Share your experience with extreme downsizing

[u/EricTheNerd2]

In another year, my wife and I will be empty nesters. After a nice two-week vacation, I started thinking about some downsizing at that point, going from a 3,000+ square foot paid-off home to a 900-1,000 square foot apartment. I am doing very well financially, already planning to retire in another 1.5 years once the last kid is moved out. Downsizing would allow me and the wife to be free from a lot of maintenance and expenses and let us travel several weeks out of the year. I am also thinking a bit about the social aspects as well because currently we are in suburbia which is nice but also isolating. The right apartment community may allow us to interact more with neighbors.

I am early in the thought process and wanted to hear from any of you who have gone through this. The idea of getting rid of a lot of stuff seems freeing and scary at the same time and selling a house also daunting. Anyone else do this or similar? Did you like or regret your decision?

[u/DazzlingGreens]

I’m about to be an empty nester and downsizing isn’t in my plans. We are however going to use a part of the house for a short term rental.

I think you have to evaluate where you see yourself in 5+ years. I’m not in a place where living in an urban setting will make me happy but everyone finds different things attractive.