Preplanning, downsizing and uprooting: A senior couple chooses Brockport for their retirement home

“This is like a perpetual vacation.” – Doug Chesnut

“People who know us were very surprised that we were pulling up stakes and moving, very surprised,” Cathy Chesnut said.  She, at 67, and husband Doug, at 69, retired to Brockport in March this year, leaving behind a house they had built for themselves 23 years ago in Virgil, New York. Their original unspoiled mountain top home on five acres in Cortland County, with an adjacent home built for her parents, no longer suited them. Other houses had encroached on the land, her parents had passed away, and their life situation had changed. Their fascinating story includes how they parted with most of their material goods and real estate and moved to a basic apartment in Brockport. The story includes clear values and priorities in their lives, rational planning for their retirement years, and, after just six months here, their profound feelings about the many benefits of Brockport as their new home.

Pulling up roots and creating a wish list for a new home location
“We loved it there,” Doug said about their home near Greek Peek when it was rural. Gradually, over 30 homes were built nearby, but there were no sidewalks.  They would drive to a local preserve to go for a walk. With no public transportation they had to drive everywhere they needed to go.  Caring for Cathy’s father until a few years ago, including his transportation, they wondered about their own mobility in later years with no family nearby.  After Cathy’s father died, they thought more about future transportation problems and upkeep of the two houses, and contemplated moving in the next few years.

The couple made a wish list for what they wanted in their next hometown. The wish list included walking access to town, a good library, a college (the setting for Doug to continue part-time work), a first floor apartment, and a location near the water.  Also, it needed to be in the geographical area covered by their medical insurance, a major financial consideration. “I looked at the list and said, to be honest, we are doing well if we get three out of five,” Doug said.  “We’re not going to get them all.”  But, he was wrong.

Brockport fulfills their wish list
Doug first did a computer search for rental listings. Webster and Fairport looked great on the computer, but failed after visiting.  It was the same decision for Albany, the coast of Maine, and the Hudson Valley.

They visited Brockport twice with the Lift Bridge Book Shop one of their first stops while walking on Main Street.  Telling the shop owners and customers what they were looking for, “They were free with information and we got a real sense of pride in the village from them,” Cathy said. One of the things they heard is that Brockport is like “Mayberry” (the classic 50’s TV series), “And it truly is; it’s very nice,” Doug says now.  “The whole town seems to have a calmness to it,” Cathy said about her continuing first impression.

The Chesnuts immediately found a first floor apartment that was the right size and right price at Autumn Woods Community on West Avenue. They also found the desired walkability in Brockport. “We can walk from where we live to Wegman’s and Wal Mart with sidewalks the whole distance,” Doug said.  They say they are walking a lot more and getting more exercise than when they lived on the mountain.

They discovered the Wegman’s here is a “lovely, fantastic store,” compared to the one in Ithaca they said was too large for their needs and had a hectic atmosphere. They have found good restaurants and spend time at Java Junction on Main and Grinds 122 Cafe on West Avenue. They love Seymour Library and Cathy wants to volunteer there. They see a close “town-gown” relationship with The College.  The couple is interested in The College’s academic offerings for seniors. Doug works part-time at the Barnes & Noble Books store on the campus. Cathy spins yarn and has discovered the Morgan-Manning House which she calls “just gorgeous” and has connected with the monthly spinning group there. They have returned to biking after 30 years, with bikes purchased at Bicycle Outfitters on Main Street. They say that store owner “Russell” helped pick the perfect bikes and, “He’s a great support as we come up with questions.”

In May Cathy discovered a volunteer opportunity when she went to get a new vacuum cleaner brush at the Magic Wands Vacuum Shop on North Main Street. “George (store owner) told me about the Welcome Center on the canal needing volunteers and connected me with Doug Wilcox that same day.” Cathy and her husband are now on the volunteer schedule. They love the contacts with other volunteers and the visitors “who tell us there is no other place on the canal like the Welcome Center.”  Being near the Erie Canal, and 20 minutes from Lake Ontario, fulfills their wish to be “near the water.”

Downsizing their home and traveling lightly
Cathy’s training and nursing degree prepared her for 22 years in the geriatric field.  Caring for the elderly, “I saw what they went through,” she said.  “I saw heart ache and I emptied apartments for people who had died.”  She affirmed, “As you get older, it is important that you look at your options and make good decisions.”

Decisions on downsizing started six years ago when they switched from dressers and bookcases to Closet Maid storage cubes.  Among other changes, two twin futon platforms replaced the queen size bed. Their goal was to make their furnishings portable by one or both of them.  Two years ago, with a clear decision to move, they arranged the furniture they were planning to keep into measured off spaces they anticipated in an apartment.  The remaining spaces in their house, basement and garage were filled with possessions left by Cathy’s parents and several elderly friends, which, along with their own items, they would give away before their move.  In the fall of 2015, with a floor plan (two bedrooms and a great room) for the Brockport apartment, “We actually constructed the apartment in our house and knew all we wanted to bring,” Cathy said.

“Take what you enjoy”
“We did not have a sentimental attachment to things we had to eliminate,” Doug said. “We brought what we wanted in our next stage in life.” Cathy added, “When you look at what you want to take with you as you reduce your life experience, take what you enjoy!”

About half of what they moved were storage racks for totes filled with their collection of yarn and fiber. These are used in their hobbies with Cathy spinning and Doug weaving. She brought four small spinning wheels and he brought his two small looms.  Averaging about two hours at home every morning spinning and weaving, they sometimes combine their hobbies with the joy of volunteering at the Welcome Center. (See photo)

Their frugal lifestyle includes meals in their efficient kitchen, plus eating out several days a week, meeting people and socializing in restaurants or coffee shops.  Doug calls the money they save in their downsized lifestyle, and not drinking or smoking, their “vacation budget.” “We are not big vacation travelers, never have been,” he said.  “But, this is like a perpetual vacation.”