This series explores the demographic known as Baby Boomers and how they're impacting the world around us.
I'm Home To Stay!
I shocked my husband today. I made some casual remark about “moving in a couple years” and he couldn’t believe I would suggest such a thing. His comeback, “They’ll care me out in a box.” Ewww...I don’t want to think about that. I do love our house but, it’s a 2-story farmhouse and I’m thinking of our knees. Some days, my right knee aches. Every day his right knee hurts, so he limps, but he’s too young for a replacement according to his doctor.
When we met, I lived in a townhouse in Lancaster. Before that, I lived in an apartment in downtown Lancaster City. Kevin couldn’t imagine either scenario as a permanent living arrrangement. He needed space, so when we got married, we bought a 4 acre farmette perfect for 2 horses, a couple of nasty chickens and a lovable, goofy dog. Then came Jake and 11 years later, my mother. We had to build onto the house to accomodate all her possessions and to give her some privacy.
I’m wondering that, as people leave, if this place isn’t going to be too big for us to take care of. There’s the garden and numerous flower beds. But, I get such joy from them. Then 4 acres is a lot of upkeep. But, we love sitting on the porch and seeing the animals, wild and domestic, roaming around the property. Of course, there’s all the trees, leaves and snow. But, that’s country living and we have plenty of equipment to handle all that. Stairs and bedrooms on the 2nd floor make it hard on aging knees. I guess we could make a bedroom downstairs or put in a stair lift.
The bottom line is, neither of us want to move. We’ve built some great memories here and it’s Jake’s family home. I told Kevin it’s called “aging in place.” He said that makes him sound old as he brushed his hand through his completely silver hair. We’ll just have to make adjustments as circumstances change. That makes us all happy.
When we met, I lived in a townhouse in Lancaster. Before that, I lived in an apartment in downtown Lancaster City. Kevin couldn’t imagine either scenario as a permanent living arrrangement. He needed space, so when we got married, we bought a 4 acre farmette perfect for 2 horses, a couple of nasty chickens and a lovable, goofy dog. Then came Jake and 11 years later, my mother. We had to build onto the house to accomodate all her possessions and to give her some privacy.
I’m wondering that, as people leave, if this place isn’t going to be too big for us to take care of. There’s the garden and numerous flower beds. But, I get such joy from them. Then 4 acres is a lot of upkeep. But, we love sitting on the porch and seeing the animals, wild and domestic, roaming around the property. Of course, there’s all the trees, leaves and snow. But, that’s country living and we have plenty of equipment to handle all that. Stairs and bedrooms on the 2nd floor make it hard on aging knees. I guess we could make a bedroom downstairs or put in a stair lift.
The bottom line is, neither of us want to move. We’ve built some great memories here and it’s Jake’s family home. I told Kevin it’s called “aging in place.” He said that makes him sound old as he brushed his hand through his completely silver hair. We’ll just have to make adjustments as circumstances change. That makes us all happy.
Traditional Boomers* are independent and self sufficient, not liking to depend on others for help. They are generally homeowners of single family residences willing to make adjustments to accomodate aging in place. They like the idea of the family home and family tradition.
*Baby boomers are those born between 1944 and 1964. According to the “Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Council”, there are 6 major types of boomers. While no one falls entirely into one of these categories, the similarities are interesting to explore.