“Home is where the heart is”

It’s taken many years to decide that I love where I live.  This topic has been hotly discussed this week.  The suggestions are that ‘older’ people should downsize, to allow families to move into larger properties.  But my argument is that home is where the heart is, and mine’s firmly in place for the moment.

Already in the 55+ age bracket, there is nothing further from my mind than downsizing.  We’ve been living in the same property (home!) for over 18 years – a record – and intend to stay put for as long as possible.  Our youngest ‘child’ left home 10 years ago, and we’re still adapting to the fact that the bedrooms remain empty unless our son or daughter visit from Australia, once every blue moon.

Our little granddaughter has her own bedroom on the first floor of our chalet bungalow, and we’re very happy that she calls it ‘her room’.

Home Extension

I admit to having rather grand ideas of extending the property (again).  I inherited a baby grand ‘Challin’ piano which needs a room of its own.  In addition, the property now needs some TLC! Teenagers have traipsed in over the years.  On top of that, bikes, skateboards and dogs have caused various kinds of damage over the years.

Our home offers all we need for the time being – we love the space it offers and the possibilities for visitors (family or otherwise).  It’s in walking distance of the sea, and close to all the places we like to spend our leisure hours (tennis club, golf course, beach, etc).  We have on a good sized plot but I haven’t yet experienced the ‘call of gardening’.  Well-meaning friends advise that this ‘calling’ will come.  So I’ll be able to mow lawns and tend the flower beds in the future to my heart’s content.

Best of all, it’s close to immediate family – and that’s why it’s a ‘home’.  Thank you, but I’m staying put for the time being.  I have no desire to go to a smaller property or retirement village.

Do you love where you live?  Comment or send me an email at enquiries@callaways.co.uk to tell me why.