Bought a home, finally

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

We should be closing within 10 days or so. Living as renters for the past 4 months while we searched for a house or condo quickly convinced us that we are better suited to ownership (a highly personalized preference to be sure).

We're going for something new to us - a mid-rise building of about 60 units, small (1400 sf), partially offset by shared common facilities for storage, pool, fitness room, meeting/entertainment rooms for larger get-togethers, library, rooftop container gardening, lobby restaurant/bar/coffee shop etc. It is an easy walk to the San Francisco light rail system (20-30 minutes to downtown SFO) and the local city center. Ten minutes to the grandkids. City living.

We are still stunned by the housing market numbers here but have reached that point in ER where issues such as family, health and lifestyle are looming larger while pure finances are cautiously stabilizing.

Time to settle in for a spell.

 

[F4mandolin]

Good for you.....can't imagine what prices in that area are like. 1400sf is small?

 

[W2R]

Congratulations! Sounds like a wonderful place to live in during retirement. I especially like the possibility of no yardwork, and having a fitness facility right there in the building.

I live in 1600 square feet, but almost 300 of those square feet are used for my home gym. For me, this is more square footage than I really need or use, and I would be perfectlly happy in well under 1000 square feet if there was a common fitness facility like that. I think 1400 square feet will feel just fine once you get used to it.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Good for you.....can't imagine what prices in that area are like. 1400sf is small?

Downsized from 3200sf.

We ended up taking a 5x10 commercial storage room until we can sell or donate the dregs. DW has trouble separating with old things but seeing all this stuff, she is slowly coming around.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I think 1400 square feet will feel just fine once you get used to it.

Thanks - I agree. Also, less to clean, air condition, paint, etc.

 

[ziggy29]

Yep, as a Bay Area native, I can attest to the (very much) reduced A/C needs living in San Francisco. I remember going to *day games* at the old Candlestick Park to watch the Giants in July and people were bundled up....

 

[F4mandolin]

Wasn't trying to make a dig with the 1400sf comment(figured you were coming down).....our current house is a little over 1500sf with a workshop as well.....tooooo big for us and we will be going smaller in 5 years or so. Problem is.....it's really hard to find good housing in that 1200sf area. Usually if it is that size...it's in a bad neighborhood. They just don't seem to want to build smaller houses in new housing areas. But of course.....if we end up moving back to the UK.....1200sf will likely be big for our price range.

 

[MichaelB]

Thanks - I agree. Also, less to clean, air condition, paint, etc.

Congratulations on your new home. Condo life is an acquired taste, and the adjustment from single family to condo lifestyle is not easy for everyone. Less maintenance obligation and more free time does help, especially when that time makes a positive difference elsewhere. Hope it works out.

 

[JOHNNIE36]

Congrats, Rich. Before moving to the Tampa area we had a 1400 sq ft condo in Ft. Myers and loved it. Big enough for the two of us. Now we have 2050 and feel crowded. Why? Accumulated too much "stuff". Not me! That's what does it. You end up needing more room in which to fit your junk.

 

[Moemg]

Congratulations ! Sounds like the ideal retirement home .

 

[Bestwifeever]

Congratulations ! Sounds like the ideal retirement home .

+1. Your description of the extras is very appealing, Rich! And 1400 sf means you should have plenty of room for overnights for a couple of geandchildren at a time. So glad your plans are working out.

 

[REWahoo]

We ended up taking a 5x10 commercial storage room until we can sell or donate the dregs.

Thus reinforcing the stereotype of doctors as dreg dealers...

Congrats on your new crib!

 

[Buckeye]

Congratulations ! Sounds like the ideal retirement home .

+1

 

[Dawg52]

You do have an extra bedroom, right?

 

[Meadbh]

Congratulations! Sounds like my kind of place. I hope you have an excellent condo board and reserve.

 

[haha]

Congrats Rich. I feel sure you and wife won't look back except to wonder, how long has this been going on?


Ha

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Thus reinforcing the stereotype of doctors as dreg dealers...

Congrats on your new crib!

You just had to dreg that out

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

You do have an extra bedroom, right?

And a putting green on the roof. I held out for a driving range on the roof but the pesky folks across the street objected.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Congratulations! Sounds like my kind of place. I hope you have an excellent condo board and reserve.

We did that once before and it never became problematic but I've heard all the horror stories; what? Me worry?!

 

[FIREd]

Congrats!

 

[haha]

And a putting green on the roof.

You really are Rich by the Bay!

Ha

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

You really are Rich by the Bay!

Ha

Not any more .

 

[Dawg52]

And a putting green on the roof. I held out for a driving range on the roof but the pesky folks across the street objected.

You got everything I need. A room for me and the dog, putting green and I'm sure you have access to plenty of med's.

 

[clifp]

Not any more .

House Rich_by_the_Bay. Pretty much any condo in San Francisco is near $1 million (and plenty a lot more) so you are still a millionaire.

 

[Accidental Retiree]

House Rich_by_the_Bay. Pretty much any condo in San Francisco is near $1 million (and plenty a lot more) so you are still a millionaire.

I think he said he's on the Peninsula... There are places around half a million to 750k there. Not many, though! It's crazy here in the Bay Area.