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

The link I posted yesterday, vtvnetwork.org, will show you all villages that belong to that national network. Many, if not most, Villages belong to the network, but not all do. You may find others my googling “aging in place villages in El Paso.” If you don’t find one, you might also telephone the Village-to Village network or your library and ask if they can help you identify a Village in your area. Good luck.

My husband and I made the move from a four bedroom colonial to an attached condo (four units to a building-common wall but no one above or below) five years ago. He has Parkinson’s so we decided it would be prudent to have a first floor bedroom for the future. I’ve been through breast cancer so we also felt that if either one of us passed, the other would be able to live comfortably in this home.

There are 20 units total-five buildings of four-and all exterior maintenance and snow removal is taken care of. We had the lower level finished so that we can have space from one another when we choose and also so that we can provide lodging for out of town guests. The back is wooded and I truly feel like it’s a vacation home. I can spend my days doing more of what I want instead of have to.

When the time comes that either of us needs care, we will have to make another move or have someone come in. My community does not offer step up care. We are now 70 and 72 and I am hopeful we can remain where we are for a long time.

One point I’d like to make is that financially it’s apples to oranges. We thought we’d bank a little money from the sale of house, but in reality the condo cost the same even though it’s 1000 square feet smaller and has a two car garage instead of three. A person has to get over that mental hurdle or the move won’t happen.

I couldn’t be happier or more grateful that we moved when we did!

Good Tips! Thank you

@cmdw2600. You have done some pretty solid thinking and you know that what works today may not work tomorrow. We have 7 landscaped acres on a river. Just the maintenance of all those nooks and crannies through four seasons is a full-time job and a bit costly. We gave up a second mountain-top home because all we did was manage properties and medical services were located 45 miles down the mountain. Now.....we are wondering if we kept the best option.

I do want to compliment you on your design efforts. Quite lovely! Did you choose all new furnishings?

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

Thank you. I took the advice of many “organizing” books and only kept what I loved from prior homes. Shedding the rest in itself was quite liberating and I’m happy that others are using what I no longer need. It was fun using furnishings and accessories differently than they had been in the past.

NOT FOR EVERYONE - At 70, just turned 78, I sold everything and moved to the Philippines in high density veterans area a few blockes from a VFW. Although many would be unable to adjust I have a livein caregiver for $400.00 a month and a maid 5 days a week for $200.00. There are hospitals that take tri-care and VA FMP nearby. It is primitive in some ways but many advantages. HOWEVER no medicare or private insurance. Tough on wheel chairs but there lots of them. There are thousands of veterans here and many non vets. To me its better than a "forget me" nursing home! I will send my email if any busted up old coots ask for it!

I had the same experience. I thought I’d feel sad and overwhelmed at losing so many of my treasures but it was actually therapeutic. There are a couple of regrets over things I let go of but I had no time to think as our house sold in two days. We had to vacate quickly. If you are considering a move, be prepared in case the same happens to you. However, overall I am happy with my decisions. Keeping only things I truly value gave me a new appreciation for them. Redecorating provided me with the opportunity to showcase them in a new environment and appreciate them all over again. It’s been both rewarding and uplifting!

I admire your courage. I’m so glad you feel positive about your move. I think it’s important to follow your intuition now, at an older age than ever before. Sounds like that’s just what you did. It’s my experience that we know ourselves better so I say “go for it”.

Love your new place. It seems to have a great deal of natural light but most importantly, and I need to hear it, is that you wisely said to get over the mental hurdles involved with moving or it doesn't happen...so very true. Good luck to you in this bright new chapter in your lives.

I’ve started downsizing my possessions, going thru every drawer in the home. Giving to charity as much as possible. Even gave the Gardner almost new furniture. I do not miss anything, but grateful I have the energy to do what I’m doing.
Downsizing is a personal decision, only you can answer.