Married for 60 years, they become neighbors

After 59 years under the same roof, Louis-Marie Pilote and Lucie St-Cyr sold their property, rented two neighboring apartments and had a door installed between the two. If their most original idea allows them to savor a tenfold intimacy, they continue to share countless daily activities.

Samuel Larochelle
special collaboration

Dynamic, still in love and possessing the tanned gaze of those who have never ceased to taste life, the two octogenarians, who are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary this month, have chosen to leave the condo they have owned for 14 years in Boucherville. “At our age, a certain fatigue had set in with the responsibilities that come with being owners,” says Louis-Marie Pilote. We didn’t want to wait too late, or get sick. “We wanted to choose where we were going to live ourselves, without others choosing for us,” adds Lucie St-Cyr.

Looking for a five-and-a-half-room apartment, all expenses included (television, internet, hot water, etc.), they couldn’t find it in Boucherville. By analyzing the neighboring municipalities, they spotted a rental condominium building in Longueuil. Unfortunately, this one had no room big enough for them.

However, an experience from the past inspired them. “In 1976, when I went to work as an engineer in La Pocatière, we rented two five and a half cars, recalls Mr. Pilote. Our three older daughters occupied one apartment, while we were in the other with the youngest. »

This period seems to have been more than positive. “The girls had their premises and their bathroom, explains M^me St-Cyr. We liked this separation. “Same story with her husband. “It inspired us 46 years later. »

Live differently

During their discussions with the managers of the Longueuil building, they suggested occupying two neighboring apartments and installing a door at their expense. “I thought they were going to say no and we’d stay at the condo, since we didn’t want to move into something that we half liked,” Ms.^me St-Cyr. I loved our condo. I thought I was going to die there. Eventually they accepted. »

After a week of reflection, the managers, initially very surprised by the demand, agreed to create a new real estate paradigm. Thus, their flexibility allowed the lovers not to stray too far from their three daughters established in Boucherville and the fourth living in Montreal. And to build a new daily life.

When they feel like watching different shows, they each move into their apartment. And they can choose when they sleep together. “I have a small bed in my apartment, while Louis has a double bed,” she explains. So I can come sleep with him if I want. »

“We had already been doing it at the condo for about five years, because of a snoring situation,” her husband says, remaining deliberately vague. “It’s me who snores, exclaims his wife, laughing like a kid. It woke him up and I said to him: “Don’t wake me up if I snore, because I’m a deep sleeper!” »

A sustainable solution

Even if the lovers seem in good health, they have thought about the possibility that one of the two dies before the other. “If one of us leaves, our apartments can become the equivalent of a bigenerational dwelling, imagines Louis-Marie Pilote. One of our daughters can live there temporarily. This already seems very clear to them. “The girls told us that they wouldn’t let the apartment go if one of them died, and one of them would take the other. »

When asked about their balance sheet, they are unable to name any drawbacks to their original way of living together. “We pretty much have all the advantages of our condo life, but we got rid of the responsibilities,” says Louis-Marie Pilote. We pay once a month. It is a turnkey. His wife adds. “It’s a find! »

A find that is not for all budgets. “You have to have the means, because it’s not cheap,” says Lucie St-Cyr. But it’s no more expensive than going to an RPA. » Not more expensive, but bigger. “We have 1400 sq.^⁠2 together, says Mr. Pilote. It is a very good expensive solution. »