We have similar thoughts of moving into a retirement community. We have been retired 4 years and have spent 2 winters in Mexico and 2 winters in Destin, Florida. We have visited ‘The Villages’ in Florida and also have interest in ‘Peeble Creek’ in the Phoenix market. I guess we’d sell our place furnished as the coat to move the crap is more than the value.

Bottom line seems to be that there is no easy way to downside.

I wrestled with this a few years back and decided to stay in my tri-level home which meant installing a pair of stair lifts. The "elbow room" and comfort from familiarity is not to be discounted. Great neighbors too.

The other issue about accumulated "toys" is more problematic as I live in a sparsely populated area in "flyover country." So estate sales and auctions won't necessarily draw enough buyers. Haven't decided what to with watches / telescopes / binoculars / audio & video equipment / fountain pens / LPs / CDs / tapes / DVD - Blu-Ray / firearms / reloading equipment / knives / archery stuff / books and more books / communications equipment / fglashlights, and gawd knows what else.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bald1,

When my grand dads second wife died, her family forced POP-pop out on the street. He chose to move into Dowling Park Fl, he grew up near there, actually found lots of people he knew as children, he purchased a trailer, but they had different homes for sale or rent, and they had different levels of assistance.

His sister ran into the same situation as you and didn’t want to live in Florida anymore, so she moved into an apartment in Waynesville NC. She loved it there.

Look around, you don’t have to go into a community, maybe just an apartment or condo is what you’re u are in need of.

Instead of one big estate sale, you might consider including a few items in auctions of specific categories to maximize the effectiveness of the advertising. If possible furniture should be offered in furniture auctions and guns or tools in their own auctions. Have some realistic idea what the market value of each item is worth. Last Bid has been mentioned as a good resource. Auctioneers don’t like to have reserves on a lot of items, but you don’t want a copy of an old master being knocked down for just a few bucks.
We face the same problem and are considering providing a list of goods to a few of the larger churches in the area. Some of the possessions, we’ll donate to burn out or storm victims. There’ll be enough folks who will appreciate a reasonably priced tool or gun.

My mom gave up her big house and yard a couple of years ago as she just couldn't keep up with it alone, and moved into a senior community a few miles away.
Ihave no idea what it cost. But the place is like a five star hotel. Really nice restaurant, library, a couply of gyms and pools, continuing ed classes; they even have their own medical facility on site. And it's all located on an old horse farm near where I grew up, very pretty. They can even have their own garden plots.

Heck, I'd live there. My initial worry was that she wouldn't know anyone. Heck, half the women from her old neighborhood are there, plus her favorite retired parish priest.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
Hi Jim.

I’m totally serious when I say this. Be around younger people. Don’t be around a bunch of older frail bitchy whiney grumpy old farts.

The energy of younger people will help your physical, mental and emotional well being.

My very best wishes to you.

I just turned 47 but I’m still triggered by this.

My parents just moved to a community that is 55 years and older.

They downsized from a huge house in Columbus, Ohio to what I would call a super fancy double wide trailer with two bedrooms, bathroom, sun room etc..

It is right on that lake. I could not believe my father gave up his house and moved to a place that has no garage and a spit of grass.

He is transitioning, but the lake is 49 seconds away, the gym about 10mins, and every kind of restaurant, sports store etc.

I was worried about them both after they retired because they really didn't have anyone to run around with and were basically home bodies

Now, they are on the move 6 days a week not counting the fishing every morning and the gym.

My father is very independent, and does not act like 75 more like 45. He still wants to don a rucksack and head to Afghanistan.

I met most of their friends and they are a riot and a great group to be around. Heck they are more rowdy, and active then most of the 40 years olds I know.

We moved to that house in Columbus on a Saturday in 1989. Ohio State was playing Michigan State.
So my dad had 40 years of tools from working in the construction trade, vehicles, clothes, etc..

He gave most of it away and sold most of it at rock bottom prices.

The sad part: No one wanted it. Very nice and expensive living room furniture and bedroom suits that were only a year old. No one wanted it. To heavy, or to fancy...

