A person’s needs and desires can change considerably throughout their lifetime. Many will marry and dream of starting a family in their dream home. Of course, children will invariably grow up, move out, and possibly move some distance away. When that happens, the family home often starts to feel too big. Even those who never had children may find that where they are living is no longer practical, perhaps not even desirable. At this point, downsizing may be an option.
What is Downsizing?
Downsizing normally refers to moving from your current home to one that is smaller and more in line with your needs. This article will discuss some of the reasons for making this change, along with some thoughts about choosing the right community for those aged 55 and up.
Downsizing is not something to rush into, however. As with any other significant change to your life, take time to consider your options. Some of the things you could be looking for include a low-stress and maintenance-free lifestyle, a specific location or environment, activities and services, and more. Finding the community that is right for you is an important part of ensuring your ongoing health and happiness.
Reasons to Downsize
Everyone who downsizes does so when the time is right for them, and each person has their own reasons for doing so. That said, there are some reasons that are quite common and others that are worth considering, including:
Lowering Maintenance Responsibilities
Among homeowners, you’ll often hear someone say, “there’s always something,” along with a sigh. Owning a house is a wonderful thing, but it tends to be most enjoyable during the early years. Most new homeowners happily accept the maintenance that their new home requires.
Mowing the lawn, raking leaves, cleaning eavestroughs, and shoveling the walk and driveway are all part and parcel of owning a house. Some will even plant and maintain their own vegetable gardens or flower bed, happily enjoying the benefits of their labour. Other chores within the home are also usually accomplished with a minimum of fuss, such as laundry, dusting, vacuuming, painting, and much more.
As time goes on, however, many of these chores become less appealing. It’s not necessarily that you don’t have the energy for them anymore—though that is sometimes the case—it may simply be that you have a growing desire to focus on other things that are more enjoyable to you.
Whether you choose to move into a smaller home, an apartment or condo, or even make the move to a retirement community, doing so will allow you more freedom to do as you wish with your time, without having to worry about all the little tasks that can accumulate in a house of your own.
Financial Benefits
That maintenance that you have been doing on your home also costs money. It might not cost much to paint a room or two, but if you live in your house long enough, then at some point you will need to make significant expenditures. Perhaps you will need to replace doors or windows, repave your driveway, or even replace your roof.
Even when you are not paying for repairs, you may be putting out money each month if you have someone who handles your yardwork and snow removal.
By downsizing, you can cut your expenses and stop paying for extra space that you are barely using. You can then use those funds other ways, perhaps doing something you have always dreamed of, or making a purchase that has long been out of reach.
Enhancing Social Connections and Community Involvement
Upon reaching a certain age, many people find they are missing social connections and a sense of purpose. When we go to work each day, whether we love our jobs or not, we have a reason to get up and be active. We will engage with our coworkers, perhaps customers or clients as well. Once we stop working, that social connection is gone. Once the initial thrill of being retired wears off, we can find ourselves lonely, bored, or both.
This can be made worse if our grown children have gone to live on their own. Suddenly, the things that have motivated us and been defining parts of our lives are gone, and that can be troubling. Moving to a retirement community can provide us with the social connections we need, and community involvement gives us a sense of purpose.
Remaining socially active isn’t just about combatting boredom, however. There are several benefits for remaining active as we get older, including:
- Greater emotional health. According to studies, when people engage with others who share their interests, they gain greater purpose in their activities, benefit from a support system, and have greater self-esteem.
- Improved cognitive function. Social engagement has been shown to improve cognitive function, boost concentration, enhance memory, and more.
- Better physical health. It’s no secret that staying active can improve our physical health. Being active even a few times per week aids in disease prevention, mobility, flexibility, and balance.
- Improved sleep. A significant part of your physical well-being is tied to proper sleep. It helps regulate blood pressure, supports brain function, and benefits your cardiovascular system.
- Greater longevity. The combination of mental and physical stimulation, along with the health benefits and built-in support network combine to make you more likely to live longer and healthier.
Simplifying Your Lifestyle
One of the great benefits of downsizing and moving to a retirement community is how it simplifies your life. It’s a simple fact that living in a smaller space means having fewer things to worry about. You will have much less upkeep to perform, and you won’t always be wondering what project needs to be tackled next. Living in a retirement community means that assistance is always available to you if you want it. That could mean having someone help you with your housekeeping tasks and chores so that rather than having a long list of things you have to do, you can spend your time on things you want to do.
