This morning during my walk the phone rang. It was Melaney Phillips of Rainbow Refuge at Villas Escondidas.
She may well have the relocation solution I need, plus (hallelujah!!) a renter for the casita I’m in right now so Cat and her husband won’t miss a beat when it comes to receiving rental income.
(Talk about a connector! Melaney is a connector extraordinaire!)
If it all works out, in February 2026 I will be living in a lovely one-bedroom suite in San Isidro, within walking distance of Dale and Crystal Garrison and just 75 meters (approx 250 steps) from a bus stop.
On level ground.
So people can fly in and visit me who aren’t mountain goats.
Before Lisa gets here on February 11th, so she will be able to see and experience what I hope will become my forever home until I am too old to live independently (which I hope will be never).
CAVEATS
There are a couple of caveats. It’s a one bedroom suite, but it has a queen size bed. So, my guests will have to either sleep with me or on a couch. Most of the (very few) people who want to fly in for an extended visit are amenable to sharing a bed.
Or, if they are a couple, there are good establishments nearby at reasonable rates.
The second caveat is that the place is listed for sale, but Melaney says that homes with existing long-term renters are much sought after by many prospective buyers, and so if/when it’s sold, I may not need to move. And if I do, there will be time to find another place — and I’ll be located in the area where I want to be long-term so it will be easier to visit prospective rentals from there.
It’s fully furnished and $50 less to rent than this place, utilities included. It’s fenced, has lovely acreage, and the owner/landlady lives upstairs.
Melaney is a good friend of the owner and says she thinks she and I will get along great; our vibes match, and Melaney has already given me a glowing recommendation as a renter (so will Cat, if need be, I’m sure!) because I rented a room at Villas Escondidas when I first got here and didn’t give them any fits.
And the place will allow Charli, of course.
Sometime next week we’ll go there to meet the owner/landlady.
As far as renting the place I’m in now, Melaney has a friend flying in this weekend who wants to rent in this area in mid- or late January because she knows Jane Howe, and she is well able to navigate the incline here. She won’t have a vehicle, either, but the bus stop isn’t far.
It sounds like the universe is serving up what all of us are seeking — new abodes that benefit the landladies as much as they benefit the renters. Long-term rentals in perfectly chosen locations!
I was planning on waiting until April, May or June to move, but these circumstances appear to be asking me to go sooner. And I’m totally up for for it as long as I won’t be leaving my wonderful landlady in the lurch. No way do I want to do that.
Nor do I want to have to say goodbye to my neighbors here…
But that’s an inevitability anyway. I simply can’t stay here long term. My knees won’t take it, and the calle is rocky and uneven. Walking is a wee bit riskier here than I like…
Afternoon Update:
Walked to the mini mart for a few things. Have walked 9,340 steps so far today, so will probably top 10K by end of day. Not too shabby!
HIKING GROUP
I’ve signed up with a hiking group here, too. Told ’em I’m almost 75 but ablebodied and sure-footed and that I walk between 8K and 12K steps daily, which they say is probably 8 to 10 km (five to six miles) total. That’s about how far their hikes are, so I should be fine.
Jon signed up with the same hiking group, so if they hike on Saturdays (which is the day he’s available) I will probably go then, too. Don’t know if I’ll do it this Saturday, though. But I might! Jon says the place they’ve chosen for the Saturday is beautiful. I’ll ask him how strenuous it is and decide after that. I don’t want to slow anybody down.