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Part 1 - Preparing to Downsize

2/19/2020

27 Comments

 
Downsize can mean different things to different people. For some it can mean moving from a sprawling mansion to a town house. For me it's an adjustment that my husband and I feel will improve our lifestyle by adding convenience, eliminating stress and simplifying the everyday. 

For twelve years we've managed a three bedroom home, a yard, a pool, a dog with issues, a successful business, started another business, kept up with our sporting activities so to maintain our health and whilst none of this is remarkable in itself, we've kept said business going through several years of economic depression, been underwater on our home for most of the time we've lived in it, kept the dog alive despite himself, and I'm happy to say we are all still here to tell the tale, businesses included!    
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Palm tree trimming - can be a hefty maintenance cost for home owners in the south west!
So that being said, we decided to hell with the aggravation of having to trim palm trees every year (and fined by the HOA when we don't), the endless and costly dumping of chemicals in a pool whose equipment is on the verge of collapse, snaking the main line drain every few weeks due to neighbors tree roots busting through our foundations, the weekly putting out of fires as one thing after another fails, breaks down, needs repair, is beyond repair and is driving us both crazy with frustration! Get me out of here! Ughhh! 

A change of scenery is as good as a rest they say, so we are game to find out if this is true! We've decided to try a more urban lifestyle, such as it is in North Scottsdale, taking up residence in a brand-new apartment community close to our business and my other work.  We're not under any illusion that it will be easy at least to start with... we'll be losing about 500+ square feet and we're already bursting at the seams, plus our own garage (where everything goes that doesn't fit in the house) as well as a front and back yard with outdoor living space i.e. more furniture. Yikes!  ​
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Not a chlorine tablet in sight, just mountains!
​This move is going to be a serious purge - of things, rubbish, an accumulation of unnecessary chattels! I have the burning desire to live minimally (except for my closet of course) some things will never change! What has changed and dramatically so, is my taste in interior decor. This old house has sent me through  a metamorphosis, from a lifelong lover of French country style I have emerged as a modern day contemporate and I have no idea how or why this transformation took place except that this house has shaped many things I was not expecting... or was that midlife that crept up on me?
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When you're not quite ready to give up everything... storage space can be an additional cost to downsizing!
Whatever the reason it doesn't matter because I'm happy with the outcome, with our decision to end our homeowner misery (at least for now) and to make style changes to our interior space. My large French country furniture will be downsized to smaller pieces and placed in storage, given away or sold. The new pieces will be chosen carefully to provide an effective use of our down-sized space. Yes, for the first time in years I will have walk-in closets again, brand new appliances, ultra-modern fixtures and fittings to match my new contemporary style ideas. I will have a rooftop infinity pool with a view of the Mcdowell Mountains, pool side cabanas with their own TV, a state-of-the-art gymnasium in the same building that doesn't look or smell like a petri dish and not least of all promptly trimmed palm trees and tended flower beds without having to lift a green thumb of my own!
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Yesss! Nanna's yard stick and me, let's go measure some floor space!
So whilst somebody else puts out the fires, fixes the malfunctions, and tends to the real estate, all that is left to do is live our lives, focus on our businesses and keep the dog alive!

This is what downsize means to me... bring it on! 
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As always, thank you for stopping by
27 Comments
Marsha S
2/20/2020 09:53:56 am

Wow Karen this sounds exciting for you guys...Something I wasn’t expecting I guess... If you’ve always lived in a single family house it will be quite an adjustment (adventure 😉) for sure. But I wish you blessings on your “downsizing”...is it far from where you now live? Are you still going to be close to alllllll the things you normally do?? I’m excited for you...🙌🏻🥰Marsha

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Karen
2/20/2020 08:04:23 pm

Hi Marsha, and thank you for stopping by, I really appreciate that. Yes, it is about 15 minutes from where I currently live, 5 minutes from our business and 10 minutes from the place where I also work 4 days a week! However it's a more urban setting, surrounded by trendy bars and restaurants right outside the apartment block, there will be people, busyness, noise and then the beautiful views from the rooftop pool! The house we are moving from was never our dream home, but we ultimately became trapped in it as the economy took it's downturn after 2007, then it became our nightmare home! We are so beyond excited to be free and I so welcome the clear out of 12 years too long of settlement, it's not good for my soul! As I prepare to move, I'm already finding things I forgot I had... that's just not healthy! I will keep you posted with the series! 💕💕💕

