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debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I just did a search for smaller homes than the monstrosity I have now. So few homes for sale with my criteria in this area (between $100K and $250K, centrally located to town, with 2-car garage, between 1200 and 1500 sq ft). They are either larger than mine or look more run-down than what I have or way out in the sticks.
 

Just a suggestion Deb, but if I were you, I'd look into something like a condo or townhome, something where you wouldn't have to worry too much about maintenance or shoveling snow, etc. I don't think it's a good idea for you to get into another house, especially one that is run down, the one you're in now is bad enough with all the problems and headaches.
 

I second that!

Sometimes the quality of life is more important than money.

I would also consider investing the money from the sale of the house and renting an apartment in an over 55 complex.

I looked at a one bedroom in a senior citizen complex in my area that had a washer and dryer in each unit, emergency call bell, security entrance that requires a sign in, cable television, garage, shopping shuttle, community activities, etc... A one bedroom with everything included was approx. $1,250.00/month. I'm keeping the place on my list of options for the next move.
 
Aunt Bea said:
Sometimes the quality of life is more important than money.

I would also consider investing the money from the sale of the house and renting an apartment in an over 55 complex.
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Well said Bea, especially when you get to be our ages. Also think an over 55 apartment or other housing for the senior crowd is an excellent idea if affordable.
 
I appreciate your advice. Two year ago I investigated senior housing in this area. They have two criteria - subsidized housing where there is an income limit (single person can't earn over $40K a year) or the ones that cost $5K or more a month for rent + utilities. I only net an average of $3K a month, so I'd be losing money in a place like that.
 
debodun said:
They have two criteria - subsidized housing where there is an income limit (single person can't earn over $40K a year) or the ones that cost $5K or more a month for rent + utilities. I only net an average of $3K a month, so I'd be losing money in a place like that.
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Deb, don't consider it as "losing money", you're not losing anything, you're spending it to make the rest of your years that much nicer, safer and easier for you. Money well spent in my opinion! I suggest you start thinking of such things in a different and more positive way. Remember.....you can't take it with you.
 
Therein is the problem not poor enough to make the cut and few thou over the max ..yet not enough to live in something more desirable with more desirable neighbors...still I continue to look----
 
Condos are nice. No more large utility bills, large tax bills, yard work and all the joys of winter an fall yard work and snow shoveling. Also much more secure from crime.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I second that!

Sometimes the quality of life is more important than money.

I would also consider investing the money from the sale of the house and renting an apartment in an over 55 complex.

I looked at a one bedroom in a senior citizen complex in my area that had a washer and dryer in each unit, emergency call bell, security entrance that requires a sign in, cable television, garage, shopping shuttle, community activities, etc... A one bedroom with everything included was approx. $1,250.00/month. I'm keeping the place on my list of options for the next move.
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That sounds like a nice place.

There is a senior citizen shuttle that comes to my local Aldi once a week.
It's like an invasion so I try to avoid that day ;)
 
debodun said:
I appreciate your advice. Two year ago I investigated senior housing in this area. They have two criteria - subsidized housing where there is an income limit (single person can't earn over $40K a year) or the ones that cost $5K or more a month for rent + utilities. I only net an average of $3K a month, so I'd be losing money in a place like that.
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Wow! Wish I had your income per month! I'll only have around $1800/mo. for rent, etc. I'm hoping I'll qualify for subsidized rent. Not sure how it's figured so I'll have to wait and see.
 
