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Mentor

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

Posted by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor @rosemarya, Apr 12, 2020

At some point as we age, we will have to make a decision about leaving our homes and downsizing. Maybe in our own town or to another town. Maybe to smaller home, condo, apartment, or assisted living/senior community.

When the time comes to downsize, seniors can struggle with a multitude of emotional, physical, and financial challenges.

How do you make an informed decision about when to downsize?
What tips do you have to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

jeanmanning | @jeanmanning | Feb 2, 2023
In reply to @poppy67 "I am 67 and moved from a spacious 4 bedroom house to a 55 plus community...." + (show)
@poppy67

I am 67 and moved from a spacious 4 bedroom house to a 55 plus community. We went through the sale of our home, plus estate sale, the search for new home, the actual move and all other details it entails. My health recently declined, due to post Covid. I am so glad we moved when we did (2 years ago) b/c I wouldn’t have the stamina to do it now. We were lucky because we sold our home of 33 years in one weekend. However we had to move out within a month so had to find a new place quickly. We looked at smaller homes, both old and new but decided on a new 55 plus community. We are so glad we did. I sometimes miss the old place, especially around the holidays, but I have my memories and it was time to do it. The new place has given me a new vigor. Being smaller, it hasn’t been overwhelming and it has been fun to decorate. Since it is brand new it is nice to have an updated kitchen, bright clean surfaces such as countertops, cabinets, newly painted walls and updated floors. Our small yard is mowed for us as part of the package and we enjoy maintaining the flowers,etc since it is smaller. Neighbors are friendly but respect our privacy.
I do hope you can make the right decision for yourself and enjoy your senior years. It has helped me to know I no longer have those big decisions looming over me. I read, paint, cook relax and feel more carefree than I have in years. Hope this helps. Let us know what you decide.

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If you are fortunate enough to live in an area or can move to an area that has a strong Aging in Place organization (a “Village). I highly recommend joining it. For a nominal annual fee, volunteers will help with everything from changing a lightbulb, to accompanying one to a doctor appointment, to giving computer assistance, to planning group social events. The goal is to allow people to remain in their homes while getting assistance. I was affiliated with one in DC, where there are at least 10 such neighborhood groups. It is a terrific concept, and people now even select neighborhoods to move to based in part on whether the area has a Village.

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total99 | @total99 | Feb 2, 2023

Yes, maybe we are more fortunate than we knew. Could it be that there is something that has some if not all of these offerings in the La Cruces area? Maybe even in El Paso?

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smicky | @smicky | Feb 3, 2023

How do we find one in our area?

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3 replies
poppy67 | @poppy67 | Feb 9, 2023
In reply to @smicky "How do we find one in our area?" + (show)
@smicky

How do we find one in our area?

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Do a search on your computer being sure to put your area in the search phrase. You might need to fine tune it a couple of times but this should show you everything!

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1 reply
jeanmanning | @jeanmanning | Feb 10, 2023
In reply to @poppy67 "Do a search on your computer being sure to put your area in the search phrase...." + (show)
@poppy67

Do a search on your computer being sure to put your area in the search phrase. You might need to fine tune it a couple of times but this should show you everything!

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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.

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cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Feb 10, 2023

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!
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2 replies
poppy67 | @poppy67 | Feb 10, 2023
In reply to @jeanmanning "The link I posted yesterday, vtvnetwork.org, will show you all villages that belong to that national..." + (show)
@jeanmanning

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.

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Good Tips! Thank you

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Feb 11, 2023
In reply to @cmdw2600 "My husband and I made the move from a four bedroom colonial to an attached condo..." + (show)
@cmdw2600

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!

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@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

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