Leaving Las Vegas
It's official, after 31 years in Las Vegas the wife and I will be moving to Florida to get old and die. We hope to be on the road by November. Although we still like Las Vegas we have seen and done everything here that we want to.
Now the hard part begins. Getting rid of everything that we have accumulated and hopefully taking no more than some clothes and the animals. Sell the house, a car, and just about everything else.
Although the actual journey will not start until November, all of the work starts now.
Quote: DRichNo, not the movie.
It's official, after 31 years in Las Vegas the wife and I will be moving to Florida to get old and die. We hope to be on the road by November. Although we still like Las Vegas we have seen and done everything here that we want to.
Now the hard part begins. Getting rid of everything that we have accumulated and hopefully taking no more than some clothes and the animals. Sell the house, a car, and just about everything else.
Although the actual journey will not start until November, all of the work starts now.
That sounds sad. I have been away from the board, but I seem to remember you having health issues. I hope everything works out well for you, or the best it can. At least we still have a few more months to read your interesting story of life, but you can still keep posting when you get there. Big decision it sounds like. Wishing you well.
-BB
Quote: DRichNo, not the movie.
It's official, after 31 years in Las Vegas the wife and I will be moving to Florida to get old and die. We hope to be on the road by November. Although we still like Las Vegas we have seen and done everything here that we want to.
Now the hard part begins. Getting rid of everything that we have accumulated and hopefully taking no more than some clothes and the animals. Sell the house, a car, and just about everything else.
Although the actual journey will not start until November, all of the work starts now.
God speed. I love Florida. Humidity can be a killer, especially in summer…but obviously you are used to heat.
Where in Florida? I always wanted to live in the keys.
Quote: bobbartopThat sounds sad. I have been away from the board, but I seem to remember you having health issues. I hope everything works out well for you, or the best it can. At least we still have a few more months to read your interesting story of life, but you can still keep posting when you get there. Big decision it sounds like. Wishing you well.
-BB
Thank you for your concern, fortunately our health is currently good. I am pretty sure that I will still be on this forum daily.
Quote: TDVegas
Where in Florida? I always wanted to live in the keys.
Not sure yet, we are looking for houses between Clearwater and Ft Myers. The wife has informed me that we will be living on the Gulf side of the state.
Quote: DRichNot sure yet, we are looking for houses between Clearwater and Ft Myers. The wife has informed me that we will be living on the Gulf side of the state.
I visited Boynton Beach on the Atlantic side every year from the time I was a toddler until the early 80’s. Back in the late 60’s early 70’s it was farmland, mango trees, orange groves and 1 lane roads.
Good times. When I went back years later, it was 4 lane roads and every inch of farmland was gone.
Good luck on gulf side. Probably better than east coast.
Best wishes.
My wife and I did it- got rid of everything and moved 1100 miles to SWFL. It's fabulous.
Quote: GundyYep. Lots of work ahead, but worth it.
My wife and I did it- got rid of everything and moved 1100 miles to SWFL. It's fabulous.
Mine will be about a 36 hour drive if we don't take the pets, much longer if we do.
Good luck on this next phase of your life. And look on the bright side...it's ten times better than moving to Michigan to get old and die.Quote: DRichIt's official, after 31 years in Las Vegas the wife and I will be moving to Florida to get old and die.
I'd move back in a flash if I could.
Quote: speedycrapDont worry, you will be back visiting.
I'm guessing I will be back for a visit at least once a year.
Quote: DRichMine will be about a 36 hour drive if we don't take the pets, much longer if we do.
How many pets are you toting? I did a couple of cross-country stints with pets recently when I moved to California from Tennessee and then back two years later. The pets dictate the trip, as you say.
How can you possibly pull it off in 36 hours?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvV3nn_de2k
Quote: DRichIt's official, after 31 years in Las Vegas the wife and I will be moving to Florida to get old and die. We hope to be on the road by November.
True story.
Quote:
When Daniel Penzing’s real estate agent suggested a $345,000 price tag for his Chicago condo, he balked at the number.
“We told our realtor that we wanted to list our condo 5% above his suggested listing price,” Penzing says. “I knew the market was hot.”
Daniel and his wife Natalia followed their guts, instead listing the property for $379,000. It sold in less than a week for $375,000, a whopping $30K more than their agent’s suggestion — enough to cover his 2% commission and then some.
“The one sentence spoken to our agent pretty much paid for all his services,” says Penzing, an investor and chief editor at personal finance site Maze of our Lives.
