Living in the sticks ain't so great.

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
Back in 1991, when I bought my place in the sticks, I was working, walking and not disabled. But that all changed. So, now, I'm still living in the sticks. But in a way, I'm a prisoner of my place. I have to live here, because it's the cheapest place to live. I can't afford to move to the city, with all its amenities. My income won't stretch that far. I have to make do, here. I'm not sure I can still drive, so I take cabs. Being in the sticks everything is at least a 1/2 hour away, thus running up big taxi fees. Going to and from the doctor's costs about $150. I could catch the bus, but the nearest bus stop is 3 miles away. Like I said, 30+ years ago, this was an ideal place to live. But . now, I'm pretty much trapped by that decision to live in the sticks. I don't think I was alone in opting to live in the sticks, years ago. How do you feel about your choice where you will live?
 

Bad situation...one that many people find themselves in , especially after retiring to the coast or a very rural village with little or no amenities...and then disability means they can no longer drive, and have little access to shops, doctors & hospitals as they age , as you say...

BTW ..can you not just take the cab to the bus stop, that would cut down the cost hugely!!
 

fuzzybuddy said:
Back in 1991, when I bought my place in the sticks, I was working, walking and not disabled. But that all changed. So, now, I'm still living in the sticks. But in a way, I'm a prisoner of my place. I have to live here, because it's the cheapest place to live. I can't afford to move to the city, with all its amenities. My income won't stretch that far. I have to make do, here. I'm not sure I can still drive, so I take cabs. Being in the sticks everything is at least a 1/2 hour away, thus running up big taxi fees. Going to and from the doctor's costs about $150. I could catch the bus, but the nearest bus stop is 3 miles away. Like I said, 30+ years ago, this was an ideal place to live. But . now, I'm pretty much trapped by that decision to live in the sticks. I don't think I was alone in opting to live in the sticks, years ago. How do you feel about your choice where you will live?
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Here, there is transportation in a van for low income disabled persons. Would you qualify for something like that? Several people in my neighborhood do, the van picks them up at their house, delivers them to where they are going and then comes back for them. They pay only $4. You should check to see if there is something like that where you live.
 
Hi Fuzzybuddy, I am sorry to read this about your situation,
'though for the reasons you have stated are the ones that
keep me in the city.

As for driving, do you have any young relatives in the area
near where you live? If so, do a deal let him/her look after
your car on the understanding that they will come and take
you shopping once a week and to any medical visits that you
need to have.

Mike.
 
Does your community offer services like low cost rides for seniors and the disabled? They do here, but I'm not in the sticks. Just in suburbia. It might be worth inquiring. Also churches might have something available for you. Looks like you'll have to do a little research. Best luck.
 
Fuzzybuddy

I strongly urge you to contact your State Dept of Aging. There are programs that provide low or no cost transportation for medical appointments and other errands, even grocery shopping. Be persistent!

Start here 717-783-1550
Pennsylvania Dept of Aging
Insist on speaking to someone who can help you.

I don't know what county you live in but you also need to call your County Dept of Aging.

Don't let these agencies put you off by telling you someone will call you back. Insist on talking to someone who will help you.

Good luck and let us know what happens.
 
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chic said:
Does your community offer services like low cost rides for seniors and the disabled? They do here, but I'm not in the sticks. Just in suburbia. It might be worth inquiring. Also churches might have something available for you. Looks like you'll have to do a little research. Best luck.
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applecruncher said:
Fuzzybuddy

I strongly urge you to contact your state Dept of Aging. There are programs that provide low or no cost transportation for medical appointments and other errands, even grocery shopping. Be persistent! Good luck.
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I agree. There are many services that are subsidized exclusively for seniors. Good luck to you.
It must be very frustrating.
 
We're in a similar situation...living in a very rural area. If/When this place becomes a burden, we have plans to move to a mid-size city nearby which has all the facilities we would need. Many places such as this do have provisions to aid older folks living in rural areas with their transportation needs.....at a cost far less than having to take a taxi. Here, this organization is called OATS Transit. Check your area for a similar operation.

https://www.oatstransit.org/
 
In 1981 I bought my life-long dream: The proverbial "cabin in the woods." (Finger Lakes area, NY) I'm on a dirt road, nearest town (one traffic light) is 5 miles away. My doc is there along with a supermarket, drugstore, gas stations, etc. It's almost like Mayberry: No crime to speak of, everybody knows everybody.

