Purchasing my own property after divorce at 50

Do it or regret it is my view ... a few of your own adopted animals will be lovely, but don't get too carried away.

Generating income from a glamping pod is also a good idea, but as said above will need planning, but lots of people do it.

Unlikely to lose a lot of money on it should you need to sell, so if it were me and it would make me happier, go for it!

Do what you know will make you happy the less stress the better.
If rescuing animals is your thing then go for it!
You sound a little like me out early quick shop back home lock the door and know I'm not going to be hassled by anyone.
I got divorced in my fifties and decided for my own reasons to take the road that meant I only got half of our home when it was sold.
I ended up with enough to buy a small apartment close to two friends and now I have itchy feet but unsure where I want to go and leave my only two friends behind.
Good luck

ceejayjay You certainly have your supporters here but I’m going to be in the other camp for starters.

I’m trying to read between your lines and I think, in your heart, you desire to do an animal rescue operation. We don’t know to what scope this will be, but I do know that taking in any extra animals - whether ownership, foster/adoption, boarding - is very co$tly. $o plea$e think about that!

I have a friend who is on the spectrum, a real animal lover. She’s never satisfied unless she takes on another dog… has four Great Danes… and up to three cats… all indoors… inside suburban city limits. Neighbors are talking and becoming concerned with issues.

This new property is more rural, it may not be a problem, but you do want and need the support of your neighbors and local constituency, not against you.

Plan this wisely
USA Gundy

Personally I'd confine rescuing to just one or two animals, dogs or cats that needed love and care. More likely to be able to give them a stable life than lots of animals that are expensive to feed and keep which might lead to you running out of funds and having to make horrible decisions about their future. Even fostering dogs that are hard to rehome and socializing them so they can move on to permanent homes might be very rewarding and allows you to make a real difference to an animals life and future. Even established rescue charities are having difficulty these days as their funds dry up while demand increases. If you have mental health issues and also work you need to self-care and not push yourself too far and whatever you do needs to be manageable. I've had a miserable depressed rescue labrador who eventually became a happy family dog but it took over a year for him to learn to play and enjoy his life, you can do such a lot for just one animal who needs you.

If you are rescuing more than one or two animals you will probably need some sort of licence from the local authority; please check on that before going ahead since you don't want a lawsuit!

Germanshepherdsmum

A change of use of land, say from garden or amenity land to use as holiday accommodation requires planning permission unless the land is used in this way for no more than 28 days a year.

Thank you - that is very useful - and apologies to ceejay for slightly hi-jacking the thread - I hope you have plenty of food for thought from wise GNers

A change of use of land, say from garden or amenity land to use as holiday accommodation requires planning permission unless the land is used in this way for no more than 28 days a year.

GSM - I don't know the legal position - and am not quite sure what to Google - but there are folk around here who put up sheds / bring in caravans or similar with no need for planning permission (I am told) then put them on Airb'n'b. I understand this may be more regulated in future, but doesn't seem to be at the moment.
Rather off-topic - but one couple 3 doors from me knocked down a wall that is hundreds of years old ( like Trigger's broom, it has been re-made a lot, but all local stone). They sold the stone to architectural salvage and have a shed on Airb'n'b that overlooks 3 cottages. Planning say there is nothing to be done.
I know you're not going to do that ceejay, but am wondering about the planning situation (although I always defer to GSM's advice!)

I'd also say that a close member of my family has the kind of small 'rescue' collection that you mention ceejay. It has actually cost them a lot of money!
There are people around who will help with the animals when they go away (and actually, lots of folk like getting the eggs in return for chicken care) but it does need planning.

I am inclined to agree with GMS it is a lovely idea but is it practical?

I am aware I am a lot older than you are but semi-rural bothers me because at my time of life, I like to be near shops, dentists, GP etc.
If for any reason you were hospitalised who would care for the animals? I would happily look after and feed indoor cats and dogs but I would draw the line at chickens etc.
It is a lovely dream but I would think twice about the extra £100K especially if it meant me having to work for longer.
Good luck.

You would also need planning permission for using the land for a camping pod/railway carriage for holidaymakers and remember they would need water and sanitary facilities which would be expensive to provide. If you’re getting a mortgage you would also need the lender’s permission to use your property for anything other than a private dwelling.

I understand the dream, but you need to be sure that this property stacks up and is affordable (including any work that needs doing) without adding more than a few chickens (and I mean a few, and definitely no cockerels if you have a neighbour). Anything that generates income is going to be dependent on planning and mortgage lender’s consent. I think you might be letting your dream get in the way of reality. Ending up strapped for cash in a rural area - or anywhere - is a miserable existence.

Please do factor in that the house may or may need in the future repair work on say the roof, damp courses, windows, boiler, electrical re wiring etc.

Have a really thorough valuation of the property which will alert you to the :probably needing to be dones".

