Key Takeaways

• Start with a Financial Evaluation: Consult a realtor to understand your home’s value, potential improvements, and costs of your future home.
• Consider Family Proximity Carefully: If moving closer to family, confirm that their location is stable to avoid relocating multiple times.
• Plan for Aging in Place: Choose a home that accommodates your needs as you age, including accessibility features.
• Declutter with Intention: Avoid storage units by sorting items to keep, donate, or discard.

If you’re an empty nester who is considering a big move, this article is for you. When making this transition, it’s important focus on simplifying your life and key ideas to keep in mind when making this transition.

1. Start with a Financial Perspective

If you’re thinking of moving, your first step should be reaching out to a realtor. Here’s what to consider:

• Current Home Value: Understand what your home is worth and what it might need in terms of repairs or upgrades. In Florida, a new roof may be necessary if your home is over 10 years old.
• Future Home Costs: Research insurance, taxes, and HOA fees associated with a potential new neighborhood. These added costs can impact your finances significantly, so it’s wise to run the numbers thoroughly.

Moving from a larger to a smaller home could allow you to extract some equity and potentially lower your monthly expenses, giving you extra funds for retirement or other goals.

2. Moving Near Family

Are you considering relocating closer to your kids? It’s a fantastic idea for many, but confirm their plans before making the move. You don’t want to uproot your life only for them to relocate again shortly after. This step saves you the hassle of having to go through multiple moves.

3. Choose a Home You Can Age In

As you search for your next home, consider aging in place:

• Does the layout allow for easy navigation?
• Are features like grab bars, wide doorways, and accessible bathrooms available or easy to add?

While it might seem minor now, planning for accessibility can make all the difference later.

4. Declutter with Intention

One of the more challenging aspects of this process can be downsizing your belongings. The goal? Avoid getting a storage unit. Instead:

• Keep: Hold onto items that truly add value or joy to your life.
• Donate: Give away items you don’t use but that are still in good shape.
• Discard: Let go of things that no longer serve a purpose.

Sorting through your stuff might feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into these categories can make it more manageable and ensure you’re only bringing essentials to your new home.

Downsizing and simplifying your life as an empty nester can be a freeing experience. Think financially, plan for family, and prioritize accessibility to create a smooth transition to your next home. 

If you have questions about the process, send me a direct message or email. I’ve been through it myself, and I’m happy to share tips from my personal journey.