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Buddy
3/5/2020 12:01:31 am

This post is truly interesting and I’m sure I’m not the only internet journeyman who’s stumbled across your openness to share this personal subject. The cost of living in California (taxes etc) and the fashionable but ineffective liberal politics (plastic straws banned but an explosion of homelessness etc) would appear to be pushing many away from what they once thought a promised land, and in turn people are waking up to how much America has to offer aside from what they’ve seen promoted by Hollywood. The story of the palm trees and pool maintenance all too real, as was the struggle to decide what stays and what goes. Can’t wait to read the next instalment and here about how you are getting on, see some photos from the rooftop pool at sunset, and all the cool places you discover in Scottsdale (and Phoenix). Wishing you good fortune in your new life chapter. BuddyB

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Karen
3/5/2020 11:42:14 am

Thank you Buddy, I'm glad you enjoyed this post. I am looking forward to working on the next article in the series, there is much to talk about, I barely know where to begin! It has been and still is a bigger task than I thought it would be, I have been ensconced in stuff I had forgotten I even had as well as mountains of dust, I'm obviously not as good a housekeeper as I would have liked to think! Ha ha.
Thank you for stopping by

Karen xx

Hilda Smith link
2/20/2020 12:04:32 pm

I hope you are very happy. We have been toying with downsizing too, but have decided to wait a few more years. x

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Karen
2/20/2020 08:15:05 pm

Hello Hilda!

B and I spoke years ago about moving to apartment life but it didn't seem right some how and we weren't sure we could handle it, or maybe we were just scared! This was never our dream home so we should have taken the bull by the horns 7 years ago when we realised we weren't going anywhere with this house given the econcomy and the bad shape it was in. For us, this decision has felt like the uplifting of stagnation, in every way... getting rid of things we were simply used to but don't even like, we just lived with them because they had become part of our environment... stagnation! Anyhow, we will see if we like this change, I welcome it with a passion I haven't felt in years, my very soul is ablaze with excitement. We shall see how we fair, I will keep you posted!

Karen xx

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Patricia Rubel link
2/21/2020 06:37:58 am

Wow, this is so exciting!! You are now the 3rd person I know who is making a big change and moving to a hip new apartment. I feel like you do about a house too big and way too much responsibility, you have me dreaming of more freedom and some possible changes for us!

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Karen
2/21/2020 07:35:21 am

Freedom is a good word for this. I am tired of being held captive by a house we could never improve and a neighbourhood that looks tired! I am so excited to move to a totally different vibe, liveliness, newness, and yes trendyness! I am beyond thrilled, words cannot even say how excited I am right now Patty. There will be an extra perk in my steps on the way up those mountains ha ha, which I can view from my new pool!

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Midlife and Beyond link
2/22/2020 08:36:41 am

We often think about downsizing but the time isn’t right for us yet. I’m dreading sifting through our “stuff”. Your new apartment sounds amazing. Such low maintenance. xx

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Karen
2/22/2020 08:41:28 am

I think the time was right for us several years ago, we have been stagnating for too long! But as you say, sifting through our stuff is the least fun of this adventure, but getting rid of unecessary stuff is freeing!

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Ruth Yunker link
2/22/2020 08:54:35 am

I’ve been gradually downsizing for a long time. The last home I owned I sold in 2000. Then I lived in our family beach house for fifteen years. Emptying that and selling it, a family effort, was huge. Then I lived in two apartments, one in OC and LA and discovered the joy of apartment life! Someone else is taking care of all the deadly maintenance! Right now I’m in the middle of a year of travel, but return to SoCal in July...and will rent again. I can’t conceive of a time I’ll ever bother to own my own home again. It ties you down. And I love feeling free to move about...although this year has shown me that, in spite of its flaws, SoCal is where my heart is.
Good luck settling in, Karen. And you are right—hang onto your clothes!!!

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Karen
2/22/2020 12:09:54 pm

Thank you for those insights to your chattel free lifestyle. That's part of the most exciting thing about this, although I am of course looking for new furniture. But most of the old will go! I love that I can just lock up and go, or put a work order in when I need a new light bulb!