There is a small city 16-18 miles away. The cabin is now a 2-bedroom house. I'm still working (home business) and heat with wood and coal; I'll be 69 in August.

But I'll tell you, the last couple of winters have got me thinking, as I knew they would at some point. Carrying in 2-3 sixty-pound buckets of coal every day, emptying the ashes every day is starting to bug me. Not to mention going to the coalyard and getting 1500 lbs. of coal in my truck, then shoveling it off into my coal bin at home. I already asked the guy about coal delivery, so we'll see what happens this winter.

I do have central heat (installed in 2010) but I hate using it -- costs a lot and it's always too cold for me. With coal I can keep my house warm enough so I can sit around in a t-shirt when it's zero outside.

Oh well, life goes on until it doesn't.
 
It sounds like it's time to make a change.

I would encourage you to contact a realtor and have them give you a market estimate of your home's value so you can get an idea of what you would net if you sell this summer and prepare to move into town before another winter rolls around.

Good luck!
 
Sounds like you have lived the good life..
Old Dummy said:
In 1981 I bought my life-long dream: The proverbial "cabin in the woods." (Finger Lakes area, NY) I'm on a dirt road, nearest town (one traffic light) is 5 miles away. My doc is there along with a supermarket, drugstore, gas stations, etc. It's almost like Mayberry: No crime to speak of, everybody knows everybody.

There is a small city 16-18 miles away. The cabin is now a 2-bedroom house. I'm still working (home business) and heat with wood and coal; I'll be 69 in August.

But I'll tell you, the last couple of winters have got me thinking, as I knew they would at some point. Carrying in 2-3 sixty-pound buckets of coal every day, emptying the ashes every day is starting to bug me. Not to mention going to the coalyard and getting 1500 lbs. of coal in my truck, then shoveling it off into my coal bin at home. I already asked the guy about coal delivery, so we'll see what happens this winter.

I do have central heat (installed in 2010) but I hate using it -- costs a lot and it's always too cold for me. With coal I can keep my house warm enough so I can sit around in a t-shirt when it's zero outside.

Oh well, life goes on until it doesn't.
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norman said:
Sounds like you have lived the good life..
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No regrets as far as lifestyle! I have a burbling trout stream about 15' from the house, I'm down in a hole protected by 1,000' hills to the east and west -- no wind except from the southeast, which is rare; I cannot see any other houses except when the leaves are down, just barely. Disadvantage: not much early- or late-day sunlight.

But I do have a LOT -- TONS -- of regrets when it comes to women. But it's all history and there isn't anything I can do about it.

Creek is in the foreground, road and driveway are on the far side beyond the trees:


At0iK2F.jpg



Taken from the front yard on a cold January morning, looking southeast; railing is the one around my creek-edge patio, the same one in the above pik:


ogAVwvl.jpg
 
You must live near Jim Thorpe. I once worked out of the Stroudsburg Barracks probably about 50 miles from your area of the Poconos. That sure was beautiful area and watching the wildlife come through our backyard was fun. But, like you said, I can imagine that it is lonely for someone that can’t drive or has anyone that is willing to accommodate them with a ride to here and there. Just an idea, but you could put an ad in the paper for someone that would take you to the doctors or the store for a minimal amount of money. Our church has something like that set up and the wife and I do our 2 weeks every year of tending to those in your condition. We actually look forward to doing it.

I don’t know much about what the county or state may offer in the way of help, but like others have suggested, it wouldn’t hurt or cost you anything to Check it out.

BTW, is that area still a nightmare on race weekend? I arrested a lot of drunk drivers in that area
 
Not in such a dire position, but, I am just about to lose my driver's licence.

I have failed the eye test we all have to go through after we turn 75. Cataracts and Fuch's Endothelial Dystrophy, which means maybe a corneal transplant will be needed. A wait time of 9 to 12 months were I live in Australia.

I will have a bus I can catch - once every two hours to go into town, then wait for another bus to bring home after another four hours wait.

