Downsizing

[abstibus]

Has anyone downsized? My house in Victorian (1881) and I seem to spend quite a lot of my weekends cleaning it - I'm not obsessional, but the dirt seems to come from nowhere - not helped by a hairy dog.
On the plus side, it is really well built, has loads of space, high ceilings and big rooms, and is 10 minutes from my work.
Now that I look at this, I wonder why I'm submitting the question, but would be glad to hear of others' experiences, good or bad.

[rabbitygirl]

Grew up in a large Victorian house with big garden. Great for us kids but my mum hated the cleaning and we would have to help with cleaning and vacuuming. It was my dads family home and everyone, including me, started married life there. My mum was dads second wife and I dont think she really settled.

Eventually she got her way and they downsized to a little bungalow. My dad never got over losing his family house, the space, the big garden, even tho he didn't have the time or money to lavish on it. Also, whenever mum and dad had words there was no spare room to escape to. In his later years he was nearly always to be found in the greenhouse - cold permitting.

During his last months I took him back to have a look around the old area and familar places. We pulled up outside the house and both looked wistfully at it. It is now 2 flats.

I think of the old place quite a lot and memories of dad are usually of him there.

Your decision will be easier if it is just you making it. Couples must agree completely on when and where to move to. My husband was very nervous of leaving our house after 23 years (to a bungalow too) but he is settled and happy now in our new location.

I agree that you may have answered your own question. Good luck.

[rabbitygirl]

PS We have also bought a house to renovate. By chance it is a large Victorian house very similar to the old place. We are bringing it back to its true glory. My dad would have loved it.

[droopdrawers]

Yes we downsized earlier this year from a 3 bed house to an appartment for the over 55s.

The house had got too big for us and we seemed to spend half our lives cleaning it....so here we are.

It is/was hard going at first. My husband loved it from the word go but its taken me some time. I think I am getting used to it now but DID badly miss my garden in the summer if only to just sit out for coffee in a morning.

You do have to weigh up the pros and cons....but from reading your post I would give serious thought to making your house into 2 flats.....that way you get an income and to stay put with someone else taking on half the work.

DD