Among Friends

[geezerette]

I am looking forward to the day I can downsize.  I don't look forward to the process of doing so, but the end result.

In the meantime I try to rid myself of excess and remember not to bring in more than what I need to live.

You're wise to begin the planning process if you're in an area of high demand.  

[geezerette]

@LindaSal 

You were very wise to be insistent and make the change when you did and before it was necessary.  My mother did the same thing years ago and my dad was not happy for years.  But in the end, he admitted he wouldn't have lived as long as he did had they not downsized.

I wish I could have done the same.  Unfortunately my husband wasn't as compliant and now I am alone with the house and acreage waiting to be in a position to move by myself.

[Mom2Dogs]

@katie1859   You are not old (I am 68, good health) but I do understand the need to downsize.  My husband is still alive and I know that we will live in this house until one of us passes...he is older than me and so most likely, I will be the one that will do the moving to a smaller location.  Right now interest rates are just to high for us to even consider buying, plus there is nothing of interest in our small area.

I keep my house cleaned out, I am a huge declutter person...I really enjoy the task.  

My only suggestion would be to start the clean out now, if you have kids, and want to get rid of something ask if they want it, if not you need to make the mind committment to let it go...sometimes not that easy, but will take time if you have an entire home to go thru and you have never really decluttered.

Recently we sold several things on Facebook marketplace, we were thrilled to get rid of a few things and the money was nice as well!

If I was close by, I would help you...I find it kind of fun!

[Mom2Dogs]

@gidgetgh   It does sound like you made a good choice in moving.  I wish we had options in our area....the only thing here is an small area of condos and townhomes with HOA's...and the square footage is small.  We would like at least 1600 sq ft.

[ninjawife]

I moved 10 years ago when both my children were living at home into a much larger house so that my father could move in with us.  We created an apartment with kitchenette, full bath, laundry area, bedroom area and two sitting areas.  I did not want to move but I wanted my father to have space and we could not give that to him in our former house.  Even though I knew I was doing the right thing, I had a really hard time adjusting.  Our current house is huge.  When we moved here DH and I decided we could not handle all the upkept on our own so we hired landscapers to do the yard work and a cleaning service to do regular cleanings.  My father passed two years after we moved and oldest DD no longer lives at home.  I know in the next few years youngest DD will also move out and the house will be more than DH and I need but I have no interest in moving.  As long as we can maintain our current house and manage the stairs I hope to stay where I am.  Of course I am only in my mid 50s and I may change my mind as I get older.  

[Jo1313]

This is our 3rd house..We upsized!..Always wanted a house with lots of closets and a big kitchen I loved to cook..DH wanted to live in the country..

So I got my big kitchen and he got his country acres..in the middle of no where.We were much younger and I was plain stupid.

I was tired of being here after a yr...18 yrs. ago...Country people hate city people! After they ask a million questions they ignore you!..Not seeing me outside for a long time a couple had the nerve to "stop by" to ask my kid if I died.!

Needless to say my kid cursed them out..rightly so.

10 yrs. ago he developed heart issues.After he was feeling better..I got sick and spent months in the hospital and many surgeries.They told my kids to make funeral arrangements a few times..over a few years.I fooled them..I'm still here but broken down.

Now this place is my nightmare..As I've said before..when my kids have to empty this place there will be dumpsters lining the 400 ft. driveway.

[wagirl]

I just downsized in 2021,  due to a divorce, was married for 47 years---lived in a 2000 sq ft house for 35 years and moved to a 930 sq ft apartment. I HAD to get rid of so much that I was not ready to let go and what I refused to get rid of, I stored in a storage unit until a few weeks ago when I got a garage at the apartments I live in now. The upkeep is alot easier but I need more room. Housing is stupid where I live too--near Seattle. Have no answers but understand. 

[cotton4me]

It’s good that you’re thinking ahead.  Many people wait too long and then don’t have the health or wherewithal to move.  My friend is in that situation.  I downsized to a small senior living apartment.  I absolutely love it.  No regrets.  Everything I need is nearby.  I do not have to worry about repairs or maintenance, which gives me the time and freedom to do whatever I want.  

[Snowpuppy]

While they paused interest rate hikes today, they will likely resume in Nov. The 10 yr, which most mortgages are based on hit a 17 yr high yesterday. That was 2007. Then came 2008.

If rates drop by 1-1 1/2/%, homes will spike by 20 -40k easily.

I'd like to take an early out retirement offer if I can find housing more suitable for retirement.  I also have a vacant parcel but finding a builder who wants to build anything other than a McMansion is daunting.

[simplyfriends]

@katie1859   Yes I also downsized about 6 years ago to a 2 bedroom 2 bath townhouse/condo. It's about 1000 sq feet and has all my favorite things in it. I have room for an office/guest room. It's just me here at almost 70 and I love it!  HOA takes care of everything outside and some utilities. I hope you you can downsize some where you are now in the meantime and kind of clear the clutter so there's less to clean. Good luck!