After studying a number of articles on writing I decided to take some of the advice on board and write every day. I’ve previously tried setting myself targets, and have sometimes managed to hit them. Unfortunately this occasionally presents problems when I run out of inspiration. As you can see from yesterday’s post there are days when even the use of a random subject generator doesn’t help. It did, however, help provide inspiration for today’s title.
I turned it on again today and turned up: “Write about moving home.”
Coincidentally, that is precisely what we are thinking of doing. It’s time we looked at bungalows and, based on the experience of my parents, it’s better to start thinking about it now rather than delay. They were about eighty when they moved last, and even though they didn’t move far it was obviously quite hard for them.
I’m actually quite worried that the random subject generator is predicting my thoughts so accurately.
We’re having to make some big decisions about where we want to live. I’d actually be happy living in a tent. The maintenance required would be minimal – just some canvas and a needle and thread. It would be lovely in summer, just roll the side up and have one massive garden room. The other 362 days of the year would be more of a problem and winter wouldn’t be much fun, but these days winter isn’t much fun anyway.
Julia is insisting on somewhere with walls and a roof. She’s probably right. She’s also stipulated that it needs to be near a hospital because I spend so much time there these days. She’s very practical. I was thinking of living near the coast and learning about sea fishing – she’s thinking of medical care. My worry about the coast was centred on global warming rather than blood tests. As sea levels rise East Anglia is likely to return to the sea and even if you could get enough sandbags shopping in a rowing boat isn’t going to be much fun.
She’s also insisting that we give the kids the address of the new house. This is a bit of a blow as we will have to let them visit. In that case we will have to have a bigger kitchen to house the larger fridge this will involve.
Actually, she’s probably right about not moving to the coast – that would just be asking for people to come and visit.
We have a few years to decide, so there’s no need to rush. One thing we do want is a manageable garden as, inspired by other blogs, I want Julia to have plenty to do in retirement. I’d feel guilty if she hadn’t enough to do. The other thing is that I’d like to be detached. After thirty years living joined to a man with a drill and a passion for DIY (which he indulged for three hours this morning) I don’t want to share a wall again.
So, here’s a question. If you were moving again what would be important to you? A bit like Desert Island Discs, you can take your current spouse and let the children have your forwarding address…
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I wish you well with your search. We would probably choose where we are now with a smaller garden, but I don’t even want to think about moving. (78 in a couple of weeks – and Jackie clocked that there is room for a stair lift)
Yes, I thought about a stairlift here but the garden is not very manageable so we decided on a move. And if we move we may as well make as many changes as possible.
Indeed
Anyway, I’m not sure about the weight limit on stairlifts… 🙂
Ah
🙂
Hmmm…there are practical things like one floor, not too big, energy efficient, good light. A patio and small garden area would be nice, as would water nearby, whether lake or river (you’ve ruled out sea). The community would have to be nice, with some vibrancy and activities of interest.
Yes, I bought this house over thirty years ago because I needed to get a base for my new job. It was meant to be short-term and has never been quite right so it would be nice to tick as many boxes as possible for the next one.
My mom recently moved to a single house in a retirement community (55 and older – I could live there!) The lawn/snow maintenance is done for her, which is huge. It’s all on one floor. She has a garden, which she loves. It’s in a neighborhood, with sidewalks and walking trails. So she is able to walk around and meet people. And people have been so welcoming. She has new friends who look out for her. It’s been wonderful. Her old house was too big and complicated and took up too much of her mindspace worrying about it. She’s thriving.
That’s good to hear. I’ve looked at a few retirement communities, but I’m not sure we are ready to go that far yet. I still think I’m too young for that. 🙂
More or less anywhere in Scotland.
If you like rain, mist and low cloud I doubt you could find a finer place to live than Scotland. Myself, having once walked down the street in Preston and realised I couldn’t remember the last day it hadn’t rained, decided that the Eastern Counties were the place for me.
Lavinia has some great advice. For me, a yard with a patio where I can sit and watch the birds, just like the one I have now. Currently, our washer/dryer is in the basement. Very common in Maine. I would like the washer/dryer to be on the ground floor. Finally, a walk-in shower. Ours is part of a bathtub unit. Good luck with the move. You are quite right to be thinking about it now.
It could be a year or two yet. I keep looking at places with shower cubicles, sit-down baths and wet rooms. It’s a whole new world…
As we will be entering into the “Empty Nest” in a year or two we are starting the talk about downsizing now. We don’t need 2,600 sq ft for two people or for visitors a few times a year. We talk about needing to be somewhere smaller on one floor, somewhere a bit warmer but now southern hot or MI cold, inexpensive housing, not too far from services such as doctors, hospitals, etc… Having watched my parents move in their 70s and seeing what they are going through now changes my perspective too. Need to be near family or friends that can help. They are alone 12 hours away from us and it is difficult for all of us when something happens to one of them.
Yes, so much to think about. It sounds like we are thinking on similar lines, though we are closer to family (smaller country!) 🙂
I probably wouldn’t find it. No garden, no people and I definitely wouldn’t let the kids know 😂
🙂 A friend of mine wanted to win the lottery and move into a hotel. No gardening, no housework and no decorating. 🙂
Ha good man 😂
🙂
Our plan is to be on this farm until we join Bilbo Baggins in the Grey Havens. Aside from that, there a number of things I would consider if moving. Here are a few.
No carpet – hardwood floors are easier to clean, but don’t plan on falling
Easy reach cabinets
Easy to maintain grounds, meaning not much grass to mow
Room for vegetable garden and a few dwarf fruit trees
Close enough to neighbors so they can keep an eye on one, but not so close they are a bother.
I think I would probably be happy on the farm too, from what I see of it. I’m thinking of no carpet floors, though that might mean trip hazard rugs. 🙂 So much to consider…
Definitely going to be growing veg and fruit.