I've lived in apartments my entire life due to my career choices.
I married in 2019 and my new (and first at 63) husband insisted we buy a condo. I balked at this first big decision we made together, but went along with it in the spirit of compromise.
It's been a difficult lifestyle change for me. We have 2,800 square feet. He's rarely home as he travels.for a living.
I'm grateful we have a beautiful home. There isn't a stick of furniture except a dining room table, 2 partially furnished bedrooms, and 2 office desks.
I simply can't bring myself to spend money on furniture. It's the stranges way I've chosen to live at this stage but the thought of getting into (more) debt keeps me minimal in spending and thinking.
McMansions have never been my thing. They are a trap. I feels homeownership is, also.
I value freedom of movement the most... when my husband retires I'm hoping he will agree to less space and a move to the city.
Hi Patti, check out Facebook marketplace! You have to do some browsing but I set up our five star Airbnb using FBM. It’s not for everyone but if you enjoy the hunt lol there are amazing bargains out there. And, when you have no more need for whatever item, you can resell on FBM.
I live in a 1100-sq-ft condo townhouse with my mom, and I love it. The mortgage is paid, the condo fees cover everything—except shovelling off my car after a snowstorm—and unlike people in condo towers, we have a BACKYARD! The condo fees are far less than the mortgage we were paying (paid bi-weekly to clear it off faster). They are a bit higher than many other condos, since our complex only has 31 units. I should have no problem staying here after my mother passes on (hopefully not for several years yet). We also pay taxes quarterly, but they are low compared to other housing types. No interest at all in moving to a bigger more expensive place, ever.
We were incredibly lucky with real estate as we happened to enter the market in Seattle just as our hometown was beginning its rise to one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. We never bought more than we could afford and thankfully we valued other things way more than a McMansion. (We lived in a sort of coop place styled on European designs and the complete opposite of the typical American dream.
Yet things could've turned out very differently for us if a few things hadn't gone our way -- such as during the 2008 crash. Now I always tell our younger friends, homeownership MIGHT be right for you. But despite what Americans are told, it isn't the only way to live.
I've lived in apartments my entire life due to my career choices.
I married in 2019 and my new (and first at 63) husband insisted we buy a condo. I balked at this first big decision we made together, but went along with it in the spirit of compromise.
It's been a difficult lifestyle change for me. We have 2,800 square feet. He's rarely home as he travels.for a living.
I'm grateful we have a beautiful home. There isn't a stick of furniture except a dining room table, 2 partially furnished bedrooms, and 2 office desks.
I simply can't bring myself to spend money on furniture. It's the stranges way I've chosen to live at this stage but the thought of getting into (more) debt keeps me minimal in spending and thinking.
McMansions have never been my thing. They are a trap. I feels homeownership is, also.
I value freedom of movement the most... when my husband retires I'm hoping he will agree to less space and a move to the city.
Hi Patti, check out Facebook marketplace! You have to do some browsing but I set up our five star Airbnb using FBM. It’s not for everyone but if you enjoy the hunt lol there are amazing bargains out there. And, when you have no more need for whatever item, you can resell on FBM.
I live in a 1100-sq-ft condo townhouse with my mom, and I love it. The mortgage is paid, the condo fees cover everything—except shovelling off my car after a snowstorm—and unlike people in condo towers, we have a BACKYARD! The condo fees are far less than the mortgage we were paying (paid bi-weekly to clear it off faster). They are a bit higher than many other condos, since our complex only has 31 units. I should have no problem staying here after my mother passes on (hopefully not for several years yet). We also pay taxes quarterly, but they are low compared to other housing types. No interest at all in moving to a bigger more expensive place, ever.
Hey Carol, Sounds like you have a solid housing situation. Avoiding that temptation for a bigger house will pay dividends down the road.
BINGO!
So many are fooled into thinking trading up in the housing market is key to financial security and happiness. Thank you for this article.
We were incredibly lucky with real estate as we happened to enter the market in Seattle just as our hometown was beginning its rise to one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. We never bought more than we could afford and thankfully we valued other things way more than a McMansion. (We lived in a sort of coop place styled on European designs and the complete opposite of the typical American dream.
Yet things could've turned out very differently for us if a few things hadn't gone our way -- such as during the 2008 crash. Now I always tell our younger friends, homeownership MIGHT be right for you. But despite what Americans are told, it isn't the only way to live.