Needs change as you enter retirement. Now that the kids are grown and you’re no longer working, daily routines become more relaxed, finances shift towards travel, healthcare, and estate planning, and a large house often provides significantly more space than you require. As a result, many seniors find smaller homes fit their lifestyle better than larger ones. Smaller homes:
For seniors thinking of moving someplace a little more manageable, this guide will explain how to downsize your home, with practical tips for handling the logistical and emotional aspects of the process.
Before creating a plan, take a moment to think about why you’re moving. Seniors often downsize to save money, but that’s not the only benefit of moving. It can also improve your:
Once you know what you’re looking for, you can start narrowing your choices in order to find someplace that meets your needs. Above all, don’t rush. Even though the prospect of moving can be exciting, making a hasty decision can lead to regret later on.
Downsizing cannot be done overnight. You need to prepare your home, finances, and belongings — so give yourself time. Hurrying often leads to unhappy outcomes, while a slow, careful approach is the best way to ensure a seamless transition. How much time you need depends on how far you’re going.
If you’re moving to another house in the same city, you’ll probably need at least 3-4 weeks to get everything ready. If you’re moving long-distance (over 50 miles) then you’ll need at least 6-8 weeks. However, if you’re planning to relocate during moving season (May-September), you should give yourself even more time, at least 3-4 months.
While it often helps you save money long-term, downsizing has several short-term costs you have to consider. To make sure you don’t wind up overstretched, sit down and make a list of potential costs. These include:
Besides deciding what services you’re likely to need, you’ll also need to determine how much you can afford to pay. The good news is that there are ways to stretch your budget a little further if you need to. For instance, you can:
A good realtor makes buying and selling a home a lot less stressful. Whether you’re planning to move across town or across the country, a real estate agent can help you:
One of the hardest parts of downsizing is deciding what to do with your belongings. Since you can’t bring everything with you, some hard choices will have to be made. The good news is that the process is much less painful than most people realize.
Many households accumulate unwanted items over the years and many of your friends, relatives, neighbors, or local charities will probably be able to find a use for a lot of the stuff you have lying around your attic, closets, and storage cupboards.
To ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible, inventory the contents of each room in your house. To speed the process, ask a friend or family member to assist you. Their help will make the task less daunting, while their company will make the work a little more enjoyable. Once you have a full list of all the items in your home, you can decide what you want to keep and what you want to:
If there is something you were planning to leave to your children or grandchildren as part of their inheritance, now is the perfect time to give it to them. In addition to transferring heirlooms, antiques, and other valuables, ask your family if there is anything else in your home they’d like to have. Often, something you consider a meaningless keepsake can be tremendously important to a son or daughter.
Charities are always in need of clothes, shoes, toys, blankets, plates, utensils, and other household essentials. What’s more, many are willing to pick up items for free, particularly large items, making this a great way to dispose of spare beds, chairs, and couches you won’t need in your new home. You can also donate items through websites such as Freecycle and Nextdoor, which connect you with community members who may be able to use some of the items you no longer need.
While garage sales are a great way to raise money and get rid of unwanted items, they are not the only options. In addition to consignment shops, there are also several online platforms, such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace, where you can sell your belongings.
Old, broken, and outdated items aren’t going to be of much use to you or anyone else. Either toss them out or recycle them if you can. While small items can be placed in your garbage bins, contact a junk removal service for large items like appliances and furniture. Junk haulers are also useful if you have a lot of stuff to dispose of and you don’t feel like carrying it out to the curb.
Deciding what to bring with you isn’t an easy task. How many shirts do you need? Can you do without your power tools? Should you pack the entire living room set or just the couch? The answers to these questions aren’t always obvious, so here are a few guidelines to help you decide.
Keep in mind that you are not entirely constrained by the existing storage space. If there isn’t enough room in your closets or cupboards, you can always purchase bookcases, organizers, and extra shelving to help you use space more efficiently. Many people are surprised by how much they can comfortably fit into their home with the right tools and a little creativity.
Packing boxes, disassembling furniture, and loading vans is physically demanding. While most seniors can do some of it on their own, few can do all of it. To help ensure your transition is as smooth as possible, reach out to moving companies in your area.
In addition to loading, unloading and transport, movers can also provide packing material, box up your stuff, and prepare furniture for shipping. They not only save time and effort, their skills, resources, and experience help ensure your belongings arrive safe and sound at your new home.
To get a clear picture of how much money you’ll need to set aside, get quotes from at least three reputable movers and ask them to inspect your home in-person, so they can see exactly how many items you’re bringing with you.
Local movers typically charge by the hour, while long-distance movers charge based on weight, volume, and distance (another reason it’s important to pare down your belongings). Once you’ve received their estimates, you’ll be able to choose a moving service that fits your needs and budget.
Getting your home in show-ready condition is rarely as easy as it seems. Besides deep cleaning the rooms of your house, you may also need to repaint, trim the garden, and make a few repairs. Normally this happens after you move out, but based on your circumstances, you may have to start preparing your home before you leave.
Houses accumulate a lot of memories over the years. It’s one of the reasons why many seniors choose to remain where they are rather than move someplace more manageable. Even if relocating is the right choice, saying goodbye to your home can be hard, so go at your own pace. Some people only need a few months to organize their belongings and move into a new home, while others take considerably longer. There is nothing wrong with either approach, as long as it feels right to you.
At Allied, it’s our mission to ensure everyone has a quality moving experience. Our retirement relocation services provide care and support for all stages of your transition, from planning to decluttering to packing, shipping, and home setup. Professional packaging ensures your belongings are handled safely, while clear communication makes sure nothing gets overlooked.
With dedicated experts ready to help at every step along the way, you can spend less time managing logistics and more time looking forward to the exciting chapter ahead. Contact us today for a free quote!
