How Do You Know When to Downsize?
While the answer to this question varies from person to person, there are several factors you can assess when deciding on downsizing timing. Seniors should consider if their house is helping or hindering their lifestyle, if their social life keeps them connected, and if they’re able to live their life fully. Deciding between aging at home vs moving to a life plan community or other senior living community can feel overwhelming, but we’ve broken the process down into four easy steps.
Quick Answer
Knowing when to downsize comes down to these things: whether your home supports or subtracts from your lifestyle, how connected you feel to the people and places around you, and whether your current lifestyle has room for the things that matter most. If your home feels more like a burden than a haven, it may be time to explore your options.
Step One: A Help or a Hindrance?
There are many benefits to owning a home, but it also requires ongoing mental, emotional, financial, and time investment. At a certain point, you may find that keeping up your house feels more like a job than it should. Maintenance to schedule. Upgrades to plan for. Time spent cleaning an entire house.
Plus an American Housing Survey report conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau found that only 10% of U.S. homes have the features seniors need to age in place, so chances are construction projects are in your future. If it all feels like too much time spent on a house and not enough spent on a life, then it’s time to think about downsizing.
Some questions to consider:
- Do I have to say “no” to things I want to do in order to take care of my house?
- Am I financially outsourcing home maintenance tasks so I can have more free time?
- How do I feel when I think about living in my house in the future?
After honestly answering these questions, you should have a clearer idea of whether or not your house is supporting the life you want.
Step Two: Feeling Connected?
Communities change a lot over the years, and it might be that your current location is no longer meeting your needs. Where you live and how you feel connected to the people and places around you are big predictors for future health and happiness. If you find that you’re struggling to find the motivation to get out and about town or to spend time with friends, maybe it’s time for a change of scenery.
Ask yourself:
- Does my community offer opportunities for me to connect with others in ways I think I’d enjoy?
- Is the area I live still a place I like to explore and spend time in?
- Am I happy with the size of my social circle? If not, do I feel like I can grow it where I live?
You deserve to live somewhere that makes you feel excited about your opportunities and that supports connections that contribute to your overall wellbeing.
Step Three: Living Your Life to Its Fullest?
One of the best things about life is that there’s always something new to explore. It could be a new skill, a hidden gem of a location, or a person you never met before but instantly connect with. The opportunities to enrich your life are out there, but your current life might not be set up for you to seize them when they arise.
Some questions to think about:
- Am I content with my life as it is, or do I find myself yearning for more?
- If I could change one thing about my life, what would it be?
- Do I think I can live the life I want where I am now?
Step Four: Visualize Your Fullest Life
One of the most important and often overlooked factors in downsizing timing for seniors is planning for what you want your future to look like. A house is just a building. Yes, it holds memories and hosts loved ones, but if it’s not a part of the future you envision for yourself, then maybe the time is right to look at other options.
What those options could be:
- Get a roommate. You may laugh at this, but many seniors are moving in together to have companionship, connection, a helping hand and a partner in crime.
- Switch to an apartment. If you like the area you live in and the connections you have, consider finding an apartment so you can keep up with both your living situation and your social life.
- Consider a life plan community. Communities like John Knox Village offer independent living residences that give you the feeling of living in a home with fewer responsibilities when it comes to maintenance and upkeep.
FAQ
What are the early signs that it’s time to downsize?
If keeping up your home is starting to feel like a part-time job, and you find yourself saying “no” to the things you love to stay on top of maintenance, the house may be running your life more than supporting it.
Is it normal to feel like my neighborhood just doesn’t fit anymore?
Absolutely. A community that worked beautifully years ago may not offer the same connection and convenience today. If you’re finding it harder to stay socially engaged, a change of scenery might be a welcome change.
What are my options beyond moving to a smaller house?
More than you might think! Some people find that getting a roommate brings welcome companionship. Others move to an apartment to shed the maintenance while staying close to friends and family. To leave the upkeep behind entirely, a life plan community offers the feel of home with built-in connections and the freedom to focus on living fully.
How do I figure out what I actually want my next chapter to look like?
Start by picturing your ideal week: Who are you spending time with? What are you doing? Then ask yourself honestly whether your current home makes that vision easier or harder. That clarity can make the decision feel a lot less daunting.
About John Knox Village
John Knox Village is a leader in senior living services in Lee’s Summit and the greater KC region. The community boasts a diverse range of living options from freestanding homes and apartment homes to villas. With more than 700,000 square feet of common space across the beautiful campus, you’ll find more opportunities and experiences right outside your door.
If you’re exploring Life Plan Communities in Lee’s Summit or the Kansas City area, we’d love to show you all that John Knox Village has to offer. Contact us today, call (816) 251-8000 to schedule a visit, or register to attend one of our upcoming events.
