First, we were able to find a condominium near downtown, allowing us to walk in the central city anytime we wish. We do that just about every day. Second, Northampton has a vibrant, attractive, and walkable downtown that precludes any reasons to jump in the car and go somewhere else. Finally, I wanted to be closer to North Adams, and Northampton cut the distance in half. I can see now that my experiences in North Adams have changed my values and priorities.
Retirement is a scary proposition.
It is also sad. During the final week, I kept telling myself and anyone who would listen that I wasn't going to miss the job at all. On my last day, after a modest pizza party the night before, I realized how much I was going to miss my co-workers, many of whom had spent a third of their lives with me for ten or twenty or even thirty years. For several hours. I traveled around from desk to desk to say a personal goodbye to each co-worker.