• Shawn Robertson, 55, has lived in the same home in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, his whole life.
• He has experienced major milestones, both good and bad, while living in that house.
• While he says staying put has its perks, he also feels he might be ready for a change.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shawn Robertson, a 55-year-old from Tsawwassen, British Columbia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Having spent his entire 55 years in one house, Shawn Robertson believes he's a rarity in an era where frequent relocations are common due to job changes and economic fluctuations. His parents, seeking to adopt, moved to Tsawwassen in 1968, where they built their German-style home—a space that has fostered countless family memories over the decades.

From his childhood adventures to hosting engagement parties and celebrating with grandchildren, the home is steeped in sentimentality. He cherishes the deep bonds with long-term neighbors while grappling with the reality of gearing up for a future move—potentially to the Okanagan region—as their children embark on new paths. Robertson admits that while the thought of change is daunting, the memories made within the house will endure, a testament to the value of stability in a rapidly shifting world.