Do you find that it gets lonely and impersonal? This is my first time in a condo (and a beautiful one) but I feel stacked up. I had a townhouse before and liked it except for the stairs. At 70, they will eventually get to me.
We did the same thing when we retired 22 years ago. We are in Florida and a few years ago I put up grab bars in all the entrances as both me and my wife are finding it hard to get up our few steps into the house. We also love our place.
Don, one more question. Did you reach a point where you slowed down and relaxed. I'm still in the "Have to go to work" mood and there's no real work for me in this condo. I put up new blinds two days ago and was totally happy for a few hours. But that is kind of the last big chore for awhile. How long did it take you to relax into doing less?
Doesn't a mobile home get cold in Canada? Maybe I'm thinking about the kind that they make in Florida.
That is everyone's dream in Florida to have a home across from the grocery. We chose one about five miles away. It doesn't matter so much now, but will in a few years. My wife is ten years younger, but looking forward, walking to the grocery would really be nice.
Your situation sounds ideal. I wish that we had gone for the bottom floor. You are a little more connected with the earth than up several stories. Also you can carry the groceries directly inside. It sounds more like house than an isolated condo.
I was just thinking about your comment. Between the HOA payments, insurance and taxes, I could pay a substantial part of condo rent. I never thought of that before. We have nobody close to leave this place to, so renting might make sense. Then, we'd have the option to leave at the end of the lease and find something that suits us better, without paying 6% each way to a realtor. On the other hand property values are skyrocketing here, so... it's complicated.
I always hated yard work. Now I miss it. Ironic.
I'm really thinking that first floor is a better option. There is more contact with the ground-- more like a house and you can get the groceries in very easy. It's hard for me to suddenly begin thinking like a senior, rather than a worker. But at 70, it's time.
I am in a mobile home here in Ontario Canada and have both a gas fireplace and a gas furnace. Mostly the fireplace is the only heat source on except in the coldest weather. My heating bills on the gas budget are $60 month. And the home is nice and toasty.
If your condo has a balcony and you're allowed to have plants there, you could make a hobby of growing unusual ornamental plants or some vegetables and herbs, maybe even a small fruit tree.
