Why You Should Downsize When You Retire

Congratulations … you’re retired, or about to be anyway, and you’ve got a lot to think about. Life is full of decisions. As one grows older, it also becomes increasingly full of stuff accumulated throughout a person’s life. Sometimes this stuff comes with memories attached and other times it’s just junk. As baby boomers and those approaching, or eclipsing, middle-age face empty nests or are looking toward retirement, it’s time to determine what to do with all the extra clutter. Do you even need most of it? Maybe it’s time to consider downsizing.

One or two people living in a mostly-empty four or five-bedroom house is impractical. Apart from all the unused space, homeowners are spending a fortune on the upkeep of houses that are designed for full-sized families. There’s just no sense in heating and cooling massive homes that are full of rooms that aren’t even getting used and mowing enormous lawns that no one is playing catch on.

Looking forward to retirement means looking forward to relaxing after a life of work … and why not? You’ve earned it. There is an open book of opportunities for recently retired boomers. Retirees have long been afforded the luxury of travel. Retired life can also be a chance to get part-time work in a passion that could once only be a hobby. Retirement is also an opportunity to move to a dream location, which was once made an impossible destination due to obligations to work and family.

Enjoying a healthy retirement can be seen as a crack at another life after a lifetime of taking care of others. Those in their 50s and 60s can even look at retirement as an excellent opportunity to pack up the wagon and explore new territory. The stigma of retirees moving to stereotypical retirement communities, like Florida or Arizona, is of a bygone era. Consider moving to a smaller community, such as a college town where housing can be extremely affordable, while also supplying a haven for culture, art and easy living. This type of move is especially advantageous if the reality of a post-retirement drop in savings and investments are getting in the way of buying an expensive new house.

Another option is moving to the big city. This move can be a vital reward for older couples, or singles, who have spent they last few decades in a big house, raising a family and living the day-to-day rat race. Everyone is entitled to a happy and fulfilling life, and in retirement it could now be due time for you to take care of you.

Middle-aged couples have been flocking to bigger cities across the country, from San Francisco to Chicago, from Seattle to Philadelphia, from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. The perks of city living are almost endless … Great restaurants, an abundance of culture, beautiful parks and the convenience of being able to walk, or conveniently take public transit anywhere, are just a few reasons so many retirees have already made the move to major cities. Downsizing to a major city can even mean renting out one’s old, far-too-big-for-just-the-two-of-you house to a new family.

With the right eyes, retirement can be seen as true freedom. The best way to enjoy this new freedom is to downsize one’s living situation upon retiring. Go do the things you want to do and see the things you want to see. Try something new and have some fun.


Are you interested in exploring over 55 communities and other options for simplifying your life during retirement? Visit my website at http://www.thesmallerhome.com to learn about why home downsizing can be a smart choice.

Andrzej Kozlowski has written numerous articles on topics ranging from home downsizing to simple living. He is also editor and co-author of the book, "Living Smart: The Money Saving, Eco-Friendly Guide to Downsizing Your Home and Belongings."