The Penzings aren’t the only sellers feeling confident these days. According to a recent survey from listing site Realtor.com, 94% of sellers expect their homes to sell for more than they paid. A full third? They plan to list their home for more than they think it’s worth.
Of course, you could interpret that to mean The home you intend to buy will also be higher.
Quote: redietzHow many pets are you toting? I did a couple of cross-country stints with pets recently when I moved to California from Tennessee and then back two years later. The pets dictate the trip, as you say.
How can you possibly pull it off in 36 hours?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvV3nn_de2k
We have two large dogs and a cat. The driving distance is 36 hours or so but it will take me at least three days to drive it as I am not a young man anymore. I am hoping to fly the pets as I don't want to be cramped in a car with two large dogs for 5 days.
Quote: rxwineMoney Magazine
Of course, you could interpret that to mean The home you intend to buy will also be higher.
Absolutely, homes in Florida seem to be selling at a ridiculous rate just like Las Vegas. I will hopefully sell high and hopefully buy at a price not as ridiculous as I hope to get for mine. The real positive for me is that our current house is large and we are looking for a much smaller home.
Drich, have you thought about renting for the first year or two and give home prices a chance to settle down? This would also give you a chance to get a better feel for the area for deciding where the best place for your home would be.Quote: mcallister3200Only so many people are cut out for the indefinite mobile life, but theoretically one could sell in a crazy market, live the Terapined lifestyle and then buy again when it cools down. But there’s no guarantee for that to happen in anyone’s lifetime either, one would have to be comfortable with and enjoy the mobile lifestyle in the first place.
Welcome to the Sunshine State, neighbor*!
Quote: DRichIt's official, after 31 years in Las Vegas the wife and I will be moving to Florida to get old and die.
... we are looking for houses between Clearwater and Ft Myers. The wife has informed me that we will be living on the Gulf side of the state.
My grandfather spent much of his career working at his employer's headquarters in Wilmington, DE. Early in his life, he anticipated retiring to rural New England, later considered staying in Delaware, but eventually (in his own words) "decided to go to Florida like all of the other old retirees."
He retired in December 1956, but for the previous several years he and my grandmother vacationed on the Gulf Coast of Florida, mostly between Clearwater and Tampa, to get a feel of what community they might like best. My parents, brothers, and I vacationed there with them, and while we spent much of the vacation time on the beaches, each visit involved riding around towns and looking them over.
When we visited in the summer of 1956, my grandparents picked out a house in St. Pete Beach, which is on an island between the Gulf and Boca Ciega Bay. My grandfather lived in that house from the end of 1956 until he died in the summer of 1970. My grandmother continued to live there alone until 1973, when she sold the house and moved to live with my parents in South Carolina for the last four years of her life.
While my grandparents lived in St. Pete Beach, we visited/vacationed with them at least once a year. I spent all of my undergraduate spring breaks at their house, and my eventual bride-to-be joined me for a visit there on one of those breaks. In the ensuing years, I took her and our kids to vacation at the beaches in that string of islands many times. The area has evolved in the past 65 years or so, but I still like it, and I think you will be able to find a very enjoyable environment in which to live your remaining years.
Quote: JoemanDrich, have you thought about renting for the first year or two and give home prices a chance to settle down? This would also give you a chance to get a better feel for the area for deciding where the best place for your home would be.
Welcome to the Sunshine State, neighbor*!Well, you'd actually be 4 hours away from me in Clearwater. Not sure if that would still make us neighbors! ;)
Thanks Joeman, yes we have talked about renting for a year or two but the idea of moving multiple times does not excite me. As of today, our plan is to sell our home and find a fully furnished Airbnb for a month or two while we make cash offers on houses. Then just get everything out of storage and settle in once. Obviously, plans may change in the next few months but that is what we are thinking. I have family in that area so that should make the transition easier.
Quote: DocMy grandfather spent much of his career working at his employer's headquarters in Wilmington, DE. Early in his life, he anticipated retiring to rural New England, later considered staying in Delaware, but eventually (in his own words) "decided to go to Florida like all of the other old retirees."
He retired in December 1956, but for the previous several years he and my grandmother vacationed on the Gulf Coast of Florida, mostly between Clearwater and Tampa, to get a feel of what community they might like best. My parents, brothers, and I vacationed there with them, and while we spent much of the vacation time on the beaches, each visit involved riding around towns and looking them over.
