friends will have moved and that new and younger people, couples, and families have moved in. You may find the overall sense of community has changed. There could very well be smaller homes, condos, and senior housing right in your area, which can help make the downsizing process and transition smoother. A good real estate agent can help you determine this. What if there are no smaller homes available within your neighborhood? Consider moving closer to family. There are plenty of empty nesters, pre-retirees, and retirees who leave their areas in order to live closer to their siblings, children, grandchildren, or other family members or friends. Remember that hypothetical couple we talked about earlier? They moved from a large home in the north to a smaller home in Florida to live close to their children and grandchildren. When it came down to their decision, they decided that health and family were more important than living in and maintaining a large house and yard. If you have a healthy relationship with your family members, imagine living just a short drive — or even walk — away from them. If you hire a qualified real estate agent, they can even assist you in providing you with current listings in that area and refer you to a local buyer’s agent. Making a break from your community can be exciting. It can offer you new friendships and experiences you never dreamed of.
6. “I want to fill the house with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
Some empty nesters — particularly those with larger families — might protest the idea of downsizing so they can have space for
40
Powered by FlippingBook