Downsizing: Have You? Are You? Planning To?

[washabear]

I got rid of a lot of stuff when I moved house 10 years ago, and I vowed that I would not allow stuff to accumulate in this house. I have been pretty good about it. I used to buy vintage stereo equipment but stopped doing that; I figure I have enough backups, and I don't need anything else. I probably should give away some of that even. Books seem to accumulate, but I periodically fill some bags and put them in a book drop. I used to be horrible about keeping magazines, but now I practice a read and recycle policy, although I have kept some that I like to reread.

I guess my largest accumulation currently is my fragrance collection. I do prune it occasionally and give away the ones I don't wear, but I do wear everything I keep. Yes, they are frivolous, but they don't take up much room, and they bring me pleasure, so I don't fret about it.

 

[washernoob]

Last October I went from 75 vacuums to 2. An old compact C8 and a Tristar. Was due to moving out of my parents and into an apartment. It was a difficult task and a lot of machines sadly saw the dump rather than someones collection.

 

[twintubdexter]

Just one more Downsizing "off topic" comment

I'm always thinking of moving to some place smaller and less expensive. I spend a lot of time with many friends in an old, upscale mobile home community around the corner from me in tony Rancho Mirage. Originally this park was intended for wealthy individuals. You had to furnish them with a certified listing of your assets to be considered. Lesser movie stars had "bungalows" there. This was way back in the 1970's and apparently they wanted to keep the riff raff out. Anyway, while attending a Labor Day BBQ at their multi-million dollar clubhouse I stopped to look at a mobile for sale, 3 bedroom, 2 bath 2000 sq ft for $27,500. Space rents can vary greatly due to factors that I don't understand but they aren't outrageous. Of course your rented lot could always be sold out from under you.

I suppose the Mexican tile kitchen is an acquired taste but to me it's fun. The very nice KitchenAid dishwasher was great although my friends said they'd dump it...obviously they don't appreciate quality. The built in toaster was a nice touch too. I will probably stay where I am but adapting to mobile home living would be one way of downsizing, especially my budget.[this post was last edited: 9/4/2014-13:48]

http://www.trulia.com/property/3152463426-The-Colony-146-Capri-St-Rancho-Mirage-CA-92270

 

[danemodsandy]

The Word "Trailer"....

....Is supposed to apply to a living unit capable of being towed behind a passenger vehicle.

If you are able to tow one side of a 28' x 80' manufactured home, chances are very good you're not behind the wheel of an Impala.

 

[twintubdexter]

Removed the T word comment...did not mean to offend anyone.

 

[danemodsandy]

Not Offended At All....

....It's just that the word "trailer" is not applicable to today's manufactured housing. It hasn't really applied since not too long after Tacy and Nicky Collini had their misadventures with The Long, Long Trailer, LOL.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

I desperately NEED to thin out / downsize my washer/dryer collection!   It's large enough that it will completely fill a very empty two car garage from wall to wall and no space to step past the door.   You know somethings got to be wrong somewhere when I walk in my garage where everything is and say "this is an absurd mess, I really need to get rid of half of this"

 

Kevin 

 

[thomasortega]

Kevin, I can help you getting rid of some appliances in a few months...  ROFL

 

Starting by the Maytag twin tub

 

[hydralique]

I am familiar with one very nice mobile home park in an expensive area west of LA. It's gated and full of protected mature oak trees; the homes there usually go for between $250,000 and $400,000 including a 4000-5000 sf lot. Most of them are from the '70s, a few have been replaced with newer models but this is complicated by the oak trees which cannot be given a major pruning or cut down without a report by a licensed arborist and approval from the local municipality. Residents love it because they get a detached home and lot for no more than they'd pay for a condo in the same city.

 

I know one older couple there who inherited a 1500 sf mobile home and moved from a 5000 sf house. They had to do a lot of downsizing but given that one can inherit without changing the tax base they are saving a vast amount compared to their big house, not to mention far less upkeep. Still, quite a lot can be stuffed into 1500 sf if you're dedicated . . .