Lifestyle Change

[Birdhunter]

My wife and I have looked at some very nice retirement residences. We have backed away for several reasons. One big reason is my woodworking hobby and extensive shop.

I doubt we can stay in our home “forever”, but woodworking is a passion I don’t want to give up. Yet, I know at some point, staying here may not be possible.

What have others done?

 

[jeffinsgf]

Don't know what you're looking for or where, but a lot of retirement communities have community-shared woodworking shops.

 

[ChuckM]

I know of at least one retirement place here that has a workshop for its residents. I think my passion for woodworking will be "switched" off when physically I'm about to be too weak or my eyesight is too poor -- at whatever that age may be. I'd rather not woodwork than produce lousy pieces that are eye sores to myself. I sign my work, and I don't want my name "tarnished" by a poor build. [big grin]

Before the pandemic, this is what was posted by the shop management at the retirement center:

Members: a daily charge of $1 per hour. Woodcarvers: Fridays, $1 per hour.

 

[sancho57]

Im guessing it mainly depends on where you plan on retiring. Here in Az we have huge retirment communites with lots of amenities for retirees.

[member=2912]Don T[/member]

who posts here HOA has a community workshop.

He also has a wood shop in his garage.

Though not ideal its doable.

Maybe he will chime in

 

[grbmds]

My wife and I have discussed and looked and came to the conclusion that we gain nothing at this point by moving. We both need space that is hard to come by in anything but a single family house; me for my workshop (which, at the least would require downsizing if we moved) and she for a studio or room for he polymer clay jewelry business/art/hobby. Her space is easier to get as she mostly just needs a dedicated room. A woodworking shop, especially one with stationary power tools, isn't.

So, for now, since we don't have a mortgage and could, if necessary, hire out to do the yard work and snow removal, we gain nothing by moving. Of course, we are both healthy, mobile, and able to do all the things that a house requires.

Moving to a place where there is a community shop may work, but I am a member of a woodworking guild which meets at an area community woodworking shop. It would be a big adjustment for me, sharing tools and encountering the inevitable tool which hasn't been maintained.

I identify completely with your difficult decision. It's one that surfaces for me quite often throughout the year.

 

[Bob D.]

"we gain nothing by moving."

We are looking hard at moving out of NJ once the wife can retire which will be less than 18 months from now.

NJ taxes and car insurance are crazy. Yes, I would have to give up all my shop space which takes up half of a 4 car garage plus space in the basement for a small shop and my Ham Shack. That's another hobby that doesn't fit well into a retirement village. Usually the HOA rules forbid antennas except for TV and dishes which the FCC says can't be blocked by HOA or any other rule, regs, or local law.

Wife can get by with a spare bedroom for her quilting so she is not really affected as long as there is a spare bedroom.

We figure we could save at least $8k a year if we were in FL, and no snow or cold WX to boot.

 

[dltflt]

I have a complete woodshop in our community for $40/year. They supply glue and sandpaper. I still have all my Festools at the house but if I need a planer or drum sander it’s available.

 

[grbmds]

Illinois income taxes aren't high, but they're even lower for retired people who receive pension payments - No tax.

Moving out of state would most likely decrease our available income.

 

[Birdhunter]

I keep all my tools and machines pristine. It would be painful to see them misused. I love to teach people to do woodworking. I’ve started several people in the hobby. In some cases, I’ve given them tools.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Birdhunter,

Just sharing a shop at work with other "professionals",  I feel your pain. Nothing is ever maintained or aligned the way I would do it.

That said, I've visited and made presentations at several retirement community shops. The very best of them have someone like you who takes charge of the shop and makes sure things are as they should be. From reading your posts here for several years, I can visualize you in that role.

 

[Birdhunter]

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[Thompmd]

It’s interesting when I saw the title I quickly read hoping for this lol. Most of what I was going to mention has already been said.

My take from reading was your not ready today!

I’m a big believer in “you’ll know” when it’s time. Our neighbors are in this very spot, just turned 72 Thursday . They built their current home(log cabin)20yrs ago with the intention of staying forever meaning wider hallways ,wider doorways, no basement etc knowing these days were coming.

She’s afraid something will happen to him and be stuck with everything and it’s quickly becoming more than he can do. I hope we’ve convinced them to hire stuff out for a year and see how that goes but he’s a big PIA in controlling how he wants done lol.

Part of it is mental because they know once they go.... there not coming back.

