Couple Sells Seaside Property to Build New Home in Prienai, Embracing Senior Living

Petras and Audronė Baronas, after living in Šventoji for over three decades, made a significant life change by selling their property and moving to Prienai. There, they embarked on a new chapter, constructing an 80-square-meter home on a 7.5-are plot, specifically designed for their active senior years.

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We decided when the broker and the children assured us that selling the property we owned could really lead to something.

Both former artists and educators, Petras a sculptor and medal designer, and Audronė a painting and textile artist, they brought a wealth of creative experience to the project. They performed a considerable portion of the construction work themselves, leveraging their lifelong skills in working with their hands. This hands-on approach, combined with their accumulated life experience, allowed them to focus on their needs and maintain independence.

The couple shared five key pieces of advice for seniors planning their retirement homes. First, they stressed the need for "feeling and idyll," prioritizing nature, space, and tranquility, finding their new location near a forest and the Nemunas River ideal. Second, they emphasized the necessity of a professional project, even if initial ideas come from the couple, highlighting the role of an architect in finalizing plans and documentation.

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First: for the silver period, you need feeling and idyll. Nature, space, tranquility – these were the first criteria. The nearby forest and the Nemunas seemed ideally suited.

Third, they advocated for "no 'sharp' housing," meaning the absence of steep stairs or tight corners, ensuring ample space for plants and creative pursuits. Their single-story home serves as a gallery for their art, with space for a garden, a small vegetable patch, and individual hobbies. Fourth, they strongly advised against taking on debt, completing the construction and land purchase through the sale of their previous assets.

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Second: not a step without a project. They generated ideas themselves, because they had an understanding of spaces. However, a professional hand was necessary.

Finally, they recommended finding an honest local craftsman, mentioning that a reputable builder was recommended by a well-known folk artist. The Baronas couple's journey exemplifies a proactive approach to retirement, blending artistic sensibility with practical execution to create a fulfilling living space.

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Third: no 'sharp' housing – only space and comfort. In a silver-period home, there should be no steep stairs, narrow turns, or obstacles. But there must be plenty of space for plants and creativity.