Bethel lived alone in her home for 34 years before deciding to downsize into a senior living community. Her home filled with personal belongings — both hers and those of her deceased siblings. She tried to give items away to her grown children and grandchildren, but they either didn’t need them or they lived too far away to make arrangements for getting them.
Referred by Bethel’s senior living community, our team learned a lot about Bethel during our initial consultation. She told us that she had always been a very social person and enjoyed the company of others a great deal. Since her husband’s passing, she had become less active in community activities. Many of Bethel’s friends had either moved away or died in the last couple of years and she missed being around people.
“I used to think that I would never move out of my house. To be honest, living independently was something that I took great pride in. Now I realize that what is truly important is being connected with others. I guess if I was content with just watching TV and reading all day, I would stay here, but if I have to stop driving at some point [I already don’t like driving at night] I want to be somewhere that I am around people. Besides, living at the retirement community really is going to make me more independent. I won’t have to depend on people to take care of maintenance on my home, the yard, and appliances that break down. Instead, I can just call the management if I need something done. After fifty plus years of home ownership, I think I am just tired of being responsible for a house. This is a job for younger people.”
Mature Moves OKC helped Bethel with all the moving arrangements, including sorting, packing, moving, holding an estate sale, and organizing her new apartment.
“I didn’t have to do a thing!” Bethel recalls.
Choosing a spacious apartment opening to a private courtyard and facing the gazebo-style library, Bethel says, “Living here is like being on vacation.” After her move, the home was placed on the market and our team sold it within 3 weeks.
The new owners were so excited to have a place of their own. Here is what they said, “We could tell when we walked in that this home had been cared for and that a lot of love was present here. Even though it needs some paint and a little bit of TLC, it is the perfect place for us to raise our two girls and to create family memories. We want to add to the ones that are already here within the walls.”
These days, Bethel likes to spend her time bowling, golfing, and participating in dances and other social functions held at the senior community. “I really enjoy the freedom from homeowner responsibilities,” Bethel says. “I feel that I now have the time to enjoy life!”