There are other services available, but they are fairly costly.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
How do you feel about your choice where you will live?
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We’re on our fifth year living ‘in the sticks’

GPOGzaU.jpg


vsCfI0k.jpg


anevY8P.jpg



When my lady went down with a hernia, it was a sobering thing.
Took her awhile to heal.

But, hey, if one of us goes downhill, and can no longer carry the load, we’re selling ‘the sticks’ and moving to town.
We’re 50 miles from most anything.

Recently checked house prices.
We could afford it….now.
Not sure about 10 or 15 years from now……

I’m not kiddin’ myself, just turned 70
I’m feelin’ it, but maybe not like most I know

Got maybe 10 years of self-sufficiency left in me

More would be exceptional

We may make the move in five years before the market goes anymore nuts

I’d like to think never
But
There’s that reality thing

One thing, Fuzz, folks not too far down the path from us get a ride for medical stuff,
and they’re not even that old…maybe even scamming the system,
but off they go, in a county vehicle, ever week, fifty freaking miles and back.

Like other folks here have said, check with yer state and county.
 
I sympathise with your plight. I live in a small village that has lost all its amenities over the years while the larger towns are being overdeveloped. The nearest health centre in the next village is down to 3 half days a week because of staff shortages . Our local bus service has been discontinued and you have to book the free community bus in advance. We're in our mid to late 60's and good health at the minute, but realise that if things were to change, that we might have to consider moving closer to town.
 
Fuzzy.... Have you looked into a reverse mortgage? We are also approaching the time when living out here won't be practical, and one thing we realized is this next generation seems to have no desire to take on any kind of responsibility,let alone taking care of a house and acreage. Therefore, I foresee a hard time finding someone who would be interested in our place. I was not really a believer in the mortgage deal, but, I'm beginning to re-think it. Especially since my surviving daughter and grandchildren have absolutely zero interest in it. :(
 
I'm at the start of the Baby Boom. Japan surrendered in August '45, and I was born nine months later in April, '46. And I was one of the ones, who moved out of the city (NYC) to the sticks. Back then it was a good decision. I am really proud that I cleared all my 1.3 acres by myself. Today, I can hardly walk. I'm in a wheel chair. It's that here, you need a car to get around. If you can't drive, you have to pay through the nose for transportation. Yes, there are some senior transportation programs up here, but they are inadequate. There are some "volunteer" programs, akin to "Meals on Wheels, where a volunteer will drive you, but the nearest volunteer is 100 miles from me. I think that as we Boomers age, there will be more, like me, trapped in suburbia.
 
You can be excused for selecting your home in the sticks because of your "youth" at the time. I moved here in my 60's after experiencing what my parents went through as they aged. It's a single story ranch so no stairs, on the edge of town and not in it, and family not too far away. You got lots of good suggestions so good luck.
 
fuzzy,

Since you're in a wheelchair does anyone come to help with chores? (cleaning,etc)
What about grocery shopping?

I'm not sure what you mean when you say the suggested services are inadequate. It's npt that I'm doubting you, just that I don't know your specific requirements vs what providers can do for you.

It just seems to me that for way less that $150 you could hire/pay someone to provide periodic transportation. Maybe the dept of Aging or one of the churches could help you find someone.

Also, there are services that call everyday just to see if you're okay or if you need them to contact someone.
 
To clear things up.
My home is paid. The taxes, etc are less than what an apartment costs in town. There are no people lining up to get the job of driving me around for just a few bucks. Those people just don't exist. There are a lot of "programs" esp. government ones, but they really don't do much. Even Riteaid says they deliver meds, but when you look into their program, they only deliver within 5 miles if the store. ( I'm 10.) Also, if there was bus service to my home, I'd still have to catch a bus to catch a bus to catch a bus to get to my docs, and then repeat that in reverse . This is the sticks. You need a car and be able to drive. There's a lot more people , like me, who are headed for the same thing. I saw a TV program, "Adam Ruins Everything", which went into the isolation od the suburbs in detail.
 
There are no people lining up to get the job of driving me around for just a few bucks. Those people just don't exist.
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Maybe that's because they don't know about you. Churches, etc. have newsletters. Dept of Aging has placement services for people wanting part-time gigs. A few dollars, no.....but a fraction of the $150 you're paying.

Not arguing and don't mean to hassle you. Just trying to help. :) But only you know what willwork for you.
 

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