a city/town/community that would have at least some diverse, ethnic food.... at minimum there would need to at least be an (Eastern) Indian restaurant.  Other cuisines could vary, but preferred options would especially be great to include Ethiopian, Thai, Japanese, and Mexican or Tex-Mex, and although not "ethnic" a vegan restaurant would also be fun.  I am truly indifferent about Chinese food, although my wife would probably include it as an option as well.... I might be more enthused about Chinese food if it includes Dim Sum.... but even then, I am a bit indifferent.  
• In the best case scenario dream, we would buy an inexpensive 3-bedroom condo on as high a floor as we could comfortably afford.  A two-bedroom would suffice, but three would be better so we could have two rooms for various projects (an office/computer space, and a music/craft space.... one of which could serve as a guest room when needed/desired with either a Murphy bed (ideal) or a fold-out sofa.  
• It would be wonderful/ideal if the parish we migrate to (of course, a Catholic Church) is vibrant and active.... and is nearby where we live (walking distance would be extremely wonderful).  If it is a parish with a Capuchin/Franciscan flavor towards the teachings and philosophy of the RCC faith..... all the more wonderful.  
• It would be absolutely wonderful if the condominium complex had a pool and possibly a small gym/fitness area... but if not... hopefully a nearby community college or other nearby college might have a pool and fitness center we could navigate to easily.  
• Of course, we would want our pet dog and cat with us.... but if they unfortunately pass.... I would (after necessary grieving time) like us to find a young golden-doodle puppy (hopefully medium sized... maybe 30-40 pounds) and a short-haired, orange tabby cat (such as "Morris" from the old cat food commercials).  
• I would like to hope where our condo is, that the community has a community wind band I could join to continue to play my bass clarinet and/or tenor sax.  
• I would like to hope that a nearby college may hire me as an adjunct professor where I could teach ONE A & P course a semester.  Ideally, the size of this course would be CONSIDERABLY smaller than the ~125 students per class I currently teach.
• I would hope there is a tobacco shop nearby in the community.  I would like to envision first incorporating myself into their community to become a sort-of "Cliff" or "Norm" type regular (which one of the two characters I would be more like is anyone's guess.... although I probably lean a bit more "Cliff"-like, regrettably).  Ultimately, it would be a shear delight if the shopkeep might... after some time of getting to know me, might offer me to "man the shop" for a couple of hours a week.  That would be exceedingly fun, I believe.  
• Depending upon our finances, it would be a delight to plan with my wife... a variety of traveling excursions.  I am hoping for possibly going on a cruise (leaning toward the Caribbean region), potentially flying to Europe, traveling to the desert Southwest and/or Mexico
• I would also greatly appreciate if the community we fall into has a large, pleasant, public library and an art museum.... and if both could be in comfortable walking distance from our condo.... that would be a big bonus.  

Hah!  Nothing like wanting perfection, I suppose.  But, hell, what are DREAMS meant to be, if not the best to hope for?  

PipeTobacco