Remaining Relevant - navigating life after the kids have grown

on vacation …

Bill and I just got back from our winter break, 10 days in St. Thomas at Frenchmans Cove. While there we started planning next years winter vacation, which got me thinking. Once the family is grown and we don’t have to plan around elementary and/or high school spring break anymore, the world just opens up to so many possibilities. Even if you still have kids in college, they seem to want to travel with friends. That’s ok, because we have our preferences too. So are you finding yourself falling into the category of “snowbirds”, spending the entire winter in southern climates? Or is a month away enough to shake the blues away? We are winter oddities I guess, we still like the change of seasons and love December and most of January at home with family, a cozy fire, a good book and a cosmo. Watching the snow fall, baking cookies or scones is my hibernating time and a needed break from the always on the go time of the other three seasons. By February, the thought of sun, warm weather and the sand in my toes sounds pretty good and 10 days seems to be the magic number. We like the Caribbean and purchased a villa there while on our honeymoon in 2006. When we get back home, we delve back into the tail end (hopefully) of winter, but still will consider shorter times away in the southern states, usually visiting one or the other of our kids and their family’s. We don’t seem to need the entire winter away, plus I tend to be a homebody and can’t bear to leave the dog or cats for any long period of time. It may be cold at home, but there is always plenty to do to pass the time. So, what is your winter pleasure and where do you go, if anywhere?

for my fellow over 50 crowd …

moving into the future …

Sometimes unexpected life events change your future plans. If it’s a health issue or the death of a spouse, partner or parent and you have to think about moving into a smaller home or a home that requires less maintenance or an easier floor plan, know you have options. Take a deep breath, there is always a solution. Let me help you navigate your choices.

Food For Thought … Do You Know Your Value?

preparing for a out of state retirement

Are you still living in the family home you purchased in the 70’s 80’s or 90’s to raise a family and you are beginning to think it’s time to spread your wings and enjoy your life? What are your options? Where would you go to live a simple life, one that requires less maintenance, that fits your budget, and in a location that you want to be? Do you want to live near family, and they are in another state? Let’s explore that option. My friends Barb and Dave decided they wanted to move closer to their family in Savannah Georgia . They started by visiting the “kids” and grandkids and exploring their options near Savannah, found a 55 and over condominium community they loved, with 2 pools, a gym and clubhouse and used some of the equity in their home and personal funds to purchase. This was a new build, so they had time to pack, purge and donate, sell their existing condominium, use temporary housing for the interim, then finish their move to Georgia. The best thing about their move? Barb said it’s living near their grandkids, helping with getting them to dance and gymnastics. Other benefits are maintenance free living, having an extended growing season for her flowers, lemon and lime trees.

If you have family living elsewhere in the States, take the first step and explore that option. Let’s see what your home equity situation is like in this real estate market, and if you decide to go forward, I can help with preparing your home for sale, consulting with your family and a qualified real estate agent in another state, assist where needed with my sources of financial advisors, real estate attorneys, mortgage companies, arranging help with your physical move with home organizers, and estate sale contacts . Let me help you put the pieces together.

Time For An Outing_ World Of Winter Grand Rapids

You wouldn’t know it, looking out the window as I am at the pouring rain, but the ice sculptures and winter displays will be wrapping up soon and it was yet another delightful success on the part of “Downtown Grand Rapids” to get everyone out of their homes and enjoy winter. We did a lot of walking as the venues were spread across Monroe Center, past Ah-Nab-Awen Park near the Gerald Ford Museum, all the way to the 6^th Street dam. It was good to get our steps in and not only view the displays but to see all the new restaurants downtown. Looking around, I felt like I haven’t been there in a very long time. Word to the wise, if you’re heading downtown, make a reservation as getting in restaurants these days isn’t always a piece of cake. My food thoughts went from Wahlburgers, to The Social Misfits, to Stans Tacos but we ended up at Max’s South Seas Hideaway Max’s South Seas Hideaway this time. What fun! It was like being in a tropical paradise and took our minds of the cold weather for a while. Just stopping for appetizers THIS time, we had Coconut Fried Shrimp, topped off with a couple of their exotic drinks of which there are many. I had an Astrochimp and Alicia a traditional Mai Tai. We definitely will be going back here for dinner. The World of Winter is on display until March 6, so if you hurry, you can still visit as it’s well worth the drive downtown. See more of what there is to see at World of Winter GR

try this condo on for size …

Located in a really convenient location in Grand Rapids NW side, just off the expressway with restaurants, LMCU baseball, shopping just minutes away there is a beautiful condo development. The main floor has about 1,500 sq. ft. depending on model, 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths and laundry area. If you want room for guests there you have additional space on the daylight or walk out level. Prices are in the high $300’s to mid $400’s depending on choices. Monthly association fees as of this date are $250.

My Friend & Client Lynn moved here, into her new condo at the end of last year in time for the holidays. She moved from a ranch style home but her laundry was in the lower level and she had a pool. She wanted a condo where outdoor maintenance was done for her and she had everything she needed on one floor. Her biggest bonus? She has walk in closets and doesn’t have to move seasonal clothes around anymore. Love this, and congratulations again Lynn!!

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Oh, The Places We’ll Go

Where do you want to retire? Have you had enough of the wintry weather and a week or a month in Florida just isn’t enough anymore? Let us focus occasionally on a part of the South, maybe WAY South, which is “Senior Friendly” and that has communities with amenities for a lifestyle you might enjoy. We’ll start with Florida. So, what are the positives of retiring in Florida? No more shoveling snow, no more bulky coats, boating and gardening year round, sunshine, your family has a place to get away in winter, school age grandchildren can come down over spring break, you can travel north in the hottest months and visit them! To kick off this series of posts I found a video just for you. Consider Ocala and become a “cool kid”.