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Marilyn Banks link
2/22/2020 09:30:59 am

We did this 10years ago,and never looked back. I got rid of so much after coming out of a large home and Casita down to 1150 square foot apartment. Don't be afraid to get rid of things you won't even remember you had them once you do it very liberating don't even think I have a junk drawer anymore living with very easy this way and wonderful shut the door leave.
No longer trips to Home Depot for a $10 piece of something coming out with $100 worth of whatever. You will love it, never once have we regretted it

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Karen
2/22/2020 12:12:41 pm

This is all good to hear Marilyn. Thank you for the encouragement. Those are all the reasons that helped us along this decision. I am hoping it will be fun and we will love it, I'm certainly going into it with a very positive attitude. And I am so ready to get rid of furniture and things I don't even like anymore!

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Patricia Broome
2/22/2020 10:38:40 am

How exciting you guys! Looking forward to seeing you and new apartment... xx

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Karen
2/22/2020 12:14:30 pm

Hi Patricia,

We are so excited. We will definately be having a gathering when we get settled, but you are welcome to come by anytime for a cuppa and have a look round. Text me anytime.

Love Karen xxx

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Dolly P
2/22/2020 11:14:08 am

Hello, my dear!
Although we love our home - and it’s only three years old - we see ourselves moving this year, too. We eliminated a lot of extra bulk when we moved here from So Cal, and still periodically make donations as I find more useless (to us) things! Good luck and I hope it’s an easy transition for you! xx

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Karen
2/22/2020 12:17:04 pm

Hello Dolly!
We are beyond excited although I am overwhelmed with clutter as I start to go through twelve years of stagnation at the old house. I will be glad when we are moved in and done with the old! Good luck on your move too, will you be coming closer to Scottsdale?

Karen xx

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Dolly P
2/24/2020 10:36:15 am

Yes, certainly closer than we are out here in the uplands! (We’re not exactly in the sticks but we feel a bit removed from everything). I’ll give you a shout if we find ourselves in your area, would love a meet-up.
Still in the planning stages, waiting for the optimal moment!

xx

Robin link
2/22/2020 02:14:07 pm

How exciting! You really do know when the time is right...we are doing the same this spring. It’s taken 6 yrs to finally come to my senses...and my agent has her fingers crossed I can follow thru this time! Ha! Like you, our home is holding us back..ie pool and on going maintenance. We are looking into townhomes?!?!?
I look forward to reading your posts.
All the best... Robin

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Karen
2/23/2020 07:45:12 am

So we are kind of twinning! Ha ha! I hope you will get as much excitement from it as I have so far Robin. It is such a liberating experience, I will never allow myself to stagnate again due to a home! Now I'm looking forward to being settled in, the actual move and going through all the clutter is not so much fun, but it will be worth it!

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Doris Kubicki
2/22/2020 06:36:00 pm

Enjoyed reading this, Jim and I are in the midst of moving to a big city this late summer. It scared me at first thinking about downsizing and living in a condominium. However the views are exceptional and conveniences around the corner without driving will be great. Best wishes to you for an easy transition.

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Karen
2/23/2020 07:49:43 am

That sounds very exciting Doris. Where we are moving is about as urban as it gets within north Scottsdale to remain close to our work and business, but it certainly is a lot different to what we are used to. I do love the idea of being able to walk to places right from where you live. Good luck with your move. It is very liberating I think!
Karen xox

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Lisa link
2/25/2020 07:26:59 am

I am so excited for you Karen and your new adventure. I am not quite an empty nester but my husband and I sold our family home and moved into a town house this fall. We absolutely love it and my husband loves that he can do yard work in about 15 minutes. No tree trimming in our near future either ( nor pool cleaning)! The best part is close proximity to nearby restaurants, shopping and the library. I can walk everywhere! I can't wait to see pictures of your new home. Congratulations!

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Karen
2/26/2020 04:08:44 pm

Thank you Lisa for your well wishes. I am beyond excited, although this week has been tremendously hard work as we still have the business to run and I have my other work at the retirement community. Instagram has taken a back seat, but we are lucky to have had the time to spread the move out over a period of days. There is still much to do and I am exhausted but in a happy and excited way!
Karen xox

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maricia d c johns link
2/25/2020 12:59:05 pm

Wow, my friend has just downsized because of health reason. She and her hubby seem to love it. Thanks for the great article.

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Karen
2/26/2020 04:11:04 pm

Hi Maricia!

I haven't heard of anyone who hasn't loved it yet. This is very comforting. It's been a tough long week moving over and there is still much to do, but I am excited and still so happy with our decision! Thank you for stopping by the blog!
Karen xox

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    Karen Serino is a life and style blogger, sharing fashion, fitness and fun for youthful women in their forties, fifties and beyond.

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