Since we have lived in our little house, we have been making updates as problems have arisen. I bought this house in 2018 and within weeks had a furnace that didn’t work when the first cold snap appeared. Thankfully that was just a repair. Since then we’ve had to replace the hot water heater, repair a leaking dishwasher, replace the roof, fix the toilet that flooded the bathroom and into the basement, and replace a faulty thermostat this past winter that left us snowed in and freezing this past January. Fun times. Not to mention our 25-year-old central air conditioning system that finally died a couple of years ago after multiple repairs that now nobody will replace without replacing the furnace too – it’s too costly for us to do at this point. Our fix is window units which has surprisingly dropped our electric bill by more than $100 per month. So, we’re not in a hurry for the $12,000 dual replacement until the furnace dies (knocking on wood that it’s not anytime soon).
So the things I wanted to do when I first laid eyes on this cute little house have been delayed – a new privacy fence in the backyard, a pool and possibly a hot tub, new siding on the house and garage, and updated landscaping. But there is one thing we have been able to address – updated security.
Although there was a security system with motion detectors already here, I think it was from the 1990s, which is useless with today’s tech. It’s like getting a flip phone to communicate with the modern world. I liked the 90s but it was definitely time to update our situation. Because of recent security concerns, for a few weeks I had been looking online for my options that didn’t involve a Louisville slugger, a nine iron, and a hammer under my pillow, along with my .22 discretely placed for convivence when my husband is out of town. Okay, I’ve been a little bit paranoid since watching I’ll Be Gone In The Dark and all of the Nancy Guthrie coverage along with personal security concerns that have surfaced in the last couple of months.
Then this past week along came John from Vivint knocking on our door. I believe in serendipity and this was one of those moments. Home security can be a costly proposition if not done thoughtfully. I was already a little familiar with them from research. What immediately appealed to me is their real time monitoring that is continuous and is stored for up to 45 days on their servers even if the power is out or cut at our home because of the redundant battery backups. Since what happened to Nancy Gutherie and my own recent personal security concerns that became important to me. Just a ring type camera that turned on with motion but didn’t necessarily catch everything just seems inadequate. I know this seems like some sideways ad, but it’s not. This is just about my experience in crossing off an item on my peace of mind list.
What I had been looking for was a camera doorbell to replace the 1914 doorbell that spottily worked; keypad and keyed reinforced deadbolts on our front and back door; cameras and motion lights that cover the perimeter; and updated motion sensors inside.
Our updated system even does more than that. We have a glass break sensor, smoke and carbon monoxide sensor, and a 911 panic button too. These are important things since my hubs has taken falls in the house due to his health issues – we both deal with serious stuff these days. All of the equipment bought separately without monitoring would have set us back close to five grand for what we wanted with us having to install it ourselves or find someone to do it and then having to deal with self-monitoring or finding a company to monitor. Vivint made it easy and affordable for us.
Both Chris and I are loving our new system – getting alerts when a package is delivered or someone comes onto the porch.
It’s about peace of mind of the increased safety when we are home or not.
Chris has been having a good time talking into the camera every time he comes and goes.
Eight years into the decision to live in an older community, I do not regret buying an older home. The house is solid with real hardwood floors and solid wood doors, and original charm in the details that you just don’t find in newer homes. We like and have made good friends with our neighbors. It’s walkable to everything we need – grocery, pharmacy, post office, library, banks, etc., and has public transportation available on the main road. We can walk to restaurants and bars with our neighbor friends, and to church. And I can drive to work in less than five minutes – sans vision issues on any given day. And I can drive to the hospital or downtown in less than ten minutes on surface streets. Not that I actually do all that walking or driving all the time. I’m still physically recovering from breast cancer treatment and dealing with side effects of ongoing treatment and the permanent secondary health issues that have come as a result. But still, the goals are there for me to attain.
After adjusting from living in the outer burbs for twenty years, I do feel relatively safe here. I like the mix of people of all ages and backgrounds – from my neighbors in their 80s to the young couple next door that just got married last year. I really think we’ll be able to age in place here down the road if that is what we choose. And now we feel a little bit safer with our updated security and monitoring.
#OlderHomeLife #HistoricHomeLiving #BungalowLife #1914Home #OldHouseCharm #LivingInAnOlderHome #HomeMaintenanceJourney #HomeRepairs #UnexpectedRepairs #HomeImprovementLife #DIYAndRepairs #HouseProjects #FixingAnOldHouse #HomeUpdateJourney #HomeSecuritySystem #SmartHomeSecurity #SecurityUpgrade #HomeMonitoring #SafetyAtHome #PeaceOfMind #NeighborhoodSafety #AgingInPlace #WalkableNeighborhood #CommunityLiving #SmallTownLife #NeighborhoodConnections #UrbanLivingBenefits #LifeAfterCancer #CancerRecoveryJourney #ChronicHealthLife #LivingWithHealthChallenges #RealLifeStories
Our Humble Road 