Wolfgang, aged 78, resides 100 meters above the Baltic Sea. - I dwell in a 4-star establishment designed for seniors.
In just 50 seconds, the golden elevator takes Wolfgang Hoffbauer from the ground floor to the 32nd floor of the Maritim Hotel in Travemünde, Germany. At such a great height, he gazes down 100 meters to the Baltic Sea in awe.
His adventures began while strolling on the promenade, deciding it was time for a quick nap. He knew the Maritim Hotel was where he wanted to spend his retirement years after taking vacations there three times a year with his family.
One day, his son discovered a 31 square meter apartment was for sale in the Residence section of the hotel. Impulsively, Hoffbauer paid 220,000 euros and an additional 289 euros monthly for rent.
Regular cleanings and access to the wellness area of the hotel are perks of living there. For entertaining guests, he meets them at the hotel bar for a "Sex on the Beach" cocktail. Weekly Rummikub games in the Maritim Pub until schnitzel or hamburger panfish is served complete his weekly routine.
This small space is perfectly maneuverable for his needs; if necessary, he'd even call for a care service. "Waking up to see the sea and hear the seagulls is like a dream come true," Hoffbauer says with a sense of gratitude.
In the past, he moved out of his large house in Göttingen to make space for his wife's nursing home, temporarily renting 70 square meters. The few things remaining from his old home now fill his 31 square meter apartment at the Maritim.
Moving into this much smaller space was challenging, but it reminded him of letting go of his past while embracing a brighter future. His bed folds into a closet, the kitchenette is located in the hallway, and he owns a grand collection of books, thousands of CDs, a piano, and two violins. "This process of downsizing made me reflect on the past while opening my eyes to a promising future," Hoffbauer explains.
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