Congrats Shannon! I think that this is going to be an exciting new phase of life for you (haha) - and besides, a downtown condo will put you closer to work too (hopefully not too close!) - and I found that a lot of the condos are very beautiful in the area!

I will hold your hand and give you ++hugs!

Go Shannon! And Mr. Shannon! I am sure you will love your new lifestyle.

Wow, Shannon! This is BIG!! Best of luck with your new adventure!

This is great. Frankly I love living the in the city. Every time I have to venture out to 'burbs I just get confused.

So exiting! Congratulations on your decision. You will do it, and do it stylishly well.

This sounds like a fantastic new adventure! Your wardrobe is in a great place, and what a smart idea to go to cash only. It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this, and I wish you the best!

Clapping! A brave and wonderful decision. Brave only because change is always harder than not changing but I predict you will be more than delighted with your new lifestyle. Best of luck finding MIL a good home and with your own housing hunt! Keep us posted!

Yay for you! BF and I mention all the time that if we were city dwellers, we would choose exactly that downtown, walking lifestyle. (went to SF yesterday for a baseball game and pretend hunted for condos around the park while we were there :))
I really admire your determination to put your money where your mouth is by removing credit card temptation. I am also on a path to less consuming, but have never gone so far as to totally cut off online options. Good for you.
Lastly, I really really liked the part about shifting priorities and focus to a renewed relationship with your hubby.

Fantastic, Shannon! I also love urban life, and could maybe see us doing something similar someday...but we also love our home now!

I wish you all the best in this new phase of life. Very exciting!

Wow - thank you all so much for your support and best wishes. Of course this is all very early in the process, but somehow even writing this down makes the dream that much closer.

We have tried to get my husband's family to help with MIL such as having her over for a weekend (or come to our house for the weekend) so that DH and I can have some quality time together but it's always "we're busy" from all of them. We have come to accept the fact that we are very much alone in caring for MIL at this stage so at the very least, SIL can get moving on her end of the bargain with the assisted living hunt.

I certainly hope I don't sound like some ungrateful daughter-in-law. I think the past few years of caring for my terminally ill FIL as much as we could by going to their home every day to assist, then having MIL move in with us when we realized she was not coping well on her own in the house, and for the past several months also paying my Dad's rent at his assisted living facility in another province - well, it's just gotten to be a lot to handle.

DS is totally on board with us selling the house and we would certainly look at getting either a two bedroom or a bedroom and den so that he can live with us, at least until he's on his own two feet. He thinks it sounds exciting.

There will be much to do in terms of getting MIL situated and moved and doing some work to our house before it is ready to put up for sale. As I said, we're probably two years minimum away from realizing this change. But it feels good to look ahead.

Mochi - thank you SO MUCH for your rousing endorsement! I love hearing how this sort of change was so incredibly positive for you.

All the best luck in the world, Shannon! This sounds so exciting---big change and a beautiful one we all hope, I'm sure...

May it be, and may it be soon.

I know you will sail into your new life with the style and verve so characteristic of you. I know too that I will be cheering from afar!

Wow Shannon I think this is a great idea. Living downtown will put you within walking distance of all of the cultural events. Very exciting. I don't think you sound like the ungrateful daughter in law, you have cared for mil for awhile, it usually doesn't take too long for someone to get placed, my mil was paneled in a couple of weeks. Keep your eye on it, that she is actually on a list. All the best of luck with your new goal, and keep us posted.

Actually it sounds romantic, wise, youthful and exciting. Yep- you never know what's around the corner. Break a leg!,

Sounds like a great plan! DH and I want to do the same thing when we retire, move into downtown Montreal, live in a condo and live near all the amenities we enjoy. Nothing like a health scare to give you a good kick in the butt, right? Well, I think your plan sounds fantastic, and we will be here to support you through the online shopping ban!

OMG ! What fantastic news ! I am so glad and can see you in that kind of environment. I cannot believe it has been a year since your MIL moved in. Wow.

But I seem to have missed the part on why this is selfish....

Just wanted to chime in and say how much I *love* your plan for a more urban lifestyle. Very exciting news, and I'm glad you and your DH are going to "go for it" and put your dreams into motion.

You don't sound at all selfish to me Shannon. You have been contributing so much for so long; putting you & your husband first may feel selfish at first. Your plans sound wonderful

This sounds just fantastic Shannon! All the best wishes on making your dream a reality

Super late to this thread, Shannon, but I say go for whatever dream you and your husband share for you future. The empty nest is a time for new beginnings and reinventing your life.

Excited for you both!

OH my Shannon, I just saw this. Your plan sounds so exciting! It may seem like a long way off now but the time will fly by and the next thing you know, you will be walking the theater.