Quote:
Originally Posted by Mack184
Our doc said that moving (anywhere) is one of the most stressful things you can do in your life, ranked right up there with a death of a spouse, marriage or divorce. She forgot add in being hauled before the IRS.
In our situation we had not one, but two homes in two states to close out (one owned & one rented). Plus unlike most of you we are not retired and had to change jobs as well. The transition in my work was much easier than my wife's which is a much more demanding profession.
We hired movers but did all the packing ourselves. While we gave many items to our kids, we still brought quite a bit with us and we did our own packing. Since our last name isn't Rockefeller or Trump we couldn't afford to pay the movers to pack us up.
If think that while everybody's experience is different, it's stressful for anyone no matter what their circumstances. Good luck to all.
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I "hear you".
When we were in our early 20's and moving from our first 2 apartments to our first home.....it was exciting, even with a newborn baby to care for. Our energy level was super high in those days. Everything had to be accomplished the same day.
In our mid 20's we bought our second home (after relocating out of state) and were expecting our second child...........still high energy, even while pregnant........everything got done pronto.
We stayed put for a long long time while raising the children to adulthood.
The next move was again out of state but with our new elderly baby in tow.
Although we had always planned to buy a condo on the beach in Florida once our kids were raised, graduated, married, etc.......it was short lived.
My mom had been recently diagnosed with Alzheimers.....a widow.
We had to close down her place and our own place.......and find a new place........that was a bit tiring, to say the least.
Moving back to Vermont again, to be with her support system (and my own) was difficult as well; that's the first time the boxes sat for "awhile".........as I had to tend to my mom more often. But I still had energy and good mobility at age 49 going on 50. The kids were all gone, graduated from college, married, etc.......relocated themselves. We've been back here since 1995 and again contemplating moving to Florida (we are retired over a year now)........it will be our third move to Florida.
First time we stayed a year.......second time we stayed four months.
Now, pushing 70.......both of us feel like we have "slowed down" and are nothing like we were in our 20's or 40's as far as the packing up an entire house (which somehow miraculously grew back all of the "stuff" we gave away or sold........to even higher levels of "stuff" to dispose of.....if that is at all possible. We are literally back to 1994 as far as STUFF to get rid of, and then some.)
The "snowbird" idea was a good one for us........however, up here pipes freeze in the winter, field mice get into the best of homes......etc. Easier to not keep two homes.
It's really nice to hear everyone's honest retelling of their moving stories.
Perhaps at a slower pace...........but it will get done........and it will be worth it. I know others in Vermont who are presently downsizing and cleaning out their big family homes.........and are younger than us, and feel the same way........so I guess it just comes with age.
p.s.
I didn't include all the minor moves.......just the major moves.
But, been there, done that..........we always packed up and unpacked ourselves. My husband would have all the kids beds put together the same day. I'd have all the kitchen stuff put in the cabinets the same day.
Those were the days. We even had all the pictures and mirrors hung on move in day. In my dreams ...........now.