Downsizing – Finding the Right Property for You

Many people decide to downsize their home. When children have flown the nest, the appeal of a smaller property with fewer maintenance needs and lower costs becomes very appealing.

We’ve previously discussed the essential steps to take when planning to downsize. But, perhaps the most important part of downsizing is choosing the right property. Below we investigate the factors to consider to find the right property for you.

Rooms

You should think carefully about how much space you’ll need in your new home. Whilst downsizing to a smaller property has its benefits, you’ll need to make sure you still have enough space and rooms for your lifestyle. Think about how many bathrooms you’ll need – is one enough, or will you need more? How many bedrooms will you need for everyone to be comfortable? Do you need an extra room for a home office, or would you prefer to have a separate dining room?

You should be realistic about how many rooms you’ll use in your new home. If you underestimate, you could end up feeling cramped. If you overestimate, you could have too much space that goes to waste and might need to downsize again in the future.

Local Amenities

When you’re looking for a new property, you should also look to see what local amenities there are in the area. Consider what facilities are important to you that you might not be able to access when you downsize. If you’re moving from a house to a flat, will you miss having a garden? So, could you look for a property that has communal gardens or is near an allotment? If you have a home gym in your current property but won’t have space for one when you downsize, you should look for a local gym so you can continue to exercise.

Downsizing doesn’t have to mean you make any compromises to your quality of life. It’s important that there’s plenty to do in your new area, so you can still keep up with the activities that you enjoy.

Neighbours

Downsizing can sometimes involve moving to an apartment block, which will mean you’ll be close to your neighbours. Whilst this can often bring a sense of community, you should consider whether this is something that you’ll enjoy.  If you prefer to be further away from neighbours, an apartment block probably isn’t the best fit for you. Instead, you should look for smaller homes that aren’t so close to other properties.

Guests

When you’re looking for a property to downsize to, you should think carefully about any future guests that you would like to host. Whilst it might make sense to move to a one-bedroom property for the usual day-to-day life, it might mean you’re restricted with having people over to stay.

You should think about friends and family who might currently stay in your home – do you want to ensure they still have the option when you downsize? Would you like to host multiple family members over the Christmas holidays? If that’s the case, you might need to ensure there are enough spare bedrooms and even extra bathrooms so everyone can be comfortable.

Storage

When you’re downsizing, you’ll probably get rid of some of your things, either selling, donating or throwing them out. But there might still be a lot of items that you’ll want to keep hold of that you won’t be using daily. Think about items like suitcases, Christmas decorations, and sentimental items that you want to keep. You’ll need to find a space for them somewhere, even when you’ve moved to a smaller home.

So, you’ll need to think about the storage options in your new home. Do you need a garage or loft space where you can store these types of items? Do you need a self-storage unit? Does a family member have space where you might be able to store some things? Consider what will be the best storage solution for your needs.

Furniture

You will need to think about your current furniture and what pieces will fit in your new home. It might be that you need to buy new items, like a new sofa, that will fit more comfortably. Putting furniture that is too big for a room will make it feel overcrowded, so it might be a better idea to sell or donate your current items in favour of new ones. You may be able to retain some pieces, so you still have a sense of home in your new property, but also get some new items that fit better and also help with a fresh start.

Future Plans

You should make sure to consider what your future plans will be. Is the aim to grow old in the new smaller home? If that’s the case, you should look for a property that can accommodate older people who may develop mobility issues. A bungalow might be a better fit than a three-story home, for example. However, if you’re planning to move again in the future, you won’t have to worry about these types of things right now.

If you’re planning to downsize, Britannia Movers International offer a full range of professional and reliable removals and storage services. Contact us to find out more information or get a Quick Quote for an idea of cost.