I’ve spent considerable time researching land for sale in and around Las Vegas and looking at custom house floorplans to price things out. We’ve decided to build our own home for retirement, although we haven’t concluded just where that home will be. My vote is somewhere close to younger family members, with decent weather, and a cost of living index that is friendly to seniors. So our options are limited. I’m a project person, all this excites me. With my background and formal education in interior design apart from my university degrees, I worked for a time as an interior designer and of course acted as my own project manager when we renovated our current house. I’m prepared to do it again. However, when deciding on our “must haves” for our retirement new home, I found it amusing that we want such a big home on a large lot for just the two of us.
This new home will be a one story, about 3,000 square feet, sitting on 1/3 to 2/3 acres of land. At first, I scratched my head when we decided that we needed five bedrooms. The reality is that only two will be utilized as bedrooms: our master and a guest room for family and friends who visit. Eventually one of the rooms will be use for an in-home caretaker if we live long enough. We will continue to have our separate office/den spaces. And because the climate will be different from California, the garage gym we have now, complete with treadmill, stationary bike, Bowflex, and free weights will have to be moved indoors. That makes for five bedrooms.
We’ve also opted for three full baths. One really large master, one Jack and Jill for the guest room and my office to share, and one guest bathroom that will be a full bath with an eye toward future occupants’ needs.
We debated whether we wanted to waste the money on a formal living room and dining room. For resale it is probably wise to keep them, although we realize we likely wouldn’t utilize them that much. I have been thinking of making the formal dining room into a game room for my puzzles, complete with a reading area with built-in book shelves and board game table. Michael might opt for a pool table. It could have a fireplace with a television above it, too. Future occupants could easily revert it back to a formal dining room.
We do want a super large kitchen with an open concept that includes a spacious informal everyday dining area and a family room with a fireplace and build-in television area. This will be the heart of the home.
One of the ways we plan to keep healthy besides utilizing our gym is to have a large yard and a workshop in the three car garage. The third space in the garage would be for Michael’s wood working projects. We’re accustomed to growing most of our produce, but we’re in California. I’m not really sure how to do in other states where the climate is different. Gardening is a passion for me and I’ll have a steep learning curve to learn what’s possible where we land.
We continue to argue about a swimming pool in that big yard. It would be a way to cool off in the summer. But I’m thinking about the added expense of the upkeep for a pool. Neither of us are big swimmers, but I think my husband believes the grandkids and family members would enjoy it.
Solar panels are a must have. Large doorways are also a must have. 10 foot ceilings are a requirement throughout the house. A large walk-in, lipless shower in the master is a must as are very large walk-in closets. Even though I am starting to question my need for such massive closet space since my commitment to start scaling down as I near retirement, I recognize that future owners will appreciate ample closet space. My commitment extends to not purchasing any more clothing unless I loose enough weight to warrant it.
It seems that we are talking about when I will retire almost daily. We can afford for me to retire today, but the question is whether I’m emotionally ready. Until I can answer that particular question with complete confidence, then I will be satisfied to make plans and proceed with finding and buying the land and then building our dream retirement home. In my mind, that means I’ll continue to work for about two years at least.