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?
Fabulous plan - in fact, I am going to make one for myself!
ReplyDeleteYay!
DeleteYou could consider the Research Triangle Area here in NC. Raleigh, Durham etc… tons of smaller towns. Excellent universities and healthcare. Duke and UNC medical centers. Plus you’d be near me!!!🤣🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteOooooh! I will check that out!
DeleteHow exciting. You'll be creating a whole new chapter.
ReplyDeleteWe moved from SW Florida to southern Illinois 20 years ago and we spent two years planning so you should do well with your timeline.
I think so too. :)
DeleteI think you have an excellent plan going! It's good to be realistic about aging. I know we won't be able to age in place in our home, so I have started thinking about that as well. I think your plans to be near good health care are spot on. It's something my husband and I have discussed as well. We live two hours from our specialists. Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing more about your plans!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mandy!
DeleteSounds like a sound plan. I think you should move to a warmer place. Minn. Is so cold in winter.
ReplyDeleteSince my heart attacks I don't handle the extreme heat like I used to. My cardiologist told me that is a real thing. Who knew?
DeleteIt sow sensible
ReplyDeleteSome relatives stayed way too long in their house. Buy headache for their descendents
I know that can be troublesome.
DeleteWe lived in Arizona about 25-30 years ago, in what WAS a small town called Fountain Hills. My mother worked at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. I’m sure Fountain Hills like all of the Phoenix area has grown and I’m not sure of prices now, used to be quite reasonable. It was a very pretty area, all kinds of wildlife but was growing when we left for Idaho back then. You must be okay with intense heat! I always said the weather was “hot, hotter, and very very hot” 😆
ReplyDeleteI have family in AZ and as I've traveled to see them over the years I am amazed with how much growth there has been. And yes, it is very, very hot! :)
DeleteI think it's great to prepare. A lot of people we know move to SC. Also we know lots of happy retirees in CT, MA, and RI that are happy with the health care, activities/nature and cute small towns. We also know a couple who retired to PA and us happy with their choice.
ReplyDeleteThank you Katie. I'll look into these states as well.
DeleteI was going to suggest North Carolina as someone else mentioned. My father taught at the medical school in Winston-Salem when I was growing up. My father-in-law lives in the mountains of NC and he goes to Asheville for cardiac care. Charlotte is nice too. I love NC. Mountains & ocean in the same state. We camped a lot at both.
ReplyDeleteMichigan is great. Living near Ann Arbor would give access to UM medical system. It's big (and has the same frustrations as any other huge system). Wisconsin is another suggestion. Maybe somewhere between Milwaukee and Kenosha (Illinois border). Housing is more reasonable there in the small towns and you can access several hospital systems in Chicago if Milwaukee hospitals aren't sufficient. Of course, northwest Wisconsin would be closer to Rochester MN.
I have been looking at Wisconsin too. These are all great suggestions. Thank you Margaret.
DeleteYou may want to consider Ohio. The Cleveland Clinic is considered top notch healthcare. Several world leaders have come there for treatments. Also, on a side note, there is a large Amish community and they have alot of bulk food stores. These are not large big bags to buy either! You would be in thrift heaven! The deli meats and cheeses are so affordably priced its crazy. Also essentials like alot of different types of flour, sugar, etc. Cuyahoga Valley Park is ideal for hiking, travel to Hocking Hills too. Islands to explore on the lake!
ReplyDeleteI have heard wonderful things about Ohio and the Cleveland Clinic. I am going to be looking into this. Thank you so much!
DeleteI agree with this Poster on Ohio. I lived there for a while & loved it. Weather still has four seasons, but much milder. I love Cleveland and yes, The Cleveland Clinic is truly world class health care. People come there from all over the world. Carrie
DeleteThank you Carrie. This is so helpful.
DeleteDon't you want to live near your children, friends, extended family, or your bff? Do you have grandchildren? In a way I think it would be exciting to start over in a new place, but as I age, I think it would be hard to start over in a new place without anyone I knew around to help me if I needed it, or just the company once in a while.
ReplyDeleteAll of these things are being considered. If I stay in Idaho I will be alone.... For many reasons and I won't share all of them I will need to make this move.
DeleteWe moved across country from the southwest to the PNW over 20 years ago when my (my older) husband retired, with small children and pets in tow, so I can tell you unequivocally that with your plan, you’ve got this!!!
ReplyDeleteWe picked this region because the climate is moderate—neither the extreme heat of summer or cold of winter. I just hate that while we are in a rural agricultural area, it’s rapidly becoming “suburbanized,” something I sought to escape. That said, while the weather is great and health care ample, it’s expensive, and you can really not function without a car/driving, else I would say “won’t you be my neighbor?”
As for Arizona vs. Minnesota? I wouldn’t touch Arizona—climate predictions show that the extreme heat is going to make parts of that all but uninhabitable. DH spent years in the service there, and said there were entire months he went from ac to ac, and never stayed outside. On the other hand,Minnesota gets extreme cold, which is bad enough, but also ice, which is hazardous. However, I would still, between the two, pick Minnesota for quality of life and cost. Oddly, I have been looking at lake property there!
If you want to live in a place with great medical care, and you don’t have to drive should you choose not to, I would investigate Massachusetts, specifically the metro west area of Boston, or south coast, on the tip of Bristol County. But, again, bitter cold winters! You could go further north, to Maine, and maybe even get ocean view, but access to services is a bit trickier and winters? All I can say is “brrrr.” Note, I didn’t mention the southeastern states…I have owned houses in several states (S.C. and FL) and while the weather is lovely, (I even loved the heat and humidity), there were many things I couldn’t bear, including the rapid growth and traffic. Ohio? I went to college there. I haven’t been back since I graduated all those years ago—not my favorite.
My dear childhood friend lives in New Mexico (Santa Fe). I can tell you that were I to move back to the southwest, THAT is where I would move. Yeah, the desert heat is rough, but due to the elevation, even in July the nights are beautifully cool. Services are abundant, it’s awe strikingly beautiful, there is a vibrant art scene, and the Albuquerque airport is a hop skip and jump away allowing access everywhere.
Anyway, that’s my $0.02! Honestly, I envy you the search.
-Meg B.
I appreciate your 2 cents worth and more. This is great info and I tend to agree with you about AZ, plus they also have a lot of water issues. The beauty is that we can always leave in the winter to visit warmer places until we can't and then just stay home and stay warm inside until the snow and ice melts.
DeleteI think your future move sounds very exciting! You have an opportunity to go somewhere after a lot of thought and planning. How many people end up living where they happen to get a job out of school? Or even to make a job change? Yes, I know retirees who went somewhere warmer but no one I know was as thoughtful as you seem to be.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret. :)
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