Many retirees think of downsizing and/or moving to be closer to their children. BCCAN member Jim Blackwood shares some illuminating thoughts about his approach to the problem.
As years pass, children leave home, the body ages, most of us start thinking of retirement from paid work, and “downsizing”.
We have successfully travelled this journey in the last few years, at least partly driven by reality. A path worth taking while still having energy and reasonable health, not waiting until forced to do so.
Lots of questions:
Where? Moving somewhere warm, to the beach, to be closer to children is tempting, but many choose to remain in the community where they have strong community connections and roots. Bathurst is such a place, with its many cultural resources, Gallery, Library, BMEC, parks and gardens, easy access to bush, heritage streetscapes, and so many community activities. A very important element of preserving health in old age is strong community connections, and actively engaging with others.
How to downsize? We thought carefully about what we wanted in older age.
An energy efficient home was essential, for environmental, comfort and financial reasons. Building a new energy efficient home was beyond our means, and almost impossible close to the CBD. Retrofitting an existing dwelling also has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than a new build.
Modest size, 3 bedrooms, lounge/dining, (why heat, cool, clean more than needed?), solid construction, (not in the Bathurst cracking zone). A yard, big enough for garden and vegetables, about 600sq m, walking distance to river paths and town, a shed. (his & her spaces very important). Architectural style, and existing energy efficiency were not important.
Our home at first glance had little appeal, but had “solid bones”. No one turned up at the auction. Solid concrete: we kept all the walls and floors, some ceilings, but little else. New roof, lots of insulation: we replaced all doors & windows with Double Glazed “tilt & turn “(absolutely fabulous), replaced all interior trim/doors, installed a new kitchen. We replaced all the electrics and plumbing, ensured that there were no unwanted air leaks. Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning. Removed all gas, electrified all— Induction cooktop, new heat exchange hot water (timed 10am to 4pm), 7KW solar, 20KWhr battery, and, recently, a Chinese EV, powered by the sun; 9,000 litres of rainwater storage, with a drip irrigation system to the garden. No lawn: shrubs, flowers, vegetable beds, and woodchips.
Our change has been most positive. Minimal energy costs. Very comfortable living, almost no “have to dos”, plenty of “want to dos” if we are up to it. Easy access to all that Bathurst has to offer.
Highly recommend as a way of spending the twilight years.
Bathurst and the Central West is a wonderful place to live at all times of life. It is vital that our community and Bathurst Regional Council continue to strongly support and further develop our cultural, environmental, and recreational facilities. Attracting retirees to stay or to move to the region is an important economic driver for our town.
Dr Jim Blackwood is a member of Bathurst Community Climate Action Network.
