The Upside of Downsizing

As people get older, they tend to accumulate a lot of items over the years—memories, knickknacks, cards from loved ones—and they can add up quickly! Luckily, these important parts of your life typically don’t take up too much space.

Yet, while most senior living campuses (Life Plan Communities in particular) offer varied floor plans for you and your belongings, many seniors opt to downsize and declutter. Consider downsizing as you plan for your retirement. Simplifying your space can improve the quality and enjoyment of your life. Opening doors to enhanced wellness, freedom, and cherished moments with loved ones.

Some of the benefits of moving into a Life Plan Community are obvious – you won’t have to do any home maintenance, and you’ll have access to health and wellness programs, among other benefits – but there are added bonuses you may not have considered. Downsizing to a Sequoia Living Bay Area retirement community allows you to stay active longer and reduce your housing and maintenance expenses. Read on to learn more about the upside of downsizing.

Moving to a Life Plan Community allows you to save money you’d otherwise spend on your mortgage, repairs, and everyday household items. With the money you’re saving on household items, you’ll have more to spend on experiences and activities.

As a fourth-generation roofing contractor, David Dissmeyer, a Sequoia Living Life Plan Community resident since 2017, knows firsthand the challenges of home maintenance as people age. 

He noticed older people struggled with home maintenance, accessibility, and most notably, social isolation. “As their health declined, they became increasingly isolated in their environment,” said David. “They had to find ways to manage their daily lives, care for their home, and find support to assist them.”

Moving into independent living at a Life Plan Community will allow you to spend your time and money on what means the most to you. 

“I love it here! No home maintenance, housekeeping every week, and three meals a day,” said David. “Living here frees up much more time to focus on my hobbies and other interests.”

Save and spend your money on experiences, not home maintenance

One of the greatest advantages of living in a Life Plan Community is avoiding paying for maintenance expenses that come with living outside of a retirement community. And with good reason—the average American can expect to spend nearly $15,000 on hidden costs related to owning a home.

So, rather than spending money on your home, you could be spending it on what matters most to you. Take that trip to Europe you always wanted to go on. Go out in search of those baseball cards you’ve been looking to collect but never had the budget to do so. Plan a cruise with your family and cross those must-do items off of your bucket list. 

A Life Plan Community allows you to live independently while having peace of mind, knowing support is nearby if and when needed. “I had a sense of relief knowing where I was going to be. That took a load off my mind; I know I will be taken care of,” said Michael Gordon, a Sequoia Living resident. Community living helps Michael optimize his life in retirement.

You may be considering downsizing in the future, but it’s never too early to get started. By starting early, you’ll avoid feeling overwhelmed. Below are three tips that will make downsizing easier for you.

1. Start early
   The downsizing process can take longer than expected, so give yourself enough time. 
2. Create a plan
   Start with your goal date and work backward when creating your timeline.
3. Declutter and downsize
   New residents find it helpful to consult a professional organizer who can guide them through this process. Downsizing can be very emotional as you go through decades worth of possessions and precious memories.