Is there a way I can move house at my age?

missbiggles1

AdrianC wrote: »

Not necessarily.

Many older people remain perfectly healthy and active right up until they kick the bucket suddenly, often well into their 80s.

This is true of a very small minority of people - the vast majority of us lose mobility as we age. Increased longevity doesn't equate to longer years of healthy living, unfortunately.:(

I must admit, I'd missed the fact that the OP is only 60 but too many of us, healthy in our early/mid 60s, think that we'll continue like this until we die, which is rarely the case.

cashbackproblems

It doesn't look like you are In a good position to retire at 65, we need to know your finances before really advising.

Ie what will your pension income be at 65, do you actually intend to retire at 65, what other savings do you have. If you take out even more debt will the pension cover that and living expenses at 65 onwards?

moneyistooshorttomention

AdrianC wrote: »

Not necessarily.

Many older people remain perfectly healthy and active right up until they kick the bucket suddenly, often well into their 80s.

Absolutely:T

Having watched the absolutely appalling health of the rest of my family - "Preventative health care" has long been on the agenda.

It doesnt necessarily work out for everyone - but one has to try.

When I started feeling like I was in my 80s after recent move - and it went on for quite some time - I knew it was time to "take myself in hand" and accept I wouldnt be prepared to feel like that if I were in my 80s (so "no chance" in my 60s). Cue for introducing a lot more exercise. I've not introduced all I intend to introduce yet - but to date I've got back to feeling in my 60s and am working on getting back to feeling in my 40s:)

I'm a fan of Googlemaps actually - for looking up walking directions from A to B for points I used to walk between regularly and checking out the mileage involved. If its a distance I used to walk "without thinking twice about it" - then my decision is it must become so again and I make myself walk similar distances.

xylophone

I assume that you have looked around at bungalows in your area - how does the cost compare with the value of your house?

How long do you expect to continue working?

You are a member of TPS?

If so, were you able to draw your pension at 60 but are putting it off until you retire?

nkkingston

I feel like leaping to bungalows is a bit much - a lot of houses have a bathrooms upstairs now, you know! Depending on what the OP currently has, downsizing to a two bed with upstairs bathroom and small garden doesn't have to be a stretch.

If you're on a DMP as well as coming up to a point where mortgage lenders are going to be much warier, you'll want a good broker and to be looking at ways to buy somewhere cheaper than you've already go so you can throw a bit of the extra either at your debts or into modifying a place to suit your needs.

ReadingTim

tugrin wrote: »

There is also a problem with my current garden being detached from the house by about 50 metres and I have a dog which is basically my only companoon so owning her is a non negotiable. I need an attached garden so Im not stumbling my way down a gravel drive any more in the dark come winter time.

If you're worried about a flight of stairs, then you'll be in no fit state to walk a dog. And if you're well enough to walk a dog, a flight of stairs shouldn't be an obstacle. And if you're unable to negotiate a gravel drive, you should probably stick to a pet which doesn't require such supervised exercise, such as a cat or a goldfish.

OK, so I'm being a bit provocative here, and it's great you're thinking about the suitability of your property for old age, before you're faced with that prospect, but you might want to consider the extent to which your lifestyle might also change as your mobility does.

Missus_Hyde

Not necessarily.

Many older people remain perfectly healthy and active right up until they kick the bucket suddenly, often well into their 80s.

missbiggles1 wrote: »

This is true of a very small minority of people - the vast majority of us lose mobility as we age. Increased longevity doesn't equate to longer years of healthy living, unfortunately.:(

I must admit, I'd missed the fact that the OP is only 60 but too many of us, healthy in our early/mid 60s, think that we'll continue like this until we die, which is rarely the case.

Having always been very fit and active, ten years ago I would never have believed that my mobility would be any less than it was at that time. However, I'm in my early sixties and whereas I'm certainly not as fit as I was a few years ago and am sporting a couple of new ceramic hips which have curtailed my activity somewhat, I think that contemplating a bungalow or even a care home (as per OP's signature) is a little bit premature, unless OP has an underlying health condition.

Obviously, it's difficult to halt the inevitable aging changes, but I've found that having a positive outlook and a determination to keep fit and active does help.

Davesnave

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

You've not been reading about those peasants from former Soviet republics chasing goats up the mountainside in their 90s then? .

Nope, did the practical.

Spent time this morning chasing and catching free range hens, so her outdoors could clean their bums......

Well, you asked.

moneyistooshorttomention

I rest my case....:rotfl::rotfl:

cashbackproblems

I agree 60 is certainly not old I have many relatives in their late 70's and 80's living independently in a house and climbing stairs (with a downstairs loo which is easily fixed).