Downsizing

mllgnc

Hi All, we have a difficult decision to make, in a very short space of time. We recently applied for social housing, my health and mobility have unfortunatly deteriorated in the last 2 years. I have a neurological condition and my symptoms etc are unlikely to improve.

We only applied around a month ago, and this morning we have been offered a one bedroom bungalow ! We are going to see it first thing in the morning, and the housing office will need our decision before the end of the day. We are currently in a three bedroom property and although we are not hoarders we have accumulated quite a lot of "stuff" over the years.

I'm already worrying about how on earth we can comfortably go from a three bedroom to a one bedroom ! Since it is only myself and hubby it's unlikely we would be offered a two bedroom property. Has anyone here had such a downsize, if so how easy or difficult was it ? Did you regret doing it or is life much easier now ? I would be really grateful for any experiences and advice

Hoploz

Sounds like you're doing the right thing.

~Beanie~

My mum has recently downsized from a largish 3 bed detached house to a tiny one bed semi-detached bungalow after living there nearly 40 years so as you can imagine, a LOT of stuff needed to be gotten rid of before the move.

We hired a skip and filled that, followed by trips to the local recycling centre with lots of other stuff. Beds went, wardrobes, loads of clothes to charity shops, pottery and ornaments were sold on EBay.

It was quite difficult persuading my mum to part with some things but we had to say to her 'well where exactly are you going to put it in the new place?'. She's now happy in her new bungalow and hasn't really missed any of the stuff that went.

It will be hard parting with things but it has to be done if you are downsizing and at the end of the day, its just 'stuff'.

rosyw

I downsized almost 4 years ago from a 7 bed farmhouse to a 2/3 bed chalet bungalow. You just need to be really brutal about what you get rid of, I knew what I wanted to keep and had to measure up the new place to make sure it would fit, everything else had to go. It IS hard, but to be honest I could have got rid of more and am slowly sorting and either binning or selling things I really have no need for. I had worried that I'd feel cramped in my new place but haven't. I really haven't missed the heating bills
When you go to see the bungalow bear in mind that it WILL feel small, you'll wonder how on earth you'll cope in a much smaller space etc. but from my experience it's something you very quickly adapt to. Good luck!

mllgnc

~Beanie~ wrote: »

My mum has recently downsized from a largish 3 bed detached house to a tiny one bed semi-detached bungalow after living there nearly 40 years so as you can imagine, a LOT of stuff needed to be gotten rid of before the move.

We hired a skip and filled that, followed by trips to the local recycling centre with lots of other stuff. Beds went, wardrobes, loads of clothes to charity shops, pottery and ornaments were sold on EBay.

It was quite difficult persuading my mum to part with some things but we had to say to her 'well where exactly are you going to put it in the new place?'. She's now happy in her new bungalow and hasn't really missed any of the stuff that went.

It will be hard parting with things but it has to be done if you are downsizing and at the end of the day, its just 'stuff'.

Thank you Beanie, that does make me feel better I know we are going to have to be very ruthless, although in fairness a lot of things have been in drawers and cupboards for years without being looked at or needed so not exactly important lol. I suppose it's more the fear of just going for it and maybe regretting it.

I'm trying to focus on the positives, the rent for the bungalow is very reasonable, cheaper heating costs, easier to clean and probably the most important aspect is no stairs ! As you very rightly say it really is just "stuff" and I do think the positives with outweigh the negatives, hopefully !

Thanks again for posting, it really has made be feel better about it

mllgnc

rosyw wrote: »

I downsized almost 4 years ago from a 7 bed farmhouse to a 2/3 bed chalet bungalow. You just need to be really brutal about what you get rid of, I knew what I wanted to keep and had to measure up the new place to make sure it would fit, everything else had to go. It IS hard, but to be honest I could have got rid of more and am slowly sorting and either binning or selling things I really have no need for. I had worried that I'd feel cramped in my new place but haven't. I really haven't missed the heating bills
When you go to see the bungalow bear in mind that it WILL feel small, you'll wonder how on earth you'll cope in a much smaller space etc. but from my experience it's something you very quickly adapt to. Good luck!

Thank you rosyw, brutal is just the word lol, I think my hubby might need a bit of a push in that direction, he does struggle a bit to get rid of things "just in case he needs it" lol. Your post has also made me feel better about the prospect, thank you for posting

Davesnave

mllgnc wrote: »

I suppose it's more the fear of just going for it and maybe regretting it.

I'm trying to focus on the positives, the rent for the bungalow is very reasonable, cheaper heating costs.....

If you feel pressured, put some of the stuff in storage, if the lower rent will enable this, then set your own deadline to clear the store. Say 6 months to decide what's most important, and stick to it.

You can buy a little time, provided that you're disciplined. I know when I inherited a lot of 'stuff,' the charges for storage soon focused my mind, but I did have time to think.

mllgnc

Davesnave wrote: »

If you feel pressured, put some of the stuff in storage, if the lower rent will enable this, then set your own deadline to clear the store. Say 6 months to decide what's most important, and stick to it.

You can buy a little time, provided that you're disciplined. I know when I inherited a lot of 'stuff,' the charges for storage soon focused my mind, but I did have time to think.

Thanks Davesnave, I hadn't thought of storage, that's a really good idea

originator

I downsized too in January after 32 years in largish 3 bed semi.Went for a 2 bed new build semi and left the old house without a backward glance ,Getting rid of accumulated stuff was one of the best bits for me,some went to neighbours some to charity shops and loads to the tip,very cathartic lol.
I am 63 and thought now or never,so glad I did.

mllgnc

Hoploz wrote: »

Sounds like you're doing the right thing.

Thanks I think we are, I'm trying to focus on all the positive aspects of the move.

mllgnc

originator wrote: »

I downsized too in January after 32 years in largish 3 bed semi.Went for a 2 bed new build semi and left the old house without a backward glance ,Getting rid of accumulated stuff was one of the best bits for me,some went to neighbours some to charity shops and loads to the tip,very cathartic lol.
I am 63 and thought now or never,so glad I did.

Thanks for posting so far everyone has posted positive experiences which is brilliant ! It really has made me feel so much better about everything :T