Just Because I Can Doesn't Mean I Have To!

My home is in a high rise condominium and NO, this isn't it.  This is a picture that I borrowed from a Wikipedia entry entitled "Tower Block".  I was reminded of my awe and wonder at the density of the population in Hong Kong during my trip there in the early 80's.  I can only imagine what it must look like in the early 2000's. 

There are advantages and disadvantages to this type of living.  I'm not sure if I can cover them  in one post and please bear in mind, I speak just from my own point of view. 

I own my unit outright, and as a senior living on a decreased income it is very affordable.  I know each year in October how much my monthly common fee will be for the following year, and each year there is an increase.  The fee never goes down, although one year it remained the same.  The increase is based on the amount of the decrease in the condo's fund which covers repairs, major capital projects, cost of utilities, management fees, wages for the superintendent couple and a bunch of other smaller items. 



There are 112 units in my home building, and I can't control how the other 111 units consume utilities, but I can control how I use them.  So like many of my frugal readers and followers, I use only the water that I need to use, ie taking short showers, not letting the water run unnecessarily, only washing full loads and only washing on off hours.  There is no smart meter to record each individual unit's usage of power but I still use the washer/dryer only when it is most economical.  I know that not everyone here follows this method as during this cold weather I can look out the window and see the moisture escaping the vents during the daytime.  I'm turning off the lights that are unnecessary in each room, and as I leave a room. 

So as I said in my post title.....

Just because I can, due to it not impacting me directly, doesn't mean I have to!!!

Making a Big Change

My home for the past 13, almost 14 years has been in a "vertical village" and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every day that I have lived in my mortgage-free residence.  Basically, I live in a condo  where I own everything inside the walls, a parking spot and a storage locker located on an easily accessible floor.  Prior to this home, I owned my home on a street nearby.  My daughters had finished university and moved on with their significant others and I was ready to downsize.  I did see an ad at work for a unit in this village and turned out the individual who put up the ad was the wife of the individual who owned it and wanted to sell.  Her name wasn't on the title.  They wanted to move due to lack of space for two people.  I looked at it, loved it and put in an offer the first business day after viewing and my offer was accepted immediately.



This couple turned around and bought my house; the price was right, they loved the location and the house.   We agreed to close the deal one month after presenting and accepting our offers.  Whoa!  Only one month to pack, dispose of and sell items.  With help the process was completed and I became a condo dweller.

There are a lot of advantages to living in a condo for a senior but some disadvantages also.  I'll share some of my thoughts another time.