1601 Pennsylvania Avenue

For Residents:

So, you finished your time as president of the United States. Depending on who you are, the weight of the world rested on your shoulders from anywhere from one month to 12 long years. Whadda do now? Write a book? Chop wood on your ranch? Talk to your wife? Molder in the grave? Sure, those are viable options.

Or, you could move into 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue — the house next to the White House. Congress appropriated funds to create a place where ex-Commanders-in-Chief could live out their years in dignity. Enjoy the fun and excitement of living in the most powerful city on Earth in the early 21st century with none of the crushing burdens of leadership. That’s somebody else’s problem now!

Take care, though. Your predecessors and successors are a varied, strong-willed cast of intellectuals, rogues, charlatans, heroes and scoundrels. Beware of friction when highstrung and motivated personalities collide. Plus, we only have one bathroom. Shower slippers will not be provided.