Advice for how my mom can afford to move here from Ohio

[Anonymous]

I have a random question regarding housing. My mom lives in Ohio and has a really low cost of living there. House is paid for, car is paid for and she is retiring from teaching at the end of the year. She would love to move to northern VA but (realistically) thinks that would be too much of an expense for her. This is probably a shot in the dark, but are there any progams for retired persons to cut down on the price of housing or apartments? She's 65, very healthy and in good shape so she wouldn't need assisted living or anything like that. Where in northern VA isn't that important. She would just like to be closer and still have her own space.

[Anonymous]

In MD the housing cost is much lower at Leisure World.

[Anonymous]

Programs in Fairfax County:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rha/seniorhousing/seniorhousing.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a random question regarding housing. My mom lives in Ohio and has a really low cost of living there. House is paid for, car is paid for and she is retiring from teaching at the end of the year. She would love to move to northern VA but (realistically) thinks that would be too much of an expense for her. This is probably a shot in the dark, but are there any progams for retired persons to cut down on the price of housing or apartments? She's 65, very healthy and in good shape so she wouldn't need assisted living or anything like that. Where in northern VA isn't that important. She would just like to be closer and still have her own space.

I don't know that this will be a popular opinion, but I don't think it would be an approprioate use of county funds/programs to subsidize the housing costs of an out-of-state retiree who is giving up a stable living situation and moving into the area so she can be closer to her family. I expect there are many county residents (both seniors and otherwise) who could use a helping hand, and "I just retired and want to move closer to my daughter but I can't afford to so please help me" rubs me the wrong way.

[Anonymous]

OP, we're in very similar situations except my mom is in Cali. We've decided that she just can't afford to move here unless she has a drastic change in quality of life (current nice sized house with yard traded for a small condo in Manassas, for example). We have talked about her moving closer but to a more affordable area like NC and then maybe we would eventually move south as well. It's tough, I know but you've got to look at the whole picture!

[Anonymous]

I agree w/ PP. It's a little odd, especially considering that there are many local residents who are struggling. Maybe your Mom could find better rents in Southern VA or WVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a random question regarding housing. My mom lives in Ohio and has a really low cost of living there. House is paid for, car is paid for and she is retiring from teaching at the end of the year. She would love to move to northern VA but (realistically) thinks that would be too much of an expense for her. This is probably a shot in the dark, but are there any progams for retired persons to cut down on the price of housing or apartments? She's 65, very healthy and in good shape so she wouldn't need assisted living or anything like that. Where in northern VA isn't that important. She would just like to be closer and still have her own space.

I don't know that this will be a popular opinion, but I don't think it would be an approprioate use of county funds/programs to subsidize the housing costs of an out-of-state retiree who is giving up a stable living situation and moving into the area so she can be closer to her family. I expect there are many county residents (both seniors and otherwise) who could use a helping hand, and "I just retired and want to move closer to my daughter but I can't afford to so please help me" rubs me the wrong way.

OP here. That's a good point. I hadn't thought of it that way.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at Prince William County? I think it is more affordable than Fairfax. Maybe near Occoquan?

[Anonymous]

The original poster buys a new home with an in-law suite and your mom pays you rent every month. Or the mom finds a housemate to share expenses. There are programs which match older citizens with other older citizens so they can cut down on housing costs, but of course you have to have a roommate.

[Anonymous]

I think I'd think long and hard about her retiring here. There is a reason you don't so many retirees here. Cost-of-living and just too stressful with traffic and all of the people. Coming from OH, that could be a rude awakening. Sure, she'd be closer to you, but might have a miserable quality of life otherwise. 6 months into living in a cramped condo, stuck in traffic for 30 minutes just to make it to the doctor's office, and she'd be dreaming about her nice house and comfortable quality of life back in OH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I'd think long and hard about her retiring here. There is a reason you don't so many retirees here. Cost-of-living and just too stressful with traffic and all of the people. Coming from OH, that could be a rude awakening. Sure, she'd be closer to you, but might have a miserable quality of life otherwise. 6 months into living in a cramped condo, stuck in traffic for 30 minutes just to make it to the doctor's office, and she'd be dreaming about her nice house and comfortable quality of life back in OH.

This. And don't forget the rude, angry, no time for anyone or anything besides work folks always in a rush to the QOL equation.

[Anonymous]

Here's my retirement plan:

http://seaburyresources.org/senior_living/friendship_terrace/index.html

You can get an apartment, utilities, dinner every day, activities for about $1,300 a month for a single person.

It's in DC, but I'm sure there's something similar in VA.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure people will jump all over me for this but hey I'd like my tax dollars to benefit me sometimes. Montgomery County has an MPDU (moderately priced dwelling unit) for apartments. Every apartment built in the county has to set aside a certain number of units for people who qualify. We looked into this option for my mom who lives out of state. She would have to show a certain level of income but she'd be able to live in a nice building in Bethesda or Rockville for 1/2 the market rate. She is on a couple of waiting lists and has been for 6 months but she is no hurry and we think it would be a perfect solution.

[Anonymous]

OP, I assume you live in N. VA. If your mom wants to be closer to you and she is still in good health etc. to drive, likely for the next several years, I'm wondering if it would make sense for her to look at someplace closer than OH but farther than N. VA such as Fredericksburg or something. You could still see each other frequently and she may enjoy a simpler and cheaper quality of life with less traffic etc.

Also, is she interested in supplementing her income at all - she could work PT at a shop or something if she is worried about running out of $. Might be a good way to meet people and interact too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The original poster buys a new home with an in-law suite and your mom pays you rent every month. Or the mom finds a housemate to share expenses. There are programs which match older citizens with other older citizens so they can cut down on housing costs, but of course you have to have a roommate.

The house with the in-law suite, or guesthouse is my vote. This could work out very nicely for your family and your mom.