[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Aww..my hubby is the most helpful guy in the whole world and I couldn't have done it without him...I'm SURE when he gets back from Michigan his first priority will be to clean the garage...yeah..right

THIS must be a trait of MI hubbys. Been there. With that same person

And cleaning the garage? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[kittygilchrist]

So grateful someone else admitted how difficult it is to move. And I am only about an hour from TV. I think there is a backdrop to every move to do with moving on, what you let go of, how sure are the finances, will this get broken, what should I carry myself, what unknown do I not know that will bite me....almost like those monsters in the shadows....eeek!

[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.

[Polar Bear]

My wife and aren't even moving yet and we're exhausted. Prepping, trying to sell our house, trying to get rid of our kids!! LOL! If the carrot at the end of the stick wasn't so enticing, I don't know if we'd make it. :^)

[Newbeginnings]

I moved from Alaska by myself, I sold almost everything and then drove with 2 dogs in a car for a week just to get to Minneapolis. While my house was being built I stayed with my mother for 3 months, that was something else living with your mother after being out of the house for 40 years. Then I took off again for TV with my 2 dogs and drove another 3 days, so 5,000 miles to get here. Yes, I was physically and mentally exhausted. But now that I am in my beautiful home I can say it was all worth it! There were days I just didn't unpack, too tired and wanted to get to know the neighbors or just do something else, probably should have done more of that and let some of the boxes set, but I can get compulsive about things being in order. I won't do it again, next move will be in the nursing home when they drag me out of here or I just die here in my house. I am happy here and love my wonderful neighbors and the community. Some of my friends have said they don't know how I did it, but you do what you have to do in life if you want it bad enough, I was stronger than I ever thought I would be with some of the challenges I faced.

[senior citizen]

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.

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.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by sdavis44

My wife and aren't even moving yet and we're exhausted. Prepping, trying to sell our house, trying to get rid of our kids!! LOL! If the carrot at the end of the stick wasn't so enticing, I don't know if we'd make it. :^)

Will keep that last sentence in mind. A good one.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Newbeginnings

I moved from Alaska by myself, I sold almost everything and then drove with 2 dogs in a car for a week just to get to Minneapolis. While my house was being built I stayed with my mother for 3 months, that was something else living with your mother after being out of the house for 40 years. Then I took off again for TV with my 2 dogs and drove another 3 days, so 5,000 miles to get here. Yes, I was physically and mentally exhausted. But now that I am in my beautiful home I can say it was all worth it! There were days I just didn't unpack, too tired and wanted to get to know the neighbors or just do something else, probably should have done more of that and let some of the boxes set, but I can get compulsive about things being in order. I won't do it again, next move will be in the nursing home when they drag me out of here or I just die here in my house. I am happy here and love my wonderful neighbors and the community. Some of my friends have said they don't know how I did it, but you do what you have to do in life if you want it bad enough, I was stronger than I ever thought I would be with some of the challenges I faced.

We have a dear friend and neighbor whose daughter moved to Alaska to teach the natives in the Aleutian Islands.........small schoolhouse. She has mentioned how long and tiring the drive is........once her brother drove her out and then flew back..........it's not an easy drive, especially alone. You are a champion, for sure.

Glad your end of the road was a happy one..........and many more years of happiness in your new home.

[2BNTV]

1. You will never have the energy level when you were in your twenties so doing a little at a time is a blessing.
2. Keep reminding yourself, "it's all worth it".
3. Keep reminding yourself, "this is the last time I will have to do this".
4. Anyone who tells you it's easy had someone else do it for them.
5. Think of a nice meal you will have after it's all done.
6. Plan your day so that tackling your heaviest job is when you are at peak energy.
7. Stop and rest if needed, "Rome wasn't built in a day".
8. Make a schedule of things to do and get it done.
9. Enlist anyone who can help.
10. Keep your eye on the prize.

[Yankee Quilter]

In the middle, hopefully, farther than middle, of packing now! The stress comes from the what do I do with this,Goodwill is getting suspicious of me! It is more exhausting to lug the stuff,good stuff,btw to them than pack it! Yesterday oldest daughter got 2'couches, antique dining room set, queen bed, tables ...... Next week baby daughter gets bed, tables....... And we downsized four years ago.
I just keep thinking of the new friends we are already starting to meet thanks to TOTV and the good times to come..... So TV here we come with less junk that we had, but probably more stuff than we need!

[Gerald]

I don't see a problem. It is a time of no stress and tranquility a time of happiness and smiles a time to relax knowing everything will be easy and wonderful. A chance to get new things to replace old ones. To find more storage for things in the new location.
Oh how I love moving.
Next a word from my counselor and doctor. We need to lower your med's.

[Jhooman]

Watch a snake shed it's old skin, very difficult and tedious. But when it's all done, it's new skin is beautiful. That's how we felt shedding our old life and finding our place in The Villages.

Yes, it was difficult to move, but the rewards have been wonderful, the friends priceless and the peace serene. Shedding the old skin was worth it.

[rubicon]

Time is a healer. With all of our moves we had the benefit of compny resources except the move to The Villages. Fortunately my wife and I have always been in total rapport (synch) when it comes to things such as this. we instintively know what are roles are and get on with the task. My kids were a real source of additional help.

It was a cathartic downsizing and a benefit too many who became receipients of our excesses.

I do remembering promising myself that after all of that packing moving and driving I was done and that would be my last move.

I will admit that i still get itichy feet because I loved moving around the country in the day.

Now a day I pace myself and adhere more to the Greeks admonition of moderation in all things.

Time for my mid-morning nap

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

1. You will never have the energy level when you were in your twenties so doing a little at a time is a blessing.
2. Keep reminding yourself, "it's all worth it".
3. Keep reminding yourself, "this is the last time I will have to do this".
4. Anyone who tells you it's easy had someone else do it for them.
5. Think of a nice meal you will have after it's all done.
6. Plan your day so that tackling your heaviest job is when you are at peak energy.
7. Stop and rest if needed, "Rome wasn't built in a day".
8. Make a schedule of things to do and get it done.
9. Enlist anyone who can help.
10. Keep your eye on the prize.

Once again, words of wisdom set forth in a natural way..........which we can all take to heart..........those who have been there and those who are still on the journey..........keeping our eye on the prize.

I found this Irish Retirement Prayer..........it's for you (and everyone)....

The origins of this Irish Poem about retirement is unknown:

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
— Irish Retirement Blessing


Thanks to all of you who posted in this thread.......

[Vinny]

I will admit o it. We have move 13 times but this last time was the most exhausting due to our age. We only moved two mattresses and our living room set. That was it. However the two day drive with two cars and two dogs plus unpacking 60 boxes in hot and humid weather did us in. Next time I will move in the winter.