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Downsizing From One Place to Another

It only seems natural that the more space you have in your apartment or house, the more ability you may have to utilize that space in a productive way.

However, if you do not need as much space as you have access to. Having an apartment or owning a house is one of the biggest expenses of life in our current society. The bigger your living space, the more money you will need to pay to rent/maintain it. Many people who experience life changes such as a change in career move from one apartment/house to a slightly smaller one. There are a number of potential reasons that you may wish to do so, and identifying the reasons that are right for you is key to making the right decision.

What is downsizing?

Broadly, downsizing is defined as moving from a large house or apartment to a smaller one. It can also involve getting rid of some things in order to better fit into your new, smaller space – however, it does not necessarily have to. Downsizing is sometimes forced upon people when finances are tight or the housing market crashes. Other times, it can be used as a great tool to minimize and simplify your lifestyle and save money.

With more and more people looking to live in certain areas, downsizing has become increasingly popular. Housing is expensive, and even growing families often do not need as much space as previously thought. Additionally, the idea that larger houses are seen as status symbols is decreasing in legitimacy, with plenty of successful Americans choosing smaller homes and apartments. As the 21st century progresses, the concept of downsizing becomes more attractive to a larger number of people.

Why might someone consider downsizing?

There are many reasons that someone might choose to move from one house to another. Some of these include:

  • It’s cheaper to have less space : It is perhaps the most obvious and intuitive reason to downsize, but it’s the truth – it’s much cheaper to have a small apartment or house than a large one (if the two are in the same area). Whether you look at property taxes, rent, mortgage or even just heating/cooling, smaller areas require less of a financial burden every month. If your family could use the extra money for whatever reason, and you feel as though your current living space is unnecessary, downsizing can be an excellent way to put some extra cash in your pocket in the end.
  • You don’t need all of the space that you have : If your small family has a huge house with many unused rooms, you are probably wasting a lot of money and effort on something that you don’t need. Having twenty different rooms and a huge backyard is nice, but a family of three probably doesn’t need that. Chances are, that house has a lot of wasted space, which is only serving to rocket up the square footage (and in return, the mortgage) of the property.
  • Larger houses can take up more of your time : If you have a lot of extra space, it is great for storage. However, it is also a huge hassle to keep organized and clean. You might be surprised at how simple it can be to clean a small house or apartment, and how the right storage and organization practices can make you forget all about the extra storage space that you used to have. If you live in a smaller apartment rather than a large house, you also generally don’t have to worry about huge time-sinks like lawns and gardens that require constant mowing and attention.
  • Smaller houses and apartments tend to be in busy metropolitan areas : While smaller houses and apartments do give you less space to work with, they are usually found in busy cities with a lot more going for them than you might think. Living in a city gives you the ability to not have to worry about driving as much, and the convenience of every store that you need right around your home. Smaller families can find especially good value living in cities, as they may not need much living space anyways.

When it comes down to it, choosing whether to downsize should be completely based on what kind of lifestyle you have.

Deciding When You Might Want to Downsize

Downsizing certainly does not apply to everyone. Looking at your own needs and preferences is the smart choice. If you live in a house that has depreciated in value, or you cannot find a good replacement home in the neighborhood of your choice, it might make sense to simply stay where you are. Moving can be an expensive process, so the short-term financial burden of doing so may outweigh the financial benefit of moving into a smaller place.

If you think that downsizing is the right decision for your family, you will need to find the right time and place to do so. Generally, the majority of Americans choose to downsize after retirement, when they can afford to pack up everything and move to their ideal environment.

Some homes have sentimental value, which can cause owners to choose not to move out. However, it is highly recommended to look at your situation from a more objective angle. Instead of basing your decision on emotion, try to decide if downsizing might improve your finances and health. Holding on to the old family 3-floor estate might be valuable to you for the sake of tradition. However, it likely will not do you much good if you are single, or cannot comfortably navigate the home. Moving to a smaller place will not only be cheaper, but it will also give you more financial freedom to pay for healthcare or even vacations.

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