Signs You Are Ready To Downsize.
There comes a time in everyone’s life when you have to think about change. When that change involves leaving the familiar and moving to a new environment, it can be a bit scary. This is doubly so if you have been living in the family home or any place that you have been used to for a while. Arriving at the decision to downsize can be difficult. How do know if the time is right, and how do you know what options are best for you?
Too much to handle
Are you finding it difficult to keep on top of your current property? One of the main signals that downsizing could be right for you is the fact that you are struggling to maintain your house. It may be that you no longer have the energy and the time to look after a garden. It could simply be that you have too many rooms. These can be tiresome to clean, maintain and dust.
If you find yourself only using a part of your property then why not consider moving to somewhere smaller and cosier? Bigger houses need more upkeep and maintenance. This can be expensive. In a larger house your bills and expenses such as property tax will be more. These will all be eating into your savings.
A retirement apartment could be just the answer. You will have all the space you need and no worries about an unruly garden or expensive maintenance. You will be able to get rid of all the clutter in the moving process. You simply take what you need with you.
A sense of isolation
Many people start to experience bouts of loneliness as they get older. For some, such feelings are exacerbated by the loss of a partner. Others simply engage less with the outside world. It is easy to fall into the trap of feeling isolated and lonely. Modern technology is great in that it can allow you to keep in touch with loved ones, but it is no substitute for company and activities. The right retirement village could allow you to be as independent as you like, but still have the option of having a great social community close by. Retirement Homes can be vibrant and surprisingly supportive in this regard.
Releasing Equity
Many pension schemes have been adversely affected by the stock market. Your savings are precious. It could be that you could release equity in your current property and have extra funds in your bank to help with your retirement. Buying a smaller apartment is a great way to achieve this.
Support and Security.
Moving to a modern retirement community is more akin to living in a village. You will have all the support you need as well as a home that is secure. Many complexes are well positioned close to facilities for you to enjoy.
If any of these issues have been a concern for you, it could be well worth considering that it is time to move. Many people who have done so, couples and singles alike have found themselves part of a vibrant new community. That community is often the start of whole new lease of life.
We are planning to downsize in two years and are so excited about it!! Small house by the water. That’s all we need!
Downsizing is a good thing.
It is me that needs to downsize and I am ready!
I am trying to help my dad downsize. He is having a hard time since my mom passed of going through things and getting rid of things he does not need. I know he is torn between the sentimental and the essential but the house is just too big for everything in it.
We are facing this situation. We are reaching the age where our home is too much for us.
Good read. I just downsized this past fall.
I think when my kids move out we will downsize.
Later in life downsizing maybe ideal for us but right now we need to up-size compared to what we have..lol. We are outgrowing our home.
There are a lot of benefits from downsizing, but I don’t think it goes that way by nature.
Helpful article and needed by most people at some point in life. This will help you understand it.
There is definitely some benefits to downsizing, especially later in life. We’re not quite there yet.
Good article. Downsizing makes a lot of sense. Who wants the aggravation of upkeep, property taxes etc
I am currently middle aged mother of three girls. We have a 4 bedroom home that we own. It’s size is good for us at this time. When my two oldest go off to college, I am definitely looking into downsizing.
My great Aunt and Uncle just moved to a retirement community near Washington DC. They sold their huge house and started over. It’s much simpler and easier for them. They no longer have three floors of rooms, just one floor with two bedrooms. Thanks for this review/post.
With three young kids, we’re not in the season to downsize yet. These are great tips though to remember for another season, and for our parents in the years to come. Thanks!
I have an apartment but it’s a two bedroom – my daughter recently moved out so I really need to go to 1 bedroom and downsize, I just don’t need the extra room.
Sometimes I think about it because in our 60’s our energy is declining. I could hardly imagine what it will be like in our 80’s but I don’t like being with old people. I like having the room when my children and grandchildren are here.
If I could only sell my house, I would downsize.
I am not ready to downsize. With two small children space is a must have.
We won’t need to downsize as we bought a small house that we will be able to handle as we age.
I am already downsized 🙂
My husband and I have been wanting to do this,but didn’t know where to start.Thanks so very much for sharing.
We are starting to downsize. We are calling it simpler living, and it is a process. It is so uplifting to reduce clutter, donate, and have less to worry about when we do leave our home.
As a realtor, I agree with a lot of this however, when moving into an over 55 community, people very much need to weigh out the cost of the monthly fee that comes with doing so in many places. Sometimes, the fee can be very high. Especially if you are not utilizing the social aspect of the community. In addition, people need to stay very aware of the restrictions that may be placed in these communites.
My Mom did this about 10 years ago to move in with my family. She says she is so much happier not having to worry about a home and vehicle on her own.
I am torn. In some ways ready to downsize, but then, needing to upsize a few areas as well, if that makes sense. Too many little kids here I guess.
When it’s time to downsize I move and I don’t pack any more than fits in my car.
We have just started discussing the fact that our twins will be out of the house in 4yrs, and how we will need downsize. It is a scary thought but also an exciting change.
I am ready to move on after divorce. Time to get rid of old memories and make new ones.
I want to downsize but the hub says no, rent is cheap enough, and he hates moving 🙂
I feel that downsizing and removing clutter is important at any age. I donate and throw out items through out the year as needed.
We are nowhere near ready to downsize. We just finally up sized last year and it’s still too small. Lol.
I think downsizing is what you should do when u get older. Thanks for the reiew
We’re looking at downsizing in about 3 years. A condo would be nice.
I think downsizing is important when you get older and kids are grown.
I think we are as downsized as we can be right now. We have quite a small house and I don’t feel we need bigger so its all good.
Talking about change…I lost my Mother to cancer on Jan.15th, 2016. Now, I worry about my Dad being alone. they were married for 52 yrs. and ALWAYS together! We spend the weekend with him and so does my little brother. I know he needs time to adjust but, I can not stand the thought of him being alone. He tells us he enjoys the company! So, as long as he wants us there…we are there for him! I promised my mother we would not abandon him, I mean how could we??? He is our only parent now.
I am downsizing now. What I have now is to much to handle. This is some great information
isee all the signs and am definitely ready to downsize. grewu p with hoarders and want to learn minimalism
I really wish my elderly mother would downsize but she refuses to leave her home. Eventually the house is going to be way too much work for her (I already think so but she does not). I would love to see my mother move somewhere where she does not have to go up and down the stairs to do her laundry.