I enjoyed this essay, as me and my husband are contemplating the same thing. We have a financial planner who helps us put our money to work for us, and now, we have my Dad living with us until we can get him into assisted living. You do what you need to do for your parents and kids, but I hope it doesn't drain our retirement fund trying to help. I too want to be young enough, and financially stable enough to one day enjoy living near the ocean, although I'll be walking on the beach, thank you! My knees won't allow for the running. I can certainly still fish and enjoy other aspects of beach life though!