It’s become a regular thing lately for friends and family to ask me if I plan to move to a smaller home. When Rich and I bought our 1,100-square-foot duplex, we needed room for two home offices, entertaining friends and the offspring we planned to have. We liked our togetherness but wanted to each have our own space, too.
Rambling Around The House
Nowadays, I’m hardly Mary Crawley rambling around an empty Downton Abbey, but with Rich gone and my teen gone much of the time, it does feel like I have room to spare.
Still, my carrying costs are low. And the fact is, my daughter and I are both attached to our comfortable and conveniently located home. For the moment, I’m rethinking how we use the space. For example, replacing Rich’s workspace with a convertible couch to make my place more attractive for home swaps.
But I know the time might come when I’m ready for something that’s newer, designed more efficiently, requires less upkeep and doesn’t have a steep front stoop.
The Upside of Downsizing
If you’re a Gen Xer who never had kids, or whose kids have flown the nest for good, your downsizing might accompany a move from the suburbs back to the city, or to a less expensive city where your 401(k) will stretch further.
You might simply be ready to spend less time cleaning, repairing and doing yard work and more time on hobbies, travel and socializing. If you’re thinking longer term, you might be in the market for a one-level home or an elevator apartment building where you can age gracefully.
Take the Ready-To-Downsize Quiz
The decision to sell your long-time home and downsize is a big one. It has financial, logistical and emotional repercussions. If you’re not sure what you want to do, download and take my quiz to help you think through all those details and perhaps come to a decision.
You and your spouse or partner might even take it separately and then compare answers. It’s a low-pressure way to find out if you’re on the same page and talk over what you each want to do and when.
