Lessons from the Move

While it is still fresh, I thought it might be useful to reflect on the move. Here is the context.

We have lived on rural route #201 for twenty four years.We have managed an orchard across the road on our son’s property. We have enjoyed maintaining a sizeable woodlot up to the Inglisville Road. We have noticed changes in the local demography. We have noticed a significant increase in traffic and speed on the highway. This has led to a couple of minor accidents.

Our children recognized, before us, that we need to reduce our workload. We also need to reduce time in a car driving for necessities.

Our priorities in selecting a new home.

1) must be in a community, with easy walking access to groceries, banking, health services.

2) must be accessible to the local landscape e.g. walking, bicycling, canoeing.

3) we selected a neighbourhood in Middleton with view/access to the Annapolis River/wetlands, woods and wildlife.

The move itself has three steps:

1) purchase new house;

2) move furniture/ possessions into new house;

3) sale of old house.

Access to both houses allowed us to pace the movement of goods and possessions.

Because the distance between houses was roughly ten kilometers we were able to declutter our personal possessions. Leaving the old house only with large furniture items. The moving company was able to move furniture in a half a day.

We were fortunate that Andrew was able to visit with his family for a week. This permitted a rigorous assessment of our possessions. After 24 years we had accumulated a significant book collection that expressed our life interests. With two houses, we could accommodate our family and ourselves.

What would you do differently ?

1) Timing. With hindsight, we might have made the move ten years ago (after retirement) .

2) Time will tell, if we are able to adapt to small community life. First impressions are positive.

3) From a health perspective, it is imperative to keep active. This relates to both mental and physical health.

It would be worthwhile to update this blog in twelve months. What expectations have we missed ? What were the surprises ?

Clearly, we won’t miss driving to town for services.

Have we engaged in new community-based activities ?

Do our family feel that it was the right decision ?