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WHEN I ASKED MY brother what to bring to my newly purchased winter home in Tucson, his response was succinct: “Money. Lots. And extra credit cards.”
The voice of experience, he bought a so-called park unit five years ago before home prices soared, up 47% since early 2020 . My expenses in buying my place—and making it into what I wanted—had me selling beaten-down shares in a total bond fund to refill my cash accounts.
These bond share sales come with a realized loss, which should minimize any tax hit I face. A lifetime of thrift has made me an expert at putting money into accounts. What about taking it out? That, I’m not so good at.
Before my arrival in Arizona, my brother and I scrutinized an inspector’s 33-page report for the unit I’d bought “as is.” The report recommended repairs, and described unfamiliar construction methods and materials.
I bought John Krieger’s Your Mobile Home and pulled out the classic A Pattern Language for the first time in decades. Its planning patterns include A Home for One Person, Old People Everywhere and A Home for an Older Person.
These age-related patterns and others have helped me revise a 40-year-old tin can into my dream hideaway. If my immobile home were the subject of its own book, it would showcase a Half-Hidden Garden, Tapestry of Light and Dark and Private Terrace on the Street.
By definition, a park unit is temporary housing less than 400 square feet. Try pouring a lifetime of preferences into that square footage.
I could have lived a frugal, simple life in my longtime home indefinitely. But this year is one of my go-go retirement years. I also need to master the habit of decumulation, recognizing that we save in our 30s to spend in our 70s. I’m ratcheting up spending on fun and adventure, and experiencing fresh places and new people.
My existing house in California is becoming a part-year home base, filled with accumulated memories. With the mortgage paid off and familiar fixed expenses, it also serves as a financial pillar for my family. It houses young adults in transition, who I hope will one day move out as easily as they move in.
Later on, I may age in place in one of my two homes, before they become part of my estate. It’s possible that a child might keep one as his or her own house, providing their siblings are bought out.
I traveled and lived overseas when I was younger. Now, I’m staying put in this modest Sonoran Desert age-restricted resort, learning from others about how to be single, independent and retired.
The younger, 55-ish park dwellers still have jobs. They arrive in conventional recreational vehicles at the park, which offers desirable amenities for a mix of both fixed units and those that move.
Snowbirds who no longer want the exertion of vehicle maintenance park their RVs year-round and travel to Tucson by air. As winter ends, temporary residents host farewell parties, close up and head north, leaving behind hardy souls who comprise the core of this 55-plus community.
The year-rounders endure summer monsoons, heat and rattlesnakes. My brother and sister-in-law are among them, fully retired and no longer interested in maintaining two homes.
I enjoy my brother’s daily company. We last lived in the same city 40 years ago. It feels right to be together again. He loves do-it-yourself YouTube videos on everyday repairs and maintenance. His shared videos supplement my books.
Whenever I walk the park—which is often, thanks to the family dog—I see neighbors working on all sorts of tasks. I muse whether each chore is something I need to do, too. Most residents are happy to share the particulars of the projects they’ve got underway.
My “as is” unit boasts a 39-year-old over-the-range microwave that I use daily. Initially, performance was lackluster. After a thorough cleaning of its fan filters, it’s humming along and may last another 39 years.
I’m not averse to updating, but the microwave’s dimensions are dissimilar to current models. Replacing it would require removing two cabinets to fit a new one or, alternatively, putting a fan over the range and buying a countertop microwave, when there’s hardly any counter space already.
Cleaning frequently solves performance issues, as it did here. It’s a useful habit that has delayed expensive and unnecessary home improvement projects all my life, leaving money to grow in my retirement accounts.
My tiny kitchen includes a 30-inch range. I’m considering replacing it with a modern 30-inch electric induction range. Maybe the prosperous buy 36-inch designer ranges, but 30-inch ranges remain widely available.
I haven’t cooked on an electric stove in decades. I don’t like the time a burner takes to heat up or turn off. I guess I’ve been spoiled by the responsiveness of a gas range. I’m tempted to buy a new stove, but as a part-time resident it hardly seems fiscally prudent to change out a stove that still works.
Another appliance that has changed substantially is the refrigerator. A decade ago, neighbors back in California remodeled and bought a counter-depth refrigerator. In my ignorance, I hadn’t ever heard the term before. They found many refrigerators 24 inches deep.
Fast forward to my Arizona kitchen today, where I saw an unused water line to a bare-bones refrigerator that didn’t feature icemaking. I considered replacing the fridge with a model that makes ice. I enjoy the creature comfort of chilled filtered water and plenty of clear ice.
A preference is not a need, however, plus any water line adds complexity and risk. In addition, when I shopped for a new refrigerator—for the first time since 2007—I learned the dimensions of my kitchen don’t fit the fridge I’d hoped to purchase.
Refrigerators have become larger and much more expensive. I could remove the cupboard above the refrigerator to put in a new one. But I’m aiming at a lower-cost no-remodel refresh in this tin shack, so it’s time to watch more of those home remodeling videos.
Catherine Horiuchi is retired from the University of San Francisco’s School of Management, where she was an associate professor teaching graduate courses in public policy, public finance and government technology. Check out Catherine’s earlier articles.
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Congratulations Cathy. We’re toying with the idea of a pied a terre somewhere, and while I expect it won’t be the project yours is, one never knows.look forward to reading more as the story goes on.
Thanks! Every day an adventure here. The search for a place is at least half the fun,..
Excellent article. I’m looking forward to hearing more of your experiences in Tucson.
Thanks! For sure I’ll be writing more about this.
Great article Cathy. Sounds like sound planning. Enjoy
Thanks!
Helped a lot by your (and others) writings on home ownership and vacation homes, second homes, etc. All on HumbleDollar.
https://humbledollar.com/2024/01/making-our-move/
https://humbledollar.com/2020/09/paradise-lost/
Tucson is a great place for the Winter. We have been doing it since 2012. There is a 130 mile paved bike trail that parallels the dry riverbanks. Take a drive up to Sabino Canyon for an interesting experience. Catalina State Park is nearby with some great hiking. You can take in the Titan II Missile Museum in Green Valley. If you like Native American art and artifacts visit the Medicine Man Gallery (don’t take your wallet or credit card).
Come February, there will be the Gem and Mineral Show. I could go on but….
Most of all, enjoy the sunsets, the mountain views, and friendly people.
Thanks for the good ideas, very helpful.
I’ve headed south earlier than the snowbirds, my young adults at home back in school/work. I’m tentatively planning to stay for the late summer & early fall, with projects leftover from last spring, then spend the fall leaf season and holidays with the kids. (I said I’d be gone “between three days and two months”.)
Here in Tucson, I’m figuring which places where the dog can/can’t go (like now, in the summer, dogs are allowed at the Tucson Botanical Garden) and finding a good place to drop him off for a few hours or overnight to do things he can’t. There’s something called the Loop which might be that bike trail you mentioned?
I am thoroughly enjoying the friendly people here. And the terrific scenery.
Congratulations. Sounds like you are having frugal fun!
Thanks!