[islandgal]

I did a major downsizing before moving here. Be careful. There are about 5 or 6 things I didn't bring because I thought they would be too large for a Courtyard Villa.
Wrong - I could have used them and no way to replace them (family pieces).
I suggest if you have a question, bring them. I didn't know there were so many consignment shops here that I could use if something didn't fit.

[Happinow]

We are in the process of "weeding out" for our move in May. Here's what we decided.....we aren't taking any furniture. We are from New York State and everything here is drab and dark, including our furniture. Like some of you said, we are making a lifestyle change. We want to start new with everything. We want our home to feel tropical and the furniture to be light. We will bring some Christmas decorations, all of our photos (we have too many), our tv's, clothes and I have a vanity that was a wedding gift from my husband that we'll bring. I also have a few boxes of by daughter's baby shoes, dresses, baby book and baby quilt that I would never part with. We have a few odds and ends as well, but nothing big. I think a lot of people take stuff that they want to fit into their new house and discover the new house has a different feel to it and the furniture doesn't go. I'd rather purchase a new something than have to throw something out that I brought down and didn't need. Everyone's circumstances will be different, you just have to do what works for you. Happy decorating!

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Originally Posted by Don H

If we ever get to move to The Villages I'll have to put my wife on an IV drip to put her "under" while I pack and throw things out. ;-) After we're on the road I'll gradually lower the dose, remove the IV and she'll be awake and happy but a bit suprised over the tiny U-Haul trailer behind us. "My, how did you ever manage to pack all that stuff into that tiny trailer?"

This is soooo funny! I think your wife and my husband are the same person. My husband is concerned over the 'obligation' he has to his mother to keep everything his family has ever owned from the past 11 generations. They have all been handed down to his mom and fankly, I don't like ANY of them and don't want them. I can't wait to simplify but I fear a long line of antiques leaving a trail from PA to TV. I'd like to call a museum and a psychiatrist to deal with the carnage.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Applepie

It depends on your lifestyle whether or not to bring the good china and sterling sliver. I still have dinner parties. I had 4 couples over for Thanksgiving dinner and used all my good stuff. It made it fun and it made it special. I also brought a set of Christmas dishes. I had a Christmas luncheon for my neighbor girl friends and used the dishes. Most of my entertaining is causal but once in a while it is fun to be fancy.

You and I think alike, but many would find keeping your nice china and Christmas china not important. But I used mine a lot and still do.

What to bring and what to give away or sell is the hardest thing that was not THAT important that I had faced for awhile. It must be instinctive to protect our "stuff". We were told to take care of our belongings and each thing we own represents a lot of "man hours" in time and money. It isn't easy for sure and my heart goes out to anyone who is doing it.

I brought a couple of winter coats and I have worn them. I brought my Christmas stuff, and I put it out and enjoyed it. I brought our " fancy" stuff because sometimes dressing really UP happens here. I got rid of three rooms of bedroom furniture and got new. If you plan to have a completly different style here, than getting rid of your furniture is something to consider. Our grandkids are so close to being launched into their own place after college that I talked our daughter into keeping some furniture for them. (which they probably won't use)

I only am sorry that I gave away one coffee table and one bench as I could have used them. Everything else worked out fine. I did discover a lot of duplicates in my kitchen and those went into a box for the grandkids. (I hope that doesn't turn out to be silly)

Oh just thinking about it makes me glad it is behind me and makes me want to give all of you doing it a hug.

[shcisamax]

I am having a difficult time of the weeding. Not for myself but we have two children in their first year of college. We are essentially their closet and hold all things dear to them.. All that "stuff" in addition to our stuff has to be hauled as well. If they already had their places, I would gladly give most of our antiques.
As for furnishings, I notice that there seems to be a very interesting decorating trend which includes melding the dark and the light. I can only assume that it is in an attempt to help the Northerners adjust

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by conn8757

Ladies - did you bring the wedding china? As I sit here wrapping it up, I am torn between bringing it with me as I have for the past 38 years or giving it to my daughter-in-law. I used it for family dinners since we had a rather large family, but I am wondering if people use their china much. I am leaving my china cabinet which means I will have to fit everything in kitchen cabinets. Thoughts?
What about all those Christmas decorations? I still have the painted macaroni decorations my kids made for crying out loud. I am wondering if we would even stay there for Christmas or go to one of the boys houses. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

If theres ANY chance of selling anything you don't need in Florida, Sell it!!!!!! Remember, there are NO basements in houses down here, so less room for storage. Just keep a few Christmas decorations, for here in Florida. Storage in atics, only let them rot from heat. Everything drys out, and is ruined. Even luggage. (keep in house). Some garden tools are always needed. But just about all homes in The Villages do not have adequete storage, and don't bring 10-15 winter coats etc. You will never use them all. Just bring your bodies and enjoy the good life while you can!!

[tomjbud]

When my mom passed away, I inherited a whole houseful of furniture and other "stuff". My brother and sister from out of town took a few things, but I was left with a basement stuffed from floor to ceiling with mom's "stuff". I finally called Goodwill and had them take it all away. My siblings were horrified, but of course they did not offer to take it off my hands.

I am determined not to do this to my kids. I hope to leave this world with about the same amount of "stuff" that I entered with.

[mrsanborn]

Leave everything. Bring only naproxen, lots of it.

[swimdawg]

Originally Posted by mrsanborn

Leave everything. Bring only naproxen, lots of it.

Only a fellow-Wheatfield person would come with THAT one!

You win the Swimdawg Post of the Day Award....hands down!

[wesmin]

George Carlin said its just stuff. If you are moving from 10lbs home to 6lbs home bring stuff you want to grow old with otherwise let it go.

[wesmin]

George Carlin said it all its just stuff. Are you moving from 10lb home to 6lb home. Bring stuff you want to grow old with get ridd of the rest.

[HawkeyeBarb]

Love this thread! We are still here in IN, but may be down in TV sooner than we thought as the company BoilerDave has worked for the last 32 years is closing the IN factory in September. ANYWAY...ever since I have known that TV was where we would retire, I have only purchased "stuff" I know we would use in FL. Clothes, (now have a flip-flop collection that rivals Tommy Bahama) Christmas decorations, (snowman with sunglasses and Santa with Hawaiian shirt)....but no furniture. Will get that to suit our new home. I love to shop for all things "fun", but only buy something if it is TV worthy!

[shcisamax]

I thought the room over the garage can be cooled with a solar fan? and that would keep things from rotting?

[NotGolfer]

We moved here to be "full-timers"...so purged and down-sized BOTH in size of house and "stuff"!!! One thing we tend to do is become emotionally attached to our "stuff" (things). When going through your items think---"need or want"! Make 3 piles...items for kids, items to donate and items to keep. You might find what you used up north won't be appropriate for living down here.

I liked the poster right after your entry about the wife bring items that ended up in the attic or garage and hasn't been used and he just brought his sport-coat that hasn't been worn.

Living here is pretty casual...so think of it that way! I gave our good china away before we came...along with the cabinet.

[Someday Came]

I am trying to get my wife to leave alot of stuff behind. I also told her if there is setimental value about the it, TAKE A PICTURE OF IT and I will frame it. Guess who will win this conversation. Ha Ha