[senior citizen]

I was just chatting with some local friends and neighbors and we all remember our younger days when long distance moving, preceded by packing up the entire home, was a chore but not as exhausting as it became in our later years.......and that includes unpacking at the other end, after traveling to the locale. A bit different than moving locally.

It goes to say, that any northerners contemplating a move to sunny Florida are already downsizing and eliminating clutter and items which they do not want to bring along.......including all the furniture (at a later date) when a potential home is bought and their current residence is sold.

The question I have is: Will anyone honestly say that the move itself to The Villages was found to be exhausting?

Or, did they discover some novel ways of coping with the long distance move........such as hiring some help at the end of the road.....to unpack and organize the home? Or, help in packing up, to begin with?

The people I was chatting with earlier this morning all are in the same boat with stiff joints and various types of arthritis which cause fatigue along with limited mobility in the mornings.........so this would not relate to the 30 somethings and 40 somethings who live in TV.....but say 68 and older.

No matter where anyone moves to.......is WORK. Been there, done that.
However, when younger.........the mere idea of moving from one large home to another was not that daunting..........as it is today.

We would not be bringing our furniture, but there always are boxes of personal items and clothing to organize.......kitchenware, etc.

Any helpful thoughts or ideas on the subject would be appreciated....so thanks in advance. Or, as another poster said......please tell me your moving story.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

I was just chatting with some local friends and neighbors and we all remember our younger days when long distance moving, preceded by packing up the entire home, was a chore but not as exhausting as it became in our later years.......and that includes unpacking at the other end, after traveling to the locale. A bit different than moving locally.

It goes to say, that any northerners contemplating a move to sunny Florida are already downsizing and eliminating clutter and items which they do not want to bring along.......including all the furniture (at a later date) when a potential home is bought and their current residence is sold.

The question I have is: Will anyone honestly say that the move itself to The Villages was found to be exhausting?

Or, did they discover some novel ways of coping with the long distance move........such as hiring some help at the end of the road.....to unpack and organize the home? Or, help in packing up, to begin with?

The people I was chatting with earlier this morning all are in the same boat with stiff joints and various types of arthritis which cause fatigue along with limited mobility in the mornings.........so this would not relate to the 30 somethings and 40 somethings who live in TV.....but say 68 and older.

No matter where anyone moves to.......is WORK. Been there, done that.
However, when younger.........the mere idea of moving from one large home to another was not that daunting..........as it is today.

We would not be bringing our furniture, but there always are boxes of personal items and clothing to organize.......kitchenware, etc.

Any helpful thoughts or ideas on the subject would be appreciated....so thanks in advance. Or, as another poster said......please tell me your moving story.

We moved several times with Westinghouse, and later a couple of times on our own. I have to say, moving with little kids and cats and dogs was a lot harder than the last two moves without the kids and only the dog and bird. I think we had pared down due to several prior moves.

However, moving to TV involved packing and cleaning up our apt. in Pittsburgh, then driving to MI and packing up a third of our condo, sending that off to TV with movers and then racing back to Pittsburgh to meet the other movers, and then each driving separately from Pgh. to TV.

Then sleeping on the floor and sitting in bag chairs while waiting for two movers to show up.

It was the most fun, relaxing, exciting move we've ever done, despite arthritis in shoulders and neck and one of us with a bad back. The whole difference, I think, was mental. Retirement and a new home in sunny FL made all the work seem easy. And we could take our own sweet time unpacking at this end. Just find the dog food bowl. That's what retirement is about, right? Taking your own sweet time.

[graciegirl]

I found it very stressful and very hard to pare down and pack, things you cannot have help to do, Taking or leaving things has to be decided by the owners. Also boxes were heavier than they used to be. Plus terrible bouts of nostalgia.

Sweetie would go off to work and the deadline was looming closer and closer and it seemed that Sweetie was not getting rid of his "stuff".

I love that wonderful husband of mine of fifty years but one day he kissed me goodbye to go to work and said....

"By the way, My name is NOT %#@*&^%$# Henry!"

The unprintable word was worse than you could think.

YES, it was very hard.

So glad it is history.

