Guest post and photo from Melinda Schnare
Many people I meet are thinking about downsizing from their large, beautiful homes surrounded by tall trees and green grass to a condo.
My first question is, “Will you be able to live without gardening, working with soil and watching your plants grow?” They ponder the question and then say, “Yes! What I want now is…easy.”
Then they go on to describe their new life. A smaller space that is maintenance free, close to the metro with high “walkability” scores. They are seeking spontaneity, and the ability to walk or Metro to restaurants, theatres, bookstores, grocery stores.
No more shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, or taking out the trash to the curb.
Living in a detached home can feel isolating when many friends move away to be closer to their kids, or to the places they’ve dreamed of living where costs are lower. Condo living can give you the freedom to travel. Many commit to their passions by volunteering with their newfound freedom. And many make new friends through the sharing of common grounds within a condo community.
Surviving the downsizing experience is not for the faint of heart. Going through boxes of memories and minimizing packing can be daunting. But holding on to the vision of what your new life will be like will be exciting, along with the promise of exploring new people and new places.
The last thing I’ll say about condos comes from an acquaintance I made in real estate. She said, “I feel like I’m living in a modern studio apartment with beautiful views. It’s made me feel younger, energized and more engaged in my life.”
Melinda Schnare is a real estate agent with RLAH Real Estate