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should I move?

(34 Posts)
Artdecogran Sat 17-Aug-19 10:12:51

I wonder if you wise people could help me make a decision about what I should do next please. I will try to be succinct but it's a long story. I am 60 with poor mobility and my husband of 40 years died just before christmas 2018. He had been ill with stage 4 cancer for 7 years and whilst I had a few weeks of grief it all seemed to pass very quickly. I spent the first 3 months emptying our large house of everything I could and putting my house on the market which we had been planning for 13 years! I have 3 grown up sons all of whom are wonderful in their different ways. Now the crux of the matter is that I sold the house in 3 days! Not what I was expecting at all. I have found a small bungalow to move to but my heart isn't really in it, it's an okay house in an okay place near to where I am now. I must say at this stage that apart from my son who lives locally I have no friends at all and do not go out except to doctors. My husband didn't like people and all the friends I had as a mum have moved away. My youngest son lives about 1/2 hour away from me, in an area I don't know. He has a lovely wife and 2 sons aged 6 and 2 and we get on really well. The plan was for me to buy a house in their area and we would all move in together, but I really don't know what to do. Live on my own with my 2 cats that I recently got and struggle physically but have peace and quiet and control of my life or move in with son and have support but lose autonomy. His oldest child is autistic but very high functioning and we get on really well and his other child is just a funny delight. I could help with child care to a limited degree, at the minute my son is a stay at home dad but is looking to go back to work so I could help there. Moving in together will also take up all my house sale moneyas the area is very expensive and just leave me a little capital whereas if I moved to the bungalow it would give me a nice lump sum. My son is living in a cramped 2 bed flat and I would like to give the boys some garden and space to run about in. I am flipping backwards and forwards deciding one thing and another but iI need to make my mind up as the legal process has sstarted on buying the bungalow. I really feel like pulling out of it all but with my sons saying the house is too much maintainence and I need a property without stairs and having to climb into the bath for a shower I really have no choice. What would you all suggest? Thanks for reading the long post much appreciated.

Minniemoo Sat 17-Aug-19 23:06:16

I would never like to tell anyone what to do but the moving in with family makes me feel uncomfortable.

I've known many people do it and 9 times out of 10 it ends in disaster.

You, of course, could be the 1 in 10 it works for though!

CocoPops Sun 18-Aug-19 01:21:56

Your heart isn't in buying the bungalow so I don't that is the right decision.
However, you have a buyer for your house which is a great start on your journey. You could go ahead with the sale and rent somewhere.
Then I think your first priority is to look for a property you really like and which is suitable for your disability.
I emigrated and lived with family while looking for a place of my own. The family were great but I really missed my independence and being boss of my own place!
Now I live close by which I find ideal. I am independent.I help out with my grandchildren and they are often here.
Last year I had an accident and was incapacitated for a few weeks. I was very fortunate because my adult child and spouse walked my dog every morning and got my groceries and sometimes they left my grandchildren here just to provide me with some company. It works well. We help each other out but don't live in each others pockets. We have our separate social lives and some different interests.
So, in a nutshell, I advise retaining your independence and your financial independence too. Take your time, there's no need to rush into anything. If you rent you should be in a good buying position. Do let us know how it goes.

Grandma2213 Sun 18-Aug-19 02:23:23

I have a DS living with me and also 3 DGC for part of the week. He has just bought a house (2 months ago) and is 'doing it up'. I can hardly wait for him to move out though even then I will still have to have DGC a lot when he works plus picking up, dropping off for schools and clubs.

Imagine my horror last week when DS1 and partner (6 month baby) became interested in the house next door but one. Hopefully it is out of their price range. Then today DS2 and partner (DGDs 12 and 10) had a viewing of a house about 4 minutes walk away.

Although I am quite independent now at 72 I know this may change over the next 10 years but 10/15 minutes drive away where they currently are is perfectly convenient for me.

I know everyone is different but Artdecogran there are lots of good suggestions on here for you and I believe you should take your time until you are quite sure of the decision you want to make. Good luck.

TwiceAsNice Sun 18-Aug-19 09:22:37

I bought a flat on the next street to my daughters houses. I keep my independence but am near enough to see them most days and help out with the grandchildren . It works well.

I lived 5 months with one daughter as flat (new build) was delayed. We get on really well and she was in work all day but it was still nice when I could move into my own space.

I rented whilst deciding what to do that worked well for me

sodapop Sun 18-Aug-19 10:07:24

I agree with everyone else artdecogran it's too soon to make such a radical decision. Are you able to rent somewhere while you have time to grieve and think about your future. Consider carefully before agreeing to move in with family. Their lives can change and they may want to move on. You sound like an independent lady who values her own space, don't give this up lightly.
I wish you well whatever you decide.

luluaugust Mon 19-Aug-19 09:47:25

O'h Grandma2213 you have made me smile, thanks.

Grandma2213 Tue 20-Aug-19 01:29:55

lulu pleased to have made you smile. DS2 put in a very much reduced offer on the 4 minutes away house and today rang me to say that to his surprise it has been accepted! There is still a survey to be done though and we do live in a historically coal mining area so there is some hope underground! hmm

BlueBelle Tue 20-Aug-19 04:34:09

I m in agreement with most on here it’s too soon it’s a decision made in a flap
I love all my children very very much but I would ruin that relationship if I lived with any of them We are all quite strong minded and it would go pear shape I know. I know some people manage it fine but I need my dependence. We would drive each other mad

You speak of three sons but only mention two as to proximity I totally agree that to buy a house that one inherits and not the other two is unfair and will cause rifts I would imagine
Mobility issues do not mean you have to move, with stairlifts and a wet room instead of a bathroom you could be fine and you can often get grants to help with these things
I couldn’t move twice ie renting temporarily as I find all that upheaval would totally wipe me out Moving is such a stressful thing to do
Personally I would go back to the beginning and rethink it all neither sounds the right solution to me but huge Good Luck for the future which ever way it goes and make some new friends now that you can x