[pooh]

It is tiring, but the rush of adrenalin keeps the fatigue in place for a while. Remember, moving in doesn't have to be done quickly. Just make sure you have the essentials you need set in place....some clothes, your bed, TV, phone, coffee maker. I've been here 6 years and am still sorting some things....

There are people who can be hired to help unload things if you are moving things yourself. There is time to relax and recharge....and make sure you make this a priority. There's plenty of time to work on the house, there's plenty to do to relax.

[2BNTV]

First of all, decluttering helps a lot. We all store things that we haven't touched in years. I found it best to start doing a little at a time in anticipation of an impending move. Get rid of heavy items like books that one can donate to your library. Take only your necessary paperwork as it takes time to go through. Pack all of the small items in small boxes that are easily transportable. Pack clothes that you haven't used in a while or donate to Goodwill, as your probably not going to wear them.

As far as the bigger pieces such as furniture and such, help is required. It's good to be young but that is not an option for some of us. Round of younger members in the family, (the more the merrier). If your going to donate your furniture, they will pick it up for you. Again, decluttering of the contents in the furniture is helpful

I think the biggest thing is to keep reminding oneself it's all worth it.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by CFrance

We moved several times with Westinghouse, and later a couple of times on our own. I have to say, moving with little kids and cats and dogs was a lot harder than the last two moves without the kids and only the dog and bird. I think we had pared down due to several prior moves.

However, moving to TV involved packing and cleaning up our apt. in Pittsburgh, then driving to MI and packing up a third of our condo, sending that off to TV with movers and then racing back to Pittsburgh to meet the other movers, and then each driving separately from Pgh. to TV.

Then sleeping on the floor and sitting in bag chairs while waiting for two movers to show up.

It was the most fun, relaxing, exciting move we've ever done, despite arthritis in shoulders and neck and one of us with a bad back. The whole difference, I think, was mental. Retirement and a new home in sunny FL made all the work seem easy. And we could take our own sweet time unpacking at this end. Just find the dog food bowl. That's what retirement is about, right? Taking your own sweet time.

That's true. The fact that you could take your own sweet time unpacking, etc. Thanks for sharing.

P.S.We had a neighbor and dear friend who visited while we had just finished boxing up our entire house back in 1994, prior to moving to the Gulf Coast of Florida........since all of her husband's moves had been "corporate moves" she couldn't understand why we had packed all of these boxes ourselves...............we were still 49 years old....and very organized..........but self employed.....

On the return move from Florida back to Vermont..........I had my elderly mom in tow (with senile dementia and Alzheimers) so that made it a bit more tedious while caring for her........but the movers were great, as this time we brought back our Florida furniture.

Right now, I'm trying to downsize A LOT. We've actually moved at least eight times in our married life. Glad your back, etc. held up.

Again, thanks for sharing..........

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

First of all, decluttering helps a lot. We all store things that we haven't touched in years. I found it best to start doing a little at a time in anticipation of an impending move. Get rid of heavy items like books that one can donate to your library. Take only your necessary paperwork as it takes time to go through. Pack all of the small items in small boxes that are easily transportable. Pack clothes that you haven't used in a while or donate to Goodwill, as your probably not going to wear them.

As far as the bigger pieces such as furniture and such, help is required. It's good to be young but that is not an option for some of us. Round of younger members in the family, (the more the merrier). If your going to donate your furniture, they will pick it up for you. Again, decluttering of the contents in the furniture is helpful

I think the biggest thing is to keep reminding oneself it's all worth it.

Great advice..........as usual. Is your condo on the market???

We were waiting for the property values to go back up.
Lately, the evening news seems to be a bit more positive.
However, not so for the real estate listings in our town..........so far.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by pooh

It is tiring, but the rush of adrenalin keeps the fatigue in place for a while. Remember, moving in doesn't have to be done quickly. Just make sure you have the essentials you need set in place....some clothes, your bed, TV, phone, coffee maker. I've been here 6 years and am still sorting some things....

There are people who can be hired to help unload things if you are moving things yourself. There is time to relax and recharge....and make sure you make this a priority. There's plenty of time to work on the house, there's plenty to do to relax.

We'd hire a moving van........but I still have memories of 1995 which is the last time when we moved back to Vermont from Florida.

