Last year, nearly half of the UK’s home movers opted to downsize. Spurred by the cost of living crisis, many retirees have also decided to reduce the number of rooms in their homes.
In a 2023 study by comparison site Confused, Warrington was the third-best place in the UK for downsizing. This might not be surprising, the town’s equidistant location between Liverpool and Manchester boasts a quieter lifestyle yet still offers easy connections to loved ones in the larger cities.
The study showed that retirees in Warrington could enjoy saving an average of £122,000 for every room they lose when they downsized. In other words, a pensioner still residing in a 4-bed family home could free up an average of £244,000 by moving into a 2-bed property.
Why Is It So Popular?
This kind of life change isn’t uncommon for the older population, as there are obvious financial benefits, including bolstering retirement savings, funding travel and supporting children and grandchildren. It can also lead to lower monthly energy bills, council tax and insurance.
The greenery of Warrington is also a big draw for downsizers. The practical advantages of moving into a smaller property are key for the older generation, who may not want the hassle of maintaining a large garden or unused rooms. Warrington’s green spaces and nature reserves are abundant compared to its neighbouring cities. These can be a great substitute for private gardens in a retiree’s older years and, most importantly, you can use them without having to maintain them yourself!
“Bridgewater Canal, Warrington” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by helena.40proof
Making Downsizing Easier
Whilst all these benefits seem to make life a whole lot easier, the often stressful process of selling your previous home can’t be skipped. Not only that, moving to smaller property can involve the daunting job of downsizing your material belongings.
Listing a home with an estate agent can involve countless stages, from valuations to viewings, that take up precious time for a retiree. Those looking to skip these steps and sell their property quickly sometimes look to cash-buying services like Sold. With traditional methods taking months to complete, online services like these can get clients moving into a smaller home within a matter of days.
If decluttering sends shivers down your spine, and with more money soon to spend, then it may be worth paying a local service like The Clutter Fairy to do it for you.
As well as in the literal sense, these services do the heavy lifting emotionally too. Making the process a positive experience, they aim to reframe decluttering as taking a weight off your shoulders, whilst always respecting your things and your decisions. With typical sessions for a professional taking five hours, getting assistance for the big clear out can save retirees bags of time.
Takeaways
Before doing all the hard work, just a little pre-planning can help retirees make downsizing a much smoother experience. Warrington is one of the best places in the UK to downsize, and the financially liberating decision can also become a simple move with all the online tools out there to speed up the process.
