No going back now.......................

[HarryM1BYT]

I have often thought that I ought to move somewhere nicer, now I'm retired and no work commitments, but I don't have the courage needed nor enough inclination.

Beside this place has pretty much all I need to sustain my life and a lot of memories of the past 40 years. Its just an ex-council semi, but it has lots of garden, biggest in the street by far and all well set up over those years to suit me/us - luxury compared to my origins.

I began life in a tiny rented back to back, followed by a move to a slightly larger (but still too small) horrible back to back, before I moved out to be on my own in a variety of HMO's. Soon after which, my parents were at last moved to a decent semi, with modern facilities. Well I was never at home much anyway, always working away, living in hotels. I even sold up completely when I took a 12 month contract in Italy. After my return yet another small flat, then I moved in with my first partner who was paying rent for this place at the time. We soon decided it would be a good opportunity to use the Right to Buy, it had just been fully refurbished, so we bought it and never looked back. Over the years, I have improved on the (very) raw edges of the refurb. and its now worth some 15x what we paid for it back then.

My first partner passed away 31 months ago after a long illness, a struggle which got us both down. I expected I would live a very lonely and difficult existence rattling round the place on my own, so determined I would have to find a new partner fast, so I used a dating site. One potential suitor whom I never got as far as meeting, wanted me to consider that we should each sell up our properties so we could buy a much better property with our combined moneys. Between us we could have managed around 3/4 million with our savings - I agreed I would be interested in possibly doing that, then I discovered she was also a religious nut, so that was the end of that. That was as near as ever got to even considering a move. I ended up with Jean, or maybe she ended up with me .

Trouble is, I have invested a lot of time, sweat and effort in this place - I have done all that has needed to be done here for the past 40 years. Too much to give up for mere money.

[macafee2]

Bob Cornwall is a whole new world to Barkingside!
I'm glad you have the courage to move as your home has been your home for life.

Hope all goes well.
Have you a place in Cornwall all lined up?

We live in the house my wife dreamed of living in when she was a child. If our son was to move North, we would probably move north as our daughter is already 200 miles north of us.

all the best Bob

macafee2

[FLYING BANANA]

............................................. Only had one viewing today, and that wasn't till 2.45pm.

Slept really well last night and as a result it took me awhile to get into my usual stride. Decided to sort a couple of cupboards out, seeing as it pouring down outside. Then the phone rang, viewing for next Saturday. Oh! Well! Best make a coffee then I'll start. Phone rang again, another viewing for tomorrow at 11am.

Pulled the contents out of the two cupboards and started working my way through lots of........erm!............well stuff, lots of it. Then the phone rang, another viewing for Tuesday 2.45pm. As I put the phone down it rang again, this time it was the manager, David, he apologised for the mix up last night and he hoped it had not put me out too much. I was going to go down to the shop and complain but seeing as he phoned I left it at that.

Soon the time came around for my afternoon viewing. This time Simone, the estate agent, was with the couple. The Mrs paid me a couple of nice compliments saying how neat and tidy the flat was, especially for a single man living on his own. I thanked her and explained that I had two excellent teachers, my mum and my wife. After they left I decided to get some washing on and get my dinner prepared, then the phone rang. Was it ok for a couple to come this evening at 4.45pm. Yes fine by me.

Mr & Mrs plus 1 child turned up on the dot. Very nice people. They really liked the flat, I explained that the kitchen and the bedroom could easily be swapped back, I had not bothered as I rather liked the large kitchen.
After they left I got dinner ready. Once washed up and with the washing machine finished. Clothes onto the horse. Tea made,.............................and breathe !!!

Might have to have another malt later.

[FLYING BANANA]

Originally Posted by macafee2

Bob Cornwall is a whole new world to Barkingside!
I'm glad you have the courage to move as your home has been your home for life.

Hope all goes well.
Have you a place in Cornwall all lined up?

We live in the house my wife dreamed of living in when she was a child. If our son was to move North, we would probably move north as our daughter is already 200 miles north of us.

all the best Bob

macafee2

I rather like Saltash, just over the border from Devon. But not too bothered, would like to be fairly near to the coast but not too far from a pub.
I'll be going down that way next month, still have Redfive to collect. So that can be done at the same time.

Having never ever moved in my life it's a all new experience for me, and providing I keep myself, and my mind, busy I'm hoping it will all run smoothly.

And thank you for your kind words.

[topman]

A woman lived near where I grew up, she was born in the house (living room) then when her parents died she carried on living there. Brought up two sons and ended up dying in her bedroom in the night at 90. Rented the whole time, I think there was about 4 or 5 LL. I bet she paid enough rent to pay for it several times over.

Me I had 3 moves in the past 7 years or so, reckon they'll be another in the summer.

Hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread. Good luck with the move. Hope it all goes smoothly.

[Jim Jamieson]

Good luck with the new chapter in your life.
Sounds like you need a fresh start but hold on to those memories.

[wraymond]

Reading your thread with great interest and wish you well with your move. Incidentally, my wife is a Barkingsider (Fencepiece Road).

Your reference to Saltash sparked me off. Spent 8 years living there in the 80's and was reluctant to return to the delights and fleshpots of S/E Essex. While we were waiting for our new house to be built we rented a quarryman's cottage in Burraton, walls three foot thick and in the summer alive with basking snakes.

The people were warm and friendly and most of my leisure was spent raising money with the local Lions club, a guarantee of a busy social life. Very handy for Plymouth with wonderful river trips up the Tamar and easy access to the rest of the county and Devon. Incredible for motor biking over the moors - idyllic. My social life was wonderful, I recommend the Sailing Club. If you settle on that town you'll enjoy it. Best of luck.

[FLYING BANANA]

Originally Posted by wraymond

Reading your thread with great interest and wish you well with your move. Incidentally, my wife is a Barkingsider (Fencepiece Road).

Your reference to Saltash sparked me off. Spent 8 years living there in the 80's and was reluctant to return to the delights and fleshpots of S/E Essex. While we were waiting for our new house to be built we rented a quarryman's cottage in Burraton, walls three foot thick and in the summer alive with basking snakes.

The people were warm and friendly and most of my leisure was spent raising money with the local Lions club, a guarantee of a busy social life. Very handy for Plymouth with wonderful river trips up the Tamar and easy access to the rest of the county and Devon. Incredible for motor biking over the moors - idyllic. My social life was wonderful, I recommend the Sailing Club. If you settle on that town you'll enjoy it. Best of luck.

A fellow forum member, "Ratty", lives in Saltash and collects boats, as we collect cars. "Ratty", (Allen), is currently restoring a boat, and when I've been at his house I been out to the boatyard to help. I've been on the river with Allen from Landrake to Saltash. In the spring he is going to take me fishing, yet something else I have never done.

I cannot wait to move, might just trade one of the cars for a boat. But that's the future, first I need to move.

[macafee2]

Originally Posted by FLYING BANANA

I rather like Saltash, just over the border from Devon. But not too bothered, would like to be fairly near to the coast but not too far from a pub.
I'll be going down that way next month, still have Redfive to collect. So that can be done at the same time.

Having never ever moved in my life it's a all new experience for me, and providing I keep myself, and my mind, busy I'm hoping it will all run smoothly.

And thank you for your kind words.

I got my 75 from "near" Saltash I think. Met the lady in a station car park and the car was in a "barn". All the things you should not do, I did.

Lovely area I'm sure you will like it

macafee2

[jackatesme]

Good luck with your move to Cornwall, will look out for you in the summer,intending to retrace my roots down that way. My mothers family originated around Bodmin Moor area. Myself i have moved five times in 72yrs,all within 200yds of the house i was born in.