‘My parents didn’t want to move to Florida, but they turned sixty, and that’s the law.’ Jerry Seinfeld
Remember Rosemary Clooney?
“This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer
He’s a-gettin ready to meet the saints”
Have you had enough of your own “This Ole House”? Instead of maintenance and upkeep, are you wishing you had your weekends back? Are you finding yourself ready to make a move, but thinking, “what’s next”?
Here are some living arrangements to consider. You may find some are basic, some are unusual and some may be way out there. One thing for sure, whichever you choose, you won’t be alone in that choice. There will be like-minded folks you will meet along the way.
Moving from the typical single-family home into a townhouse, condominium or co-op, will give you precious time for yourself. Outside maintenance is typically taken care of by a HOA (Home Owners Association). It does come at the cost of a monthly fee, so check into that to see what is and isn’t covered.
Home Sharing
Remember this group?
Photo CP Images/Touchstone/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Golden Girls was a TV show about four women who shared a home in Miami. Yes, it was just entertainment, but you can bet that the concept is alive and being practiced today. If you are living alone, but have friends in the same situation, you may really want to consider this – there is a reason solitary confinement is considered the worst punishment.
Return To College
Today, seniors (and not just high school seniors) are welcomed by colleges and universities. Many have special housing arrangements for golden agers. There are even scholarship offers that can cover some or even all housing expenses. If you never attended or finished college, or want to go back and earn an advanced degree, it’s certainly worth looking into. If you’re a military veteran, the GI Bill can cover some or even all your expenses. Interested? Check it out!
Qualified To Teach? You May Be Able To Live There Too.
There are schools that also provide housing, or a housing allowance for teachers. These can be exceptionally rewarding, especially if you wish to teach in another country. Your age is not a barrier. You can challenge yourself and do things you never would have experienced otherwise.
Become A House Sitter
There are almost unlimited opportunities to house sit. Not only do you get a place to live in rent free, you also get paid. There are agencies that you should work with and, of course, you need to pass a background check. These opportunities can vary from a few days to several months, but you get to choose. Many are in luxury homes located in destinations you may have only dreamed about. You can expect to have some home care duties. These can include pet care and maintaining house plants.
Be A Volunteer Missionary
This is one way you can really benefit others while having your own needs fulfilled. Many, but not all, volunteer organizations are religiously based. If you are part of a particular religious group, you can start there to see what areas may be available for consideration. In some cases, free housing is provided or you may need to cover some expenses, like travel.
Take A Cruise, A Really Long Cruise
Want to see the world? Want to see just about the entire world? Take a cruise! There are now cruise lines offering cruises as long as three years. Visit all seven continents…135 countries and 375 ports. You can do it for as little as $30,000 per year. That includes meals, on board activities like gyms, utilities, internet, business center for remote work, library, lounge and who knows what else. It beats renting an apartment and staying in one place. Do expect to put a down payment of about 50%.
Work On A Cruise Ship
Speaking of cruises, if you are in the crew, food and housing are free. However, the work can be difficult and, occasionally, so can some of the passengers. Plan on working 10-12 hours a day and, while at sea, seven days a week. Also, you most likely will be sharing a room. One of the most sought after jobs is being a card dealer in the casino. Most ports don’t allow gambling, so when docked, the dealers can get out and explore.
Other Housing Options That Involve Working
There are quite a few ways to get housing, but most involve work of one type or another. They may be permanent or seasonal. Some of these are:
Manage an apartment building
Be a camp counselor.
Seasonal resort or hotel worker
Live-in nanny
National Park lodge work
By now you get the picture. You don’t have to continue living in “This Ole House” any longer. Explore your opportunities.