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Tuesday, July 1, 2014

There's No Place Like Home; Wherever that Is


by Chris Brady

Recent events have me pondering where I want to live when I grow down. I’ve loved my
Home for 30+ years, but maybe not for 40.
house since 1987, but I am so ready to punt yard work and cleaning 2-1/2 baths.


But where to next, I wonder?



My husband and I were thinking of selling and having no property.  We could be caretakers of fabulous second homes of the rich, like a Jackson Hole ranch or a Malibu beach house. 


A newsletter called “The Caretaker’s Gazette” lists these opportunities. It’s such fun reading about the homes, the exotic locales and the requirements. (That's the part that's not fun.)  I realized I would be trading my 2-1/2 baths to clean their 6 baths and horse stalls for the honor of having a free room with a view.



I think I’ll pass.



We wouldn’t want to move to a Florida/Arizona/North Carolina type of retirement community. My loved ones are mostly in PA, and living near family will always be at the top of my list.



And forget about a 55-plus community; I see those ads and shudder at the thought of living with people my own age in a sterile gated enclave.  “Who are they keeping out,” I wonder.

People like me, I surmise.



My favorite idea is to downsize to an apartment in Center City Philly.  It will be close to family, with everything I need in walking distance. I'll volunteer at museums and theaters for cheap and easy access to arts and culture. I'll have shopping and restaurants and people of all stripes and ages just outside my door. 



In my work exit strategy, I have about five years to plan for it, with a lot of stuff to move out.    

Anybody want a player piano and 200 rolls real cheap?



Have you made the move from your home to a new life somewhere? 



Are you thinking about one more move before the Big Chill?



Share your advice and experiences.

Enjoy my favorite song about house and home.  











5 comments:

  1. Chris, I hope, hope, hope, you'll add Cape May as a possibility on your list. It's a little further from family than center city Philly, but the trade off is that besides walking to arts, culture, stores, and restaurants you can also walk to the beach :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The ocean offers an enticing invitation. Would love to be there with you. I'll have to figure out a way to sublet my city apartment and find a place down the shore. Want to build a granny pod in your yard for me?

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  2. AnonymousJuly 01, 2014

    Goin' to Vegas baby!

    Julie V

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet you want to work at Zappos for your encore career.

      Delete
    2. Do I have to have an encore career? Can't I just veg and enjoy the scenery?

      Julie V

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