IS IT TIME TO EMBRACE MODERN LIVING?
There’s a lot to be said for modern living. Easy to maintain, economical to heat, designed for our needs as we age. But contemplating moving is not always easy.
Let’s face it – a home is not just bricks and mortar. A home is emotion. It’s our haven, filled with memories of family and friends, happiness, and trauma.
So, when we get to a stage in our life when we consider whether our home is serving us to our best advantage it can be a tricky time. But isn’t it said that the only constant in life is change? We can’t stop time and there’s no point in fighting the fact that our needs evolve.
Perhaps it’s time to embrace modern living and consider moving to a new house or apartment in the next stage of your life. Ditch the dream of a country cottage with roses draped over the porch, along with the sticky doors that swell in the rain and the crevices for spiders. Go for the new!
ADVANTAGES OF MODERN LIVING
First, we’ll look at the advantages of modern design and how it can make your life easier and more comfortable. Then we’ll look at the things you will want to consider before taking the plunge.
NEW HOMES ARE BETTER INSULATED
Windows: It wasn’t so long ago that having double glazing was the best option when it came to insulating your windows—certainly much more efficient than single glazed sash windows or casement windows letting in cold draughts. Now, it’s common to have triple-glazed windows with a form of gas inserted in the cavities to stabilize the temperature.
Loft and Roof Insulation: Many older homes will have this form of insulation fitted retrospectively, whereas with new properties the latest and ideally, the most eco-friendly products will be integrated into the build.
Floors and walls: These are insulated as standard. Again, the latest products are going to be the most effective.
WELL DESIGNED HOMES HAVE MORE NATURAL LIGHT
Windows: It wasn’t so long ago that having double glazing was the best option when it came to insulating your windows—
There are enormous benefits to maximising natural light, and a talented architect will consider this in the construction. Here are some of the reasons it’s so important.
Circadian Rhythm: Natural light helps to keep our circadian rhythm in check, especially if we expose ourselves to it first thing in the morning. By receiving natural light in the main living area, our bodies are constantly linked to the daylight hours; this can be especially important if dementia sets in as our circadian rhythm can start to slip out of sync.
Saves Electricity: Even though with new technology, the proportion of electricity devoted to lighting is not so great these days, every saving is a gain.
Vision: The quality of full spectrum light is much better for our vision—everything is clearer, and colours are truer.
Mood: Natural light lifts our mood and makes us feel more alert.
Improves SAD symptoms: For people who are prone to feeling depressed in the winter, having a good amount of natural light available will reduce the need to use special lamps.
NEW HOMES ARE EASIER TO HEAT
The combination of good insulation and the modern heating techniques mean that new home owners barely spend anything on heating. Energy efficient forms of heating:
- Air Source Heat Pumps
- Ground Source Heat Pumps
- Biomass Boilers
- Solar Thermal Panels
PERHAPS IT’S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
So let’s move forward in a positive light. There’s a lot to be said for embracing modern living whether you decide to remodel your home or buy new, or even build your own new home. Perhaps it’s time to look at the benefits it would offer as we age.
Why not try to step back from your emotions and analyse your existing home in the cold light of day?
IS YOUR HOME TOO LARGE?
How much of your living space do you actually use? Is the main living area much larger than you need? How many empty bedrooms are there? What’s the point in rattling around in a large house that needs to be heated and maintained all year round, perhaps only coming back to its former glory during festive periods?
If local taxes in your area depend on the size of the property, this means more outgoings. Another point is that the size of the property is usually reflected in the garden proportion or back yard. Again, this needs upkeep, reflected either in your own work or in the expense of hiring a gardener.
HOW ENERGY EFFICIENT IS YOUR HOME?
How insulated is your house or apartment? Insulation techniques and technology have improved enormously over the years. Is your home stuck in the previous century? Admittedly, this could be improved by renovating your home, but would it be fully efficient? How much would it cost? Can you warrant the expense, and do you want to put up with the inconvenience of the work being carried out?
This ties together with the first question. Even if you can improve the energy efficiency of your home, do you still need to heat such a large area?
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: HOW GOOD IS YOUR NETWORK?
While it’s very liberating to drive and own a car, it’s a good idea to think a few years ahead. What if you can’t drive for any reason, or even don’t wish to incur the expense of running a car? Do you have a method of public transport close to your existing home?
If you live in the country, would you like to live closer to friends and shops in an urban area? Somewhere you can walk to the cinema or nip into a local grocery to pick up a loaf of bread, perhaps.
Our lives change so much from when we had young children who needed open space and freedom. For many of us, it will seem as if we were constantly in the car taking our offspring to school, play dates, sports events and all the other maintenance that goes with children and teenagers. Perhaps it’s time for a change?
HOW MUCH FREE TIME DO YOU HAVE?
It’s easy for us to get embedded in our way or life, looking after our home, tending the garden, and carrying out the usual maintenance – just as we have for the last say, two or three decades. As we get on in life, and don’t have so much responsibility for our families, wouldn’t it be nice if we could free up some time for hobbies and interests? Isn’t this freedom one of the enormous advantages of getting older? Isn’t it best to grab the moment while we’re still fit and able?
HOW MOBILITY-FRIENDLY IS YOUR HOME?
Although we don’t like to think about the impacts of health issues affecting our mobility, it’s only wise to be realistic. If you underwent a hip replacement or had a stroke, how would you cope in your current situation?
Ask many people this question and they’ll either shrug or give a few ideas for cobbled together solutions. This could be fine for a short while, say after an operation, but how about long term?
DO YOU FEEL READY FOR A CHANGE?
Staying in our groove can be comfortable, but it can also be unchallenging. Have you noticed how time seems to go so fast now? Is this a quantum phenomenon or is it because our lives are just the ‘same old, same old’?
The time to make changes is when we’re fit and healthy—whilst planning ahead in case things aren’t so rosy in the years to come.
OFFSPRING CONCERNS
Are you worried about how your grown children will react if you decide to sell the family home? Will they make you feel guilty for sentimental reasons?
Perhaps the sentimentality rests with you. In reality, many children will be understanding and encouraging when they realise that their parent or parents are starting afresh. Or perhaps you’ll want to be closer to them so that you can see more of your grandchildren. Maybe you’ll be able to help with childcare. Depending on family dynamics, this can be a positive move.
CONCLUSION
Are you at a point in your life where you could embrace modern living?
The first step is to make the decision whether you are ready for a change, then there are several routes you could take.
- Buy a fresh, newly built house or apartment that someone else has created.
- Design and build your own house
- Renovate or remodel your existing home
My next article will take you through the pros and cons of taking one of these forks In the road. Hopefully, in a positive frame of mind. Change can be good. Let’s embrace it!