Carlton House: The Ideal Choice for 55+ Living in Victoria BC
When you are looking to downsize and move into an independent living community, we firmly believe that Carlton House is the perfect destination. Here are some of the reasons why:
Prime Location and Accessibility
One of the great advantages of coming to Carlton House is finding yourself in one of the finest neighbourhoods in Victoria, if not all of Canada. Oak Bay is known for its spectacular natural setting, beautiful coastline, and selection of wonderful shops and restaurants. It also has some of the mildest weather in the country and is considered one of the safest parts of Greater Victoria.
Oak Bay has everything you could ask for in a highly walkable and accessible neighbourhood that will charm and delight you at every turn.
Boutique-style Community Offering Personalized Care and Attention
As a boutique-style community, Carlton Home can offer you the kind of care and attention that is hard to come by anywhere else. We know that despite the benefits to be had in downsizing, leaving the family home can be difficult. When you come to Carlton House, you are entering a caring community that sees you as an individual and offers the kind of personalized support that you deserve.
Wide Range of Amenities and Services
When choosing a home, whether it’s your first or your fifth, one of the key considerations for many is the availability of services. Some of the great benefits of living at Carlton House include:
Dining Options
Carlton House is home to what some residents consider the finest restaurant in Oak Bay. Enjoy fabulous meals in our elegant dinging room, or when weather permits, take in some sun on our patio. Whether you want a light snack or a special meal created by our talented, award-winning chef, we have something for you. And if you want some quiet time to relax in your suite, in-room service is also available.
Wellness and Fitness Programs
Our goal is to help you stay healthy, happy, and independent. To that end, we offer a range of activities that are always being tweaked and updated based on feedback from our community. You’ll never get bored with the “same old” routine, which means you will stay engaged and remain active.
Social and Recreational Activities
Our approach to wellness is a holistic one, meaning we understand that you need more than just physical exercise. That’s why Carlton House offers many other activities such as trips to the beach, visits to historical attractions, holiday celebrations, games, group activities, and more.
Safety and Security Features
Our community is safe, but to make you feel even more secure, Carlton House provides emergency monitoring and on-site security, and each suite includes safety features to help you be at ease.
Pet-friendly Policies
You would never move to a new home and leave family members behind, and we would never expect that of you. Your pets contribute to your well-being and are welcome at Carlton House upon approval.
Continuum of Care for Aging in Place
Our residents stay with us for many years, and over time their need for care can change. When needed, we can help you connect with excellent home care providers who can visit you in person and assist you with personal care.
Carlton House’s Support for a Smooth Downsizing Process
Once you have made the decision to downsize and join us at Carlton House, we will be ready to help you make the move.
Helpful Resources and Guidance
Whatever your personal situation, our years of experience means we have probably been though it before with other residents. This means we can offer advice and support during the move from your current home to your suite with us. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
Partnerships with Local Moving and Downsizing Professionals
Although we have a great deal of experience ourselves, we are also partnered with professionals who can help you with your downsizing and the physical move to your new home.
Transition Support and Settling In Assistance
Even with the best efforts of everyone involved, we know that this is a significant change in your lifestyle, so we offer ongoing support both during and following your move to ensure that the transition is as pleasant as possible with a minimum of stress.
Conclusion
Downsizing is a great way to simplify your life and give yourself more time and freedom to enjoy all the things you want to do without having to worry about the things that are perhaps no longer as important to you.
Carlton House offers you an unparalleled quality of life in a stunning location, where you can join an active community and become part of our extended family.
To learn more about Carlton House, please contact us today. We’d love to hear from you and have the opportunity to talk with you about the many benefits you will experience coming to stay with us.
Experience the Carlton House difference firsthand! Don’t just imagine a hassle-free, luxurious 55+ lifestyle in Victoria’s premier Oak Bay neighborhood; witness it for yourself. Schedule a personal tour with us and explore everything our community has to offer. Dive into our world of top-notch amenities, serene living spaces, and a warm, welcoming community just waiting to meet you. Contact us today for an exclusive walkthrough. Your future home awaits!
About Carlton House
Situated in beautiful Oak Bay, Carlton House is a locally-owned and -operated independent Senior Living community which offers several living options ranging from studios to two bedrooms. Residents enjoy an excellent quality of life with superb amenities in one of Victoria’s most highly desired neighbourhoods. It is independent living at its finest for those aged 55+.
