Special offer

Baby Boomers Downsize

By
Home Stager with Harmonizing Homes LLC

Harmony's Habitat - Down Sizing

Post war baby boomers.... there are 76 thousand of us in the United States born between the years of 1946 - 1964 according to AARP statistics.  So you may be asking why I'm talking about this...

Well, there will be many of you that may be entertaining the thought of making a move in the near future for various reasons, but most likely you will all be downsizing your square footage living area.  There have been studies about our generation which indicates that we are not typically interested in the resort lifestyle associated with golf courses and recreation rooms.  We are more prone to moving to large cities and college towns.

I would like to consider myself an expert in the downsizing department as I have experienced the process first handed.  My husband and I moved five times in our many years of marriage - The one move that blew our family and friends minds, was the move from a six bedroom 150 year old farm house at the New Jersey Shore on an acre of land to a rented one bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side of New York City!  Hence the title "expert" ...... 

backyard view

Riverside Drive

We were EMPTY NESTERS, both spending three or more hours a day commuting - One day I asked myself, what and why are we doing this...for our families, for your friends for what?  Oh sure we will miss the many alfresco dinner parties under the stars with this mosquitoes and fireflies... but it will be fun...it will be another chapter in our lives...It was shortly after that brilliant thought that we began to search for the perfect Bohemian apartment in NYC.  We decided to rent first year rather than buy just to make sure that city living was for us.

Well it turns out we were not alone, it is the trend!  Many middle-class suburbanites (not ready for retirement yet) are looking for apartments in the cities across the nation.  We have all  become quite bored with the carpools, trains and buses and want to live in an area where anything can be delivered to you - enjoy the many cultural events - taking walks in parks - having access to  thousands of restaurants and activities to do.   Don't forget we are the forever young generation and will continue thinking that way as we make our presents at the local gyms and place our marks in various races of our best time and test our endurance. ...check out Central Park on any given day!

I have a lot of information to share on the process of downsizing - Follow this blog, or check out the website on great tips that I've learned along the way - " You can't put 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound sack"....trust me, I tried...

Harmony!

Comments (5)

David Okada
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Service-Beyond Your Expectations

Corinne,

Its true, but I downsized when I was in my 30's and was looking for more activities and a centralized place to commute from for work opportunities. I am seeing many more baby boomers selling their larger apartments or homes and trying to cut their expenses and move into a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom apartment. Interesting post.

Aug 03, 2010 02:07 PM
Corinne Kaas
Harmonizing Homes LLC - Toms River, NJ
Transforming Your Home With Design And Style

Thanks David...I have to say, I don't miss all of the work....of the yard, etc...loving NYC!

Aug 03, 2010 02:23 PM
Victor Zuniga
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties - San Diego, CA

Great job Corinne. Here in San Diego we see tons of downsizing as long time residents retire in cities, or states with lower costs of living. Awesome job Corinne!

Aug 03, 2010 03:11 PM
Victor Zuniga
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties - San Diego, CA

Great job David. Here in San Diego we see tons of downsizing as long time residents retire in cities, or states with lower costs of living. Awesome job David!

Aug 03, 2010 03:11 PM
Victor Zuniga
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties - San Diego, CA

Great job David. Here in San Diego we see tons of downsizing as long time residents retire in cities, or states with lower costs of living. Awesome job David!

Aug 03, 2010 03:11 PM