Retired homeowners often find that the effort required to maintain their home is more than they care to deal with. Thankfully, modern senior living doesn’t have to mean moving directly into assisted care. Active and spirited retirement communities like Longhorn Village in Austin, TX, provide downsized senior housing for retirees who aren’t yet ready to settle down. Here’s how they recommend new residents prepare for the next great chapter of their lives.

Step-by-Step Guide on Downsizing to a Smaller Home

1. Find Your New Home

The first step is choosing a space to move into, and that means plenty of searching and consideration before settling on a new home. If you don’t want to move too far, check out local independent senior living options. Ask for recommendations from friends and family, or even take to the internet to find your next place. Once you’ve found the right spot for you, it’s time to get started on selling or renting your current home and prepare to move.

2. Plan Your Move

There’s a lot that goes into moving, which means you’re going to want to keep a checklist of necessary to-dos during the process. Hiring a moving manager can also make moving much simpler. They’ll help you pack, hire a moving company, and can even help arrange a garage sale to downsize your possessions. If you’re moving to a retirement community, call and ask how they might be able to make your move easier.

3. Update Your Address

Updating your address is an incredibly important task, but it is often forgotten. You’ll want to send notice of your new address to your local post office, bank, credit card companies, magazine or newspaper subscriptions, Medicare, and Social Security accounts. Don’t forget to update your driver’s license and car registration while you’re at it, as well as your voter registration.

4. Sort & Pack Your Possessions

Sorting your possessions can be as easy as marking your moving boxes with “keep,” “sell,” or “trash.” Keep in mind that many senior living communities don’t have room for a lot of extra stuff, so arranging storage for seasonal possessions may be wise. Pack up one room at a time for simplicity, and double-check to make sure your labels are correct before the boxes go into either the moving van or the dumpster.

5. Move Into Your New Home

When you’ve finished your to-do list and packed up all of your possessions, it’s time to settle in your new place. If you’re moving to an apartment complex or condominium specializing in senior living, residence staff may be available to help you move in. Dedicate the first three to five days in your new home to unpacking and organizing so that you’re not immediately overwhelmed by clutter. Start with the bedroom and bathroom, then prioritize other essentials from there.

The good news is that downsizing your living space doesn’t have to mean downsizing your life. Nobody knows that better than the independent senior living specialists at Longhorn Village. Whether you prefer a villa on Steiner Ranch or one of their top-of-the-line apartment floor plans, they’ve curated the perfect place for living an entertaining, active lifestyle. For inquiries, call (512) 382-4664 today, or visit their website for more details on their services.