Downsizing

We are in the processing of sort of downsizing - we are moving from a large cottage with steep access and internal steps to a bungalow, which is not much smaller in terms of space, but is flat, flat, flat! - hooray! We too are moving just a short way - about 8 miles, so we are hoping to continue with many of our social activities. We are hoping that it will all go through for beginning of July.

It is the most sensible decision for us - nearer to family, on a bus route etc., and, like you, we hope that it will mean we can do more and will not be reliant on others as time goes by. We are 67 and 69 and everyone is telling us that we are doing it at the right time - before we get more decrepit - something we are quite good at!

Maybe the thing for you to do is to start just having a bit of a look round for property - on the net, the local paper etc. This is what we did in a vague way for several years, and saw nothing we fancied; then, all of a sudden, there was a bungalow that we felt we could be happy in that came up.

If you leave it too late, you might find the idea of a move too stressful and burdensome. And you may find that you need to move suddenly when things get too problematical and may find yourself with less choice - you have to get out and you have to take whatever happens to be available at that moment. We are hoping that we have chosen the best window of opportunity - we are fit enough to make the move and we have been able to look around and make a choice, taking our time.

I do hope that you manage to find the right property for you.

theres a few threads on here re downsizing...I downsized 2 yrs ago from the family home as I couldnt manage it anymore and I was in poor health.....As I wanted to stay in the same village I moved to a sheltered one bed ground floor flat 10 minutes away it has its own private patio and theres comunual gardens...its also close to all local amenities....I got a company in that did all my packing and moving for me that was a godsend...as I was in council and they wanted the house they gave me £3000 to help with moving costs...I love it here theres always social activities going on and Ive made some new friends...its a small complex with approx 76 flats...we have gardeners and a window cleaner so theres no major work for me to do...theres also an alarm system in case of emergencies...
a lot of these places will let you walk around the site so you can see for yourself what its like..

We have also recently downsized to a 3 bed cottage, from a much larger house. As others have said, being near facilities is important.

Regardless of the age of property, make sure all the services have been recently upgraded or renewed. Also if possible up to date kitchen and bathroom. Renewing these parts of a house is so disruptive.

luckylegs9

I currently live in a house that is far too big. When we moved in everyone was still at home, and now it's down to just 'me and him'.

We have waited to see if anyone wants to come back. I'm currently in the process of redecorating and getting the house ready for selling but I'm in no hurry.

I'm attached to the garden

When we do go it will be to a much smaller property and in the area we want.

I would say to you to take your time. Get your head around the fact that you are going to do this and look upon it eagerly.

When I finally make the decision I will start to place plants into pots so I can re home them when I finally get there.

I suppose we all have different priorities. If you want to stay in that area, then that is yours. The biggest decision is already made knowing you are going to do it.

I would begin the de-cluttering process right away. Even if you haven't fully made up your mind or haven't found the right place, getting rid of all the unwanted stuff before moving is the worst part of the whole process.

I thought I'd done enough but as downsizing day loomed nearer I realised there was still a lot to do.

It's tiring and stressful so worth making it as easy as you can for yourself.

I so agree - we are tackling the general "stuff" bit by bit, an hour a day as we do not want to take things with us for which we no longer have a use. It is a real challenge finding homes for those things that have further life in them and that is taking up time. Freecycle has been good - I can recommend this.

We have got quite Zen about it all and we have recycled or thrown away lots of stuff that we thought I would never part with.

I remember clearing the homes of our parents after they died and it was a dreadful task - we had to throw away things that meant a lot to them but had no relevance to anyone else's life. We keep looking at things and imagining our children having to decide what to do with it.