Oy, a lot of PPs don't seem to have an elderly parent or grandparent! This is what works in my grandma's home (she's 90):

1) One floor living as much as possible. Unfortunately, laundry is in the basement, so she needs to have a housekeeper come in to do the laundry for her. We are trying to convince grandma to convert the linen closet in the bathroom into a stackable washer/dryer combo.

2) Easy access to public transit and amenities. No more than a 5 minute walk.

3) No major steps to get into the house.

4) ADA compliant bathroom. Converted the tub area into a shower with a seat.

5) No slippery surfaces. She slipped on the kitchen floor (tile) once, and we are considering replacing the tile with cork.

6) Easy and fast access to doctors and hospitals.

Things like a garden are nice, but really, that's a secondary to having a bathroom that's easy to use, IMO.

I love the location and neighborhood. The house is small and needs to be expanded, but we have a large level lot - plenty of room to grow.

Anonymous wrote:I love my house. It is a mid-century ranch, 1600 sq. ft. It is one level so, my DH and I can get around in it when we are 85! The hallways are a bit narrow, so I don't know if a wheelchair can get down them, but hopefully I won't need one. Oh I almost forgot, the master bath has a shower that is easy to get into. Don't want to fall and break a hip trying to get into a fancy marble bathtub! It will be payed off in four more years, and that is awesome.

Do you live in the DC area?

I love my house. It is a mid-century ranch, 1600 sq. ft. It is one level so, my DH and I can get around in it when we are 85! The hallways are a bit narrow, so I don't know if a wheelchair can get down them, but hopefully I won't need one. Oh I almost forgot, the master bath has a shower that is easy to get into. Don't want to fall and break a hip trying to get into a fancy marble bathtub! It will be payed off in four more years, and that is awesome.

are current home is our dream home so it's not a good comparison.

Can comfortably pay mortgage.

Anonymous wrote:Proximity to public transportation, shopping, parks; walkability, !

These things plus proximity to work, am a fed and plan to retire as one and the fact that we never, ever lose power.

We will likely stay in our house forever. It is in a beautiful neighborhood, close to parks, restaurants, and public transportation. We added on so it is comfortable for our family of four but not so huge that I think we will feel like we can't maintain it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Open floor plan. Beautiful yard. Safe area. Good schools. Great neighborhood.

This is us. In Potomac.

sorry, posted before I was ready. approx 3400 sq feet - one toddler, hope for another child.

Anonymous wrote:Open floor plan. Beautiful yard. Safe area. Good schools. Great neighborhood.

This is us. In Potomac.

Open floor plan. Beautiful yard. Safe area. Good schools. Great neighborhood. Near family.

Fwiw, I am further out than a lot of folks on this site. My home is not walk able. But my husband and I love it, and do not plan to leave for a very long time!

Anonymous wrote:Proximity to public transportation, shopping, parks; walkability

These. Does not have a first floor BR, but hopefully we are a ways off from that

Nothing really...

Walkability, location and a full suite in basement---full bath and bedroom down there. It is great for guests.

We also have a mammoth kitchen.

Proximity to public transportation, shopping, parks; walkability, age, layout? What size is it? Is it closer-in or further out?

We only have one child and are thinking that we might as well plan for the long term, without having to downsize when junior is off to college. So we'd like to learn from other people's experience where they can imagine living during retirement.

TIA!