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55+ Retirement Community? Try 70+ Wants a Home, Not a “home”

April 19th, 2008 category: Real Estate Philosophy

Options Scrabble Recently, Sean and I (I’m Laurie) had back-to-back visits from our mothers, who both happen to be in their 70’s. As very different people, they bring MUCH to the ” what the he*% am I supposed to do now” dilemma facing so many pre baby boomers (pre-booms)- people in their 70’s, incredibly healthy- with most beginning the thought process in their 40’s, the future is always in the present.

Except that perhaps healthy 70-somethings have a lesson to impart.

They’re our mothers; of course this assessment is notwithstanding the ongoing-I-remember-when-I-was-six underscore- but overall, the primary objective is their own (with ours coinciding) happiness.

I should state: I am a real estate agent in NY who enjoyed success in a “55+ Community” with a builder focused on lifestyle, which resulted in a two year experience in which to engage hundreds of thinkers in this sensitive part of life.

AND, OUR MOTHERS DESCENDED, ON BACK-TO-BACK VISITS. Within a few days of one another.

Rosemary M. Stark w/ Oliver the Bull Dog Rosemary arrived, having completed an odyssey in Hawaii that culminated (after seven years) into a move of “open-mindedness”- the east coast makes sense, as the grandchildren line the east coast. With much experience in a head chef capacity, Rosemary visited a training institute with whom she’d been an active participant years earlier, with the subject being sophisticated health food (which I don’t like, but Sean does). A “thought” destination, if you will- a place of comfort, to cook and eat health food with other enthusiasts, after visits with the family. Relaxing with like-thinking enthusiasts in a bucolic setting, particularly soothing during a life change.

The result of this time of solstice (after visiting family) was to accept an offer, provided by a couple visiting this health food culinary place in the woods, for Rosemary to bring her incredible cooking expertise in order to assist this couple in their US Virgin Islands home with the benefit of her participation, all expenses and pay. Did I mention the US Virgin Islands? I guess the tropics work for her- she sounds ecstatic about the opportunity. So much for “Retirement”!

She leaves Saturday, That’s TODAY!

Sean & Judy Judy visited in the week following Rosemary. She is in equal contemplation. Her story (she and Rosemary are very close in age) involves an inexplicable health complication that made Judy a lacrosse coach one day, and a patient experiencing seizures one day later. A few years later, to the astonishment of the medical field - Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC, she is no longer a “patient”. She has returned to decision maker.

The problem with a brain issue is that just as it perplexes doctors with the magnitude of potential diagnoses, so it does to family, in the same overwhelmingly unclear way. A “HOME”, decided Judy, was best- meals provided, hospital nearby, unload the house, and calm the kids.

Except that, through the course of Judy’s recovery, all initial day-to-day minimum standards required of a person “of a certain age”, returned to her in astonishing, almost enhanced, completeness- cured.

Having been diagnosed with little clarity, her choice at the time of concern initiated a purchase relative to the situation. It’s not that situation anymore, and being one of only a few mobile individuals at “home” is disheartening for an active adult. Judy has outgrown her “retirement home”, and is seeking to return to a bit more in the way of personal choice, which for her is an environment of bike riding, walking, and shopping.

Greenport Harbor April 2008 Rosemary is going to the US Virgin Islands, and at the conclusion of that adventure, we will continue to remain on her radar.

Judy will locate a house that has her current basics: access to the water, and personality. Or, a cool condo near the beach.

MANY people are seeking the condo route, and there are numerous opportunities for retirement condos on the North Fork. Our favorites include Windcrest East, Sunken Ponds, Mill Pond, Founders Village, and Silver Village, (among others).

Downsizing, as opposed to leaving yard work for others, also offers amazing opportunities on the North Fork of Long Island. There is a small home in the mid-400’s in a quiet neighborhood offering a rear second story deck overlooking woods, with little to maintenance in the front yard- small, and easy.

Sometimes, it takes looking at properties in order to make that decision.

We’d love to help.

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For info on downsize properties, fill out the info below for a report.

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For info on both, call us between 8-8 daily, at 631-727-2227.

If you are considering selling a condo in Riverhead, we are opening a website soon: Riverheadcondos.com, showcasing only condominiums in Riverhead and Calverton. For additional info, email or call for updates on the site.