6 years is a good reasonable goal. Thanks !!! Definitely slowing down now compared to 1995.

My next door neighbor "enlisted" her step children to help move locally and she said it was more bother than it was worth.......they put all the boxes in a huge pile, rather than bring them to the proper rooms which she had labeled on each box. We always did that for the movers.
Would write on each box which room it belonged in. Anyway, her stress levels just went through the roof..........she's now 70. Said she would have preferred to do it herself and at a slower pace.........not as chaotic.

I'm going to give myself the six year goal....to totally unpack

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Great advice..........as usual. Is your condo on the market???

We were waiting for the property values to go back up.
Lately, the evening news seems to be a bit more positive.
However, not so for the real estate listings in our town..........so far.

Condo is on the market. Hopefully, it sells soon.

Another thought is, "will it cost more to transport all your furniture to Florida as opposed to buying furniture in Florida?"

One more is, "will your present furniture be the style you will want in Florida?"

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I found it very stressful and very hard to pare down and pack, things you cannot have help to do, Taking or leaving things has to be decided by the owners. Also boxes were heavier than they used to be. Plus terrible bouts of nostalgie.

Sweetie would go off to work and the deadline was looming closer and closer and it seemed that Sweetie was not getting rid of his "stuff".

I love that wonderful husband of mine of fifty years but one day he kissed me goodbye to go to work and said....

"By the way, My name is NOT %#@*&^%$# Henry!"

The unprintable word was worse than you could think.

YES, it was very hard.

So glad it is history.

Your "Sweetie" sounds just like mine. It's the garage !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I keep telling him I'm going to put him on those "Hoarder" shows.

[OldDave]

We, of course, haven't done it yet, but the thought of it terrifies me.

Being disabled and just barely able to move myself around, let alone carry anything doesn't help.

Unlike some of you who have moved a lot, I reject moving on principle. My family seemed to move for a hobby when I was a kid. I attended 14 different schools before high school. I hated it. So, I told my wife we wouldn't do it.

That's why I had the same job for 30+ years.

We are at a minimum 1 1/2 years away from being able to move there, if we decide to. I'm retired, and while I don't get around well, I could certainly start sorting through drawers, closets and cabinets and putting stuff in boxes for the big garage sale (my wife actually has one every summer). BUT, she isn't one to throw stuff away. So, I have a very hard time getting her to let me start winnowing things out. Joe is exactly right, the best way to do it is a little at a time. And of course for me all the work of a garage sale to make $200 is insane. I'd just call the Salvation Army to come pick stuff up if it were my decision. As my wife starts having more arthritis pains, she has a harder and harder time dragging up stuff from the basement. And since the kids are gone mostly, she's got no help. MAYBE, she'll change her stripes, lol. No, probably not.

Secretly I'm glad she's saves stuff. I cannot count the times she's saved us by being able to root around downstairs and find something important.

So, good luck with your move. I think the key factor will be how healthy you are and how much help you have.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

Condo is on the market. Hopefully, it sells soon.

Another thought is, "will it cost more to transport all your furniture to Florida as opposed to buying furniture in Florida?"

One more is, "will your present furniture be the style you will want in Florida?"

The last time we moved from Vermont to Florida, we were going to a condo.
We sold all of our northern furniture at auction. Bought new in Florida.

However, when we moved back to Vermont, we brought the Florida furniture as we had my elderly mom to consider first and foremost.......and then later, slowly replaced the Florida furniture back to northern furniture...................this time around, I will sell it all again.

The moving van fees are astronomical. Florida furniture is not that expensive......so yes, will replace it again.

I've actually begun getting rid of our 48 years of books..these past several years..........everything is now on our kindles.........so one less thing to dust.

Good luck with selling the condo...........

My "ideal" would be to buy a house in TV to have something to go to....have it all set and ready.........and then put our home on the market.
Every other time we've moved............we did it in reverse and then would have to rush into buying. Not much of a selection up here..........especially not compared to The Villages.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by OldDave

We, of course, haven't done it yet, but the thought of it terrifies me.

Being disabled and just barely able to move myself around, let alone carry anything doesn't help.