When we visited in the summer of 1956, my grandparents picked out a house in St. Pete Beach, which is on an island between the Gulf and Boca Ciega Bay. My grandfather lived in that house from the end of 1956 until he died in the summer of 1970. My grandmother continued to live there alone until 1973, when she sold the house and moved to live with my parents in South Carolina for the last four years of her life.
While my grandparents lived in St. Pete Beach, we visited/vacationed with them at least once a year. I spent all of my undergraduate spring breaks at their house, and my eventual bride-to-be joined me for a visit there on one of those breaks. In the ensuing years, I took her and our kids to vacation at the beaches in that string of islands many times. The area has evolved in the past 65 years or so, but I still like it, and I think you will be able to find a very enjoyable environment in which to live your remaining years.
What a great family story Doc. My Grandparents lived in Clearwater when I was young so that was also our family vacations.
Great to be closer to family and moving to a place you know well. Are you leaving any family behind?
Things I do not miss about living in Florida:
-Bugs
-Humidity
-Toll roads
-No seasonal weather changes
-Afternoon rain (frequent in the summer)
-Lightning
-Tropical weather events
-Urban sprawl with so many lighted intersections everywhere
-Sinkholes
-People everywhere (the place is crowded)
Obviously, there are a lot a of great things about living there. GL
Quote: KeeneoneNevada will never be the same. :)
Great to be closer to family and moving to a place you know well. Are you leaving any family behind?
Yes, my daughter and Granddaughter will be staying behind. Airplanes are quick now she can be there in five hours to visit and she knows I will pay the bill.
Quote: DRichNow the hard part begins. Getting rid of everything that we have accumulated and hopefully taking no more than some clothes and the animals. Sell the house, a car, and just about everything else.
I would be interested in any updates on getting rid of 31 years of accumulated stuff.
Depending on the quality / value, there are local auction houses that will take entire estates. Neighbor lady paid a service $50 per hour to list and sell things online. The trash everything route is definitely the easiest, but the lowest return.
Quote: TomGI would be interested in any updates on getting rid of 31 years of accumulated stuff.
Depending on the quality / value, there are local auction houses that will take entire estates. Neighbor lady paid a service $50 per hour to list and sell things online. The trash everything route is definitely the easiest, but the lowest return.
Honestly, my wife and I are not really collectors or hoarders. The only big project will be cleaining the garage as it is maninly full of junk and a very few keep sakes. All three spots in the garage are full but it is mostly junk. I have old refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc still in there from when they originally broke.
We will not be taking any furniture, TV's, appliances, etc. Whomever buys my house can have almost all of the furniture, dining tables, bedroom sets, TV's, couches, pool table, patio furniture, etc. if they want them. It is just too expensive to ship things 2000 miles that you don't have an emotional attachment to.
Quote: DRichHonestly, my wife and I are not really collectors or hoarders. The only big project will be cleaining the garage as it is maninly full of junk and a very few keep sakes. All three spots in the garage are full but it is mostly junk. I have old refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc still in there from when they originally broke.
We will not be taking any furniture, TV's, appliances, etc. Whomever buys my house can have almost all of the furniture, dining tables, bedroom sets, TV's, couches, pool table, patio furniture, etc. if they want them. It is just too expensive to ship things 2000 miles that you don't have an emotional attachment to.
People might carry some of that off for free if you advertise it on craigslist.
Also, there may be some really good deals on highrise condos in Florida soon. Especially on older buildings.
Quote: DRichQuote: TomGI would be interested in any updates on getting rid of 31 years of accumulated stuff.
Depending on the quality / value, there are local auction houses that will take entire estates. Neighbor lady paid a service $50 per hour to list and sell things online. The trash everything route is definitely the easiest, but the lowest return.
Honestly, my wife and I are not really collectors or hoarders. The only big project will be cleaining the garage as it is maninly full of junk and a very few keep sakes. All three spots in the garage are full but it is mostly junk. I have old refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc still in there from when they originally broke.
We will not be taking any furniture, TV's, appliances, etc. Whomever buys my house can have almost all of the furniture, dining tables, bedroom sets, TV's, couches, pool table, patio furniture, etc. if they want them. It is just too expensive to ship things 2000 miles that you don't have an emotional attachment to.
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I have a rule, generally speaking….other than keepsakes, if I haven’t used it in 6-12 months…it’s gone. Keeps things manageable.
When I moved out here from NJ, I took furniture. Honestly, in hindsight, it wasn’t worth the shipping costs. I would have donated or gotten rid of it all and started new and fresh out here.
