General Discussion

After my father died, she really didn't need a three bedroom house and had zero interest in trying to keep up the property by herself. She now rents a two bedroom unit in a senior living complex not far from my brother's family. She doesn't need the second bedroom and largely uses it for storage and a computer desk.

She's very happy with the downsizing. The place she lives in has dinners and activities in a common room that she takes part in now and then (particularly Bingo), and the situation works for her (also, no stairs!)

As someone who just bought his first house a few years ago, it's seriously, "Oh my god, why didn't someone tell me about all the work?!" I'd rented for about twenty years. Now I spend inordinate amounts of time in the yard or doing some random project. It feels like my partner is forever lying in wait to spring some house-related horror. Just hearing the phrase, "What do you think about those base boards?" is enough to send a chill through my soul.

Mom has the right idea.