Is Downsizing the Right Decision for You?
Whether you embrace a smaller living space or plan to retire in the not-too-distant future, downsizing is a major life decision that can free up space for the long run. But from your current situation to desires and expectations, there’s plenty more to consider about downsizing other than picking up and leaving.
Knowing the implications and benefits of downsizing is essential to moving into your new life. Let our team at Freedom Storage Management guide you through the benefits and considerations that can help you decide to downsize your home.
What Are the Benefits of Downsizing Your Home?
As you think about downsizing your home, there are many benefits to fall head-over-heels for. It can feel like a boulder is being lifted off your shoulders to have decluttered spaces. Let us share with you a few of the core benefits of downsizing your home.
Downsizing Benefits: Financial
One of the best ways that downsizing can benefit you is reflected through your finances. There are a multitude of financial benefits that come with a smaller living space. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Smaller mortgage or rent
- More affordable health insurance
- Less and lower maintenance costs
- Cheaper utility bills
Also, if you plan to purchase your new home rather than rent, you’ll have lower property taxes on top of everything else.
Downsizing Benefits: Mobility and Flexibility
A smaller home means more than lower expenses. It also enables more flexibility and mobility in your life. With the amount of money you can potentially save with your reduced bills, you can travel and see the world more frequently. After all, the fewer things you have, the easier it is to pick up whatever you need and hit the road.
Downsizing Benefits: Simple Living
Simple living means to adopt a downscale and quieter way of living. However, it differs from minimalism, which primarily focuses on removing physical items. Although mass decluttering can be a byproduct of simple living, it also comes with a change in attitude and philosophy. The idea of embracing the act of letting go, whether it’s physical objects or emotions. It’s easy to see why adopting a simple livelihood and downsizing your home goes hand-in-hand.
Downsizing Benefits: Better Location Opportunities
With a simplified mindset and reduced bills, you also have the opportunity to find an adequate home to call your own. Since your personal checklist of must-haves will be smaller, you’ll find more options that suit you just right. This goes for wherever you plan to move to, whether it’s towards the country or beachside.
Downsizing Benefits: Retirement Planning
As many downsizers are people who plan to retire, it’s common for a smaller home to help make your golden years shine all the brighter. This includes more flexible funding for vacations and excursions without the financial or personal burdens of a maximalist and large-scale homelife.
What Are Items to Consider When Downsizing Your Home?
While downsizing has plenty of benefits that can make it feel like a stroll through the park, it’s not entirely sunshine and rainbows. After all, downsizing is a very personal decision with a ton of implications that come with it. Let us guide you through the essential items to consider when you go full-steam ahead with your downsizing lifestyle.
Downsizing Considerations: Moving and Transaction Costs
Though you could see yourself in a better financial position once you’ve moved, the move itself will be far from cost-free. Although the housing market is predicted to improve throughout 2024, it’ll still take much effort to sell your home at a price to comfortably afford your new place. You’ll also want to ask yourself plenty of questions, such as when you want to move and what you’ll need.
Downsizing Considerations: Adjusting to a New Home
After living in one home for years, if not decades, it will take some adjusting to adapt to your new yet smaller home. Though it might seem cramped and crowded at the beginning, over time, you will finally settle in both physically and mentally. Trust us when we say that your new place will feel like home in due time.
Downsizing Considerations: Storage Space
One way you can speed up the process, however, is to place any items you don’t need into self storage. From furniture passed through the family to artwork and photographs, maximizing the space in your storage unit can also help you reap the rewards of your new humble abode. You can also restore peace of mind knowing your belongings are better protected in a storage unit than at home.
Settle Into Your Downsized Life With Freedom Storage Management
Need the best storage unit to keep your prize possessions in pristine condition? Look no further than Freedom Storage Management. We offer a wide range of personal storage solutions throughout our convenient locations. With amenities such as drive-up access and extended access hours included, the way to premier self storage has never been clearer.
Made your downsizing decision and need self storage? Find your nearest storage facility and contact our team online to rent or reserve your unit today!