Question-How Do I downsize from a house to an apartment

Dear Elaine,

I am getting ready to move into an apartment after living in my home for sixty-two years. I have collected so many treasures and don't know what to do with everything. I have two daughters and one son, but they are busy and I don't want to bother them with all of this? Do you have any suggestions?

Believe it or not, you have crossed the biggest hurdle! Making the decision to “repack your bags” is often the hardest step of the entire process. Congratulations you are well on your way! Lightning the load, keeping only the things you cherish and truly use, is always tough, but once done you will feel truly comfortable and excited by the opportunities your new home has to offer. The best thing to remember is to break this project down into smaller jobs so you aren’t overwhelmed or become frustrated. On your own you can organize the packing and even the move, but please let someone else do the heavy lifting and moving of furniture.

To start, you will want to establish a timeline for when you will make the move. Set goals for what you would like to complete weekly and monthly right up to moving day. It makes sense to organize your belongings. The easiest and most time effective way to do this is go through each room of your home and determine which items you truly need to take with you to your new home. Once you’ve narrowed it down, take the balance of the items and prioritize their value. Identify a dozen or so items that have the most sentimental or monetary value. Will you give it to a family member, a favorite charity or sell it? Move from room to room, thoroughly inspecting each item and being very selective about which items you will take with you to your new home. Focus on quality of life and reducing the clutter as space will be more valuable.

Most families want to assist in the actual packing and moving, but if you prefer not to have your family involved, then I suggest that you hire a moving company. A moving company can pack your possessions, move them to your new home and in some cases unpack the items. I currently work with two moving companies that can put your treasures back in your curio cabinet and china cabinet just as you had them before the move. If you choose to use a moving company, ask friends, families and even the community that you are moving into for a referral. It is best to obtain 3 proposals and be sure to confirm that they have adequate insurance and can accommodate your schedule, after all they are working for you.

If your budget restricts your use of professional movers, check with your local senior centers, churches, schools and other community based organizations for possible volunteers to assist you during this move.

If you have questions regarding transitioning yourself or a loved one, send them to esimpson@senioroptserv.com and we will answer it on this blog.