Give yourself the opportunity to review all factors of your move before taking the leap. As you do your research, think about the aspects of your new home that will help with your balanced leisure lifestyle. In addition to the considerations listed in the post regarding your current home, consider the following:

• Is entertainment within easy reach both financially and logistically?
• Will it be easy to meet and make new friends, or will it be hard to break into the local social scene?
• Will it be easy for family and friends to visit you from afar?
• Will it be easy to obtain a new doctor and/or dentist?
• Is there convenient access to the educational pursuits and exercise activities that you are currently engaged in or hope to begin sometime during your retirement?
• Is the community suitable for enjoying your hobby or will you have to find a new one?

The Art of Downsizing

Reducing housing expenses often requires moving to a smaller home. Such downsizing might be a positive and practical choice for living a simpler life, but it still requires exploration and forethought. When downsizing, don’t try to take all your current possessions and stuff them into your new, smaller home.

Rightsize before you move! Examine your furniture and other goods with a critical eye. Make decisions about the big pieces first, but don’t stop there. Glean through clothes, books, housewares, etc. Now is the time to unload other people’s things too, including items you’ve stored for your children. Have the rightful owners come to pick these items up. Having a garage sale and making donations to a charity will also help lighten the load.

Don’t get stuck moving unneeded items into a smaller home, as it will make it feel cramped and confining before you even have a chance to make it feel comfortable. You also want to avoid paying for unnecessary storage space if possible.

Also consider hiring a professional organizer. Working with a professional organizer can reduce stress and help you reach your goals more quickly. However, many people can handle the process of downsizing themselves, especially if a friend or family member helps. Do-it-yourselfers should set a deadline well before any downsizing must be complete. That way, if things don’t move forward as planned, you’ll still have time to hire some help.

If you get stuck or overwhelmed by the process and run out of time, simply put the things you’re not sure about in storage. Consider using storage areas that aren’t easy to access in your new home. Having to work hard to get to things will help you determine if you really want or need them, making it easier to complete your downsizing.