Downsizing

Pick a small town with a good bus or rail service, not too far as the ambulance speeds from the nearest A&E and walking or mobility scooter distance from the nearest shop, doctors, library, chemist. Not too steep.

LOUISA1523

J52

All of the above, plus at least 2 toilets, preferably 2 bathrooms !

Why do 2 people need 2 bathrooms?

No one uses my ensuite bathroom, they can use the other one any time and the 3rd toilet too but not mine. Privacy is everything to me.

Milest0ne

I am trying to get OH to move. Location is my present problem as we are 1/2 mile from a bus stop and with 1/4 mile of private drive and roadway so we don't get many visitors. We even have to get in the car to put the rubbish in the bins. The only advantage is an excellent health service. I want to move to be nearer to DD. in our home town The latest excuse for not moving was "Sea level rise will cause flooding".

I suggest that one of you,or possibly both of you develop a medical condition that means you cannot drive for a month or two. Sprain a wrist or ankle, smething curable and not too long lasting. If the inconvenience caused doesnot shift him. Nothing will.

M0nica

Milest0ne

I am trying to get OH to move. Location is my present problem as we are 1/2 mile from a bus stop and with 1/4 mile of private drive and roadway so we don't get many visitors. We even have to get in the car to put the rubbish in the bins. The only advantage is an excellent health service. I want to move to be nearer to DD. in our home town The latest excuse for not moving was "Sea level rise will cause flooding".

I suggest that one of you,or possibly both of you develop a medical condition that means you cannot drive for a month or two. Sprain a wrist or ankle, smething curable and not too long lasting. If the inconvenience caused doesnot shift him. Nothing will.

Monica. I am the only driver. I refuse to drive in snow and ice. Or long distances. I have even thought of taking equity release and moving on my own. My hope is with BT removing our landline. We have very poor mobile reception.

Lots of wonderful advice here, couple of tips (I used to help people to downsize for a living)…
1. Lots of people think the downsize is going to be their final move so look for the new property to fit all criteria to suit rest of life. In reality often people have a downsizing move and then a rest of life move when a small flat, retirement living etc is required. So dont miss out on that fab property just because it isn’t near a bus stop etc,
2. Talk to your chosen estate agent about getting your property ready to put on the market, get photos taken, agree brochure wording so if you find the perfect property you are market ready, so will be considered as a suitable buyer. If the agent wants to charge for this service, just agree it comes off the final bill when you complete.
3. Start the downsize of belongings even if you think you won’t move for the next few years! It is hard work and taken slowly is so much easier.
4. There are some great downsizers out there with wonderful tips, I follow Benella.co.uk

We downsized and moved to be near family three years ago. It took a long while to find what we needed as it’s a more expensive area and we had a limited budget. We thought we would have to have an apartment/flat which wasn’t really what we wanted. After looking at loads in different villages/some rural/some not so much - a house came up that we probably wouldn’t have originally considered. It was £50k over budget as well. Went to look despite reservations - offered £50k less expressing that we literally were unable to make the asking price and three years later we couldn’t be happier. Size wise - 3 beds/shower room/good size lounge/diner, reasonable kitchen and downstairs loo, smaller garden- we use all the space and don’t have anything we don’t use- in other words it fits us perfectly. Easy to maintain and most of the big jobs had been done. Village but five minutes walk from shops/eateries and transport. Keep an open mind and try and get something that’s future proof. Good luck - we’ve never been happier.

Your future neighbours are the unknown element in any move. Hard to discern that piece though.

We moved to a village with a good bus service to town and the supermarket. In fact, the supermarket is in walking distance for those who want yo walk. We downsized to a bungalow with downstairs bathroom and bedroom but it also has 2 bedrooms upstairs, one is my craft toom, the other DH uses for his music and cycling on yhe turbo. We are walking distance to the Doctor Surgery, the library, the Post Office and cornerstore. There is a church, walking distance, of course. It is quiet but lots going on for those who want more social activities. We researched the area beforehand, including for our old age. Write down what you want for now and longer term, then research possible areas.