Regrets After Making An Out-of-Town Move

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movieman

New Member
Location
Williamsburg, VA
Anybody regret having made a long distance move? We downsized after retirement and moved south to a house we thought was ideal for us, not too far from our son and grandkids. It's been a nightmare!

First of all, the location is almost rural and way farther from everything than we ever imagined. A routine trip to the store, MD appointment, etc. becomes a lot of time and miles to drive. It's a longer drive to our son's house than we thought it was, on congested high-speed highways. The house is OK now but we found lots to repair and replace that weren't obvious to begin with. So we've invested quite a bit of money here. Thankfully no mortgage or debt.

I must admit the weather is an improvement (no snow) but that's about it. My wife and I probably made a mistake and didn't do our homework very well, being so anxious to find a place closer to what little family we had left. There's no one left back north so we would not move back there.

Options would seem to be get out right away or give it some time and think it out carefully.

Objective advice?
 

Sorry to hear about your situation. Is it possible to sell where you are now and move that much closer to where you want to be.?
 
There is no "one size fits all". When a person is contemplating a move, dozens of considerations need to be looked at. We abandoned the city 13 years ago, and moved to a nice rural area with 40 acres of forest, and so far, with a few minor inconveniences. it has been quite good. We have a small town 3 miles away for groceries and the basics, and a bigger town 12 miles away with a good doctor, dentist, and eye clinic...for our basic health needs. The hospital is 40 miles away, but that gives us some added incentive to take good care of our health. Its quiet, clean (except for a little dust on the gravel road), and no city hassles or crime. We get up to the city, 100 miles away, about once a month to visit the kids, grandkids, and casinos...and do some shopping...and that suffices. Besides, the kids are nearing retirement, and they have bought property near here and will be moving down, within a short drive, within the next 2 to 5 years.

There is probably No Perfect place to live, but on balance, and taking everything into consideration, this was a good move for us. As we get older, we may have to sell out, and move closer to hospitals, etc., but I am not looking forward to that...I would not want to spend my days with little other than doctors appointments, etc., on the calendar.
 

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movieman said:
Anybody regret having made a long distance move? We downsized after retirement and moved south to a house we thought was ideal for us, not too far from our son and grandkids. It's been a nightmare!

First of all, the location is almost rural and way farther from everything than we ever imagined. A routine trip to the store, MD appointment, etc. becomes a lot of time and miles to drive. It's a longer drive to our son's house than we thought it was, on congested high-speed highways. The house is OK now but we found lots to repair and replace that weren't obvious to begin with. So we've invested quite a bit of money here. Thankfully no mortgage or debt.

I must admit the weather is an improvement (no snow) but that's about it. My wife and I probably made a mistake and didn't do our homework very well, being so anxious to find a place closer to what little family we had left. There's no one left back north so we would not move back there.

Options would seem to be get out right away or give it some time and think it out carefully.

Objective advice?
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That's tough. I am alone and at 83, am absolutely paranoid about driving. In a suburban area, so have everything essential within easy distance. You need those services close as you age. At some point, possibly senior transport of some kind. You did the right thing, moving closer to your son and grandkids. So feel good about that. That's a big plus for both you and them and will become more important as time goes by. Is it possible to move into town? Even an apartment might do. As you get older, physical challenges pop up and living smaller becomes a plus. I wouldn't get out too quick. Look into the options in the area for a while before you make another jump you might regret. There's always an answer. Unfortunately, you can never see it until it appears. Wish you luck.
 
I would sit back and soak everything in, give it awhile before making any further moves or decisions, maybe after the newness wears off it won't seem so bad. If it's still not good after a year maybe, then it's time to consider some change. There's too much emotion involved to make a clear decision right away, IMO. Start making a list of the good things, like no snow, and see if you can get up to ten. :love_heart:
 
Sorry to hear about your situation. Could you sell and buy again. Or sell and rent for a time. Another location in the same area. Maybe closer to your family. More in town and closer to shopping and medical?
 
I wouldn't wait and suffer any longer if I were you. I'd sell if I could and move into town. I live up narrow windy roads with steep cliffs and no railings. It's 11 miles to the closest town which was 98% Spanish speaking few years ago and we don't speak Spanish, I don't know what the percentage is now. It's very small with hardly any services. It's 20 miles from our house to a town with Wal-mart and a movie theater, 45 miles to a city with a hospital our insurance accepts. The older we get the harder it is to live up here.
 
Movieman, I sure can't fault you for wanting to live closer to family you love. It's great you have nice weather...that means a lot. No mortgage or debt is also a huge plus. Don't beat up on yourself too much..no matter how well anyone plans..there's always something we didn't exactly plan on..such is life.
 
Karen99 said:
Movieman, I sure can't fault you for wanting to live closer to family you love. It's great you have nice weather...that means a lot. No mortgage or debt is also a huge plus. Don't beat up on yourself too much..no matter how well anyone plans..there's always something we didn't exactly plan on..such is life.
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I agree. :rain:
 

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