Grand Blanc Senior Center Comforts of Condo Living YouTube

Tending To Your Empty Nest

Seven years ago, my husband and I were informed by my parents that they “had mowed their lawn for the last time”. This comment would not seem out of place since they were in their mid-70’s and were ready to scale back on the day to day responsibilities of a home and yard.

The alarming aspect of their decision was due to a commitment I had made several years earlier. I had told them when they were ready to move, my husband and I would purchase a duplex condominium and become their wall mates. In our mid- 50’s, we did not feel ready to give up our independence and adopt a new lifestyle, but a promise is a promise.

In retrospect, it was the best move we could have made. We were confirmed empty nesters with vacation property that we had to schedule to visit. We scheduled based on the chores we had to accomplish at home and a very large yard that required weekly attention. Now as "almost" retirees, we love the gift of time that we have gained by going condo.

Rather than scheduling an evening to mow, we have time to entertain our grandchildren. We do not have to be a burden to our grown children requesting help cleaning the eaves or reaching the high point on the house with a paint brush or the ever popular request of cutting down overgrown trees and shrubs. The community we chose to join does allow us to develop and maintain the flower beds around our unit, so I can still exploit my green thumb urges.

We have given up the responsibility for building and yard maintenance and assumed the responsibility to pay a very minor share for others to perform those tasks. I am also assured that our community will continue to be a place of choice for others to also become members, thus protecting our financial investment. I have been told by someone much wiser than me that life is always a matter of making good choices. I think we have made a very wise choice.

I recently had the honor of presenting to members of the Grand Blanc Senior Center during one of their weekly pot luck lunches. I was happy to give a brief discussion of the benefits of Condo Life. I shared the stage with Rob Bennett of Bennett Answering Service who discussed the benefits having a live person to check in on you every day. This is a new service they are developing for the senior market.

Head over to our YouTube page to see a short video of the presentation.