I am looking for a 1 bdr, 1 bath condo in my complex or the one next to us. They are in a safe (if anywhere is safe anymore) place and close to everywhere I need to go. I am slowly getting rid of books, clothes and furniture I don't need. The kids are getting what they want and I am only keeping the things that mean something to me. I used to mow, edge and landscape to my hearts content. Since my stroke 20 years ago, I am limited as to what I can do. You adjust to life's changes and go on. I am blessed to be alive and enjoy my house plants and ferns on my patio. I can grow fabulous ferns of all kinds but try to limit myself to a few as I don't have the room to handle them. Such is life!
 
terry123 said:
I am looking for a 1 bdr, 1 bath condo in my complex or the one next to us. They are in a safe (if anywhere is safe anymore) place and close to everywhere I need to go. I am slowly getting rid of books, clothes and furniture I don't need. The kids are getting what they want and I am only keeping the things that mean something to me. I used to mow, edge and landscape to my hearts content. Since my stroke 20 years ago, I am limited as to what I can do. You adjust to life's changes and go on. I am blessed to be alive and enjoy my house plants and ferns on my patio. I can grow fabulous ferns of all kinds but try to limit myself to a few as I don't have the room to handle them. Such is life!
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Terry, you can grow ferns? IMPRESSIVE! I call them potato chip plants, because that's what they turn into after two weeks under my care. Don't get me started on orchids...

Are you in a larger condo now and looking to downsize? Purging possessions is an endless chore, or at least it feels that way. My stuff seems to breed when I turn my back.
 
StarSong said:
Terry, you can grow ferns? IMPRESSIVE! I call them potato chip plants, because that's what they turn into after two weeks under my care. Don't get me started on orchids...

Are you in a larger condo now and looking to downsize? Purging possessions is an endless chore, or at least it feels that way. My stuff seems to breed when I turn my back.
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Yes, I am in a 2bdr, 2 bath and feel the need to downsize. A lady starting a bookmobile is coming to get most of my books. I will keep my Gibran ones and others I love. Ferns are easy to grow. When I had a house and greenhouse and my mom came to visit, she wanted to know if I needed 40 ferns. I said, need, no, but want, yes. There were several varieties plus the large staghorns on the trees. I told the kids to only get me gift cards to Krogers, etc for gifts as I don't need anything else to dust.
 
terry123 said:
Yes, I am in a 2bdr, 2 bath and feel the need to downsize. A lady starting a bookmobile is coming to get most of my books. I will keep my Gibran ones and others I love. Ferns are easy to grow. When I had a house and greenhouse and my mom came to visit, she wanted to know if I needed 40 ferns. I said, need, no, but want, yes. There were several varieties plus the large staghorns on the trees. I told the kids to only get me gift cards to Krogers, etc for gifts as I don't need anything else to dust.
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For at least the past five years we've asked our kids to only gift us with consumables - and consumables that we'll actually use. (Please no "interesting foods" like pineapple-jalapeno-mint jelly. After sitting in my pantry for 3 months that jar is going to find itself in the trash. Or perhaps the food donation box on the off chance that someone finds it appealing. And no more liquor. We barely drink anymore and our liquor cabinet is so well stocked that we could open a small tavern.)

We are grateful that we've been so blessed as to not need any more "things."
 
terry123 said:
Yes, I am in a 2bdr, 2 bath and feel the need to downsize. A lady starting a bookmobile is coming to get most of my books. I will keep my Gibran ones and others I love. Ferns are easy to grow. When I had a house and greenhouse and my mom came to visit, she wanted to know if I needed 40 ferns. I said, need, no, but want, yes. There were several varieties plus the large staghorns on the trees. I told the kids to only get me gift cards to Krogers, etc for gifts as I don't need anything else to dust.
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I would be interested to learn how you make out looking for a 1-1 condo. I wonder if there any in Houston.
 
My wife and I would really like to downsize. The problem is finding a condo that has ample storage, so that we don’t have to sell or get rid of everything. We have been looking for quite some time.

We looked at a really nice 2/2/2, but the only storage was a space above the garage that had a pull down ladder to access it. At our age and getting older, I think that’s out of the question. It didn’t even have a basement.

We thought about renting a storage shed, but then every time we’d need or want something, we would have to run to the shed. It just wouldn’t suit our lifestyle.
 
oldman said:
My wife and I would really like to downsize. The problem is finding a condo that has ample storage, so that we don’t have to sell or get rid of everything. We have been looking for quite some time.

