At ages 83 and 81 we are downsizing and moving into an independent senior living facility.
Lots of looking and checking prices and getting rid of loads of stuff!
At 2 recent swap meets got rid of/donated over 100 event T-shirts and over a hundred medals and trophies from our 40=some years of tandeming all over the country . . . when you go from a big house to a tiny senior apartment, you just got to get rid of 'stuff!'
Finagled a free 'pack and move' deal and free locked inside storage for our tandem and single bike; loads of amenities and 3 great meals a day + free snax at anytime + loads of new friends!
It will be a huge change but we look at it as a new adventure!
No, we are not giving up riding, but limiting our home-owner responsibilities like no yard work, no home insurance, no home-owner association fees, no real estate taxes and NO utilities to pay for except for phone and wi-fi.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Wishing you all the best! My aunt and uncle moved into assisted living in Prescott a decade or so ago (at about your age) and really love it. Met lots of great people that watch out for each other. And getting rid of the "stuff" now saves everyone else the hassle later on.

Best wishes on this new "adventure". Here's to many happy miles ahead.

We never had a big house. We moved from a small 3/2 house in ATL (1300 sq ft) to a slightly larger and roomier 2/2 house in FL, with a floor plan "designed" for seniors. No yard work. No home repair worries, etc. Our realtor asked us, when we were looking at some of the models and options, if we were moving here to cut grass or to play? Clever sales tactic.

Congratulations and Best Wishes for your New Adventure!

Congratulations on making the decision; sounds like a great move for you two.

You guys rock!!

Man, you are one of those people that seem to have it all figured out. Congratulations!

My parents went through this a couple of years ago, my mom is going through it again now. I know it's tough!

Congrats and good luck. I have a fairly big back yard, with 5 trees, mostly bigger older ones. I really enjoy the birds & critters, but sometimes the yardwork gets a little old. Especially in autumn, lol.

You listed all the advantages of the communal lifestyle, both of you should stay focused on those aspects and ride those bikes.

Sounds like a good move. 'Free snax at anytime'!!
More time for riding if no cooking or yard work.

Godspeed!!

My wife and I keep giving lip service to doing something like this, but every time I look in my basement shop and closets, I get a headache just thinking of all of the stuff that we'd have to dispose of and then we put it off again. But we definitely don't want to delay it too long. My mom delayed moving out of our old family house until she finally had no choice and then it was up to my brother and I to make numerous road trips to muck out 50 years' worth of accumulated (mostly) junk. Such as every leftover can of paint that my dad had used over his years around the house was still there in his basement shop. Even after the estate sale, we pretty much filled up the dumpster that we had brought in, and I don't want that happening to our son.

So congratulations on making the move and best luck in your new digs!

Having a basement and an attic is over-rated. Seriously.

Good for you! Downsizing while you still have control is the way to do it. We'll keep your example in mind. We still have 15 years to go in our palace then. Hopefully that's enough time to decide what we're going to get rid of!

Awesome! I had my wife read this also.

Thanks for the comments!
Yes, at first it looked a bit daunting to dispose of things; but how often do we use all this stuff; is it 'necessary' to have?
Naaah! We've got each other and fortunately are able to make the move. Yup, it pays to have a bit of luck and plan ahead!
Kay will not have to worry about cooking/groceries/cleaning/ shopping; she hasn't read a book in many years; too many centuries and tandem/cycling events to attend. But it was fun and no regrets whatever!
Life is still great!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandemn

My wife and sisters-in-law and I just spent most of the past two weeks helping my in-laws move into a retirement community. They are a little older than Rudy and Kay and, since they don't ride, they waited a bit too long to make the move so they are thankful it is located just two blocks from the hospital, which they have already taken advantage of.

After taking several hundred apple boxes of stuff to the Goodwill and packing up and storing several hundred more boxes of items that we will spend the next decade selling, my wife and I have been inspired to start the down-sizing project now, now, now. I can't believe some of the things I have kept around all these decades. Away it goes, whoosh.

Ahh...no. If it weren't for my multi-use basement workshop I'd just have ta, now retired, off myself.

You two make a very handsome couple, and 60 years of marriage? I'm sincerely but good-naturedly very jealous.

Congratulations! Glad you're enjoying yourselves.

Just had a local couple celebrate their 80th wedding annbiversary!
We are a bit behind, but have 61 years of happiness to look back on . . . and yes lookin' forward to more!
Still pedalin' TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Rudy-you folks rock!!

We're remodeling our house and the first task is to toss a LOT of stuff. Boy is it hard.

My Mom was in independent living for almost 20 years. It was a great experience for her. Best of luck!!

Awesome Idea! I think I start clearing out now!