Salemtowne Move-in

I got a call from Salemtowne Retirement Community on 4 NOV 18 that an apartment in the style I wanted in the location I wanted was available, so I accepted it. Since then, I have been as busy as a beaver in a virgin forest. My move-in day was 12 FEB 19 and I am almost fully settled in. My house closes on 25 FEB 19.

Transition update

Renovations to the apartment in Salemtowne are on schedule; all kitchen appliances are being replaced with stainless steel, new washer/dryer, quartz countertops, new paint, new flooring, new doors and hardware, crown molding, new bath fixtures, etc. Most of the old stuff looked new, but it's all being replaced.

I've visited, measured, photographed, and graphed about every inch of the apartment to see what would fit where, how it would function, how it would look, etc.

My sisters and I have done a lot of furniture shopping. My current furniture is still like new but since I'm transitioning into another phase of life, I decided to get new furniture. My final choice Kincaid's Foundry style for the bedroom set and the living room entertainment console, end table, and cocktail table and The Nook style for the dining table and chairs. The sleeper sofa and recliner are from Lazy Boy. My den will be my office so I choose a large Magellan Performance L-shape desk and bookcase from Office Depot. I'm donating my Wavemaster punching bag and other exercise equipment to Salemtowne; that way everyone will get to use the equipment (including me) and it won't be taking up space in the apartment. I'll store my bicycle on the balcony using a bike cover.

I set up a temporary photography area and photographed all my martial arts trophies and plaques, and then trashed them. I went through hundreds of 35mm slides and photos, kept the ones with people I knew, and trashed all the ones of places. Big Ben looks the same today as it did 40 years ago so I can just use the internet for memories. I went through every closet, cabinet, drawer, and box and donated or trashed everything I didn't need or haven't used in years. I've still got the furniture, tools, and lawn equipment to deal with.

My dog Fuji is starting to look worried about being next but he's a keeper.

Present and future planning

Things I am doing in preparation for my move from a house to an apartment in a retirement community.

There is a lot involved with any move but your final independent living move has a lot more things to consider than a normal move. Every decision you make must take into consideration how you want to live now, while also considering how each decision will affect your living as you get older and frailer. If you don't consider these things now, you will have to deal with the consequences later when you may not be healthy enough to deal with them by yourself.

Savers will understand

I signed the reservation agreement for my apartment in Salemtowne so I'm now committed to the move. As it is with anyone moving to a CCRC, there is a lot I have to do in preparation for the move. I have to downsize, consider all I need and don't need due to the lifestyle change, and then prepare the house for selling and put it on the market. All that keeps you busy every day, but for some of us, there is another is another concern. The reality of having to spend the money you have saved just for this occasion. When you are a dedicated, lifelong saver, spending is painful and keeps you awake at night second-guessing all your decisions.

I got the call!!

After 35 years of planning for retirement living, 5 years of touring retirement communities in the triad area and lots of research and analysis on the subject, I finally got the call.

In February 2019, I will be moving into the Salemtowne Retirement Community in Winston-Salem NC.

I will be posting updates (under the My Quest topic in the menu) about my experiences during my transition from a house to an apartment in an independent living retirement community. Once I move in, I'll be adding more information to the blog about what its like to live in a CCRC and I'll create a page of tips for Salemtowne residents, some of which may be useful for residents of other CCRCs.