# How long do you expect to live? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 21, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800 "2009-07-21T23:36:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/41 "2009-07-22T12:13:49Z")
Living like there’s no tomorrow is no excuse to not pay your taxes…sure as shootin’, there’ll be a tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/42 "2009-07-22T12:14:49Z")
Both grandfathers had major strokes and lingered for a couple of years before dying in their very late 70s; both grandmothers made it to 92 and the one I still have left hits 95 next January. One granddad was a moderate to heavy drinker (a jigger or so of vodka daily, even after the stroke) while the other one was a stone teetotaler. I figure it’s a crapshoot but I wouldn’t mind making it to the mid 90s. Especially if I live long enough to catch Halley’s Comet the next time around (I’ll be 93). The 1000th anniversary of Hastings would also be cool but that might be pushing it. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/43 "2009-07-22T13:35:58Z")
[Deathclock.com](http://Deathclock.com) says I’ve got until November 17, 2054. Seconds remaining: 1,430,145,493 1,430,145,492 1,430,145,491 1,430,145,490 … I should probably find something better to do. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/44 "2009-07-22T15:23:48Z")
I’m 63, and am inheriting diseases from both sides of the family. I already have Type 2 diabetes and chronic depression. I’ll probably get diagnosed with Alzheimer’s one of these years, plus cardiovascular disease, including leaky heart valves. So I’ll be lucky if I make it into my 70s. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/45 "2009-07-22T15:27:53Z")
I am 51, and I just bought a new car with a 3 year loan. So, I’m hoping to make at least 54. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/46 "2009-07-22T15:36:13Z")
Deathclock (_Metaaaaal!_) says it’s between 2019 and 2033, for me. Roughly between “seems about right—technically, _better_ than what I expected” and “good god, _that_ long?” I’d say. And that’s _with_ me taking care of my health. Apparently, if I become a morbidly obese, chain-smoking sadist, I’d have less than three years left. Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![schnuckiputzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@schnuckiputzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schnuckiputzi)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/47 "2009-07-22T15:55:00Z")
Well, I have an incurable form of lymphoma, and although I’m in remission right now, it will recur, probably within 5 years. And I just spent a week in ICU due to a bad side effect from the chemo. So, no more chemo. Hmmmm. I’m 45. I hope to see 55. ---
**Author:** ![Starbreaker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@Starbreaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starbreaker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/48 "2009-07-22T16:43:34Z")
I’m shooting for 150. I guess we’ll see! ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/49 "2009-07-22T16:51:46Z")
deathclock says I’m less than half way there. w00t! ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/50 "2009-07-22T17:15:50Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > I really do not want to become elderly. I’d rather go out when I’m reasonably active than sit and vegetate in a care home just waiting for death. Late 70s would be good. Well, as I posted, I’m “elderly” at 82, but still hike for miles in the desert, climb a local 3400 foot mountain at least every other day, often daily. This is when the temperature is at 100 F or even higher. I read my Kindle a lot, am always futzing with computers, am a tech gadget phreak, and am in relatively good health, although a prostate cancer survivor. So, what’s with this “elderly” crap? A recent study found there is a quickly growing group of people over 100, some 340,000 now, most in the U.S. or Japan. They predict around 6 million by 2050. Some very funy posts here, but it is also very depressing to read so many pessimistic posts from younger people who don’t seem to think they’ll make 50 or something in that range. I just don’t understand that, it is very sad. I and most of my friends grew up during the Great Depression, served in WWII (and Korea too, for me). I’ve lost a ot of friends through war, sickness and accidents, but hardly any of the people of my generation were so pessimistic. Most of us (who are still alive :D) hoped to reach the 80s or 90s. What is causing the younger generation to fail to be more optimistic about living longer? Perhaps y’all \*\*will \*\*live longer if you have a more optiistic outlook on life? ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/51 "2009-07-22T17:26:15Z")
Let’s see…my grandfathers died at roughly 50 and 63. My grandmothers died at mid-70’s. My father died at 65. My mother died at 76. My mother was one of 11 and 6 had cancer. She had it twice. My father and all his siblings were diabetics. Two of my sisters (obese) are diabetic and the third sister has had cancer twice before she was 50. I’m going to guess I don’t make it past 75. I’ll have to plan to make it until at least 85, because I don’t want to outlive my money. StG ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/52 "2009-07-22T17:31:24Z")
[This test,](http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/calcs/n_expect/main.asp) based on all sorts of statistics, says I had better prepare to get a 102. :eek:🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/53 "2009-07-22T17:47:49Z")
Long enough to carry out my mission of destroying Sarah Conner. ---
