Down/up sizing.

Thankyou all for your thoughts on moving , you have all been so helpful,, Mymadeupname,, Youhave a good point in that you say the cost of moving as well as the stress , so maybe staying and possibly getting help in the future like a gardener, help in the house could be an option , This house is over 100 years old , it's seen two world wars, abdication of Edward and Ms Simpson lots of world happenings as well as my three children and their friends coming in to the house, and all being married from here , my GD stay over in "their" bedroom, Folk say you take your memories with you , but mine are firmly planted in this house, I think that one day something will just click and that's when we will move, Thankyou all for all for your input but it's something we will have to face as and when

I'm trying to move at the moment but wondering whether to give up and stay put as it is so stressful and has been going on so long.
I looked to move somewhere much smaller but have decided that I would feel claustrophic in a small place and I still have family staying at weekends. My main wish is to be nearer shops, station etc.

lilypops
My grandparents lived fifty years in their house. All my memories were in that house.
Your family will mourn the house if you move.
I was born in my grandparents house.
My grandad died very suddenly in the living room. My first born came home to that house. My late sister was married from it. Etc etc.
That house was home to us all. Sanctuary.
My grandma stayed until she died age 90. She was able to do the stairs until the last week of her life when she died quickly from pneumonia.

I was all set to buy the house but my husband said we had to keep our boys in their excellent schools. We lived in a very upmarket, safe, Georgian town and he was right although at the time I didn't see it.

However I often was drawn to sit outside in my car floods of tears at the loss.
I even gravitate toward their style of house when moving home and want to recreate their beautiful garden and orchard.

Gmelon, Thankyou for that insight in your family home , I understand your feelings, My children (in their 40's)! Say do what you have to do Mum, but I think they love to come home here to were they grew up ,, and would feel strange going to a new home , We have everything to hand here, bus stop ,trains , parks , the beach the Doctors, my local golf club, everything , it's just the house is too big , 5 bedrooms over 3 storeys, I struggle sometimes to get up the stairs when my knees decide to play up, I suppose we will plod on until time says enough, I really appreciate all your comments, Thankyou,

Just to add , I have dreamt a few times that we moved, in my dreams I am sitting outside in tears like you Gmelon , x

Lilypops.
I think you have your answer .

Once it's gone it's gone forever.

We have lived here for 25 years and love the house but we recently saw a bungalow with a garden running right down to the river that we thought 'might see us out'. Our children are 47, 45, 43, 37 and 31 so the older ones haven't really lived here apart from for short spells.

We sent them a link to the bungalow and were deluged with messages saying 'don't you dare move' or words to that effect.

We are staying put!

We sent a link

Please excuse the extra line at the bottom. Trying to cook and post - not sensible!!

Gmelon , yes I think that staying here till the day we really cannot manage is the answer, then perhaps it won't be such a wrench when we really have no option , At present we don't feel ready, and as you say, once it's gone it's gone forever and I think I would always feel sad passing "my house" Thankyou for your advice and every other GN who responded, x

Everyone - I really recommend, moving or not, that you do what the Swedish call a Death Clean. I am planning to move and it's taking me ages to sort and get rid of things. It is enormously invigorating (less stuff, less to pack/unpack) but very tiring. Especially if you are one of those people like me who can't bear to waste something that's perfectly good so you end up ebaying/charity shopping a lot of stuff. But when I go there will be so much less for my busy DCs to do.
Meanwhile I'm going to rent for a bit to see if I can live in a city or need a garden ... if I were rich I'd definitely Grand Design myself a new . I also agree with a PP who said it was size matters - better fewer rooms with more space.