Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Changing Times

Well, it's been a while between blogs for us. No trip south this winter, so no Travel blogs. This is just an update of what we've been doing for the past few months.

Like lots of other people of our vintage, we've been thinking about and discussing our "next step" for a while now. We've loved living in our little country house for the past 16 years or so:





... but were getting ready for a change, before we really had to. If something happened to one of us, neither of us would want to be on our own here.

Luckily we had options to consider. We knew we didn't want to go full-time RVing, as we like a home base, and don't want to travel in something large enough to live in full-time. We looked at various alternatives that would free us up from yard duties, and make it easier to travel more spontaneously. Various types and locations of condos were considered and discarded. Of course cost was sometimes a factor!

Then, thanks to a mention in Al's Bayfield Bunch blog in late 2018, we came across the Bayfield Mews. It really clicked with us. See Bayfield Mews link for their web site. After short consideration, we plunked down a deposit in Dec 2018 for a unit to be built in 2019, and "poof!" there went our winter trip.

Digging started for the block containing our unit (there are 4 bungalow units per block) just this past week:


In February we put our house up for sale. Not knowing what action to expect that time of year, we specified a closing date of the end of June (subject to change). Well, the house sold in 3 days, and the sale will be closing in early June. So we've been busy packing, and selling and giving things away we don't need anymore. Our new home will be about the same size as the main floor of our current house; however our current place has a full basement and 2 oversized garages and a couple of sheds, while the new place has a single car garage and no basement. Lots of accumulated stuff to shift. Almost like an estate sale, but we're both still here to do it.

A bit ironically I guess, we'll be "full-timing" with our van for a few months this summer, as the new place won't be ready until the fall. The things we're keeping will be in storage over the summer.

Time will tell if it's the right move, but it feels right to us so far. If something happens to either of us, the survivor will be able to manage the new place on his/her own; meanwhile, snowbird and other travel will be easier. It's a home base in a village environment. We've never really been "city people", and that has only strengthened as we've aged.


13 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks folks, yes it's going to be a real change. We're mostly looking forward to it.

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  2. Exciting times indeed and it's nice to have something substantial like that to look forward to. Planning for the future at this age and stage of life is a wise move and I think the Bayfield area was a great choice. We've been here nearly 17 years and have never regretted our decision to move to this region of southwestern Ontario.

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    1. We still have mixed feelings, but are looking forward to the change.

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  3. So excited for you both!
    Good timing,,, I say,, to downsize!!
    A new place to look forward to,,,
    And enjiy ur travels this summer!
    Will follow along,,
    Will miss you cathie,,,, love our wednesdays together!!

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  4. There comes time for all of us to move to the next stage, and you move sure looks like a great one, Enjoy the new lifestyle.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, feels like that time for us. We think we will enjoy the change, although will miss our current home, friends and area.

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  5. Hi Gord and Cathie, I hopped to you from Stew over at The F.G. Hugh and I have recently moved from a large home, HUGE workshop and 3 acres, with a wonderful vege garden , and our own firewood trees, to a downsized section of 805 m.sq, a 4 bedroom home,and a double garage. We have changed one bedroom into a half bathroom with toilet and vanity, the other sectioned and walled off half is for my quilting stash, linen, and more. Then the old bath, vanity and basin have all gone and we have one larger room with a wet floor shower. This is so wonderful, and at 78, I am so happy we decided to do the alterations. We are in the same small town, and we, too, have had caravans and travelled all over New Zealand.I know you will take time to adjust, as we have, but thinking of Mr and Mrs Furry Gnome, their move was at the right time for them. Hoping you will be happy with the move, Greeti8ngs from Jean ( Nancy J ) in NZ.

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    1. Your change sounds great Jean, thanks for your comments. You're right, we'll have some adjustments too, but it feels like the right time for a change like this for us. Cheers, Gord.

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    2. Hi, we both miss the space, the privacy, but the bonus comes in less lawn, a new bathroom, and new friends around.

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  6. Good decision. I'm sure you had a few friends who've done the same thing.

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