Move or stay?

Ah, I see Mynxie. I obviously misunderstood your comment about the extra costs. In that case definitely move but I would suggest getting rid of "stuff". It's hard but be ruthless.

Enjoy your holiday to South America, how exciting.

I can fully understand why you’re feeling torn Mynxie, but I would definitely write out a list of pros and cons and give it an awful lot of thought before deciding (although if you wait too long, the flat you’re considering may sell to someone else!). I would be very cautious about using up most of your savings, as I always think it’s best to leave some money in the bank for a rainy day/holidays/repairs etc etc. On the subject of storage, do you really need or use all of the items that you have? Could you have a bit of a clear out in your own flat to negate the need for more storage? Having said all that, the next door flat does sound very appealing (and all on one level) and needs to be very seriously considered. Do you have any close family members/friends who can give you an opinion. Best of luck - you have a big decision to make! Having read your post again, the flat you’re in now sounds as if it is not as accessible as the flat you’re considering. Think of the long term - the stairs/steps are ok for you at the moment, but will that always be the case?!

Thanks all

It’s more a case of having plenty of built in storage where we are at the moment but none next door. It would have to be put in but wouldn’t be a massive problem. It certainly doesn’t need a new kitchen or bathroom. The depletion of savings would be due to the difference in price between the two apartments but we know enough to keep money in reserve in case of emergencies

I think we’ve decided that to move now would be best, we’ve seen others in our development struggling with stairs and would rather have the disruption now than in 10 years time when I’m sure everything will be harder.

flappergirl we are also mindful that we need to do as much travelling as we can whilst we are still fit enough to enjoy it - in fact, I’m off to South America in a few weeks to belatedly celebrate my 70th - somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit but never imagined I would!

Again, thanks for all your views and advice. Sometimes a completely unbiased point of view is actually more helpful than that of friends and family

I would advise moving but I don't understand why decorating is going to wipe out your savings. Sounds a bit drastic. Do you mean you'll have to fit a new kitchen and bathroom etc. Can you tolerate the existing ones or even "tart them up"? At 70, which I nearly am, I'd far rather spend my money on nice holidays and enjoying life whilst I can, rather than a new kitchen. I suppose it's a bit different if you do a lot of entertaining and everyone's priorities are different obviously.

move next door

PS: the usual advice on such a dilemma is to make a decision, sit on it overnight, and then see how you are feeling about it.

Mynxie - without knowing what kind of stuff you want to store, it's difficult to say, but I would be thinking of large floor-to-ceiling cupboards in your spare room, under-the-bed storage and ottomans / window seats.
I cannot emphasise enough though that you need to get advice on the stairlift if you are contemplating staying.

sodapop

In that case Mynxie I would bite the bullet and move to the bigger apartment. You can sort our the storage issues gradually. Good luck.

I agree, buy it! Put in a lower offer and see what happens.

I would also buy the larger flat provided it didn’t eat too much into my savings. You say ‘it would nearly clear us out’, which is worrying - we never know what’s round the corner and possibly private healthcare might be needed at some point. Also, living in a flat it’s always possible that a very large service charge demand could land if the development isn’t being well managed with a good sinking fund - living in a freehold property you can decide what to have done, when and by whom.

On the subject of service charges, if these are calculated on a square footage basis you will be paying more for the larger flat.

We always write out a list of pros and cons before making major decisions. Then you can see them all on one sheet of paper and add to them over a few days. Otherwise you only remember some of them.

Definitely move! Good luck

I would move to the bigger flat before you are pushed into having to move.

Go with your gut Mynxie. I live in an extremely spacious and well appointed 1st floor flat. I had it completed gutted and updated which cost me a small fortune.

I now have osteoarthritis in my spine and I have to open my front door, then open the communal hallway door, go down the stairs, open the main front door, down a concrete step, walk across the courtyard and then across the garage block to get to my car. And that's without the number of times I have to go down and back up with the rubbish. There's no way I can do any decent amount of shopping as I can't carry it all the way up to my flat so I'm dependant on home delivery. I frequently talk myself out of going out as I'm in pain by the time I get in the car. So I'm becoming too isolated.

So after a lot of thought, I've bought a bungalow. It's smaller than my flat with way less storage space so I'll have to sacrifice some furniture and other belongings. It is however nearer to my family which is a huge plus, but it does need work doing to it which I know will be frustrating but I'm going to grit my teeth. The garage is accessible from the front door, the back door and the back garden. I can potter in the garden (it even has a little greenhouse and a potting shed) but have people lined up to do general maintenance and the donkey work.

I've spent many a sleepless night wondering if I'm doing the right thing. But before my divorce I lived in a 4 bedroomed detached house with a study and utility room - I then moved into a 2 bedroomed 2nd floor flat, but I soon got used to it.

Only you know what is right for you and if it feels right - do it. But I wonder if it does feel "right" if you are asking others (and let's face it, strangers, but in the nicest possible way!) for their opinions?

Good luck whatever you decide!

In that case Mynxie I would bite the bullet and move to the bigger apartment. You can sort our the storage issues gradually. Good luck.

Thank you all
A lift wouldn’t be possible but we have thought of a stairlift as an option

When I say ‘bigger’ I mean considerably so, an extra room and bigger bedrooms as well as a kitchen diner probably twice the size of ours.
The savings wouldn’t be entirely depleted, we would make sure we had enough left to live comfortably and cover any emergencies .

I did say at the beginning that I do appreciate this is a very nice problem to have and that I know how fortunate we are to be in this position

Don’t think stairlift, have a look at a proper lift. Might be a bigger investment but so much more use in the long term.

PS: have just seen that the flat you're considering is 'bigger' - I am sure that when doing it up you can sort out some storage.

So these are the issues:
1. savings
2. stairlift?
3. storage

I would be wary of cutting savings to the bone, unless you have a reliable income - can you build up savings from your pensions?
2. Rather than assume that you could install a stairlift I would get a company out to have a look - some stairs are not suitable, and a price estimate would be useful in your calculations.
Be aware that some problems in the future may mean you can't even use a stairlift (but that may well be a risk you're happy to take)
3. I assume you've had a serious look at your 'stuff'. I'm tempted to suggest a storage unit, as I know that is how a lot of city dwellers manage, but I assume you've considered the downside of that. I am always astonished at how much stuff can be crammed in to small and imaginative storage spaces, do you know someone who might give you some ideas?
Good luck

Put a stairlift in when it becomes necessary.

Is there any scope for installing a lift in or to your current apartment?