Folks don't like to think about it, but it can make a lot sense to not only move into a smaller house, but to make adaptations for comfort and safety before you need them.

Wow! Go for it. If it's what you want, why wait? And since your son-in-law is refurbishing it, get him to put in "elderly aids:" safety bars, ramps, wide doorways. You could even spring for a magnetic induction cooktop, which not only cooks superbly, but totally safe. Since you aren't in a hurry, take the time to put in what you want and will need. Be proactive!

Go for it if your heart calls for country living. :-) You know it's going to be so pretty at daytime, and super dark at night, and the coyotes and wild cats will be around somewhere. :-) Are the shopping centers far from that place?

Well I don't see why not since your daughter would be living next door. I would love the space too but as summersrhythm said, how are the shopping centers around there and especially medical facilities etc.

Smart you to be thinking ahead of time. I am trying to take a box of donations weekly to the Goodwill.

Thanks everyone. Yes, I am considering every issue. The location is only about six miles from where we now live. The hospital in our little town closed several years ago, and we would actually be a few miles closer to our hospital of choice. That is also the town we do a majority of our shopping in anyway, it has most of the stores we need. Catsrose, you have some very good suggestions, thanks.

Sounds like a win/win situation to me!

Sara-Ann, you are very blessed. Moving is never fun, but I can only hope that my daughter will marry someone someday that wouldn't mind me moving next door. Best to you and your decision.

Dear Sara-Ann:

Thank you for such a heart felt post. I think many of us boomers face the same dilemma as you. I get the feeling that I am going to be that crazy old man with the overgrown garden.

Sara-Ann, what's the reason for not going?

Yes, I have a great son-in-law, he's been good to us. Kentucky, no reason other than it's a big change, I guess that's the main reason, although I think we would both love the change.

Considering you are in Oklahoma, does the house you are looking at have an underground storm shelter or safe room? Considering the weather down there, which is worse than here northeast of you, I would think about having one.

Sara Ann,

From someone who just moved last month, downsizing, because our two kids are in high school, and while we are a little ways from retirement , we built this home thinking it could be our retirement home if we do not leave Southern Nevada.

It has been WORK trying to downsize into a 4 + 3, and trying to determine what to do with property more than 3 times the size of our last is a challenge. After 6 trips to a donation facility, we still have 1 1/2 10x 20 storage units. I brought 60+ roses in pots, should have put many of the roses in smaller pots. It has been three weeks, we are still unpacking what is in the garage and five roses are in the ground as we continue to work with a landscape designer. I am in my forties and cannot imagine doing this in ten years or so. We decided that if another move is in store, we will just sell or donate almost everything, and move on with a little trailer of special items attached to a truck.

While we aren't minimalists, we are not pack rats either. I do not know if you have looked around to see just what moving will entail? If you have your druthers, would you want to move now or later? Seems as though the time to move being soon, and benefits you will gain, could possibly outweigh the negatives.

Lynn

This is free advice so take it for what it's worth. Go. Go as soon as it is reasonably possible. And start planning now for the eventualities that go with a move and with aging. Get rid of everything that you don't need. Store what you can and get your home ready to sell if that's part of the plan. Start making changes in the next home now and even consider moving in whatever plants and outdoor equipment that you'll be taking. Moves don't get easier if you wait. I've been through this before plenty of times with husband and children and I, along with my brothers and sisters, helped my mother move after my father died. Mom was not used to moving and tended to think emotionally rather than rationally even in better times. It did not go well, but we got through it. But that's a story for another time.

Now Mom is in her 80's and is still, well, herself, except that she has physical limitations that affect living where she is and taking care of the property. My husband has talked to her about making future housing and living decisions now while she is able, before an emergency may require that they'll be made for her. She doesn't hear him. I see this going worse than the first time. And we are not as young as we were 20+ years ago, either.

This is a blessing for you and your husband on many levels. You have your health and have a daughter and son-in-law who can help you. You can move in at your own convenience. It's a great place. You'll be near your grandchildren. The rose garden is just gravy. I'm sure there's a down side to this, there always is. But think long and hard about putting off moving.