Moving house is a stressful process at the best of times. But when you are leaving your long-cherished family home and moving into a retirement development, the prospect can seem utterly daunting, not just from an emotional point of view, but from a practical one, too.

As with everything, planning is key to successful retirement living and don’t forget there is an army of professionals who can help your move go smoothly. Here are some aspects to bear in mind:

Find the retirement property that is right for you

The best over-55 developments offer maintenance-free gardens, on-site facilities, on-site care – in other words, a whole community on your doorstep. However, facilities differ from development to development. Make sure you choose one that will properly suit your lifestyle and needs, both now and in the future. 

Get help with your property sale

Selling the family home can be arduous, not to mention time-consuming. Decide how much you want to be involved – you might decide to appoint an agent that can manage the whole sales process for you while keeping you informed every step of the way.

Downsize your possessions as well as your home

Your new home is likely to be smaller than your present one and for many, deciding what to keep and what to let go is incredibly stressful. Obviously, you’ve got to consider which items of furniture will fit into your new home, but also think about whether you are aiming to recreate a ‘home from home’ or whether it would be better to create a new look entirely. If you can’t face doing it yourself, have a specialist do it for you, sending items of furniture to auction, arranging disposal, and so on.

Get help with your removals

You don’t have to lift a finger on moving day if you don’t want to. Most removals companies offer a packing and unpacking service. Some will put bedding on the beds and even hang your clothes in the wardrobes.

Make your new home your own

The key to being happy in your new environment is to feel at home. Even if you’ve never used the services of interior design professionals before, now might be the time to start. They can assist with everything, from selecting soft furnishings to deciding on the wall colours.

Further information

Contact Savills Retirement Living