5 ways to MAXIMISE your downsizing home

What home and lifestyle features are important to you? When deciding where to downsize to, and what type of home is right for you, there’s a range of things to take into consideration. To help you determine what’s most important, we’ve broken down some of the biggest deciding factors.

1. LOCATION

The location of your home can have a big impact on your lifestyle and state of mind. What are you looking for in a location?

• Something that’s close to public transport: If you don’t drive or want to enjoy effortless connectivity, finding a home close to public transport could be a great option.
• Something that’s close to local amenities: Having shopping centres, cafes, restaurants, GPs, pharmacies, hospitals and other key facilities close to home helps to create a lifestyle of ease and enjoyment.
• Something that’s close to family and friends: If you have a well-established family and friendship network, you may want to stay close by.
• Something that’s close to the country or the coast: Whether you’re retired, semi-retired or hoping to retire soon, this could be the perfect opportunity to move to a location you’ve always desired. Whether it’s a quaint country town or a coastal escape, let your heart lead you to the location that calls to it.

The location of your home can have a big impact on your lifestyle and state of mind. What are you looking for in a location?

2. ACCESSIBILITY & PRIVACY

The harsh reality is that as we age our agility naturally declines (hello arthritis!). This means that everyday activities like climbing stairs or reaching into high cupboards become harder – and often result in involuntary grunts and groans! For this reason, you may feel called to choose a home that’s single storey, with a floorplan specifically designed for easy accessibility.

Privacy is golden! If sharing walls, ceilings or floors and living in close proximity to your neighbours isn’t your style, finding a stand-alone home would be most ideal. This will help you to feel an enhanced sense of privacy and autonomy.

3. FEATURES

Different lifestyles require different home layouts and floorplans.

What features are you looking for in your downsizing home?

• The right number of bedrooms: If you’ve got children, grandchildren and friends who often spend the night, you may be looking for a home that has two or more bedrooms. If you’re searching for something that’s the perfect size for just you, or you and your significant other, a one-bedroom home could be just right. You may even be looking for a home with a versatile room that could function as a study, hobby room or additional bedroom when required.
• A private garden: There’s something special about having your own private garden – it can really act as a personal oasis. If you enjoy gardening, or simply enjoy spending time in your own outdoor space, a home with its own garden could be essential.
• Plenty of storage: Whether you’re someone who has a hard time culling your belongings, or you’re someone who likes to keep their belongings out of sight, a home with plenty of storage space could be highly desirable.
• An enclosed and secure garage: Parking on the street can leave you feeling nervous about the safety of your car. And sometimes a driveway or carport doesn’t cut it – especially if you have tools, bicycles or other items that you’d like to keep locked up safely. If these points resonate with you, then a home with a secure garage is definitely the way to go!

4. SHARED SOCIAL SPACES AND EXPERIENCES

If your ideal downsized lifestyle involves being socially connected, making the most of on- site amenities and getting involved in shared activities and experiences, then community living could be the best option for you. Of course, downsizing retirement village communities enable you to choose and control your level of involvement in shared activities, so they’re suitable no matter where you sit on the introvert/extrovert spectrum!

5. PET FRIENDLY

Furry friends are every bit family as the non- furry kind! If you’ve got a furry or feathered friend, finding a home that’s pet friendly is essential. Luckily Lifestyle Communities has pet friendly retirement villages for sale all across Victoria.

We understand that downsizing and moving home is a big life decision and our team is here to answer any questions you might have. Just pick up the phone and call 1300 50 55 60 or message us with your enquiries.