Women retiring alone to a new city/state -- where will you go and why? (moving, crying)

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by mzfroggez

....
incidently, for a fun(d) raiser for those of us in desperate straits (or jackets) , we could always do a dunking booth with perhaps someone who loves boating or other aquatic sports in the dunk chair and raise some cash

Wait just one minute you beach lovers

While I like to swim... I have been sequestered to the We-Tside Pacific NorthWe_t for 28 yrs and I DID ONE dunk tank at a company picnic. While it was August, it was also 50F and Raining... I still have goose bump scars!!! and have been perpetually shivering for the last 20 yrs. (I call it a nervous 'twitch'...)

No Dunk Tanks for me

I will first join Umbria's yard maintenance and snow shoveling crew

I will however, participate in a "Crab Crack' fund raiser. (In HS our choir went to Europe and spent ALL yr raising money. We tripled our take with a 'one-night' crab crack dinner. EZ money, )

[newenglandgirl]

I'm bringing up an old subject that I'd like some feedback on...paring down stuff. I look around me and I still have gads too much stuff. If I want to make a move at some point to an apartment, I don't want to have to rent a storage unit for anything.

Question: of you ladies who have made a move, what is the most dramatic pare-backs you've made and how did you reconcile yourself with such?? I mean, did you get yourself down to one pot and pan, a dish or two, a few changes of seasonal clothes? Did you give away stuff your mother taught you to save....extra towels and sheets and coats, that nice extra lampshade, etc? I'd like to hear the tales of those who really seriously got rid of stuff, even stuff they wanted to keep.

[Umbria]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

I'm bringing up an old subject that I'd like some feedback on...paring down stuff. I look around me and I still have gads too much stuff. If I want to make a move at some point to an apartment, I don't want to have to rent a storage unit for anything.

Question: of you ladies who have made a move, what is the most dramatic pare-backs you've made and how did you reconcile yourself with such?? I mean, did you get yourself down to one pot and pan, a dish or two, a few changes of seasonal clothes? Did you give away stuff your mother taught you to save....extra towels and sheets and coats, that nice extra lampshade, etc? I'd like to hear the tales of those who really seriously got rid of stuff, even stuff they wanted to keep.

Come sit on my couch~~~~

Why are you planning to move to an apartment? From what I read, rents are going up ~ up~ up and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Due to so many unable to afford a house, it's the old supply & demand thing.

You have a home so you are one of the fortunate people

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by Umbria

Come sit on my couch~~~~

Why are you planning to move to an apartment? From what I read, rents are going up ~ up~ up and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Due to so many unable to afford a house, it's the old supply & demand thing.

I'm formulating a 5-year plan.

[karcon]

It's very early (3:45 a.m.) here. Up to get ready to go to airport for early flight (Boston). I love NEG's synopsis on where we are as individuals on our journey. And isn't that what life is? Remember, it's not the destination but the journey getting there that's the real adventure.

I'm still in FL wishing for Berkeley (son lives there). But daughter is now in Annapolis and that's pretty cool too. What I love is travel. So, until I find my spot, I'll keep my traveling shoes on!

[flyingscot47]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

I'm bringing up an old subject that I'd like some feedback on...paring down stuff. I look around me and I still have gads too much stuff. If I want to make a move at some point to an apartment, I don't want to have to rent a storage unit for anything.

Question: of you ladies who have made a move, what is the most dramatic pare-backs you've made and how did you reconcile yourself with such?? I mean, did you get yourself down to one pot and pan, a dish or two, a few changes of seasonal clothes? Did you give away stuff your mother taught you to save....extra towels and sheets and coats, that nice extra lampshade, etc? I'd like to hear the tales of those who really seriously got rid of stuff, even stuff they wanted to keep.

As one who is still contemplating a move of many thousands of miles-it is a daunting task just looking around my house(former childhood home) what to take--treasured furniture etc-- belonging to my parents(both now gone)with the cost of shipping most of us are faced with the unenviable task of paring down---my practical nature hates to get rid of things that are still useful but I know I cannot take everything. At the risk of incurring the wrath of the gods ie moderator I have found a website(my cousin in Australia recommended it)if anyone is interested just google Marla Cilley the Fl**y L**dy---some of her advice is faith based(not for everyone I know)but she has a lot of great advice for tackling something like a major move--the decluttering etc.
Personally I would love to just take everything but I will have to be ruthless and only ship the things that mean the most to me--things that bring joy to my life ie my music, books etc--grandmother's antique Irish table . Now downsizing the kitchen will be tough lol---just love my gadgets and lets not get started with my clothes collection but I will have to do it.

[Umbria]

What I find is that with each year this move is delayed, it gets easier to let go of things. I will still have plenty, but I will move the items (furniture, but definitely not all 0f it) that cost a lot to replace and get rid of things that are not as expensive (dishes, kitchen stuff). Clothes will be hard - I have good quality clothes that would be expensive to replace.

I'm hoping to find a 2 BR home with about 1700-1800 sf.

[AcaciaRose]

Clothes were my most dramatic parebacks. I wouldn't have done this if I hadn't been planning to move, but I went through my closets and drawers and tried on everything that I hadn't worn in the past year. I mean *everything*, from t-shirts to dresses. I got rid of things I couldn't see myself wearing in the next 12 months and things that didn't fit.

For example, there was a slinky mauve rayon jumpsuit I had worn only once in 1997 on a first date. I had kept it because that date had gone so well. When I tried the jumpsuit on in 2010 it fit, but just looked wrong, especially the shoulders, and I couldn't see myself wearing it again, so I put it in the 'discards' box.

Then there were the drawers full of message t-shirts that I hadn't been able to toss out. I realized I just couldn't see myself wearing that "Earth First" or "Goddess" shirt again, so I got rid of them.

Going through my clothes took some time, but when I finished I had room in my dresser drawers and closets and moving was not difficult. I didn't need as many cardboard wardrobes as usual.

Today, my closet holds only clothes I actually will wear. I do a purge every year and so far haven't missed anything I've disposed of.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by Umbria

I'm hoping to find a 2 BR home with about 1700-1800 sf.

Wow, that is an enormous size home to me! I have 1350 sf and it feels like way too much at this stage in life. If I choose to live on just the first floor, I have a 20 x 22 living room, a large kitchen, a large bath that fits washer/dryer, and a large bedrm. I can't imagine wanting more space, or cleaning it. I'm aiming for a nice cozy 800-900 sf in my next place, if I ever move.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by AcaciaRose

Going through my clothes took some time, but when I finished I had room in my dresser drawers and closets and moving was not difficult. I didn't need as many cardboard wardrobes as usual.

Today, my closet holds only clothes I actually will wear. I do a purge every year and so far haven't missed anything I've disposed of.

This is an inspiration! Are you planning a move soon?
What is a cardboard wardrobe? (pic?)