Unlike some of you who have moved a lot, I reject moving on principle. My family seemed to move for a hobby when I was a kid. I attended 14 different schools before high school. I hated it. So, I told my wife we wouldn't do it.

That's why I had the same job for 30+ years.

We are at a minimum 1 1/2 years away from being able to move there, if we decide to. I'm retired, and while I don't get around well, I could certainly start sorting through drawers, closets and cabinets and putting stuff in boxes for the big garage sale (my wife actually has one every summer). BUT, she isn't one to throw stuff away. So, I have a very hard time getting her to let me start winnowing things out. Joe is exactly right, the best way to do it is a little at a time. And of course for me all the work of a garage sale to make $200 is insane. I'd just call the Salvation Army to come pick stuff up if it were my decision. As my wife starts having more arthritis pains, she has a harder and harder time dragging up stuff from the basement. And since the kids are gone mostly, she's got no help. MAYBE, she'll change her stripes, lol. No, probably not.

Secretly I'm glad she's saves stuff. I cannot count the times she's saved us by being able to root around downstairs and find something important.

So, good luck with your move. I think the key factor will be how healthy you are and how much help you have.

I hear you and I can "feel" your arthritic pain.....and your wife's.
It does make it difficult to buggylug heavy items......fatique is part and parcel of various types of arthritis.......not to mention sore joints.

Joe is right........and that's how we always did it.....slowly organizing.

We "stayed put" the entire time the children were in school..........and all through their college years.........they had the stability of being in one family home for their youth.

We decided to move to a condo when our daughter married and our son graduated college and moved to Colorado..........

That was 1994. However, "life is what happens when you are making other plans" so we not only had to close down our home after selling it, but my mom's home as well when her husband died..........and bring her along with us. Long story, but we missed Vermont and moved back, buying a home in our same neighborhood where we had just sold the "family home".

Other times we moved was prior to having the children and when they were babies and toddlers........

Vermont always drew us back like a magnet.........however, this recent winter has been a GOOD TEST of how the sub zero cold feels on older bones and joints. Not so good. The Florida sunshine now does seem preferable, for sure. I've had the heat cranked up to 80 degrees all winter long.

My husband would love to have a huge tag sale, as it is called up here.
I'd as soon donate it to the Salvation Army, etc.

Thanks for sharing your story..............appreciate it.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

Condo is on the market. Hopefully, it sells soon.

Another thought is, "will it cost more to transport all your furniture to Florida as opposed to buying furniture in Florida?"

One more is, "will your present furniture be the style you will want in Florida?"

Those are good questions. I would say No to the first one and Partially to the second one: If and when we sell the condo, DH wants to sell everything except the dining room furniture, which would cost more to replace than the cost of our initial two movers, and will fit right in down here.

I love the idea of an estate sale. They are very popular in West MI. A company comes in, prices every single thing in your house, holds a three-day sale (advertised) and takes a percentage. They take care of everything, including donating anything that isn't sold. The trick is to sell your place and have a far-enough out closing date to get an estate sale set up.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

The last time we moved from Vermont to Florida, we were going to a condo.
We sold all of our northern furniture at auction. Bought new in Florida.

However, when we moved back to Vermont, we brought the Florida furniture as we had my elderly mom to consider first and foremost.......and then later, slowly replaced the Florida furniture back to northern furniture...................this time around, I will sell it all again.

The moving van fees are astronomical. Florida furniture is not that expensive......so yes, will replace it again.

I've actually begun getting rid of our 48 years of books..these past several years..........everything is now on our kindles.........so one less thing to dust.

Good luck with selling the condo...........

My "ideal" would be to buy a house in TV to have something to go to....have it all set and ready.........and then put our home on the market.
Every other time we've moved............we did it in reverse and then would have to rush into buying. Not much of a selection up here..........especially not compared to The Villages.

I agree wholeheartedly. We built the condo before selling the house, and bought the TV house totally on impulse, without selling the condo. Before that it was "Moving With Westinghouse," which involved hurrying up and choosing a place to live without really knowing the area. That is stressful.

But... you will have so much more of a selection here, and you pretty much know what the models look like, and if you've been here before you might be familiar with the individual villages and know what location you prefer. I think it will be easier.

Good luck, Senior Citizen!