Downsizing, To Move or Not to Move? That is the Question

Oh yes it did. And that is why I had to add it to my post. What else is difficult for me is to know that 3 out of 3 of the recent fires in my village were set by arsonists. The last arsonist launched flame throwers from his car all the way up the mountain, leaving five separate fires that plummed all the way to the top. He was apprehended and tried in court at the age of 26. Found guilty, he only had to serve 6 years and was out of jail just as the "me-toos" were getting started. Another arsonist set 3 fires, one at each exit off the mountain during the Jazz in the Pines weekend when thousands of guests were on the mountain. The last one was even caught practicing setting the fire. Released, he went right back and set the final one on a windy day. Five young firefighters were trapped and perished. Way too frightening for me.
Chris

So what city in Minnesota did you move to? From your description my gut feeling is somewhere on the north shore but it will be fun finding out what city you decided on thanks dave

Hi there Dave......I think you are a bit off. I am actually going to the north shore with the family in two weeks. This will be my first time going north to a resort. We needed to be close enough to Mayo Clinic for Jay. I had already lived in San Diego, LA, and San Francisco so big cities had worn me out. I wanted to know the city and be comfortable getting around. We preferred easy access to public gardens like Munsinger Clements. We wanted to be able to meet other folks and participate in group activities. And most of all we wanted a view that was uninterrupted. So, given those requirements, we chose to stay right in St. Cloud. We considered trading the CA mountain home for one on the MN north shore but decided that no matter how you looked at it, you still have to maintain two domiciles.

This community feels right for us. Health services are available. We have privacy, lots of room to roam, and great neighbors who participate in our "Count on me, group" which simply means if a tree falls across the driveway, all the neighbors turn out to help clear it away.

Here are a few photos for you............so you can get to know Adam's Landing in St. Cloud. And the little guy is Javier......our chippee group leader.
Enjoy.

@rosemarya Sometimes downsizing means a lot more than physically moving. What I have trouble with, is where do all the family heirlooms go? I have oil paintings from Norway that my husbands family brought over in the 1800s and a trousseau box from 1737 (also from Norway.) The younger generation doesn’t want them, so, what to do? I’m really open to suggestion!

Hi there Dave......I think you are a bit off. I am actually going to the north shore with the family in two weeks. This will be my first time going north to a resort. We needed to be close enough to Mayo Clinic for Jay. I had already lived in San Diego, LA, and San Francisco so big cities had worn me out. I wanted to know the city and be comfortable getting around. We preferred easy access to public gardens like Munsinger Clements. We wanted to be able to meet other folks and participate in group activities. And most of all we wanted a view that was uninterrupted. So, given those requirements, we chose to stay right in St. Cloud. We considered trading the CA mountain home for one on the MN north shore but decided that no matter how you looked at it, you still have to maintain two domiciles.

This community feels right for us. Health services are available. We have privacy, lots of room to roam, and great neighbors who participate in our "Count on me, group" which simply means if a tree falls across the driveway, all the neighbors turn out to help clear it away.

Here are a few photos for you............so you can get to know Adam's Landing in St. Cloud. And the little guy is Javier......our chippee group leader.
Enjoy.

Hi there Dave......I think you are a bit off. I am actually going to the north shore with the family in two weeks. This will be my first time going north to a resort. We needed to be close enough to Mayo Clinic for Jay. I had already lived in San Diego, LA, and San Francisco so big cities had worn me out. I wanted to know the city and be comfortable getting around. We preferred easy access to public gardens like Munsinger Clements. We wanted to be able to meet other folks and participate in group activities. And most of all we wanted a view that was uninterrupted. So, given those requirements, we chose to stay right in St. Cloud. We considered trading the CA mountain home for one on the MN north shore but decided that no matter how you looked at it, you still have to maintain two domiciles.

This community feels right for us. Health services are available. We have privacy, lots of room to roam, and great neighbors who participate in our "Count on me, group" which simply means if a tree falls across the driveway, all the neighbors turn out to help clear it away.

Here are a few photos for you............so you can get to know Adam's Landing in St. Cloud. And the little guy is Javier......our chippee group leader.
Enjoy.

@artscaping Your pictures look beautiful. Is that all your own land or common land? I would hate to keep that much land up so beautifully, it would be quite a lot of work.

It sounds as if you thought long and hard on this decision and finally did reach the best one. We have talked about moving but now my husband thinks we should stay put. The newer houses that are like single homes but actually detached condos (that just means some services are provided like plowing) cost as much as our larger home and in our home we can accommodate our kids when they visit. We do hire people for most of the services like landscaping and plowing so I think we will stay put, although I would like to be on one floor. I wouldn't mind moving to a neighborhood too with more empty nesters. Our neighborhood has many young families now.
JK

This is all our land. About 7 1/2 acres. We are still working on the front entrance. We found steps…..18 inches wide and 4 feet long, They have little crystals embedded so they light up at night. Beautiful. We still have a long lane in from the street and wanted folks to know when they have reached Adam’s Landing. Yes, it is a lot of work and it is Jay’s passion, I feed the chipmunks and work on the lighting,, Right now I am trying to find small boulders for the sign letters and the right font.

Be safe and happy.
Chris

@artscaping Your pictures look beautiful. Is that all your own land or common land? I would hate to keep that much land up so beautifully, it would be quite a lot of work.

It sounds as if you thought long and hard on this decision and finally did reach the best one. We have talked about moving but now my husband thinks we should stay put. The newer houses that are like single homes but actually detached condos (that just means some services are provided like plowing) cost as much as our larger home and in our home we can accommodate our kids when they visit. We do hire people for most of the services like landscaping and plowing so I think we will stay put, although I would like to be on one floor. I wouldn't mind moving to a neighborhood too with more empty nesters. Our neighborhood has many young families now.
JK

Well I’ve given in. Yesterday I put my house on the market. I am going into a retirement village if the house sells. I am very sad but the stairs and the quiet have defeated me. The fact that everyone appproves doesn’t help. I feel like screaming this is a head decision not a heart decision. Been here for 25 years. Never thought of a bedroom downstairs then.