SHOULD WE STAY OR SHOULD WE GO?

We've lived in Western Pennsylvania our whole lives. Born, raised, educated, worked, married, and retired, here in good old PA. So what's the problem, you ask?

My hubby and I are in our seventies, our house and yard are too big, our winters, too cold, and our taxes, too high. Maintaining everything is getting to be a drag. It isn't that we're in poor health because we're still pretty spry. So we ask ourselves, "Should we stay or should we go?" Maybe the better questions are, "What is the RIGHT thing to do" vs "What is the SMART thing to do?"

Since we are so close to family and friends here, so familiar with our surroundings, our church, our communities, our medical professionals, our shopping areas, our entertainment venues, and our fitness center, to stay would be the RIGHT thing to do. As we age, comfort level is extremely important to our psyche. There's peace in having folks around who love and support us. Just like the infamous Norm of Cheers, "Everybody knows your name!" Although that may seem insignificant to some, most seniors take great joy in being recognized by name. Being confident in where to go and how to get there contributes to lowering a person's stress levels considerably. We know GPS takes the worry out of finding the best route to a specific destination, but there's nothing like being able to get there on your own.

Let's look at the SMART thing to do now. If we decided to move to the Carolinas where two of our three grown children and their families live, buy a smaller home in a gated 55+ Adult Community, join the Homeowners Association in order to free ourselves of house and yard maintenance, and pay lower taxes in almost every aspect of living, we'd also enjoy a  more peaceful and less stressful life. Granted we're not as familiar with our surroundings, but since we visit the South at least two or three times a year, we've gotten to know our way around. As far as finding a  church, shopping, entertainment, and a gym, we're good. Heck, we even know quite a few people by name, and they know ours. As far as writing my books which I started doing a few years ago, I can do that anywhere!

My hubby and I know we are closer to the end of our journey in this life than to its beginning. When one of us reaches that end, we want our beloved partner to be in a place that provides friendly companionship, carefree living, and peace of mind and soul. We want them to have many more happy experiences and be exposed to new and exciting adventures. We want their remaining days to be as good if not better than the ones we shared together.

So again I ask, "Should we stay or should we go?"  Those are our two options. Do we be RIGHT or do we be SMART? Got any advice for two young-minded codgers? If so, we'd like to hear it!