Downsizing

[Dtail]

Might want to reconsider the townhome thing, get something single story. I know several older folks that moved out of townhomes because they couldn't do stairs anymore.

There are some one story townhouse style attached homes in our area.

 

[albundyz]

We downsized 13 yrs ago at age 59. Perhaps we made a bad choice in doing so. Our new neighbors were nice and we got along with them, but..... they were all mid 30s, both working, 2 small kids constantly going to ballet and soccer practice.... We had nothing in common with them. We sold and moved into a 55+ community and never been happier. just a thought.

 

[qwerty3656]

We sold and moved into a 55+ community and never been happier. just a thought.

Are there large 55+ communities outside of Florida or Arizona?

 

[Koolau]

Are there large 55+ communities outside of Florida or Arizona?

We have some "assisted living" places, but no Del Webb, for instance.

 

[aja8888]

Are there large 55+ communities outside of Florida or Arizona?

Tons of them in Texas! And probably most places.

 

[Luvtoride]

There are many 55+ communities in NJ and we have many friends who are moving there. They seem to be happy with their new arrangements. We’ve visited a few in their new homes/ apartments and are shocked at how small they are compared to the “normal sized homes” we live in and they moved from. Besides not having enough space for “Stuff” there is little space to live in and we would feel like we’re on top of each other all the time.

 

[mebden]

We have a 2800 square foot house on a few acres that we put on the market a few weeks ago. Closing is set for mid-May. We are leaving Wisconsin for a warmer climate, but aren't in a hurry to buy a new house. We're going to give away a lot of stuff and put the rest in storage. Then take at least part of the summer to reset in our camper. Eventually, we plan to downsize to 1500 to 2000 feet on a small city lot. We're nervous about it but also looking at it as an adventure.

I'm in the same boat Trail but no buyer yet on my place in Louisiana but once its gone time to jump in my motorhome and go and when I find a place I like and the people are cool that may be my final resting place lol

 

[mebden]

I downsized by selling my 10 acre property/house first and reducing all my belongings to what would fit in my car trunk plus two boxes at my daughter's house. If I had known when and where I would wind up, I would have put some stuff in storage, but my original plan was to travel for a year or two.

Then six months of travel later, I found a place I could afford (cost less than half of what I got from selling my house) that checked all the boxes for me (even boxes I didn't know I should have) -- condo in a high rise with an elevator in a 55+ gated community with walking paths, trees, wildlife, clubhouses (aka private senior centers), walk-able to grocery and doctors/dentists, lots of options for activities for seniors of all ages, and with good public transportation to a big city.

I've been here over two years now and I still really love it.

So where is your paradise at up?

 

[UpQuark]

So where is your paradise at up?

It is Leisure World in Maryland (Washington DC suburb).

Leisure World of Maryland | Active Adult Living in Montgomery County

Providing homeowners aged 55+ with a variety of services and resort-style amenities, Leisure World is a smart choice for independent living in Montgomery County, MD. Our gated community offers a maintenance-free lifestyle convenient to all the attractions of the DC area.

leisureworldmaryland.com

 

[Trailwalker]

I can see why you like that, UpQuark. I'm not an East Coast person, but very nice.

 

[Out of Steam]

I've never understood "downsizing". Examples I've seen never end up reducing invested capital, nor is there much "maintenance reduction". Obviously a 5,000 foot home on 5 acres to townhome is a different story. We are 2800 feet on 1/4 acre.

As someone who would like to downsize for non-financial reasons in the next several years, this is what I've seen. The urban condos or city houses we might downsize to are more expensive than remaining in our suburban single-family house.

 

[Out of Steam]

It is Leisure World in Maryland (Washington DC suburb).

I once lived not far from there, and many local retirees are happy with the community.