It can be hard to let go. It’s the home you raised your family in. Perhaps you have lived there for decades and have lifelong friends in the neighborhood. Perhaps, but there are five good reasons why you should consider downsizing after retirement and here they are.

Manage Retirement Income

Trying to manage your retirement income after decades of having a full salary plus overtime for some can be hard to do. One of the biggest expenses post retirement is the upkeep and maintenance of your home. Downsizing to a smaller place with less maintenance costs is a way to better manage retirement income so you are not strapped at the end of each month.

Kids are Grown

Have you faced a situation where grown children have had to move back in with you to get back on their feet? That may make you reticent to downsize because your kids are grown. If they are too comfortable they may never leave! You have to think of your long-term goals. When the kids are grown and out of the house, it is a good time to think about downsizing.

Convenient Location

All of your working life, the move may have been further and further out into the suburbs. However, the post retirement trend is now to move closer to the city because of its convenient location. You don’t have to drive 20 minutes just to go to the grocery store. In the city, shopping malls, airports, and hospitals are within walking distance. Downsizing to a downtown apartment may be the way to go post retirement.

Better Weather

Florida is the retirees’ haven namely because of the warm climate. It’s not the only place but it is cheaper than living in California. And face it, after your working days are over, who wants to spend the winters shoveling snow and digging out cars? Downsizing to enjoy better weather makes life that much easier in retirement.

Simpler Living

There is a reason why so many retirees choose to buy condos in 55+ communities post retirement: for the simpler living. Your maintenance is taken care of. You have access to entertainment, food, recreation, and socializing right within your community. For simpler living, downsizing to a nice condo is a good option to consider.

Whether you decide to downsize or not, it is worth at least considering. You don’t have to move to a new city or state to find a nice condo that provides you with simpler living and you don’t have to move far away from the kids to downsize.

However, if you really want to enjoy your post retirement years, these tips can help you manage your money better and live a more laid-back lifestyle.