I Retired in my 70s: 5 Reasons I Wish I’d Downsized Sooner
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Ella G. never thought she’d work into her 70s, but life has a way of surprising you. Now 78 and three years into retirement, she’s got some hard-earned wisdom to share about downsizing. Here’s her take on why making the move earlier could have changed her retirement game.
The Money Squeeze
From age 31 on, Ella lived in a large suburban home where she raised her two kids – and although the mortgage was paid off, the house was a lot to upkeep.
“I was house-rich and cash-poor,” Ella shared. “Mortgage isn’t everything! You have to think about property taxes, utilities and the million things that go wrong every year when you own a home.”
Downsizing freed up funds she didn’t realize she was sitting on.
“It’s not about living cheap,” she shared. “It’s about having options. I can actually afford to spoil my grandkids now, which is my number one happiness.”
Time Matters
Ella didn’t realize how much of her life revolved around home maintenance.
“Weekends? Those were for cleaning gutters and touching up paint,” she said.
Her new place? Low maintenance by design.
“I’ve rediscovered hobbies I’d forgotten about. Turns out I still love watercolors and I’m quite good at them.”
Finding Your People
Ella’s old neighborhood was filled with people with families, which was no longer her thing.
“Everyone was so busy. I’d go days without a real conversation,” Ella shared.
Her new community changed that.
“It’s not all bingo and shuffleboard,” she said. “Though we do have a pretty competitive bocce league.”
The built-in social network has been a lifeline, especially after losing her husband two years ago.
Practical Matters
Ella’s old house wasn’t built with aging in mind.
“Those stairs got steeper every year,” she said.
Her new place is all on one level, with wider doorways and a walk-in shower.
“I’m not ready for a nursing home, but I like knowing I can stay here as long as I want. It’s freedom, really.”
The Stuff Situation
Decades of accumulation made downsizing a huge project.
“Frankly, I put it off because it felt overwhelming,” Ella shared. “But it was actually liberating once I started. Marie Kondo is right! Let go!”
Ella gave her kids her most beloved family heirlooms and then donated truckloads.
“Keep the memories, not the clutter,” is her new motto. “And start before your kids have to do it for you,” she added.
Ella’s not pushing anyone to downsize before they’re ready.
“It’s a personal choice,” she said. “But don’t rule it out because it scares you or it’s just too much – I wish I’d been open to it sooner.”
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