There are seniors places that have model RRs in them and they are quite popular. My wife and I went with someone to look at one as she is at that stage in life. In this one, you buy your unit and can go down for meals or not, have a cleaning/laundry service or not. They were studio units or 1 or 2 or 3 bedroom units.
I asked the lady if you can buy two side by side units and knock a wall out or put a door through to the next unit. She said she had never had anyone ask that before but didn't see why not. She asked why and I told her my layout would be going next door. I got the usual funny look people tend to give me. My wife said, "you think he is kidding? He is not". She said it's your money and I said exactly, and I can't take it with me.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
You can consider yourself blessed if you've been able to have and operate a layout for many years.
In some ways, "some day" had been most of my life because due to various circumstances which have prevented me from being able to build layouts and actually complete them and enjoy them. I've moved around so much, college, jobs, grad school, marriage, divorce etc. Only in the last few years was I in a situation where I could build a layout but only in that home for four years so it was torn down for yet another move.
PA gets some snow. I was in central NY before moving to northern Virginia (west of DC) and I don't miss the lake effect snow there at all.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
My present layout will all go to the trash. I suppose a couple of structures or some rolling stock might make the transistion but that is doubtful. These guys seem to have pretty high standards.
It will be a bitter sweet time when I finally start the demolition and packing up. However, we are looking forward to being closer to our kids and grands.
There are some things which we definitely won't miss like...gutters, mowing, snow removal, calling plumbers, electricians and other tradesmen etc.
Our kids are in PA and MD. We are in Colorado so we also won't miss driving I-70.
So for now I'll just enjoy what we have and where we live. After all, we are all on a "waiting list".
You further validate the importance of enjoying the time the Almighty gives us to run trains. I get why this hobby draws a large number of people in retirement but best to start early. Yes, there are challenges when playing with trains while young (e.g., housework, young kids, full-time job, etc.), but being prepared for someday must be an everyday effort.
bedellThere is a silver lining - the retirement community has a multi-scale train room for the residents to work on and enjoy.
That's really a big deal! That will not only provide enjoyment, but instant friendship
I was at a luncheon with 12 retired colleagues and 3 were considering your solution and another was considering moving into an apartment so it wouldn't be a burden on his children, when he passed.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
bedell My wife and I are on a waiting list for a CCRC (continuing care retirement center) in PA. Since we will probably be moving by late 2020 I will need to tear down the layout. So now that "someday" has come. Instead of tearing down right away I'm enjoying just running trains, using up scenery materials etc. My son gets the rolling stock, track and power supplies. The rest will hit the trash. There is a silver lining - the retirement community has a multi-scale train room for the residents to work on and enjoy. Happy trails.
My wife and I are on a waiting list for a CCRC (continuing care retirement center) in PA. Since we will probably be moving by late 2020 I will need to tear down the layout. So now that "someday" has come. Instead of tearing down right away I'm enjoying just running trains, using up scenery materials etc. My son gets the rolling stock, track and power supplies. The rest will hit the trash.
There is a silver lining - the retirement community has a multi-scale train room for the residents to work on and enjoy.
Happy trails.
There are two things one should choose extremely carefully, one at the commencement of life and one at/near the end: one's parents and one's retirement home.
Sounds like a pretty smooth transition! I don't think I will benefit from such conditions. My sons are into "virtual" creations and I doubt I will find a retirement home with a train room in my neck of the woods. I'm hoping that the local club will become my full-time train room...
Simon