lakehawk
Dryer sheet wannabe
Downsized home
If building new, ask about a zero entry home (no steps at entryway or in garage).
If building new, ask about a zero entry home (no steps at entryway or in garage).
I'm going to disagree with almost everyone and say that if you want a basement then get one. You're 62 and 66 and could conceivably be able to use stairs for another 20+ years. Sure, one day you won't be able to but for the next couple of decades you can enjoy the basement. Also, going up and down the stairs a couple dozen times a day as a workout will help maintain your leg strength and mobility as you age.
Just make the stairs wide so that in the future you can install a chair lift if needed.
I guess the good side is that you can always convert a regular fireplace to gas. My dad had a natural fireplace for many years. He loved it and, as you say, far more aesthetic than gas. However, around 80, he converted to gas and was very happy with the decision. Schlepping wood got old. At 92, he still loves his gas fireplace. We converted when we bought our current house about 7 years ago and are very happy with the look and feel of the gas fireplace. So, if you were to build your dream home, which if you have the means is probably the best way to get everything you want, I would not let a gas fireplace aversion stand in the way.
Also, I’ll echo a single level home. I’m on a slab and have no steps at all. I do miss my basement when storms roll through but that’s about it. If I was building, I’d probably have a basement but would certainly have a single story. One thing that might keep me from a basement or at least restrict it to a small part of the house is that I would like radiant floor heating. In that vein, think about energy use. It seems it will be more of a factor going forward.
And make sure you have hand railings installed on both sides.
FWIW in our new lake house the stairs to the loft/guest bedroom are 36" wide and the hand rails are 35" center to center. I have no problem at all (6' male) using them both though I rarely do. IDK if a small woman would have a problem or not.it is a balance to get the staircase wide enough and yet narrow enough that you could put a hand on both rails.
This might be a good place to make a 100% scale model with a couple of pieces of PVC pipe. See what is comfortable. An ounce of data trumps a pound of theory.I have them drawn in at closer to 40 inches apart so I'm thinking I'll be bringing that in a little bit.
Do not confuse downsizing with saving money!
Every option we are considering costs more money.
Have been working on our downsizing wish-list and figured that this was a great group to ask for suggestions. I searched the topic and didn't find any threads that really fit.
The question is, 'What items/features/qualities would be on your 'essentials' list when looking for a smaller home to downsize to?'
I realize that many of the answers will be very individual but thought that there would be many good ideas here. If you want to try to put yourself in our place, I can give you a little background so responses could be tailored. Of course, feel free to share any 'non-applicable' items you wish.
Background is that I about to turn 62 and DW is 66, I am largely FIRE'd for 9 years and DW has finally decided to pack in her part-time gig, we are both healthy and active. Four children are 29, 28, 26 and 24. All but the youngest, who is doing a PhD locally have moved out. No grandchildren. Have owned current house for almost 30 years. Way more than we need. Now excess bedrooms and bathrooms, several rooms that we are seldom in, huge walkout basement, cavernous garage, 1 acre lot, pool, creek, lots of yard with mature trees, thirty plus years of accumulated stuff... exhausts me just listing things. Over the years, we have travelled a great deal and have always been content with smaller digs such as the apartments found in Europe. When I was working I'd often get put up in 2 bedroom condos for 1-4 weeks at a time and really enjoyed a more compact living space. The issues I can see with condo/apartment living are: no green space to garden in, being right on top of neighbours, space if grandkids do materialize and the psychology of 'condo fees'. So leaning to a single family home with a small manageable yard but with enough inside space to host family guests.
What would you put on the wish-list? Maybe even consider if you were going to build this house - what features would you want? What would the neighbourhood be like, what would be nearby? Thank for your thoughts.
I'm very tempted to add a babbling brook to my backyard. It would be fake. But I like the sound of running water.
Fermion, I just turned 69 and still absolutely hate the heat and humidity. So much that when we bought a mausoleum space it is in an air conditioned section.
When you figure out what age please let me know!
I'm 64 and heat the heat also. Luckily so does my wife.At 52 years old, I hate the heat. At what point do older people start loving the heat? Is it universal? Just wondering if Florida is in my future.