Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Do You Have a Plan

Recently I went with a friend to look at a gated community of small patio or garden homes. She is a widow and wants to live in a smaller place. In most communities like this, the lawns are also taken care of which is a real draw for aging seniors. 

This particular property also had a clubhouse and a small swimming pool. On this day the only ones in the pool were a couple of passing Mallards.
It got me to thinking. Do you have a plan? In  many cultures  the parents move in with their children in their final years. I can see that as a problem if the house is also occupied by a growing family. Wondering to myself if senior citizens and teenagers can happily  co-exist?

There are a lot of different options in the U.S.  depending on your economic level. There are places where they have three different levels of care: senior apartments, assisted living and  then full nursing care. Not sure why I am thinking about this since we are not ready for any of those
Reminds me of a conversation with a friend who was a real estate sales person in Florida. He said “oh one family can keep you busy. The wealthy come down here and buy big properties, some on the water with big docks for the boat. They are so sure that all of their kids and grandkids will be constant visitors.When that doesn’t happen they eventually call and want a small home in a gated community. Then they call a few years later and are looking for just a condo. In the end I sell that for them because they are headed for assisted living”......What was supposed to be a funny story, I found sort of sad 🥲.

7 comments:

  1. At some point we all have to face the realities of ageing and seriously consider our options.

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  2. No kids, so in a few decades I'll be condo living.

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  3. I gave up the house about 6 years ago and moved into a much smaller place. At the moment, I don't have any plans to move again but who knows.

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  4. Dearest Janey,
    Yes, for Real Estate in Florida, it always has been great but it is rare that the kids and grandkids will be constant visitors. That wears off after one, or a few times...
    In Asia it is quite common that out of lack of property, the parents live with or nearby the children. Also in Italy where out of lack of land or properties, often you see three generations living together. Only for economical reasons; the kids both work and grandparents look after the children. Sure either way is not a fairy tale as each generation comes with its own social problems. But that is their culture. When both of us bike in the area and see huge properties with big mansions on, we often ask each other: 'What do they think, that they will never age...?!'
    But that is the economy, there will be others that thrive due to lots of business generated through it!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  5. Nothing like ducks in the swimming pool

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  6. Hi Janey... our new development has an Assisted Living facility. All we need to do is walk down the streee to our next chapter of life!

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  7. Haven't really thought too hard about that yet Janey, we probably should though.. btw we get a pair of ducks that land in our pool every winter on the way to wherever they're heading 😀

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