When Baby Boomers Move: The Keys to Smarter, Smaller Household Moves

Baby Boomers are in the news again, and for once, they have something in common with Millennials. CNBC reports that Baby Boomers are overwhelming opting to rent, rather than buy. More than 5 million Boomers are expected to move by 2020, and for many, the appeal of amenity-rich, full-service buildings can’t be denied.

If you’re a Baby Boomer and having a new place where all of the maintenance concerns are somebody else’s worry sounds great, here’s what you need to know about planning your next move, and the downsizing process.

For the Ultimate Peace of Mind, Go Pro

Moving hasn’t changed all that much since the last time you packed up everything you own, but your lifestyle and expectations certainly have. The days of gathering whatever buddies would be happy to do your heavy lifting for a few beers are over – those same friends may not be in couch-carrying condition, and your stuff may mean more to you than it did then. Professional movers can do everything for you – including the time-consuming jobs like packing and planning the move logistics – faster and better than you can do it on your own. Even better? When you work with a professional moving company, you can have your stuff insured against accident and misadventure – an option that’s not really available when you toss everything in the back of your buddy’s truck.

Get Very Serious About Downsizing

If you’re moving from a home you own into a rental, the odds are pretty good you’re going to have less space available. A move is a great time to get very serious about downsizing. Be intentional and mindful during the downsizing process: if an item isn’t going to be useful, or add joy or beauty to your life, does it really need to come with you? If you’re holding onto items to ‘someday’ pass along to your children, give them that stuff now. Your kids aren’t your only option for disposing of items you don’t want to or can’t keep: you can sell these items, donate them to charitable organizations, or gift them to friends with more spacious homes.

Embrace Storage Units as Off-Site Closets

As you go through the downsizing process, you may discover you have items you’d like to keep that just won’t fit in your new place. If the new place is only a relatively temporary address, or the items are such that you’d like to have access to them on a seasonal basis – things like holiday decorations or sports gear – renting a storage unit to stow them makes sense. Choose a storage facility that’s secure, well-maintained, and offers 24/7 easy access. Storage units are available in a variety of sizes, from an area equivalent to an oversized closet to units large enough to store vehicles and more.