Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Transitioning

I remember my parents saying that life was a series of phases as they were enjoying their "retirement phase."  I didn't think much of it until now.
Now, we are entering that phase.
Retirement.

Retirement!
What does that look like?
Where do we want to live as we transition to a new phase?

We've been spending more and more time in the country, wondering if living there full time is what we want.
Will we be happy there?
Will we miss the hustle and bustle of the City?

After much consideration, we've decided that yes, we would be happy living in the country.
The City will not be missed.  At all.
We tried living in the City and are enjoying it, but it's not sustainable in the long run.

So, we are beginning the transition to retirement and country life.
Our timeline is hopefully 18 months.
The plan is to eventually sell our City home and remodel the house in Asti to accommodate full time living, as opposed to weekends only.

We are excited for chickens and goats.
A garden too!
It's a little scary, but will also be really fun to create a new, different life.
A new phase.
Retirement!

"She understood that the hardest times in life to go through
were when you were transitioning from 
one version of yourself to another."  
~Sarah Addison Allen

23 comments:

  1. Delores you are going to LOVE it!! I know we sure are enjoying our retirement and where we live. Good luck on your new adventure!! It will be GREAT!!

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  2. Wonderful vignette! I don't like the word "retirement" as that implies withdrawal from the world. Rather, retirement allows you the time we never had to engage deeply in things we enjoy and find rewarding. The challenge is finding those things, and embracing them. Kudos to you guys in your journey.

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  3. Nice I love country life out of sibilisation if we call sibilisation what are we living this day
    We live in Miami is crease me and my HB are planing move to north Florida We're we don't have driving in the traffic any more
    I wish you the best of you life and enjoy your new transition
    The sad part is you just finish your new beautiful home in SF good luck in your For sales
    Blessing
    Isora
    XO

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  4. We are in the same phase...retirement and moving. Scary and exciting!
    Wishing you all the best as you make the transition!

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  5. So very excited for you. I am nearing that as well, though I am single, living in Nashville TN. The caveat is, my daughter is a travel nurse and it looks like wherever her next assignment takes her, I will be visiting soon there after. Never a dull money. Who knows maybe near you! I hope!

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  6. You did such a fantastic job with the home in SF I imagine it was very difficult to make this decision. We lived in Chicago very near the Gold Coast in the late 70's. Being transplants from Michigan and growing up with a rural lifestyle living in the city was exciting but taxing too. Fine dining and great shopping were the biggest thing I missed once we left but we are more comfortable out in the country. It will be fun to see what you do to your home in Asti. Somehow I feel your home in SF will sell rather rapidly! Best wishes as you transition to this new step in life!

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  7. What a gorgeous place to retire! We MUST have coffee soon!

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  8. Congratulations, Delores! I've always thought Asti would be the ideal place to live. Enjoy this new phrase. The city will be there to take advantage of when you like, but life in the country will be relaxing and rewarding. I predict that you will love it! ;-)
    All the best as you move toward this new adventure.

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  9. Hello Delores,
    We kept our city house for a couple of years but soon realized that we loved the country more. Like you, we were familiar with our "retirement town." Before moving permanently we realized that the old farm house would not do so we built a new house.
    It didn't take long and all of the reasons for going to the city (doctor, dentist, etc.) vanished. We have fine doctors in our area and good and friendly service people are easily found.
    We have chickens, ducks and geese and a very large flower and vegetable garden. We share our produce with our neighbors.
    We do not miss the city at all. It's only 2 hours away. Friends come to see us. For a change in scenery we plan a trip to Europe every year, mostly to Italy. That is our yearly reward.

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  10. I believe you two will love it there on a full time basis. You will get to enjoy the ebb and flow of a peaceful life, garden and play host to the pets and children. You home in the city is very beautiful, i guess it was supposed to be the leaves on a team, just there a short time. I can hardly wait to see the Asti remodel, I'm sure you will keep us updated on your new venture!!
    x0-marlis

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  11. Hello Delores,

    We have taken a similar path. We are getting ready to make the "transition" as well. Hubby has been semi-retired for about 10 years. I have been semi-retired for the last 2. We have just sold our big house "in the country" in order to move back into our "city" house which has been a rental for the last 24 years. We plan to live there for at least 2 years, clean it up, do repairs and decorate it to our taste. I suspect that we will sell it at the end of the 2 years. Then, with the proceeds from both homes, are considering a move to France. Perhaps I shall become an on-line Brocanteuse.

    If not to France, then to a modestly sized home on several acres somewhere outside of California - probably Texas.

    I HATE the word "retirement". My family routinely lives into their 90's. My father, who is almost 99, worked until he was 80. I am in excellent health so probably have a good 20 years or more a create a new life.

    Smiles from Charlotte

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  12. Courageous decision that so many of us are struggling with! It can't be a mistake to live where you can have other living things around you that you love...besides people!! We are trying to make the move full time to Carmel...the ocean is a big living entity that envelopes you like the country side does!

    Best with the transition....keep us posted!
    Linda Floyd

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  13. Delores, I am in the same phase. I retired 8 days ago on June 1. I am considering this new phase as an incredible opportunity to go in another direction and love life to the fullest. Best wishes on your transition.

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  14. Will you be selling your beautiful home in SFO or using it for weekend getaways! You have the best of both worlds!

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  15. Hi Delores,
    Well that is exciting news! I think you both will be very happy in Asti, even if you don't remodel the house! From what you've shown us it seems pretty perfect already! And the land surrounding, the views etc are wonderful and calming.I don't blame you for wanting to live in the countryside, we've lived rurally for almost 30 years and love it. Although we are in the country with a creek, orchards, animals etc, we are only 1 1/2 miles from civilization and shopping, services etc. So we've had the best of both worlds. My fantasy has always been to live in the city in a loft apartment! The truth is the energy of the city would probably drive me crazy eventually! But I still cling to the dream of living abroad in a fabulous city for a few years, and I think anyone can adapt for 2 or 3 years and enjoy a change of lifestyle for awhile. We'll see, hopefully things will work out in the very near future, as my husband considers his career and possible job opportunities in Ireland. I love Dublin, and Cork too, so that might be fun for us for awhile!
    I envy your new project, you're so good at making all the right, important decisions. Whatever you do to the house I know it will be spectacular! Congratulations on such a momentous decision!
    Xo Heidi

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  16. I have to say that I never really thought that city house was you. It's very nice and all that, but you just didn't seem to have the same enthusiasm there. I think this place is going to revitalize you! I see you being the Asti Martha Stewart! So excited to see what's next!!!!

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  17. In my mind, the bounty of Asti trumps the congestion of San Francisco. You're moving to paradise. Enjoy!

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  18. Hi Delores,

    Isn't there a saying "once you go country you can't go back". You won't regret your decision. Asti is a gem. Congratulations!

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  19. Delores,
    Every time you post pictures of Asti I would look with longing at the beautiful visits and landscape and dream that a place like that would keep me in the country for life. I hope it works for you, it's so pretty. Congratulations!
    xo,
    Karen

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  20. Oh my goodness, how exciting! Can't wait to see what y'all do to the Asti home. Love your SF house, but I completely understand the decision. Life in the country is treating us well, so far. We don't miss Houston at all. Well, besides having a Whole Foods, Costco, and Trader Joe's at stone's throw... ;) Hope you have a good rest of the week. ~Miranda

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  21. Oh boy we are right behind you...city life is not for us either but we have lived in the country for over 30 years...we need to downsize, but the Mr is not too willing...

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  22. Heavens - if I had a place like Asti, I would have been there YEARS ago!! Best of luck, I know you'l love it :)

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