A guide to downsizing your home in retirement

Packing up the family home can seem like an insurmountable task, but the lifestyle changes that comes with downsizing in retirement can be liberating. We share some key points to consider when looking for a new home.

It’s important to look for a home that you can live in comfortably now and into the future.

While you might be mobile and active now, if you or your partner need a walking frame or a wheelchair down the track, you’ll need space in your home to be able to move around comfortably.

They’re also more serious and are often the reason people are admitted to hospital or aged care homes. But there are steps you can take to prevent falls by making your home safer and more accessible.

Single level homes with limited or no stairs mean you won’t be restricted on where you can go in the home. Open plan living areas are also a great option as they allow you to move around freely.

Look for a home with wide doorways and hallways which would enable you to easily manoeuvre a wheelchair or walking frame through. 

If there is a step to the entry of the house, consider if a ramp could be installed easily.

A spacious bathroom is also important. Ideally, you should be able to turn around with a walking frame or a wheelchair. Avoid showers over bathtubs, and instead look for a standalone shower. A toilet in a bathroom can provide more space to make it easier to access with a walking frame.

You might never need these features, but being prepared ensures you can live safely and comfortably in your home for years to come.

Some downsizers enjoy a tree or sea change, others move closer to friends or family, and some stay close to the community they are already connected to.

Wherever you live, it’s important to consider the ongoing impact on your social life, sense of community and ability to connect with your family.

Those with close connections and relationships live longer and have better mental and physical health outcomes.

You might choose to move somewhere close to facilities where you can easily walk or drive to a local coffee shop to meet friends or do some shopping. Or perhaps you’d prefer to move into a retirement community to keep your social life in full swing.

It’s important to do some solid research and explore the pros and cons of each option before deciding on a community that’s right for you.

Whether it’s gardening, dancing or playing an instrument it’s important your new home enables and empowers you to continue doing what you love.

By reducing the time spent maintaining the family home, you should have more time to focus on your passions.

“Channel your inner Marie Kondo and pack the items which bring you joy.”

Ensure there is space in your new home or nearby for your hobbies.

Or why not take up a new hobby? Look for nearby community groups or if you’re living in a retirement village why not make the most of the activities on offer?

Downsizing your home doesn’t mean you’re downsizing your life. If anything, it’s about making more time for the people, passions and pursuits that enrich your days.