**Author:** ![Teaira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9d8465/32.png) [@Teaira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teaira)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/54 "2009-07-22T18:42:57Z")
I am 22, and I seriously hope not to make it past 30 or maybe 40. Crappy family history including two schizophrenic, chronically depressed parents and tons of other mental/physical health issues on both sides (alcoholism, eating disorders, major depression, etc) Can’t wait! ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/55 "2009-07-22T18:45:10Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > [This test,](http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/calcs/n_expect/main.asp) based on all sorts of statistics, says I had better prepare to get a 102. :eek:🆒 Me too, which was my goal anyway. Good to have it substantiated. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gam\_Zeh\_Yaavor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@Gam\_Zeh\_Yaavor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gam_Zeh_Yaavor)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/56 "2009-07-22T19:26:46Z")
> [@KlondikeGeoff](#): > > Some very funy posts here, but it is also very depressing to read so many pessimistic posts from younger people who don’t seem to think they’ll make 50 or something in that range. I just don’t understand that, it is very sad. I and most of my friends grew up during the Great Depression, served in WWII (and Korea too, for me). I’ve lost a ot of friends through war, sickness and accidents, but hardly any of the people of my generation were so pessimistic. Most of us (who are still alive :D) hoped to reach the 80s or 90s. What is causing the younger generation to fail to be more optimistic about living longer? That’s an interesting point, and I don’t quite know the answer to it, but there certainly seems to be an increasing undercurrent of cynicism with each passing generation. Technology increasing isolation and alienation? Loss of societal innocence? I dunno. For myself I see three possibilities: I highly doubt I can make 35 if I fail to get my sickly brain in order. If I pass that benchmark, however, genetics are in my favor (mine is a long-lived clan) and I’ll probably make it at least into the 80s. On the other hand there’s also the ever-present possibility of nuclear armageddon/collapse of civilization etc., so at any point along the way I could be eaten by cannibalistic mutant hordes. Hard to say. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/57 "2009-07-22T21:13:04Z")
> [@KlondikeGeoff](#): > > Well, as I posted, I’m “elderly” at 82, but still hike for miles in the desert, climb a local 3400 foot mountain at least every other day, often daily. This is when the temperature is at 100 F or even higher. I read my Kindle a lot, am always futzing with computers, am a tech gadget phreak, and am in relatively good health, although a prostate cancer survivor. So, what’s with this “elderly” crap? A recent study found there is a quickly growing group of people over 100, some 340,000 now, most in the U.S. or Japan. They predict around 6 million by 2050. You definitely are an inspiration. It sounds like you’re in better shape than I am, and I am young enough to be your granddaughter. If more people were as active as you are I bet that we would have a different image of elderly people in this society. I will try to remember you’re out there hiking for miles when I am trying to motivate myself to exercise more. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/51bf81/32.png) [@Big\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Blue)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/58 "2009-07-22T21:53:50Z")
hmm… deathclock gives me till Monday, December 30, 2019. I was sure I was going to make it till at least November 18, 2076 ---
**Author:** ![Other\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Other\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Other_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/59 "2009-07-22T22:26:23Z")
Ever since I was a child, I have believed that I would not make it to my 30th birthday. I understand it is dramatic, but that feeling has yet to go away. I keep thinking it will be around 23-26 years old. I am currently 19. There is a history of longevity for females in both sides of my family; I am male. The male members live long, too, but not as long as the females. I can’t think of a “history” of diseases or illnesses in my family. Perhaps I should do some research. My grandparents are 80-somethings and go dancing frequently. They have no health issues. And despite the majority of my siblings being over-weight, and the majority of them eating poorly, none of them have diabetes (I don’t either, for the record). I don’t think it will be a health issue that gets me. It will be the bus marked 23.\* Wish me luck? ~S.P.I.~ \*this bit is a joke. It just so happens that I see that bus often. Almost as if it has a bus schedule or something that controls where it will be. Dun dun dun! ---
**Author:** ![Other\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Other\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Other_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800/60 "2009-07-22T22:35:15Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > [This test,](http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/calcs/n_expect/main.asp) based on all sorts of statistics, says I had better prepare to get a 102. :eek:🆒 The test said that I would live until 87, and that if I want to increase that by up to fifteen years, I need to lose 40 lbs. I knew that much. It also said I should be female. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-expect-to-live/503800.md?page=4)