One of the biggest challenges in getting ready to make a move like this is how to get rid of an entire house full of ‘things’. If I were just moving to another house somewhere in the continental US, it’s just a question of packing everything up, hiring a moving company (or a U-Haul if you are really masochistic which I have also done), and get ready for weeks of unpacking and dealing with cardboard boxes at the other end. It’s basically just relocating the same ‘stuff’ to a different place.
This time, the objective is to basically dispose of almost everything I have accumulated over the years. To that end, yesterday I called an auction company here in Bozeman that deals with estate sales. I have decided this is the mechanism I will likely use to empty my house when the time comes. Of course, they charge a commission of about 25% but I’m thinking if I can get a decent price for the house (that’s a whole different discussion these days!) then anything I get for the contents will be gravy. I’m looking at it more from a convenience point of view.
There are certainly a few things I will keep and a few things my daughter has said she wants. I have rented a storage unit here in Bozeman to begin moving those things out of the house. However, I am trying to keep those things to a minimum. I’m sure when the day comes and most of everything I own is converted into a check issued by the auction company it will be a little bittersweet. On the other hand, it will signify the beginning of a new life and a new adventure.
I have toyed with hanging on to my house in Bozeman and leasing it out for a while. And, if the real estate market craters, I may still go that route. However, that is not really my preferred option as I don’t relish the idea of being a landlord from 5,000 miles away. In addition, as much as I have enjoyed living in Bozeman, I don’t see myself returning to live in Montana once I leave. I will look at the situation this summer and see what the market looks like. If I have to go the leasing route, I will only consider long term leases and have no interest in doing the Airbnb thing.
Barb will not be selling her house in the Phoenix area until after we have successfully applied for and received our long-term visas. Once that happens, she will decide whether to sell her place or lease it out. We want to make sure we have at least someplace to live and don’t end up with matching shopping carts living under a freeway overpass!!
It is not our plan to immediately buy something in Portugal. We intend to find a place to lease while we get the lay of the land and decide if it is where we want to plant for a longer period of time. Neither Barb nor I have lived in an apartment for decades and we know that we may end up living in one for the first year we are there. That will be a huge adjustment for us both. We are just going to have to see what is available when we get there and try to remain flexible. This is called jumping into the deep end of the pool!!
We do have a few contacts in the country and will start working with those contacts prior to arriving so we can maximize the amount of time we will be on the ground. We will, however, be under the gun to actually sign a lease before we leave the country. It will be a bit of a crap shoot. Wherever we end up, we understand that it is just the base of operations to enable us to establish residency and look for a place to plant for a longer period of time.
When I moved from Los Angeles to Montana, I had initial ideas about what I wanted but when I started looking, I realized some of my ‘wants’ were really not practical. Had I followed through with that wish list, I would likely have become a full-fledged hermit. In the end, I bought my house in Bozeman before I ever set foot in it. The first time I saw the house in person was when I met the realtor there who handed me the keys. It all worked out and I’ve been very happy here.
Similarly, we have ideas about what we want when we get to Portugal, but we could end up with something different based upon what we find and what is available. I guess that’s why they call it an adventure!!