Downsizing

 

My wife and I retired 10 years ago, and 2 years ago we decided to downsize.  We went from a 3,000 square foot home to a 1,400 square foot home; from an acre lot to let than a 1/4 acre lot.  Mowing and trimming used to take 3 hours, now it take an hour.  We went from a house on two levels to a house on one level.

However, we have exactly the living space we need, not too little and not too much.

I purchased my first home in 1975 and have own my own home ever since, despite living in the south on low wages.

The 3,000 square foot house in East TN, cost 50% less than a 3,000 square foot house in the Piedmont of NC.  and even less around the suburbs of Washington, DC or New York City.

I suppose it is what one gets used to that makes a difference...  for example, those who leave NYC for the south are going to have culture shock when it comes to the nightlife and entertainment.

The same holds true for southerners who decide to move up north for higher wages.

But, downsizing is different.  Once you reach a certain age, the size of what you live in does not really matter, at least it does not matter to us.

There are some people who own 12,000 to 15,000 square foot homes and I doubt that they spend much time in all the rooms.  Quest rooms only used when quests arrive.  Dining rooms  that are used maybe once or twice a year.  Formal living rooms and non formal living rooms; libraries and studys that are occasionally used for privacy.

Then there is the cost of heating, cooling, cleaning, and making sure the furniture does not go out of date.   But...  if you have that much money, it doesn't really matter much.

Still, I see no reason to have what you're not going to use.