Five Downsizing Considerations for Seniors

Once your children have fled the nest, you may decide to trade in your 3- or 4-bedroom home for a smaller residence. With retirement approaching, owning a smaller home can give you more financial freedom, allowing you to spend money on vacations or hobbies that you didn’t get to enjoy while you were raising kids. At any rate, a smaller rent or house payment (or no house payment altogether) will give you a bit more flexibility in your budget. And now that you no longer need an extra bedroom (or 2 or 3), you may decide that it’s time to downsize.

This blog offers five things to consider when downsizing your home.

1. Security

Safety should always be a top priority. Unfortunately, seniors can become the target of break-ins and robberies. Look for a home in a safe location. Gated communities are a deterrent for unwanted visitors. Other ways to make your property more secure include deadbolts, alarms, and keeping the outside of your property well lit.

2. Location

Look for proximity to the things that you enjoy – whether family or recreation – as well as conveniences such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and doctors’ offices. Seniors who no longer drive may wish to look for proximity to a bus stop so that they never have to miss a yoga or tai chi class due to lack of transportation.

3. One-Story Living

As we age, our mobility can sometimes decrease. Even those who can easily tackle a flight or two of stairs in their 60s will likely agree that doing so is less enjoyable with a heavy vacuum in tow. Having a first-floor bedroom is not only easier, it’s safer, particularly if you should need to escape your home quickly in the unlikely event of a fire or break-in.

4. Maintenance Free

Some communities – particularly those designated for seniors – offer lawn upkeep and even indoor maintenance services like changing light bulbs or air filters. Even in private dwellings, you can often find paid help to provide services such as these for a relatively low cost. 

5. Neighbors

While some seniors prefer to be surrounded by people their age, others opt for a diverse group of neighbors, allowing them the joy of watching children play and grow. Many senior communities offer the benefit of planned activities and field trips, but some may find the sound of a child’s laugh more enjoyable and entertaining than any trip to the nearest tourist attraction. When downsizing, consider what matters most to you and look for a community that suits your needs.

Less square footage means less space to clean and maintain, allowing seniors to fill their retirement years with hobbies and all the activities they enjoy. By looking for a residence that meets the above criteria, you can be sure that you are choosing a home that will bring you joy for many years to come.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.