flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

In 2004 we built a house for our retirement, everything is handicapped accessible, 3200 sq. ft., on 3 acres in the woods, 2 miles from town on a township road, with one neighbor who watches the house when we go South for the Winter. We have a large deck in the back to watch the birds on, a front porch, a large agregate patio coming out from our party room. The patio over looks two ponds that cascade over a water fall into a bigger pond. (Only goldfish in the pond.) A triple garage, and a 30 x 30 shed to keep the toys in. We have Geo-thermal heat and all floors are heated. It cost very little to heat or cool. Flowers & and shrubs all over the place with many 16 y/o trees, a raised garden, a ground garden, rashberry bushes, blackberry bushes and a couple of apple trees. We are getting older, and needless to say, this place is a lot of work to take care of. I work 2 days a week for the DNR, last year, the other 5 days are spent weeding, mowing, trimming and general maintenace. I call it my physical fitness program. I can still do it, but 5 years from now, IDK, as we are 77 y/o. A condo isn't the answer, I have too many toys that I like to use, same as a lot in town, I would need 4 lots and build new to have everything that I wanted. We don't want to start new with everything, we hve what we want right now.

We could sell this place in a heart beat, like the other two that we built, but what do we replace it with?
I'm sure some of you people have been in the same situation. What did you do and was it the right decision? Help me out, this is a tough decission to make. Your input will be appreciated.

Blindman Loc: Wisconsin

I'm interested in a condo here that is actually single family houses, very nice. There are also some that are connected by one wall to another unit. Condo fees cover lawn care and snow removal.

Mike

Wv mike Loc: Parkersburg area. Wv

Sounds to me like your dream home. If you sell will you not half to work harder to have another dream home. Or would it be better to maintain the one you have.

Foodfisher Loc: SO. Cal coast

Gardener ?

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

Probably just me but I’d be heading to the Padre Island location. And yes a cat 1 is headed there now but don’t we all face natural weather phenomenon in all parts of the country.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

Would it cost you too much to have the weed eating and mowing done and if any other household chores get too much for you have it hired out to.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Maybe figure out how many hours/ week are involved in upkeep of the property... See if there ain't somebody who lives nearby, who could use a couple of extra bucks. Pay them.

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

Maybe consider a tiny home for an on site groundskeeper/maintenance person?

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

Fly, We went through the same deal over the past several years. The farm got to be to much to handle so we sold the land and gifted the house to my son. We moved lock stock and barrel to a nice neighborhood in Huntsville Al. to be closer to Hospitals, work and all the other conveniences. It took me about 3 months to regret the move, dogs barking, horns honking, traffic noise and lights at night so much we couldn't even see the stars. One morning I was mowing the yard and the neighbors dog, a big Pit Bull, Kept charging the fence barking and it really concerned me I really thought the dog would come thru the fence. I noticed the woman owner on her porch and ask nicely if she would call her dog off while I cut the grass. She said a few things I won't repeat and went inside leaving her dog to harass me. Finished I went back in and a few minutes later the police were knocking on my door. Seems the lady had called and said I was harassing her and her dog. I gave my side of the story the police left I went back in and started looking for a house away from town. That landed us here on Tim's Ford lake with enough land I don't have to worry about neighbors. Maybe it's me but city life and close neighbors are not for me, the longer you live away from the rat race the more you can't stand it. Hire someone to do the things you can't and enjoy life in piece, you probably won't get much in a move.

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

I couldn't agree more Ivey.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thank you for the advice, all of it was very good. If more advice comes in I will appreciate that also. I was born in the country and lived there for 20 years, lived in the city, 3000 people, for 30 years, moved back out in the country for 27 years. I'm not ready to move back to the city, no way, no how. As Ivey said, he missed seeing the stars, and I can understand that, I would too. The only time the Sheriff's Dept. comes out is to visit with me. I was the Commander of the Houston Co. Sheriff's Posse, retired, and they still keep there command post and drone hauler out here. It's a diesel and it has to be in a heated shed in the Winter time, so they watch the place as well as the neighbor in the Winter time. We enjoy our time in South Padre Island without any worries.

Almost everyone mentioned a gardener and I believe that is the way to go along with a house keeper a few times a week. I can't build another house on this 40 acres for someone to live in, the county ordinances say one homested per/40 acres, so the houses are not going to be too close together. It's a good ordinance.

You guys just reinforced what we have been thinking, but it is nice to know that others feel the same. A second, third and fourth opinion is not a bad thing. A special thank you to Ivey, and Wulffy for agreeing with Ivey. I figured some of you had gone through this dilemma and would have some solutions for me. Thank you all, very much.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Flyguy: Sounds like you are "over the top" in yard maintenance. Have you even thought about a natural look? Like let the grass grow and encourage a field look of before you built such a work site? I doubt that you do the same at your place on South Padre.

If you aren't able mentally to let the place take on it's own character, I'd recommend selling it and staying on South Padre. I believe I noticed you mentioning you were 77, I can assure you things will not get easier, so you have a choice.

Fish more and work less. Or continue being a slave to yard work up north. I don't see that as a difficult decision. Just Sayin...RJS

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Flyguy welcome to my world. Lawn up keep of the 3.5 acres is the least of my worries can always have a service take care of that. It's the home up keep that the years ahead are my concern. I do 99% of the up keeping now but come bb's age can i still do it?

House on market for 3 years now and really worried what kind of dwelling we will end up in. I have an occasional neighbor now, and not looking forward to fences and dogs with arrogant neighbors.

So think about your home up keep as well as you lawn in your decision. If you can afford the labor and material prices in the future, stay where you know you will be happy.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Yeah fly, I would have to agree with Ivey and Wulffy. Hire out the maintenance yardwork, and get a part-time housekeeper. You obviously worked hard to build your ideal setup, don't give it up and start over. But you've gotta make some time for yourselves. Don't work yourself into a pine box!

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

Astro turf