{"id":6252,"date":"2018-11-06T08:48:35","date_gmt":"2018-11-06T16:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=6252"},"modified":"2026-04-15T08:43:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T15:43:38","slug":"downsizing-home-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/downsizing-home-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Downsizing Your Home? 7 Ideas to Reduce Space and Still Live Large"},"content":{"rendered":"

As seniors approach their 80s, they are 5 times more likely to sell their home<\/a> and rent a place than they were in their 50s. Meanwhile, the spaces they occupy trend smaller in the years following retirement.<\/p>\n

But \u201cdownsizing,\u201d as they call it, isn\u2019t just the act of cutting down on square footage. In fact, the second biggest reason people move later in life is that they\u2019re ready to usher in new beginnings.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Source: (seniorlifestyle.com<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But that doesn\u2019t make the prospect of cramming 30 years of kids\u2019 artwork and the bulky kitchen appliances you received as wedding gifts into a compact space any less stressful. 75% of seniors say the amount of things they own has made them reluctant to move.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a whole lot easier if you can see the light at the end of the tunnel\u2014your end goal, whether it\u2019s the chance to spend more time with the grandkids or finally climb Machu Picchu. When the sorting and the cleaning and the going gets tough, keep your head up and get inspired by these 7 downsizing home ideas for reducing space but not lifestyle.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Lance Asper\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Trade space for a location that checks all your boxes<\/h2>\n

Have your kids\u2014and perhaps more importantly, your grandkids\u2014settled down a few states away? Maybe you always dreamed of living in the city, or near the ocean, but raising kids kept you in a more suburban area?<\/p>\n

Downsizing to a smaller space can free you up financially and open up your location opportunities, but not everyone can afford Maui.<\/p>\n

Luckily, you have more realistic options. Downsizers who are stumped on the \u201cwhere should I go?\u201d question are often looking for a place with a reasonable cost of living, lots of recreational activities, community engagement, and access to healthcare as part of their next move.<\/p>\n

According to an analysis from WalletHub the top 3 cities that meet these criteria<\/a> include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Orlando, Florida<\/li>\n
  2. Scottsdale, Arizona<\/li>\n
  3. Tampa, Florida<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Warm weather and favorable tax rates also make these metros tough to beat.<\/p>\n

    But if you\u2019re looking for smaller city living where your buck goes even further, the Milken Institute did a study specifically on aging well in small cities<\/a>, with Iowa City, Iowa; ranking #1 for its access to healthcare.<\/p>\n

    Manhattan, Kansas; and Ames, Iowa; rounded out the top three small cities for retirement, touting both healthcare and financial security.<\/p>\n

    If coastal living is your dream, then Naples, Florida is the top pick from Coastal Living<\/a> thanks to the Sunshine State\u2019s low cost of living and a plethora of activities and retirement centers.<\/p>\n

    Other top beach picks for retirement include cities in Washington and Oregon, but Florida claims 5 of the top 10!<\/p>\n

    \"A<\/a>
    Source: (Elena Saharova\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    2. Think proactively about comfortably aging in place and extending independent living<\/h2>\n

    Jon Bowling<\/a>, a relocation specialist and top real estate agent in Cincinnati, Ohio, who sells 74% more homes than his peers, sees a lot of what he calls \u201cresizing\u201d in his area: homeowners who don\u2019t necessarily want to cut back on space, but need to sell their home and find a property that better suits their current needs in layout and accessibility.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat we\u2019ve found over and over again here in the Midwest is that many homeowners who are in a traditional 2-story Colonial homes with a finished basement are moving to a ranch-style home.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Oftentimes it\u2019s just as much square footage as the home they\u2019re moving out of,\u201d says Bowling.<\/p>\n

    In Bowling\u2019s area, these ranch-style homes are some of the most coveted properties, and oftentimes a step up in cost. But a single story provides arguably a priceless advantage: the ability to age in place independently. So do a lot of other home features.<\/p>\n

    In fact, the National Association of Home Builders has an extensive checklist of features that make your house more accessible<\/a>. Here\u2019s a short highlight reel of NAHB\u2019s recommendations:<\/p>\n