Many baby boomers, including myself, husband and friends who have worked our way up from renting, to buying condo’s to now having a large house in Westchester County are thinking about where we want to live when we retire, and whether we want to downsize to a condo or perhaps a smaller house. This seems to be a common discussion when we go out to dinner these days!
Of course there is the “monetary” aspect of moving. Do you move down south or even as close as Pennsylvania to have a similar home that costs half the price with taxes that are 10-20% of what we pay here? We’ve personally explored Pennsylvania and North Carolina among other places on trips; and although we found some really great houses, the thought of moving somewhere we do not know anyone and having to start over gives us pause.
So, then we all discuss, do we move to a condo or possibly a smaller house with less landscaping, maintenance, water and heating costs to have more expendable money for things we enjoy. I think it all depends on how “handy” one spouse or the other is and how much privacy you really need. One night we all jammed and came up with scenarios that we had either experienced while we were in apartments in NYC, or could occur. We were laughing by time we finished, but it could be true!
1) How loud does your spouse play that home theater stereo..especially during playoffs!
2) What if your neighbor was the one who played the TV/Stereo loud!
3) Will you miss sitting in your background sun tanning or just reading a book without
being noticed, or having that barbecue with 10 friends on 4th of July.
4) Do you have a pet who may just feel like barking or meowing at any time?
14 times a day!
6) What if neighbor above or below you smokes and it comes through the vent? (This
happened to me while renting in the city!).
7) How about an opera singer or dancer who practices late at night? (Also had those!).
The list went on!
So, maybe it’s just me, but if I had a choice, and wanted to stay up north, and had to downsize, I’d prefer a smaller stand alone house on a small, easily kept flat piece of property with a white picket fence. I’d mow the lawn myself, make friends with a handyman, or always have www.servicemagic.com at my fingertips for those plumber, electrician, appliance or any household needs.
Not to say, I may want to have a place to rent down south in the cold winter months, but knowing it’s just temporary would make that neighbors parrot seem okay!
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