Paddling into retirement: Couple still does trips through river wilderness, but are ready to give up their 2-story
You’re not going to find many couples moving into their golden years who are less constrained by infirmities than Spud and Jill Van de Water, both aged 76. Last year the pair put a canoe in the water at Green River, Utah, and paddled 124 miles through Canyonlands National Park to the very remote confluence of the Green River with the Colorado—the fourth time they’ve done that route.
But right now they’re packing their bags for a move out of their attractive 2-story patio home in South Jeffco’s Dancing Willows enclave—setting their sights on a luxury apartment in the Colorado Clubhouse at Wind Crest, an age-55-plus community in Highlands Ranch.
“It’s a hard place to leave,” admits Spud Van de Water, pointing to the nice view they have of a landscaped pond that’s a centerpiece in Dancing Willows, and of the Dakota Hogback beyond.
“But the market is way up, and we began thinking, ‘Maybe we ought to move now.’”
The pair had thought in very general terms about making a move, Jill explains— noting that their grandkids were getting older and not making as many visits to stay as they once did. The Van de Waters had close friends who had moved into Wind Crest, and had shown them the nice restaurants and amenities; and introduced them to other couples who had made the move. Move consultants there had showed them a 2-bedroom-plus-den unit that looked just right, but noted that none was likely to be available until 2022.
Suddenly, says Jill, they got a call—a prospect had backed out of a similar unit. It was available, but they would have to move soon.
“When you have a hurried move, the first thing you need to know is what is and what’s not worth paying attention to,” says agent Blair Bryant at The Steller Group Senior Solutions Division— selling their Jeffco home and helping them arrange that move.
For this home, priority items include a very minor list of fixups that Steller recommended, providing its own contractors to touch up the details. Steller also has an affiliated contractor—A Move Handled With Care—that’s adept in the particulars of senior moves, a task that requires finesse on both ends.
Bryant notes that it’s better to move on a timeframe of your choosing, rather than one that life forces on you in less flexible circumstances, complicating the process. “It’s all about getting the timing right and waiting for the stars to align,” Bryant adds.
“I’m sure glad we didn’t wait to 86,” notes Spud Van de Water.
Steller Senior Solutions has a series of webinars on making decisions around this kind of move, including how to approach the daunting task of decluttering your house for sale. Two of those sessions are set for February, via DenverSeniorSeminars.com.
“It’s better to move on a timeframe of your choosing, rather than one that life forces on you.”