I Have A Plan

 

I had shared with you in a previous post that, in all likelihood, I will not be aging in place with my current home.  This is something I’ve been thinking about for years, but the time has come to put it all down on paper.  I couldn’t think of a better way to do this than to make myself a goal planner.  This planner will allow me a place to put all of my ideas, goals, lists, research, travel plans and whatever else I come up with as I take on this big project.  Moving is no small endeavor so I want to make sure, before I even consider pulling out of the driveway that I have a solid plan in place.

 

Where?  This is my biggest obstacle.  I’m not sure yet where I want to land.  By the time I move I will have no family left in Idaho so the entire United States is wide open to me.  I can live anywhere I want which is exciting, but also very overwhelming to me.  So far, my top two choices are Minnesota and Arizona because they both have Mayo Clinics.  But I’m open to other places that are affordable and offer excellent medical care options.  In the next few years I’ll be researching where I could possibly go.  If you have any suggestions of places I should check out I’d be open to that.  I could use the help.

 

When?  I’m planning to make this move sometime within in the next five to ten years.  I am in no hurry so I should have plenty of time to make this goal happen.  Having plenty of time makes this project a lot less overwhelming for me, but it doesn’t mean I should just sit back and be lackadaisical about it.  We all know how quickly time flies and the whole reason to have a timeline like this is so I have plenty of time to prepare and get ready to go.

 

What?  I am looking for a condo either on the ground floor or one with an elevator in the building.  No stairs.  After thirty years of home ownership I can honestly say that I’m starting to get burned out on DIY projects and the upkeep and maintenance that houses require.  I’m ready for a break and I know as I get older that it is only going to be more difficult for me to be a DIY’er meaning I’ll have to hire out these jobs to other people and that gets expensive.  It is also a stressful process making sure you get a good worker and don’t get ripped off in the process.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that either aren’t all that qualified to do the work they claim they can or that take advantage of the elderly.  Sadly, it happens.  I’d like to avoid that.

 

How?  Liquidate!  When I move I am only taking what will fit inside the vehicle I will currently have at the time.  Everything else is going bye-bye.  During this time I will be using up, selling, donating, giving away and tossing out everything that isn’t making the cut so I have some important decisions ahead of me.  In the next five to ten years my current stuff isn’t going to get any newer or less worn out so there is no reason for me to pay the high price of a moving truck or service to ship my crap somewhere.  Instead I’m going to get all new stuff!  That excites me!  My plan is to take only my most precious and important items and let the rest go.

 

My overall plan is not going to be rigid in anyway because things change and life happens.  I may need to delay or move up my timeline.  I may not find the right place to land for quite a while or I may find it sooner.  My health situation might change.  The economy could tank.  Or maybe it won’t.  Who knows?  As I approach this next adventure in my life I know I will need to be fluid and flexible in order to be successful.  And of course I plan to take you all along for the ride.  So what do you think?  Good plan?