Good luck w your decision , your in the Captains Seat, enjoy.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Birdhunter,

Just sharing a shop at work with other "professionals",  I feel your pain. Nothing is ever maintained or aligned the way I would do it.

That said, I've visited and made presentations at several retirement community shops. The very best of them have someone like you who takes charge of the shop and makes sure things are as they should be. From reading your posts here for several years, I can visualize you in that role.

That is the exact reason that I have most of the equipment that I do at my work. I have faaar more than would be "required" of a new hire to do what I do. It just works better for my own sanity to have  the things I prefer in my own area. I don't ever have to re-adjust/re-calibrate/repair the abuses of others. Nor do I have to hunt down what I need, I know exactly where mine is.

 

[Alanbach]

[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member] - You are probably way ahead of me on this but if I were you, now, while the need is not urgent, I would be looking around for alternate possibilities. One example would be to identify maker spaces in the area, go on a tour, learn their rates, maybe even join for a month or two to get a real world feel for what it’s like and how good or bad the experience is for you. You could also look for volunteer workshops. I volunteer at a large church in my area that has a very large, well equipped shop. I still have my own shop which I definitely prefer but if I ever needed to move and sell my stuff, I know that I could still go there and woodwork. In my case that shop manager encourages this and give trusted volunteers keys and access to the shop anytime. The option of communities that have communal workshops has already been mentioned. My point is to use the time that you have now while a move is not eminent to explore the possibilities and strive to find the least disturbing option.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

"The least disturbing option".....now that's a good one.

 

[RustE]

Around me, northeast Ohio, there are housing developments specifically targeted towards older folks.  The houses are typically a ranch layout and the exterior maintenance is handled by the HOA crew.  I think most have basements that could work as a shop, although adding an exterior door and Bilco doors might be necessary.  Not sure what an HOA would think of a separate building out back.  Maybe try going with an extra deep garage if building from scratch?

 

[FestitaMakool]

Birdhunter,

I think you just made the vital summary in your OP.
It’s your passion. We know ourselves best, and being passionate about a hobby gives a lot back, more so, also to the ones we have close to us. I know that I like having control of what I do, not leaving tools or anything that I care for in the hands of others, unless I know they treat them as I do. Being able to have a workshop, close, means you’ll probably can walk a few feet and practice your hobby even for as little as an half an hour, sometimes many hours more, sometimes even less than the half hour. I suppose you get in better mood, just swinging by your shop, do some thinking and maybe do nothing - but you know it’s there, within arms reach.

Downsizing is an alternative, but keeping the essentials would be vital for me. I’ve noticed my own grandparents, my father being passionate about their hobbies and interests up until right before passing away, I’ve seen how important interests impact life quality, including myself.

If it is important for you to leave an ongoing work like this in the evening:
[attachimg=1]

.. And then pick up the tools next day, or any day after of your liking, I think you’ll have the answer.

Being able to use the body, let the back hurt a little, get sour muscles as long as one does not do something really stupid, I think the body and mind will be grateful in the long run. (We do not register a tiring body when we are occupied and in the flow...  [wink])

 

[peter halle]

[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member] , I rarely talk about it but I own a company that has managed HOAs for twenty years.  I will offer this advice based on seeing hundreds in your situation.  I offer this freely and with total respect.

You are not ready to move into a retirement community yet.  Save yourself money and outsource the grass cutting, mulching, pressure washing, painting, etc.  You will save yourself money and possibly ease your mind if you can find reputable contractors.  That is another story, but they are out there.  Why move into a place and then have to pay a fee which includes paying a guy like me?  Note, I have clients who have been with me for 20 years so my company is a rarity in that I don't look at profit (that is stupid).

I would not upset the applecart before outsourcing in your situation if you are happy overall with where you live.

Peter

 

[Birdhunter]

My wife and I have decided that staying in our home as long as possible is a good alternative to assisted living. The place we looked at seriously is beautiful and has splendid amenities. But, the amenities are not those that appeal to us. The fees are about the same as our costs, but we choose what to buy as services. The costs are ours to control, not some management firm.

Assisted living is a great option for many people, but not for us at this point.

 

[ChuckM]

Health is likely the deciding factor when it comes to assisted living.

I know a woodworker in his mid 80s with good health. He does "light" woodworking given his age while his wife quilt work, living in the same house that has raised his family of two children. He has no plans to move out or downsize (in his days, houses were not built overly huge to start with).