Not sure where to start about this. The possibilities for home ownership for them are significantly greater in Colorado than they are most places here in California. For example, they nearly closed on a 1-bedroom, 1-bath 650 sq. ft. 5th floor condo in the East Bay on the 5th floor of a 40-year-old building - but backed out at the very last minute when it was discovered that the condo was contaminated with asbestos (and it was a remodel, to boot). The agreed-on price for this condo was a fast $350,000. I'm not kidding on this - this was the actual price (which did not include condo fees).
My son-in-law, who I think the world of, is mid-30's. We had a nice chat before the move where he stated to me that he had always thought that he would have had a home of his own long before now.
This really made me sad, and made me think.
A brand-new, 4-bed, 2-bath, 1800 sq. ft., garage, home with a nice size lot, in the Denver area, is around $300,000. Big difference. Lots of possibilities in Colorado that do not exist for my daughter and son-and-law in California.
It just about killed me, but I put on my happy face (keeping the weeping part for alone time) and encouraged them to make the leap.
My daughter has said that they intend to "give it a year" and then decide what to do.
Here's the deal:
I am old, and, the last time I looked, I am not getting any younger (I try not to look too often). I do not have close friends or family left here in the area where I live anymore - my best friend and her husband moved 100 miles away a few months ago. She was the last. I am retired, and, technically, have nothing to keep me here.
I'm thinking, so, they give it the year, I stay here in California, and at the end of the year they decide to purchase a home and stay in Colorado.
That's a year gone.
In the Great Scheme Of Things (life, the universe and everything) one never knows how many years one has "in reserve". I'm pretty damn sure that I am closer to the end of this game, than I am to the beginning.
So. I'm thinking of selling out of California and moving to Colorado.
Not immediately (need to be sure the new job works out) but fairly soon. If I move now, I will have "that year" with my daughter, that I won't otherwise have (I wouldn't want to live too close to them - perhaps an hour away - I have my life, and they have theirs). I would probably have to buy a home there, because of my dog.
If they decide not to stay after the year, I can decide what to do then, too.
Thoughts:
1. I have always wanted to try living somewhere other than California before I go to the Big Dog Pound In The Sky
2. I have had California friends over the years move to Colorado, "for a try-out". None have ever returned to California.
3. The property tax structure and cost of living in Colorado is quite a bit less than it is in California
4. Many Colorado subdivisions have lots of open space and public walking trails. I walk my dog about two miles a day, it would be great to walk on a trail down a hill rather than down the sidewalk.
5. Colorado looks beautiful - but I have never visited Colorado
6. Etc.
I would appreciate your input, both pro and con. It is very helpful to me to throw this out to friends that I have never met (except online!). I know from my past requests for input, you are all kind enough to offer lots of un-biased suggestions, both "pro" and "con".
This is very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Anne
) Good advice too is renting my California house for a year. It would make it easier, if I could find good tenants.
