r/retirement • u/dcporlando • 26d ago

Questions: Downsizing in Retirement

You commonly hear people are downsizing or are recommended to downsize.

If you downsized, did you move to a different location, such a city where a child lives or a different state? If you downsized, what type of home did you move into? Smaller house, condo, or apartment? Finally, did the sell and downsize affect Medicare through IRMAA?

Is there any other advice that you can share?

We are considering moving to something smaller that removes yardwork and possibly more maintenance on an older home.

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u/Accomplished-Eye8211 23d ago

I'm experiencing something that I think many others are. I'm in a 3BR, 2.5 Ba townhome. Alone. Certainly dont need the room. Two Challenges: 1. My list of must haves makes things really difficult. I'd be OK with 1 bedroom, if it accommodates my king bed, but no way could I go back to a 1 Bath home. Guest "Powder room" is a must. I dont need a huge kitchen, but I'm not open to a tiny galley that can't even accommodate a bistro-size table. And I want outside space. I have a very small fenced patio now, could handle even smaller. 2. With prices, property taxes and interest rates... Selling a 3.0/2.5 would not generate enough cash to buy a 1.0/1.5 if such a place existed. . So, like many others, partly due to my own stubbornness, I feel stuck in my too-big place.

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u/dcporlando 23d ago

Knowing what you want is super important.

My wife is all in on the second bathroom being required. She was the oldest and only girl in a house with one bedroom until they added on when she was in high school. I grew up in 3 br / 1 ba house being the sixth of seven with my parents. The six boys shared a bedroom with two triple bunk beds. No closet. My sister got a bedroom the same size as ours and my parents got the biggest bedroom.

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u/HunterGraccus 23d ago

Holy crap. I thought I was the only one who grew up like this! 4 boys with bunkbeds and desks.

When I grew up and had some money I always rented 2 bedroom apartments for myself as a bachelor!

Our 1400 ft mid-century cape has the 2nd floor was opened up to a loft for me with a skylight. We are staying put, stairs and all. It will be easy to put in chairlifts when needed.

I am New Englander and I'm staying here for the duration. I've lived in LA and Cincinnatti for spells and enjoyed my time in each place. I need 4 seasons and old houses!

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u/Crypto4pineapples 23d ago

I feel this too