[goodtimesintv]

I'd leave behind the ways of looking for a home we all used in our past states/cities/towns.

There, we wanted a home in certain areas because of the school district, commute or no commute to work, neighborhood with lots of families sending kids to school on the bus, good shopping, property taxes, police effectiveness, low crime, etc.

We also wanted substantial square footage for the price because of raising a family and we all need some space to ourselves--like a nice big finished basement family room plus guest bedroom and bath.

Here, it's different. We wanted (and got) a place that is centrally located with access to all 3 town squares, great neighbors doing lots of socials, and a house that is 1/3 of the size we had for our family. But the house is "just right". Not too big, not too small, and we both have our own den/mancave/getaway rooms. We are gone a lot during the day and evening, so the house doesn't matter so much here.

Before, the house was important. Now, our location and neighbors are far more important. We all stick together and help each other out if the car needs to be in the mechanic shop; we're going away for a week or two or a few months; dog sitting each others' dog in its own home; loaning our golf cart or golf clubs to friends having guests; helping recently widowed or divorced people get back on their feet and socialized again.

Socialization is super important for both couples and singles who are moving away from "home" and network of relatives/friends in other states. Neighbors close by whom you know and can trust become very, very important to a happy, healthy life as we grow older.

With that, it becomes important to be with neighbors who are young enough to want to socialize, and healthy enough to help each other.