Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet Clash with officers lands Medford man in jail on multiple charges UO students offered antibiotics after death of acrobatics athlete 10 things to know for Wednesday Emergency services, Feb. 18 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet Clash with officers lands Medford man in jail on multiple charges Emergency services, Feb. 18 Emergency Services, Feb. 17 Emergency services, Feb. 16 Politics and Elections Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Successor Kate Brown must run for election in 2016 Community leaders saddened by governor's departure Education Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Medford School Board OKs full-day kindergarten Former superintendent sues district, board member Environment Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City Solar pavilion going up at Coyote Trails GMO opponents can join Jackson County in defending ban State News Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Oregon Senate advances low-carbon fuel law Brown says inauguration speech will focus on restoring trust in government Oregon chub first fish to be officially taken off endangered list Day of transition in Oregon Legislature as Kitzhaber's exit nears Nation - World Obituaries Arthur �Art� S. Backlund Death Notices Lynn Ann Latham McCoy Lane Itol A. Downing Grant Edward Cochran Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Karl introduced as 3rd Kings coach of season Crater rally denies EP North Medford girls hold off Cavers Kentucky defense keys win over Vols LOCAL REPORT Varsity 541 College Sports Kentucky defense keys win over Vols W. Virginia squeaks by Kansas, 62-61 Senior's swan song Afengus, Champion to coach soccer, women's wrestling Harrison, Hendrix homer in OSU loss Pro Sports Karl introduced as 3rd Kings coach of season Pitchers, catchers will report this week Questions surround top quarterback prospects Teams mull options as trade deadline nears Blazers content at the halfway point Community Sports Business Latest Stories Blog: Alaska Airline, brimming with confidence, adding six extended-range Boeing 737s by 2016 Josephine County to approve Southern Oregon business recruiting contract Blog: An empire built on a plastic-block foundation Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan GT-R Oregon Retina Specialists will expand into new building Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record The heart of Brammo will remain Agriculture 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Editorials Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Our View: A sad end to a historic career Our View: Time to end the vaccine exemption Our View: Hemp hemp, hooray — old crop is new again Letters to the Editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 16 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 15 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 13 Columns Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Michael Gerson: A call for 'patient pluralism' Kathleen Parker: No excuse for juicing the story Dana Milbank: Remembering the remarkable Kayla Mueller George Will: Curb your pessimism about terrorism Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South Debbie Snyder: Fleas annoy you and your pet Brent St. Germain: King cake is my kryptonite Food Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South There's a whole universe of chili outside Texas Citrus sensations Community blog: It's time to lavish love on heart-healthy lentils Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Home Help: DIY home upkeep projects for every season Health Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines Community blog: Your Brain on Love Health Watch: The rise of wearable fitness tech Community blog: Are You Losing or Gaining on Your Investment in Health? Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Milestones and Achievements New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories The music that made Paris famous SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'Much Ado About Nothing' kicks off OSF's 2015 season Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Theater SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'Much Ado About Nothing' kicks off OSF's 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Music The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra 'Broadway's Next Hit Musical' Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Dining The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet ... Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor ... UO students offered antibiotics after death of acrobatics athlete ... Trail man allegedly hit mother with hatchet ... Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor ... UO students offered antibiotics after death of acrobatics athlete ... Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Comment By Richard Montgomery More Content Now MailTribune.com By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News Reader question: We are considering downsizing our home. We are in our mid-60s and in good health, but something smaller and in a more moderate climate keeps making more sense. We have different ideas about the best methods to sort this all out. Do you have any advice that may simplify the process? John and Donna F. Monty’s answer: Downsizing can involve prickly decisions when planning a lifestyle change. Family, friends, and neighbors will often weigh in with the best solution for you. While advice can be conflicting, each point often has a solid foundation. Not everyone needs to or wants to downsize, and there are some pitfalls to avoid for those who decide to make a move. Here are some basic tips that may help the decision-making process succeed. First, get your priorities down on a sheet of paper. Rank them and consider advice against your priorities. What are the important factors in your lives? Keep the option of “ staying put ” in the mix. Consider spending time in your “finalist” destinations. If you have been there before, you may see it differently as your permanent home. Discover what locals have learned about living there. Location based information is plentiful on the Internet; for example, cost-of-living comparison sites have done helpful research for you. Nailing down a location simplifies the rest of the process. If you do not agree on the location, consider renting a place in finalist communities during their best (or worst) season of the year. Develop a plan. If we decide to make a move, what is the process? Do our financial resources limit our choices in how we proceed? What is the value of our current home? What will our future home cost? Can we save money renting in the new location? Should we sell our home and store (or sell) our furniture and rent in the new location for a year to get acquainted? Should we keep our home as a fallback in case we come to believe we made an error? Should we make a clean break? Test different options. There are a variety of choices -- including over 55 communities, apartment-style flats, high-rises, gated communities, single family subdivisions and even options you may not have realized exist. If you decide to test living in a new city, consider renting a different lifestyle in each city. Renting for a short time provides an experience that may influence your final decision. Consider future conveniences. Think ahead to what will become important to you in the future. Factor in needs and niceties that previously may not have been significant in your life. Is there a good hospital in the area? Is there a drug store? A swimming pool for exercise? These are innocuous considerations that could become significant if your circumstances change. For singles, think carefully about potential roommates. Friends and family may also be looking to downsize, and they might suggest making the move together. But great friends and family are not always great roommates. Often, attitudes change when living under the same roof. Just as you would test out a new kind of housing or location, try renting or a road trip before making a permanent move that could be financially difficult to reverse. Remember circumstances change. If the move is to be closer to family or friends, think long term regardless of how their lives may change. Some move solely to be close to children and family. Soon after, their employer transfers their offspring, and they move away. Do not feel stuck in a place you would not have chosen otherwise. Stay put after a significant event. Certain events can trigger a quick and emotionally driven decision; for example, divorce or the death of a significant other. Try to avoid making a major move when in the midst of such life events. Instead, develop a plan that requires a year, or so, to consider the decision. Don’t wait until you have to move. Accidents can happen, and illness can strike without warning. In some cases, moving could prevent accidents. For example, stairs can present the risk of a fall as we age in place. Waiting too long to act could take the decision out of your hands. We often put off dealing with our future housing needs. For many of us, our home is comfortable and moving takes work. The happiest and most satisfied people in retirement are those who are well informed. Richard Montgomery gives no-nonsense real estate advice to readers’ most pressing questions. He is a real estate industry veteran who has championed industry reform for over a quarter century. Send him questions at DearMonty.com. By Richard Montgomery More Content Now MailTribune.com By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501