I tried to post this recently but something went wrong and it wouldn't take... I've decided I'm sick of the beach after 20+ years and want to be closer to grandbabies AND grown granddaughters so I rented an apartment in Richmond.

Small - 629 square feet but I have a direct river view. Walkable. Bikeable. Shoppable. Nearby Culture (museums and restaurants.) Oh and a gym and a rooftop deck and two pools. 20 minutes from grandsons and three hours closer to granddaughters who have their own cars. We are planning slumber parties at Gramma's.

My renter experience: Online tour. Floor plans. Building placements. Neighborhood drive around. Then full tour of the apartments, grounds, etc. After, everything online - app, lease, etc. First Month FREE and LOW deposit yikes! $250 Admin Fee, though. And monthly parking. And trash. And water. Still, quite doable.

I figure many retirees travel. Not interested in that anymore, we've done that and mass transportation seems like a nightmare to me now. So my travel budget pays for the apartment for a year. Richmond's affordable compared to the beach. After that we'll see.

Found two tiny spots of damage on cabinets and a loose washer connection - maintenance was there next day. We are using the "free month" as moving time, and I'm both ordering from Amazon and Wayfair, and stealing stuff from our place too. So...I'm a Tenant again after 35+ years. Woot.

Congrats W!

Great life decision. And wonderful to have the FREEDOM!!! and the cash flow to do what you want.

(Although my crystal ball shows you finding a deal and buying there!)

We've seen several friends retire and move to where their offspring & grandkids live.

One moved to help care for a grandchild with special needs.

My Grandmother used to say "You're not a tree - you can move around!"

Anxious to hear more advice from your perspective as a renter.

When I was young and a contractor, most of my client had 20 to 30 years on me. So I saw the same situation, downsizing from being an owner to a renter NEAR grandchildren. With many thoughts and trials, one solution stood out.

Children and grand children are located usually in a new more affluent (Costly) area. So buying just to be close to family was prohibited as a senor. So instead my client/friends would do a 1031 exchange, selling a difficult or unwanted rental and then buying a later retirement property--with taxes. Then when ready to move, convert the rental into a primary residence.

Then they would NEVER pay long term capital gains tax, recapture, state tax, etc and have a place to live and be with family--walking distance...

I'm happy for you.

I also think I haven't seen deals like free rent & low deposit in quite some time.

GKarl, deposit was only $350 on a $1500/month apartment (give or take, their pricing is all over the place depending on when rented, etc.) December was "free" so no rent until January. Our deposit is...yikes...almost 10 times theirs (double the rent.) However, ours gets refunded 99% of the time - I bet this one does not. Just have that feeling.

6x6, we are not selling the 'big house' but I will spend more time in Richmond than DH will - he's the boots on the ground guy, I can do my work from anywhere. Have internet, can travel. We've been married 39 years, we can stand to be apart now and again. :) And the big house is used for holidays and vacations by all the kids.

But he is an avid biker and this place is RIGHT on the Capital Trail, rated #1 in the country. It's a beautiful ride so he'll be coming up as much as possible. I have a Tadpole pedal assist trike so I can even get out there without him - at home I can't - bike has to be loaded on a trailer to go anywhere safe around here.

Richmond seems to have TONS of empty apartments - WAY overbuilt in my opinion. I had to make a list of my absolute must-haves, and then make it very specific - like near the bike trail, and then ON the bike trail and then STEPS from the bike trail - in order to narrow it down to even begin looking. And I wasn't even looking at price yet.

I cancelled a few appointments I had made online after narrowing down my list and each place called or texted me four or five times anyway.

Here at the beach, a tenant starts with is there ANYTHING at all? And then moves on to price location etc. Then they have to make what's available work for them somehow.

Congrats WMH on making it to where you want to be!

Now go buy some beach towels or Spongebob sheets and hang them in the windows.

Ray, Richmond has come a long way since the 80's when it was known as the Murder Capital of the coast...worst than NYC I think. I was a "traveling sales rep" back then and it was part of my regular territory. Now streets where I was afraid to drive back then, let alone walk, are filled with luxury apartments, shops and especially RESTAURANTS. It's a foodie heaven.

Great story. Good for you !!!

Great move for you!

Sounds like you’ve found your perfect spot! Richmond’s really coming up in the world, and it seems like you’ve got the best of both worlds—quiet apartment living with easy access to your grandkids and plenty of culture. Who needs the beach when you've got slumber parties and rooftop views? 

P.S. Congrats on the “tenant” status again—getting back into the game with a free month and no headaches? That’s a win in my book!