They sold the 6000 living room suit for $800 and it still took weeks to sell.

quote:

Originally posted by mrapteam666:
They sold the 6000 living room suit for $800 and it still took weeks to sell.

Yeah. I admit my thoughts on disposing of all my accumulated treasures crap, when the time comes, lean toward doing so while I have enough taxable income to benefit from charitable donations, and just donating much/all of it.

Then, instead of getting pennies on the dollar through 'estate sales' and getting to know all the bottom-feeders of Craigslist, I'll just let my tax guy get me dimes on the dollar from Uncle Sam!

I see a lot of members hung up on possessions. We only have a few years of quality living left. Let it go and get on with your life.

Shu, I envision you finding one that has an all girls college cheerleader camp next door. One that runs all year long.

quote:

The other issue about accumulated "toys" is more problematic as I live in a sparsely populated area in "flyover country." So estate sales and auctions won't necessarily draw enough buyers. Haven't decided what to with watches / telescopes / binoculars / audio & video equipment / fountain pens / LPs / CDs / tapes / DVD - Blu-Ray / firearms / reloading equipment / knives / archery stuff / books and more books / communications equipment / fglashlights, and gawd knows what else.

That’s what I’m talkin’ about...and in our case it’s mostly mine...”too many hobbies” I believe is one of our members’ SF handle.

quote:

see a lot of members hung up on possessions. We only have a few years of quality living left. Let it go and get on with your life.

In my experience the most complicated thing in life so far is trying to simplify it.

Most of the stuff I got rid of I threw out. People want it for free and I don't need strange people coming to the house. The more I got rid of the more addicting it was to get rid of stuff. It's is all good stuff or we would not have kept it. It is difficult accepting that most likely, the phase of our life to use this stuff is over.
People stand on the corner with a sign and get free cash. Most youth don't want to work with their hands. Having something and not being able to find is is much like not having it.
I still have my record player, carton of albums, boxed of cd's, and an entire spare stereo system on the shelf in the laundry room. So, I am not done. Save what you could not repurchase. Toss the bulky stuff. Hardware store is around the corner and Amazon delivers.
I don't wan't my spouse to have to deal with it.

Please study Shell Point in Fort Myers. Great retirement community. Search for this quality of community and move there. My parents love it.

You could sell that historic home and get on board a RV. This might make a enjoyable life style. I had intended to suggest a trip to the Mustang Ranch but it seems they are no longer doing business. Get a new dog and a RV. Small car in tow.

quote:

...the most complicated thing in life so far is trying to simplify it.

This will probably be my new motto for several months or a year or so, whether I like it or not. Blood brothers we are!

I can see us selling house in a couple of years and moving to a smaller house with next to zero property other than a little backyard patio. Getting tire of yard work and trying to hire dependable people to do it for me. We've got a few neighborhoods scoped out. I just don't see us moving to and actual retirement community, be it a condo or standing house. Not my cup of tea.

It all comes down to knowing yourself. Quite surprisingly, most people are not quite as self aware as they believe. Retirement communities work well with people who like people their own age or older. Personally I like interacting with people of all ages.

The WSJ ran a piece sometime back about how old is old. It turns out that it is all relative. Basically, twenty years of age difference is the key. Someone who just turned 50 sees the people over 70 as old.

I'm trying to think long term. I'm doing well now with no physical disabilities, but there's the insulin-dependent diabetes to consider. I keep my blood glucose under excellent control, but still there's a whole host of diabetes demons just waiting in line to kick my ass.

I've been moving around for most of my life and don't want to do it more than once more.

I don't really need a lot. The Internet can supply me with plenty to read, movies to watch, and music to listen to. Something to eat and a roof over my head and that's about it.

I don't really care that much about other people. If they're pleasant/interesting then that's great; if not then they can go fuck themselves.

Stay around younger to stay younger. Now if you want to play pickle ball and bingo and listen to old Lesters prostrate issues!

I tried hanging out with young wemmens, but they keep calling the cops.