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Essential Resources for Efficient Senior Downsizing

Guest Author:  Danielle Porter

Getting a whole home’s worth of belongings moved to a new place is a challenge. Downsizing adds a few more variables to the equation, especially when you’ve lived a very full life in your current home! These essential resources presented by The Cincy Blog can help you streamline your downsizing process for better efficiency — and more importantly, less stress.

Look to the Future

Before you can start packing up, you’ll need to decide where you’re headed. From senior living to a smaller home closer to family, carefully consider all your options.

• Explore potential avenues for listing your existing home if you need to sell.
• If you’re purchasing a new home, review home prices in your target area.
• Learn more about retirement communities if communal living sounds appealing.

Begin the Packing Process

While you’re breaking out the boxes and packing materials, consider what to take and what to leave behind, throw away, or donate. Sometimes, less is more.

• Sketch out a floorplan of your new place to see what might fit.
• Find out what items you can donate to charity (and what’s best trashed).
• Sell your high-value household goods online to save space while earning a return.

Search

Get to Know Your New Place

Part of moving is adjusting to your new neighborhood and familiarizing yourself with the local amenities. Make time to explore so you can feel cozier in your next home or community.

• Use social media to connect with your new city or neighborhood.
• Go over a checklist of things to do once you get the keys to your new place.
• Get to work making your new spot feel like a true home.
• Provide your family with a much-needed feeling of safety in a new location by installing an affordable security system.
• Also, take steps to eliminate tripping hazards to help prevent falls.

Moving can seem daunting, but with careful planning, you can avoid those moving day disasters. Likewise, preparation also helps you feel more confident in your downsizing. Before long, you’ll be in your new home and feeling great, knowing you made the right decision!

About the Author:   Danielle Porter is a home decorating consultant and mom to two young children. She created themamapoppins.com to share her experiences as a busy working mom and to offer advice and support to fellow moms.