It's not atypical for seniors to consider swapping their homes for smaller ones. It's quite a common occurrence, due to things like mobility issues, less people living in the home or the challenges of a fixed income. Even the most minor tasks seem harder to tackle when we reach a certain age so moving, which is considered one of the most stressful life events, can be doubly impactful for seniors, Still, regardless of whether you're moving across the street, to another city, or to another state, it's possible to come out as a winner. To help you do so, we have prepared these seven downsizing tips for Boston seniors. Following them will make this big change, a bit easier.
Downsizing Tips for Boston Seniors Bound to Bring Results
Downsizing, or rightsizing, as we real estate agents call it, doesn't necessarily have to be so complicated - despite your age. Relocating to a smaller home with ease and grace is possible with these fool-proof tips.
#1 Give Yourself Plenty of Time
Just because you have decided to make a move, it doesn't mean it has to be done tomorrow. Instead, give yourself plenty of time to prepare mentally and physically. The whole ''mental and physical preparation'' is even more important if the place you've been living in has been your home for decades. We, humans, tend to get attached to places and things. It's to be expected that it will be the same for you.
Furthermore, it takes time to go through a lifetime's worth of possessions. Slowing down will reduce the physical strain and make the downsizing process more enjoyable. As you come across mementos that make you nostalgic, give yourself the freedom to reflect. Making judgments on what to retain and what to throw away will be easier if you go through each thing one at a time without hurrying.
Assign a smaller room (such as a pantry or a linen closet) as the starting point for the packing and sorting process because they are the rooms least likely to contain items you are emotionally attached to. This is a helpful downsizing strategy for Boston seniors since it allows them to work at their own speed and obtain an accurate estimate of the time required to finish packing the entire house. By taking it easy, you'll also be able to come up with your own strategy for what to keep, donate, or throw away.
Let's face it - a smaller space isn't going to accommodate the contents of your entire household. And if we are being honest, it's not supposed to! There are plenty of items that we save for no real reason. It's up to you to identify these belongings and part ways with them. The list should include duplicates and things you haven't used in ages. Remember that the more you pack for "someday," the more disorganized your new place will be. So, to prevent that from happening, declutter before anything else.
The good news is that decluttering might even save you money in the process or earn some. How, you may be asking? Well, simply! You have three choices: throw away the unwanted belongings, donate them, or sell them. Should you opt to sell them, even for a fraction of what they are worth, you'll financially benefit from the process. The money you earn from doing so, for instance, might as well be used to cover the moving expenses, which will be lower with less to move – a win-win!
#4 Consider the New Floor Plan
If you have already decided on the place to move into, you'll need to consider the floor plan of the new house to determine what will fit into the space. For instance, keeping most of the items in your garage makes no sense if the new property doesn't have one.
There are certain things in life that you absolutely shouldn't DIY, and a relocation process is one of those, especially if you are moving post-retirement. For that reason, one of the downsizing tips for Boston seniors suggests that you are better off getting help from those who make a living out of moving people.
Friends and family can, theoretically, help tackle some parts of the relocation; packing is one of them. However, when it comes to other parts of the process, such as loading, transportation, and unloading, reputable pros can assist. You'll want to take time selecting the appropriate crew local to Boston, as, to settle in smoothly, you'll need the help of only the best of the best.
Moving is a significant life change that may evoke many emotions, and the stress of leaving behind a familiar house and beloved possessions can amplify those sentiments. It's common for people to have difficulty parting with their home, even if they convince themselves that it's a mere piece of property. While you pack up your belongings and prepare to leave your home, you may experience the same emotions as you might during a funeral. Nevertheless, having your loved ones pitch in during the relocation may be a great way to alleviate feelings of isolation and keep your spirits up.
You'll likely have to give up some treasured possessions since there likely won't be enough room for everything. You are encouraged to retain some. However, as far as others are concerned, the option of gifting them to loved ones remains. The good news is that the goodbye doesn't necessarily have to be bittersweet. One of the downsizing tips for Boston seniors is to keep hold of the memories by taking creative measures. To do so, you can capture images of the beloved belongings that you can put together into a photo album. Such an album won't take up nearly as much room, but it will still allow you to ''keep the valuables.'' Or rather, keep the memories they hold with you.
Photos used: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-adult-women-beside-each-other-3768114/
