Empty Nest, Empty Pockets

Julie67

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'd not recommend a park home, especially for "older people". Just last week an entire park home's residents were given their eviction letters - one's in her 80s and been there nearly 40 years. You never own the land under your van, you rent the space. Some of the vans on that site have sold in recent years for £100-200k and now they are "worth nothing" as the owners have to try to find a new site and pay to have them resited.

I owned a park home donkeys' years ago - a few years after I'd sold/moved the owner sold the land and all the vans were cleared and brand new ones put on the space and the "site rules" changed to something else.

One bedroom's a nice idea, but it's so little extra to get 2 bedrooms - and, when you're downsizing, you'll suddenly be surprised at all the "stuff" you need for living (airer, vacuum, 2nd airer, brooms, Xmas stuff, beach/holiday stuff, a few tools, sentimental items in a couple of boxes.... etc) and you'll feel overly cramped.... especially if/when you get a visitor staying for a few days.

Downsizing is a culture shock for most, especially from a large house, as the reality hits you that "half the money doesn't buy you half the house" .... but more like 1/4 of what you're used to.

Thanks for that Pastures New Exactly my reservations with a park home. Although my mum and dad have lived in one for years without any problems. We are not old:rotfl: I'm 50 and hubby is 56.
We started our family young, I was just 19 when I had my daughter and now she's 31! So a lot of years of looking after kids and we are so ready for a bit of an adventure.
we might even just sell up, stick the money in the bank and go travelling for a year, really not made any definite decisions yet but I will certainly take on board this info thanks.
With regards to room, this has been coming for a long time for both of us. We currently use one bedroom, we don't use the others apart from one room for storage for my business but I plan to get a small unit for storage. I have a friend who is helping with that. The loft is full of stuff belonging to the kids (they will have a deadline to collect before we tip it)
We are both really drawn to living much more minimally, I guess a year travelling will help us decide whether we can do it possibly on a narrowboat.
Thanks for your comments though, really useful info

Julie67

Good Morning
Another work day today. I have a couple of items to post and several items to list.
I managed to get a little bedside table for the bedroom for £2:eek: from ebay last night. I shall be embarassed picking it up:o
Todays plans include searching for soft close door hinges and handles for the kitchen. I am certain I can find them cheaper than B&Q which seem extortionate.
Need to nip to the auctions for work this afternoon as well.
Put another 2 x £2 coins think there is around £100 in there , going well for Christmas.
Really want to think there is another room completed this weekend, towards getting the house on the market.
Have a good Friday all

UncannyScot

Hi and welcome
Sorry I missed your first post up. I'm usually one of the first to say hello to new folks (or returnees in your case )
Love your diary and will subscribe.
Have you thought of getting a wee cottage as a doer-upper?

Julie67

Hi Uncannyscot, thanks for the subscribe.

We have yes, but unfortunately I have severe athritis so it needs to be something without stairs as my mobility is limited.
It's going to have to be one level living where ever we end up.

We've been to a marina today to look at a widebeam boat with a permanent mooring. Such lovely friendly people and in a lovely spot.
Definitely something to think about and just like a floating apartment really.
Anyway back to reality and all the little snag jobs that need doing before we put the house on the market.

Thank goodness it's Friday.

UncannyScot

Thank you Julie67
There are quite a few cottages / old crofts etc available for prospective doer-uppers that are all one level... of course, the wilds of the north may not be the location you are looking at...
Maybe worth a further look though around the area where you are aiming for...
A wee place in the wilds is my dream...

PlaysNicely

:wave:

Just a quick hi from me ... am subscribing as our situations aren't dissimilar in respect of downsizing, but we've just come through that end of it.

We did look at a local park home but lots of info came out of the woodwork that just made it too scary, many of the pitfalls that PasturesNew pointed out (some came direct from someone who was supposed to be trying to sell us his unit, but instead chose to comment honestly on the situation with the park owners). Obviously we really appreciated his candour - OH was already dubious about it and that made up his mind for us! :eek:

I'd loved a narrow boat, but my OH pointed out the same things that AnotherCasualty has, and availability of affordable mooring as much as the fees involved. He also pointed out that I have to be surgically removed from my hot-water bottle in a 'normal' house, so I probably wouldn't be suited to life on the water!

So, we've ended up doing exactly as UncannyScot suggests and downsized to a tiny bungalow on the edge of a nature reserve. I'd totally recommend keeping your options open as you look around, you literally never know what's out there that could be ideal for you ... an empty nest certainly makes most things possible (although takes a lot of getting used to).

Wishing you well, PN x

UncannyScot

PlaysNicely wrote: »

:wave:



So, we've ended up doing exactly as UncannyScot suggests and downsized to a tiny bungalow on the edge of a nature reserve. I'd totally recommend keeping your options open as you look around, you literally never know what's out there that could be ideal for you ... an empty nest certainly makes most things possible (although takes a lot of getting used to).

Wishing you well, PN x

Ooooo can I come visit
Sounds lovely PN

Julie67

Uncanny Scot sounds wonderful, we are in the North West of England so less easy to come by but will definitely keep my eyes open.
Plays Nicely thank you so much for your reply.
We have seen some lovely park homes but do have the same worries you had. We would have to be very sure there were no problems with the owners etc.
With regards to the boat I think that is going to be a non starter as my mobility is an issue and I just don't think it's practical. We went to visit one and it happened to be raining, just standing on the dock was scary:eek:
So we are back to square one lol. We are definitely going to keep a look out for bungalows. I am very envious you found your place near a nature reserve. Can I ask which part of the country you are in.
Our funds are limited so that is a major consideration as well.
I think if we can keep an open mind and keep looking at all possibilities something will just feel right if you know what I mean
Thanks so much for subscribing.:)

Julie67

Afternoon,

Today we have been looking at areas around the Ribble Valley. What a beautiful part of the country.
House wise we finished the small bedroom yesterday. The decorating was fine just a case of clearing out the rubbish, a really good clean and some new bedding. I managed to pick up a bedside cabinet for 1.99 ! and the bedding was £5 for the quilt and £3.50 for the quilt cover and pillowcase and fitted sheet in the sale at Asda.
No work on the house today as it's the final day on the golf! House is all clean and tidy and washing put away.
I have ten parcels to post in the morning and a car full of rubbish for DH to take to the tip.
Have a good Sunday whatever your up to

PlaysNicely

:wave:

We're down South Julie, as far as you can go without getting your feet wet ... in fact, part of the nature reserve includes the beach!

Sounds like you're looking in lovely places too, the Ribble Valley is beautiful! Are you specifically looking for rural?

If so (or even if not, really) I think it certainly pays to have a broad scope when it comes to deciding where to settle ... we always thought that where we've ended up would be totally out of our price bracket (most of the places here are) but I had a saved search on R1ghtMove with our max budget and within 10 miles of the town we were living in & this place popped up, empty and unloved for 3+ years & therefore a bit of a bargain that even we could afford ... and still just 30 mins from family. I'd really recommend adding the wider search radius, even if it seems slightly too far, as you never know what little villages etc will pop up that way!

Sounds like you've had a great weekend, hope the week turns out fine too! PNx