Everything will work out for you with the downsizing. Change brings anxiety but once you get into your new place... you will love it. Your decision to downsize is a great idea.

This is an exciting time for you, I dream of having a quilt shop within twenty minutes, never mind walking distance! Think of it this way, less to clean, and more time to sew. Just make sure your new home has a large enough sewing room, with lots of light and sunshine pouring in where you will be happy. Its especially important to have that one room that you can close the door to when company arrives. so try not to make it a room that you have to make into a guest room when you have overnight family/friends stays.

we think we found a house we might like. If it looks as good on the inside and the descriptions are accurate it is just what we need. It has 2 bedrooms down and one up. It's like a cape cod type house so the upstairs has the slanted sides. That would be my sewing room. The entire upstairs. DH would have the garage he has always wanted for his MAN stuff. The best part. I am3 blocks from the local quilt shop. I thinks its all of the stuff we have to do to sell ours and then to pack (ugh) and the move itself that has me nervous. I just hope we can sell our house. The way the market is I'm not so sure.

We downsized when DH retired by selling the house & keeping some ground with a 3 car garage on it.Eventually it was made into our retirement home.Large living room & family room, one bedrm & bath....plus a utility room used for my sewing space.We also have a lovely front porch where we spend lots of time from Spring till Fall.

When I had knee replacement surgery we were so glad to be in a one level house.This yr,I had a hip replaced,so smaller is better....for us.I can clean the whole place in a few hrs & deep clean in a couple days.

It also means lower utility bills.We're just 3 miles from town on a level road.It was a good decision,but one that is different for everyone.

It is scary when you first think about it. But, if you take it one step at a time and don't think about the "worst scenerios" you will be fine. You may come to wish you had done it sooner and what the heck you were waiting for! I was you about 10 years ago!

My husband and I moved across the country about a year ago. Left a home of about 3800 sq. ft. to one about 1800. We literally gave away rooms of furniture before leaving ... that alone felt great! The process was not as difficult as I thought it would be and it was a good feeling to just keep what we really wanted (and used).

Good luck and enjoy your new place!

I love this board, You all make life so much easier. Just to hear everyone elses experiences is calming.

our house is paid off and I always think of moving but with husband lost his job the only way we are going to move is if we have to sell. but I have had the whole upstairs for sewing and now I can't do stairs because I kneed a new knew and my sewing stuff is cluttering up the living room its a mess but husband doesn't mind. But I would love a house on one floor find the house with a large family room and turn it into your sewing room or combine two bedrooms there is always a way

We thought about downsizing too but with my requirements for a sewing room and his requirements for a workshop, we'd have to get a bigger place! Neither one would want to compromise on the space, especially since it would be our last house. So for now we're staying put.

when DH and I decided to live together (with my then-13 year old DD), we chose to gut my apartment to the walls and start over. I'd been there 20 years already. WOW did I find and chuck tons of stuff. The truth? I really didn't miss it. we built a sewing space for me that is also used for guests. The plus was livign with the man/prince of my dreams! so, I downsized sort-of and it was fine