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I know a lot of people in their 70s and beyond living in two story (plus basement) houses because in my area, single story housing does not really exist and you will definitely not find first floor master bedrooms---though, if you live on the first floor of a multi-family, you'll at least have bedrooms/bathrooms down there. Even in those cases, there are usually stairs to get to that first level. But HAVING to go to the third floor to a bedroom every night---HMM.
That being said, it's completely dependent on the person and you never know what will happen to you, regardless of how fit you are, at any given time. You'll honestly just have to wait and see.
We are not 50 just 30, but have a 3 story town home rental property one day we would love to move back into once the kids are out. If one was very fit, ie heavy weight lifting / conditioning all one's life, think CrossFit w a strength base, would it be unreasonable for one to live between say age 50-75ish in a 3 story home? Bedrooms on 3rd floor, laundry 1st, living room and kitchen 2nd floor.
You have twenty years in which a multitude of events could happen: major illness, broken bones, etc., that will leave your fit existence waylaid despite the very best of plans. Not worth the risk IMHO.
We are not 50 just 30, but have a 3 story town home rental property one day we would love to move back into once the kids are out. If one was very fit, ie heavy weight lifting / conditioning all one's life, think CrossFit w a strength base, would it be unreasonable for one to live between say age 50-75ish in a 3 story home? Bedrooms on 3rd floor, laundry 1st, living room and kitchen 2nd floor.
It seems it would only aide in maintaining fitness into older age. We got an absolute killer deal on it and the surrounding area has sky rocketed into a central entertainment area w just about everything you could want in walking distance. I wish it was a 1 story as I love our single story house now, but there's nothing around us currently. Have you seen this done or would it be difficult even for fit people?
Will you be able to configure your house as you get older to adapt to the changing needs of your body? Will you be able to at least move a bedroom and kitchen to ground level? Can you get one of those chair lifts to attach to the stairs so you can sit down while it takes you up?
Things can happen at any age. You could have a car accident six months from now that leaves you with a broken leg- how will you manage to maneuver around the house?
I am 85 and my wife is 87. Our home is a 3,700 sq. ft. 4 level home. Lowest level is what is known as a garden level, about half underground and half above ground. A main level, and two higher levels. There are 3 stairways to get between floors. We have solved the safety and ability to get between floors by installing 3 chairlifts (one on each set of stairs). No problems getting between floors and do it safely with those chair lifts. Without them, we would not be able to live in our home. With them, it is like it was a one story house. Just sit down in a chair and ride to the level you want and get off. Easy as that.
A lot of those multilevel town homes are built with an elevator. It costs significantly less for it to be done during the building phase, so it's definitely a good consideration when house hunting if you think you might be in need of one.
My husband is an Orthopedic surgeon and many, if not most, of his patients are 50+ and have mobility issues. Almost anyone he does surgery on will have to be non-weightbearing for many weeks, which of course means they can't go up or down stairs. He says he often has conversations with patients who mention they are buying or selling a house, and he asks if their new home will be on one level, or have the Master on the first floor. Many answer No, and say it was never even a consideration of theirs when looking for a house. He also thinks all doorways on new builds should be wide enough to accommodate large wheelchairs for similar reasons.
Great suggestion on your last sentence.
When my wife and I bought our one story home it wasn't handicap friendly, but all doors were wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.
Thus , I only needed a small ramp at front door and the master bedroom bathroom made into a walk in shower and it was all ready for the next year when my wife went from a walker to a wheelchair due to ALS.
Thus , I only needed a small ramp at front door and the master bedroom bathroom made into a walk in shower and it was all ready for the next year when my wife went from a walker to a wheelchair due to ALS.
My grandmother had ALS. Diagnosed around 1983 and lived until the age of 78 in 1997, so obviously, she had a slow progression of the disease. She had a high quality of life for many of years, needing only minimal accommodations at first (motorized chair to the basement etc), then living with my Aunt and Uncle in a 100 year old farmhouse, where they were able to convert what was originally the formal parlor into a bedroom for her. Somehow, even in that property, her standard sized wheelchair was able to maneuver through doors.
So much of these household accommodations really hinge on whether or not there is a bedroom or similarly sized room and a full bath on the first floor. If there is, it seems you can usually get by.
Last edited by Texas Ag 93; 07-07-2017 at 12:37 PM..
We are not 50 just 30, but have a 3 story town home rental property one day we would love to move back into once the kids are out. If one was very fit, ie heavy weight lifting / conditioning all one's life, think CrossFit w a strength base, would it be unreasonable for one to live between say age 50-75ish in a 3 story home? Bedrooms on 3rd floor, laundry 1st, living room and kitchen 2nd floor.
It seems it would only aide in maintaining fitness into older age. We got an absolute killer deal on it and the surrounding area has sky rocketed into a central entertainment area w just about everything you could want in walking distance. I wish it was a 1 story as I love our single story house now, but there's nothing around us currently. Have you seen this done or would it be difficult even for fit people?
While you may be fit now, that doesn't mean you will stay fit or not have some health issue. I certainly wouldn't plan on retiring to a home that's 3 stories. I know many people who have bad knees, foot problems, breathing issues, etc long before 75! Even people who are active and fit end up with health issues.
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