Good to question this, and only you will come up with the answer - what works for you. I am looking for land in southern Indiana so I can retire there and hunt out my back door whenever the seasons are in and the mood strikes. Now I just need to find the right piece of ground, or better yet, one with a home already in place.

Wudstix, its an interesting post because I tend to dwell more than I should on the aspect of age and the future limitations on my ability to enjoy bowhunting as I have always done. At 64, I'm knocking on the door of  'old geezerhood" and inevitable  change.

I feel your pain as what you describe wouldn't be something that I would want to find myself in. Not sure how I would handle it except to lean on some good friends and set aside some 'me time' each year to go somewhere.

Being blessed to live in an uncrowded countryside with both land and time; I try to share it with like minded friends when I can.

Your friends can often be your best options. When I'm very old and physically unable to partake in the hunting joys I have lived in the past; at least I will have photographs and maybe will have a few friends left that I can share the memories with. I guess in the end, that's all any of us is going to be left with if we live long enough.

J just need to find a way to "Retire, Retire".  This weekend job is kickin' my butt.  Perhaps have to get dead serious about getting a piece of land to develop into a hunting haven.

Life's too short to dance with ugly women.    I'd move.  There's work everywhere if you look for it.   

I live where I live because the company I worked for 25 years ago moved me here. Over the years jobs/businesses and kids were more the focus. Mostly I like where I live. I just don't have anyplace to hunt close to home and I'm not in a position to move. 

Hunting is just another one of the many things that are out of my price range.

Mike;
I'm in a similar situation.  I could move, but I'd be a bachelor.

 I never had any place to hunt untill I was 63 yrs old.  I finally got 30 acres and a small cabin. My son bought the adjoining 130 acres.
Tonight I just finished mowing the lawn and am sipping a beer. In my 50 yrs of working in a machine shop I never made 20 dollars an hour and never dreamed I would own land in central Minnesota best deer hunting in the US. Two boys and a daughter with  grandchildren who all hunt with their 71 yr. Old grandpa!
I  have never felt  this rich!
I truly wish you could all have what I have except arthritis.

Hope springs eternal!!!

I'm 74. My neighbor lets me hunt his 3 acres. I am content to sit for a couple of hours on my stool (as long as it has a back LOL). Te days fo spending several hours in the woods are gone. But I am glad I can do what I do.

Wudstix. I know that is  a problem for you. Sorry I have no solution.
Jawge