As you reach retirement age, you may be looking at your home as more of a burden then a place to relax. The constant yardwork and upkeep can be expensive and time consuming. If you want to travel extensively, it may be difficult to leave your home for extended periods of time without worrying about what you will come home to. Many people choose to downsize as a way to maintain independence and free up time to do the things they have dreamed of for year. However, it can be a lot of work to move from a house to a condo. Here are steps that you can take to make it easier.

Start Purging Before You Start Looking for a New Place

Beginning to purge early can make the entire moving process much easier. If you can determine what is essential and what you need to take with you when you move, it will be easier to find a place that will fit your needs and allow you to embrace your new home. If the idea of purging is overwhelming you, you can enlist the help of friends and family members. You can create a three-tier sorting system that includes trash, donate and sort. This allows you to have final say on items that may mean something to you like photos, books and heirlooms, but makes it easier for others to determine what is trash and what can be donated or sold later.

Decide What Is Important When You Move

When searching for a new home, it is a great time to find a home that is designed for the things that are the most important to you. For example, if you love entertaining and cooking, find a home or condo with a great entertaining space and gourmet kitchen. If you love crafting be sure to find a space that makes it easy to craft in a sunlit studio area. If you still want to host family events or have grandchildren stay over be sure to have an extra bedroom set aside for them. It is important to find a space that you can picture yourself enjoying for years to come.

Consider Amenities and Fees

Another important thing to consider are the amenities and fees associated with your new home. There are a wide variety of options available to you and it is important to make sure you will be able to continue to afford those fees into your retirement years. You do not want the fees to be so much that they limit your ability to do the things that are important to you. The type of home you choose will likely be dependent on how well you were able to save for retirement. Some of the amenities will make it possible to live independently longer. For example, if you do not have to worry about trash disposal or clearing the sidewalks, you can likely stay in your home much longer. Looking for a place that is a retirement community can also make it easier to find new friends in a similar situation.

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