We looked at a really nice 2/2/2, but the only storage was a space above the garage that had a pull down ladder to access it. At our age and getting older, I think that’s out of the question. It didn’t even have a basement.

We thought about renting a storage shed, but then every time we’d need or want something, we would have to run to the shed. It just wouldn’t suit our lifestyle.
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I've thought about down-sizing for years... only to find out that smaller homes in this area cost just as much if not more than my current 2200 sq ft home and those neighborhoods are not near as nice as mine. Since communal living [apartments/condos] is not for me, I've decided to stay put until an alternative arises that is clearly more beneficial.
 
KingsX said:
I've thought about down-sizing for years... only to find out that smaller homes in this area cost just as much if not more than my current 2200 sq ft home and those neighborhoods are not near as nice as mine. Since communal living [apartments/condos] is not for me, I've decided to stay put until an alternative arises that is clearly more beneficial.
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A friend cautioned me about exactly this, KingsX, because my husband and I are thinking of downsizing. She said that by the time her realtor and various fees were paid she was pretty much back where she started price-wise except in a smaller home with less resale value.

Moving to another area is a different matter altogether, of course.
 
Sometimes smaller is better. I've downsized twice, and am happy to be rid of the big house, all the upkeep, etc. I'm in a lovely 2 br. 2 bath condo in an immaculate, well-maintained building in a senior community on a golf course. It cost just under 200K.

There are only two negatives that I can think of: no big dogs are allowed (people do have small dogs or cats), and if you want to grill any food, you have to do it in the little park just outside of our building. Obviously, no grilling is allowed in a high-rise. Other than that, there are many advantages, particularly the social activities.

For people who like gardening, we have a community garden where you can rent an individual plot for $5 a year. I am happy with container gardening on my enclosed balcony.
 
The real estate websites including zillow and images are deceptive and misleading.
I searched in 3 very different states and found that the condos, apartments, etc images
did not clearly represent the property. It's what they choose NOT to show you that matters.
When you go visit, you will see for yourself. The real costs of the property may be hidden also.
 
oldman said:
My wife and I would really like to downsize. The problem is finding a condo that has ample storage, so that we don’t have to sell or get rid of everything. We have been looking for quite some time.

We looked at a really nice 2/2/2, but the only storage was a space above the garage that had a pull down ladder to access it. At our age and getting older, I think that’s out of the question. It didn’t even have a basement.

We thought about renting a storage shed, but then every time we’d need or want something, we would have to run to the shed. It just wouldn’t suit our lifestyle.
Click to expand...

Had a 105 year old lady give me some great advice: "When I moved from a five bedroom house to a one bedroom apartment it was so stressful. What to get rid of, what to keep, what will fit. All that worry and stress and THIS is what we all end up with: (she points as she lists) a bed, a dresser, a TV and a chair".
When we down sized that was our mantra.
 
Victor said:
The real estate websites including zillow and images are deceptive and misleading.
I searched in 3 very different states and found that the condos, apartments, etc images
did not clearly represent the property. It's what they choose NOT to show you that matters.
When you go visit, you will see for yourself. The real costs of the property may be hidden also.
Click to expand...

That is SO true!! When we moved 10 years ago from TX to PA to be closer to family, we found several homes on Zillow in PA to look at. When we got there and our agent was with us, we couldn't believe how deceptive the photos had been on Zillow. Now, almost every home for sale that is listed, the pictures are so terrible because the realtor's use their cell phones to take pictures. The rooms look dark and depressing!
 
DGM said:
Had a 105 year old lady give me some great advice: "When I moved from a five bedroom house to a one bedroom apartment it was so stressful. What to get rid of, what to keep, what will fit. All that worry and stress and THIS is what we all end up with: (she points as she lists) a bed, a dresser, a TV and a chair".
When we down sized that was our mantra.
Click to expand...

You're right. This is very good advice. Thanks for passing it along.
 

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