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 their children, grandchildren, and out-of-town guests. They imagine hosting large family gatherings filled with their adult children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. However, as you age, maintaining a large home just so you can fit your entire family in it sometimes isn’t reason enough to avoid downsizing. Maybe your family members don’t live nearby. There’s also the chance that family who do live close by might end up moving for a variety of reasons, including job transfers and career changes. And bear in mind that not all adult children necessarily want to live close to their parents, so factor in the relationship you have with your grown children before you assume that your large home will be the place everyone flocks to for holidays. On the other hand, you can downsize and still have enough room to host family and other guests (just maybe not all at once!). So, when you’re thinking about where you’d like to live, consider how much space you need based on your family relationships and
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