Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I are looking for a vacation home/retirement home. Every time we mention it to a realtor, they send us ranch style homes.

What is it-once you are over 55 you can’t go up and down stairs anymore???

Unfortunately, that's what a lot of people think. But if you look at the places where people live long, healthy lives, usually there is a lot of climbing up and down hills.

Move it or lose it. I intend to retire to a three level townhouse and stay there until i die.

I have found this to be true. My inlaws (late 70s) bought a one level house in their 50s for this reason (age in place). They both can barely do stairs at all and seem winded and exhausted by a flight. My parents (same age and older) live in houses with stairs and can do them just fine.

It becomes a self fulfilling thing. Put aside money for a stair chair if you need too.

We are mid 60s and will definitely move to a ranch in the next few years.

We have had a few things come up to make us realize our current home isn't practical for aging on place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I are looking for a vacation home/retirement home. Every time we mention it to a realtor, they send us ranch style homes.

What is it-once you are over 55 you can’t go up and down stairs anymore???

Unfortunately, that's what a lot of people think. But if you look at the places where people live long, healthy lives, usually there is a lot of climbing up and down hills.

Move it or lose it. I intend to retire to a three level townhouse and stay there until i die.

I have a vastly better suggestion for you. Move to my super-hilly neighborhood, walk to errands and for exercise, and come home to a nice ranch like mine.

Don't be naive get a floor plan where you can possibly age in place or have a list of retirement facilities in mind.

Anonymous wrote:I'm 60 years old, stay in shape (including running over 1,000 miles/year), eat healthy and plan on climbing stairs until I die.

People make plans and…

Americans don’t age well.

we moved into a ranch at 40 and we will never live in any other style of home. it is great.

Anonymous wrote:I'm 60 years old, stay in shape (including running over 1,000 miles/year), eat healthy and plan on climbing stairs until I die.

Yup...you will likely die on the stairs! Sadly, this is how my father passed who resisted the installation of the chair lift. Easier said than done.

Anonymous wrote:Flat homes are desirable and very difficult to find in some parts.

Im a small local builder. In the last 20 years, we have built ONE custom ranch home - one level with WO basement. However, all other custom plans all had either a 1st floor master, guest suite, an elevator or a combo thereof. Most of our customer over age 40 actually prefer a ranch plan but the cost to build the same sq/ft is significantly more and we all know the land costs here - you need a large lot to plot the ranch!. Personally, when I build my retirement/vacation home (where ever it may be), it will be a ranch, with 4ft overhangs, with an elevator to the basement. I took care of my aging parents...trust me...for aging in place, there is nothing like one level living.

I'm 60 years old, stay in shape (including running over 1,000 miles/year), eat healthy and plan on climbing stairs until I die.

Old folks home for u

If your goal is to age in place, and stay in the your new place into your late 70s or 80s, look for a ranch. You’re fine now but arthritis can creep in and various medical crises like cancer can come out of nowhere.

Then tell them your are looking for a regular vacation home that is not for retirement. Request multiple levels.

I prefer a ranch style home because you can stay in it so much longer.