Blog Post

Top Reasons to Downsize After Retirement

Admin • August 3, 2019
Senior Citizen Couple — Senior Sitting At The Park in Peoria, IL

Moving may not be something you are looking forward to, yet it might be something you know you should do now that you are retired. If you recently retired and are struggling to keep up with the demands of your home, it might be time to downsize. A lot of seniors downsize once they retire, and here are some of the top reasons for this.

You No Longer Need the Space

A top reason many people downsize is simply to have less space. If you lived in the house you are in for many years and raised your children there, your home is most likely too big for you. It may have multiple bedrooms when you only need one, and it might have all kinds of extra space that you do not need.

Living in a house that is too big for your needs doesn't make a lot of sense, which is why downsizing is such a popular event when people reach the age of retirement.


You Want a Home With Less Upkeep

A second common reason for downsizing is to eliminate the work you have related to keeping up your house. A bigger house requires a lot more work than a smaller one. In addition, family homes often have yards. Yard work is not only time-consuming but also strenuous. If you are tired of taking care of the yard you have, why not consider moving?

A lot of seniors look for low-maintenance homes when they downsize. Apartment communities are an example of low-maintenance homes. When you rent an apartment, you will often no longer have to do any yard work.

The property management company that manages the community usually takes care of all the work the yard or surrounding landscaping needs. This includes mowing and things of that nature, as well as snow removal.


You Want to Free Up Money

One of the top reasons people downsize is to save money. If you recently retired, you might own your home outright. While this is nice because you don’t have a mortgage payment, think of all the expenses you do have with the house. By selling your house and moving into an apartment, you might save money in the following areas:


  • Utilities. Not only is it less expensive to heat and cool an apartment, some communities pay for all or some of your utilities.
  • Repairs. If your home is relatively old, it may need some repairs in the near future, such as a new roof or new HVAC system. These expenses are costly, and you could avoid them by moving into an apartment.
  • Hired labor. As mentioned above, a big house requires a lot of work. If you cannot physically take care of mowing the grass or cleaning your house, you might have to pay someone to do these things, and these expenses can add up.
If you compare the expenses of your current home to an apartment, you might find that moving to an apartment community may free up a lot of cash each month.

One other thing to consider is the amenities you can find in senior apartment communities. Many of these communities offer community areas, activities, and access to local shops or attractions. If any of these things interest you, start looking for a new apartment to rent so you can start reaping the benefits offered by downsizing.

If your house is too big for you and requires too much work each week, why not consider downsizing? If you decide to do this, contact Robert Cottingham Property Management Co. . We specialize in helping seniors find affordable and attractive housing suitable for their needs and their budgets.

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