Crazy Condo Neighbors

[Crankin]

It sounds like you know yourself, Shooting Star, so that is good. It's funny, I don't really consider having children into my planning for this. One of my kids lives in the area, about 30 minutes away by car. But, I really don't ever want to depend on either of them for my care. I am ok with assisted living or nursing home for a long term situation, but in the short term, I would like palliative care, like my dad had, if I am in a terminal situation. We just redid our wills and the son here is our health care proxy, so he knows all of this, as does the other one.
My older son has already been through a palliative care terminal illnesss with his FIL, so he kind of was exposed at a younger age than most.

[shootingstar]

It sounds like you know yourself, Shooting Star, so that is good. It's funny, I don't really consider having children into my planning for this. One of my kids lives in the area, about 30 minutes away by car. But, I really don't ever want to depend on either of them for my care. I am ok with assisted living or nursing home for a long term situation, but in the short term, I would like palliative care, like my dad had, if I am in a terminal situation. We just redid our wills and the son here is our health care proxy, so he knows all of this, as does the other one.
My older son has already been through a palliative care terminal illnesss with his FIL, so he kind of was exposed at a younger age than most.

Stuff got confirmed where I've been living...not just now..but for the last 52 yrs., my choice makes sense for me. First 3 years don't count since I don't remember for a town of 2,000 people. (Terrible for my mother who was very isolated, stuck in the house with her lst 3 very young children and not speaking English.) Always living close to transit, services, shops..walking distance. My parents made that choice when we were children. They did live in the suburbs for a decade after most of us flew their coop. That was when I found it was such a hassle whenever I visited them, to be car-dependent for everything in the 'burbs except for occasional bus service. I was already in my 30's then.

Maybe I don't know any better.
My father died just 2 wks...... before I had my head injury on this Jan. lst. It's been a lot of compressed living in the last few months for my family and thoughts of future.

I would love to believe that I will aim to be as healthy as possible (just like some real people I know from family) for best quality of life, and have made effort not to cause unnecessary suffering for myself because I didn't take preventive, long-term health and safety measures outside and within home.

[Helene2013]

So what is the appeal of Alberta?

Because of the climate, the economy was good (not so sure anymore with oil/gas issues), and being straight down to Arizona and places we'd like to hibernate in the winter. I have cousins living in B.C. so it would be closer to visit if we felt like it. Closer to California, Arizona, and places we love!

We are not going to purchase a house just yet (when we sell this one when retiring in 5 years). We may be nomads for a while trying to figure which province, then city we want to anchor ourselves too. I have family in BC, lived there for a little while when younger. I was born and raised in Ontario and stayed most of my younger life in Ottawa area. A city we also like. Our very best friends live in Whitby, Ontario. We also were looking to move there. It is no longer cheap as too close to Toronto area. We still have 5 years to think about where we'll set our new living quarters. We also have an office in Calgary. They all said to avoid that area due to high cost of living.

But one thing for sure, we will be moving west and where the economy and climate and politics are better than Quebec. Quebec being the largest taxed province of Canada. Cheap rent but the rest is too expensive, except for Vancouver who I think beat us in various fields. I just cannot stand the fight about languages either (and I'm French). It just tires me just hearing about separation, we are better than the rest of the planet, being over taxed, etc.

Note that we will only be in Canada 5/12th out of a year. We cannot really become Americans either as it is a bit too complex and it is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

But we need to make sure where we will land, we will have good neighbours. I don't want to have to live with wackos! We are quiet and keep to ourselves. We don't mind a chat now and then but on my grounds. hihi

As for living without stairs, when you already have major knee issues, you have to think further than today. If knees were not issues, it may not cross my mind. But living with damaged knees for so long now, and not improving, it is something to think about. If I want to stay in shape, I can have my own gym (like I do now), enjoy the outdoors...all on my own time/choice. Not something I have to do because I have to go up/down to get to bed or basement. Health issues change a lot of things we take for granted when not affected. I know...I'm into this big time!

[shootingstar]

But one thing for sure, we will be moving west and where the economy and climate and politics are better than Quebec. Quebec being the largest taxed province of Canada. Cheap rent but the rest is too expensive, except for Vancouver who I think beat us in various fields. I just cannot stand the fight about languages either (and I'm French). It just tires me just hearing about separation, we are better than the rest of the planet, being over taxed, etc.

I'm sorry to hear, Helene. (sorry the missing l'accent(s)). Living in B.C. and Alberta, as a resident one hears waaaaaay less about Quebec and French language matters. Just last yr., I learned of some historic small francophone towns in central Alberta/south of Edmonton. But I get the impression, people aren't vocal about non-English language matters in general and don't seem to have sophisticated translation services to serve immigrant/allophone populations in Calgary and Edmonton. (Toronto and Vancouver are both sophisticated and it shows in some of the govn't literature.) I doubt you would like Alberta politics --Conservative for the last 40 yrs.

I have met long time BC and Alberta folks, who have a lot less motivation/desire to even visit Ontario or Quebec --if they don't have friends or family. They cite the cost of flight. I don't think that's the real/only reason.

Alberta's economy truly is dependent on oil and gas industry which has plunged abit in terms of jobs, price of homes/less home sales in the past 4 months. The major hospitals and clinics for specialized medicine are in only Calgary and Edmonton. So please think on this. Dental care in Alberta is the highest in Canada. Supported by local press just 2 months, ago who compared rates with Ontario and B.C. I knew that all along...

Winter normally in Alberta is much longer than in B.C. or southern Ontario. Meaning real safe spring for seedlings is June.

B.C.- interested in Okanagan (wind) valley area or mountain towns of Nelson, Cranbrook or Golden? They get lots of snow for skiing, etc. but their winters are milder than Alberta's. Did you know that B.C. Transit has bus bike racks on all their buses across B.C. Sunshine coast is lovely but probably getting more expensive (Schelt, etc.) and dependent on B.C. Ferries which govn't is cutting back on number of ferry runs to control its deficit. My partner and others working on this blog re B.C. cyclotouring. Albertans....actually love B.C. That's where they buy their vacation or retirement home if they stay in Canada. They love the BC mountains, the lush green forests, ocean...since we're landlocked. Otherwise Albertans settle for Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper areas.

I do go back to Vancouver when I get time, etc.....it's 2nd home. Vancouverites don't vacation in Arizona....they go to...Hawai'i, Oregon or California.

[Helene2013]

Okanagan was one of our choices but I read a few months back that it is no longer as cheap. We'll have to see when we cross that career/retirement bridgr. A lpt csn hsppen in 5 years too. But it is good to read views from others. Thanks for sharing.

We would not say in Canada for 7 months (winter) so don't care as much where it is colder/warmer/snowier. But one thing for sure you won't find me where it is too warm....like cancun and cuba. Lol 20c is max I like. Not much of a summer/beach type of girl.