Now, I'm purging now.

Had an emergency hospital stay the year I turned 50 and what am I thinking as I'm lying in my hospital bed. Thst I wish I had left things better ( more streamlined and organized for DH and my kids.)

I don't want to do that again

Anonymous wrote:I think by 70 they should be in a place where they could age in place. Not sure why they should have to downsize though. Our grandparents hosted holidays up to 90 years old

This. Whether they downsize or not, they should be in the place they're going to stay before 70 -- I would suggest early 60s if possible. If that requires moving, you want to do it while you're active enough to adjust to a new neighborhood, join new activity groups for socialization, etc. My parents are only 75 and really not capable of starting over in a new place with new people. They chose not to move when they could and now they're stuck.

My Dad did it at 88.

Never, staying in my house as long as I can.

Once kids are out of the house. DH has a sillyidea about keeping a big house for grandkids, but no.

YOu should be doing it all the time, now. Go to that corner of the basement and purge. Cull the holiday decorations that never come out. Get rid of the toys the kids have outgrown. Organize the guest room. I don't think it should be a massive job for a future time. Doing it on the regular means you can enjoy the results now.

There is no best age, OP, it depends on your health, support options and the specific dangers there might be in your home. Isn't that obvious?

My 89 year old MIL with Parkinson's downsized to a city apartment in her early 80s and is aging in place with a rotating caste of aides, nurses and physical therapists under the supervision of her children. She has said she will never move to a nursing home. Her kids respect her wishes, and it's going really well for her.

My parents, who traveled the world for my father's job, retired to an accessible apartment when he retired. They are now mid-70s and pretty stable in their situation.

We plan to downsize in about 5 years when I will be mid 50s and DH approaching 60. Then we will downsize again when we move to a continued care community about 10 years later.

ASAP I'd say.

Anonymous wrote:I'm 54 and DH is 66 and we are doing it now. Bought a new house, it's 2,000 sq feet and we are purging stuff. For example I've finally made peace with a Kindle and am taking boxes of books to McKay's every day until most are gone.

Good for you...but that is larger than the house we raised our two kids in and host our family events.

I'm 54 and DH is 66 and we are doing it now. Bought a new house, it's 2,000 sq feet and we are purging stuff. For example I've finally made peace with a Kindle and am taking boxes of books to McKay's every day until most are gone.

I think by 70 they should be in a place where they could age in place. Not sure why they should have to downsize though. Our grandparents hosted holidays up to 90 years old

I'm doing it at 45

The best time is years ago; second best time is now.

What age bracket is best for upper middle class healthy 60 something empty nesters to downsize?