Because if you would be at your borrowing limit now there will be a lot of worry in terms of shelling out for those.

Of course you can change your mind and re-sell, in which case consider if it would be a reasonably easy sell in terms of its attractiveness. Ie near enough to shops, GP, other amenities.

Morning 😊

Thanks for all your replies really appreciated.

I think I may of not said what I expect my animal rescue to look like. It will just basically be a few personal animal adoptions for myself to take care of for life. I wouldn’t expect my neighbours to put up with a sanctuary popping up next door. There’s just 1 neighbour then surrounded by fields. Was thinking on the lines of what Nannarose said about the land generating income itself & I definitely saw potential for a camping pod/railway carriage down the bottom of the garden with a separate entrance from the house 😊

The first problem I can see is that if you move into this property and don’t get Planning Permission for the Animal rescue what will you do? Planning permission doesn’t come cheap these days with all of the searches you have to carry out and you will already be paying an extra £100k for the property.

Why not volunteer at an animal rescue instead? They are crying out for help (financial and hands on)

Of course if money isn’t an issue then you could go for the property and enjoy living in it whatever happens to your Planning application.

A very good idea to look again - there are some 'amber flags' here.
You have some health problems
You are in your 50s, not old, but 'time limited'!
You are completely reliant on your own earnings to cover this.

I would be looking at this property on its own merits, and not connected with rescuing animals at first.
I'd be wondering if the property itself could generate any income - taking in a lodger being an obvious example.

I know a few people who run animal rescues of various kinds, and they are all a drain on resources. So you would have a mortgage to cover and animals to worry about, with a need to work full time - and look after your health.

Whilst I agree that in principle, you can always sell, it can be daunting and upsetting.

If you do go ahead, I would consider - as well as your poultry - contacting an animal charity locally, to see if you could offer the use of your land and time to them - which would minimise the risk to you.

I would talk this over with your daughter, and any other close friend that you trust. I wish you luck, whatever you choose!

ceejayjay, oh good, I'm glad to hear that. What with working full time, MH problems - and the possibility that living costs will continue to rise - you really don't need the added stress of being strapped for cash.

I've been there and it was so hard for a few years. It would be even worse now - when I'm older, so do think ahead too.

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice.

I was just thinking of starting small with a few chickens & ducks and see how that goes first. I 100% agree that you cannot rely on others to help you when lots of people are struggling at the moment. I will spend some time tomorrow going over my budgets again 😊

It sounds wonderful, but do take the time to really consider all the pros and cons. It won’t be cheap, there will be many hidden costs. Also, please don’t rely on this network of online animal lovers. They may well support you, but it’s you who will be shelling out the money to furnish your dream - can you afford it, and still get by for you. If you can, go for it, but for heavens sake, don’t rely on others to help out, especially on line folks you don’t really know.

Many here are saying “go for it”, but they are not you in your position, so before you do, please do your homework. Seek proper financial advice. It’s not going to be cheap - can you absolutely fund it, and factor in the “down times”? If yes, then by all means, do it. If this raises questions in your mind, listen to those questions and bide your time awhile.

Good luck.

ceejayjay, it's a lovely idea but you need good advice on exactly how to fund it. Your comment:

' I also have a massive network of online animal lovers who are all of a similar mind to me'

made me think 'Yes, but would they put their money where their mouths are - and actually contribute to the running costs? I doubt it. You may well have willing volunteers but without funds you can't do it.

Animal rescues are having a very tough time because people don’t have spare money to donate. It’s a lovely idea but food and vet’s bills can be crippling. Also you would need planning permission to start up this sort of enterprise. If there are neighbours they may well object.

Hi ceejayjay, I honestly think that taking a little more time to adjust and 'settle' may be good .After all property prices are not going upwards any time soon and there will always be new ones coming on the market. Its quite difficult to process all of the pros and cons of all of the options open to us especially if 100k is involved! Wishing you all the best for the future, take care x

Yes.. follow your dream..

Theexwife

If it doesn’t work out you could sell, properties rarely go down in value.

Go for it, maybe the only chance you get to follow your dream.

Thankyou your right 😊

Shinamae

100% go for it…😁

Thankyou 😊

Abitbarmy

Absolutely. Go for it!

Thankyou

Casdon

It’s a lovely dream, but I’d think very hard before I did stretch myself, because I wouldn’t want to be forced to work for more years because of my mortgage.

You need to factor in all the additional running costs of running a rescue service too, because it will fall to you to pick up vets bills, food bills etc. I must admit that I’ve known a few people who run animal rescues, and they are all outgoing types, because you have to be so you can fundraise to keep the ship afloat - would that suit you?

Thankyou. When I say dream I think a better way to describe is all I want out of life. I was planning on funding the rescues myself but I also have a massive network of online animal lovers who are all of a similar mind to me.