So B and I are selling our house (see previous post), and are downsizing ... at this point into a small, one-bedroom condominium.
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| The carpenter measures for new kitchen cabinets |
The plan is: We will live there for a year while we travel around looking for our dream retirement destination. The carrying costs of the condo are small, leaving us plenty of money to travel. And because we will be away so much, we will not get on each other's nerves when we're confined to 900 square feet.
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| View of the basement ceiling where new plumbing will go |
That's the plan, anyway. We'll see.
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| Our beautiful new kitchen |
So the other side of the box (so to speak) is a beautiful new condo. Except the condo is neither new nor beautiful. So we're doing some renovations. At the same time we're packing up our old house and deciding what goes with us to the condo, and what goes into storage for a year or so.
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| Our beautiful new bathroom |
I went up the other day to see what the condo looks like. It may not seem like it to you, but this is progress. Things are getting done. And, God willing, there will be electricity and running water by the time we close on our house in a couple of weeks and move into the condo ... ready or not.
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| We have a nice tall ceiling |
Please wish us luck.
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| You can see the living room through a hole in the bathroom! |
21 comments:
The fun part will be looking around for your new retirement destination. Living in the condo takes the pressure off and allows a thoughtful process and decision making. The 900 square feet will certainly give you a feel for how much living space you need to be comfortable.
Good luck with the "couple of weeks" for renovations. It can be so frustrating waiting on others to do their jobs!
David and I began life together in my condo. After a year we bought the four-bedroom house we live in today. I wish we still had the Condo....not.
Good move, taking a breather and travelling while you take a bead on the final destination.
Gawd I hare renos. Lived through far too many :)
XO
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Things are moving along in your part of the world! I hope that place will be done when you need it, Tom. :-)
Congratulations Tom! It looks like you've been busy making plans AND packing! I do wish you both the best of luck and that everything goes smoothly! If your travels take you out west be sure and let us know because it would be great to meet you both in person. Enjoy the process! ~Kathy
Good luck, Tom! I look forward to reading about your upcoming adventures.
Donna
www.retirementreflections.com
I admire you for doing the sensible thing—moving into a smaller place, taking your time to travel and contemplate the rest of your retirement. You will be relieved not to have a big home to look after. Such freedom! All the best to you and B!
I have been through a few house renovations and each time I swear it's my last! Fortunately, you aren't living there at the same time. I think it's so smart to take your time finding the perfect location and home. It is such a big decision and often it's made in a panic. I look forward to reading about your journey!
Tom, I'm looking forward to following your and B's journey. I've owned nine homes and each of them required remodeling. I think the fact that you only have to fix up 900 sq ft makes the project much less daunting. Anxious to see your "after" photos. Best of luck to you and B, and try not to worry about a single thing.
Good luck in your travels. There are a lot of changes in the works for you.
I don't understand. You bought that condo and are renovating it? Why not move into a rental that already has what you need?
Anyway, good luck!
What a great new adventure! The search will be so fascinating -- am looking forward to lots of posts about it! And you'll have a condo -- renovated to your taste -- for those resting times in between. You're being very smart about this and taking your time. Good for you!!
Have fun searching for the perfect spot. We aren't retired yet, but I already have a bad case of wanderlust!
Hey Tom, sounds like a good plan! Be sure to contact me if you make it out to southern Colorado. I'd love to meet you and B. LLC
I've remodeled a few times and it always seems to take longer than they say. I'll be interested in hearing about your upcoming travels.
Brave man!
:)
May you survive the move and enjoy the travels.
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Many thanks for all the good wishes. And Gigi ... at this point, I don't understand either!
Tom, your next post says you are renting the condo for one year? I'm confused. You rented a condo and then you gutted it and are putting in a new kitchen and a new bathroom? That doesn't make any sense. Plus, whichever way you got the condo, why are you wasting thousands of dollars gutting the place & renovating it?
Experience has taught me, that you are going to need every single penny from the sale of the marital home in the future, of which you know nothing of. UGH.
So confused.
The condo idea seems like a temporary solution alright. But where are you planning to travel to find a retirement spot/
Downsizing to a smaller residence is often a good idea. Larger dwellings are harder to maintain. They also cost more to heat in winter. Deciding what to carry with you from the other home would be difficult. I am happy for your new move. It is good that it will give you more money to use for travelling and other goals.
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