Believe it or not, we’ve lived in our new house for over six months. Half a year of living smaller, spending more time outside, and seeing how those goals actually play out day to day. In this update I’ll cover what’s exceeded our expectations, what surprised us, and the main challenges we’ve encountered along the way.
This is a detailed account because downsizing touches so many parts of life—space, routines, finances, and mental energy. While our situation is specific, many of the practical lessons and trade-offs are widely applicable if you’re thinking about making a similar change.
To Recap, Why Did We Move?
The short version: we wanted to live with less and be outside more. For years we’d been intentionally paring down, and the perks of downsizing—less spending, less cleaning, less upkeep—appealed strongly. We also wanted a warmer, more walkable location near the beach so outdoor living would be a daily habit instead of a weekend treat.
We reduced our holdings dramatically: from a main house, a beach house, and a duplex (effectively four larger homes) to one 1,400-square-foot home in Florida. Our last main house was over 3,000 square feet with many rooms, closets, a walk-up attic, a big shed, and a two-car garage. Transitioning from that much space to one smaller home took a lot of effort, but the result has felt worth it.
Packing everything into a single 16′ moving pod and shipping it south was a tangible milestone. Downsizing felt like a major life pivot—physically and mentally demanding—but once we settled in, the payoff was immediate: more time outdoors, simpler upkeep, and a greater appreciation for the things we kept.
We still find ourselves grateful every morning to live where we do. The kids love the beach and outdoor play, and even the dog seems thrilled with the sunshine and lizard-chasing opportunities.
Having Less Space
We worried about working, schooling, and cooking in a smaller house—especially once the pandemic hit and everyone was home all the time. But the layout of this house makes a huge difference. Even though rooms are smaller, every essential function—sleeping, cooking, laundry, working, relaxing—has a designated spot. Function matters more than square footage.
Three layout tips we found especially helpful for smaller homes:
- Make the two largest rooms shared family spaces rather than private bedrooms.
- Avoid placing those large shared spaces right next to each other so noise and activity are less concentrated.
- Separate parents’ and kids’ bedrooms so there’s privacy and a natural sound buffer.
Outdoor areas also extend the living space: a wide front porch and an upstairs deck serve as extra “rooms” where work, play, and quiet time naturally happen.
Spending More Time Outside
This change has been transformative. The climate encourages daily outdoor time, and the neighborhood offers beaches, trails, parks, and walkable shops. Simple routines—daily walks, runs, paddleboarding, family bike rides, and after-dinner strolls—have become normal. The kids are outside between lessons, and meeting neighbors while out and about has helped us form a new social circle even during a pandemic.
Owning Less Stuff
One pleasant surprise: we rarely lose things. Packing, unpacking, and intentionally organizing every item has made locations easy to remember. Fewer storage nooks means fewer places to misplace things. Where before cleaning supplies, games, and tools were scattered across multiple rooms, now they’re consolidated and easier to find.
Having less space naturally curbs impulse buying: there’s simply no place to stash extras. That constraint has been freeing and has helped us stay more organized and intentional.
Spending Less Money
Downsizing has generated meaningful savings in several categories. We reduced the number of properties we were maintaining, which cut utility, landscaping, and driving costs significantly. Below are the main areas where the savings showed up for us.
Utilities
Reducing square footage from thousands across multiple properties to one smaller home shrank our electricity, water, and internet bills. That reduction alone accounted for a substantial annual savings for our household.
Landscaping
We went from almost an acre of lawn plus additional yards to a much smaller, low-maintenance lot with native plantings and pine needle groundcover. That change eliminated recurring lawn-care costs we used to pay across multiple properties and significantly reduced ongoing yard maintenance.
Gas
Because we chose a walkable location near amenities and eliminated long drives between multiple properties, our driving and toll costs dropped dramatically. Fewer car trips and more errands on foot or by bike made a noticeable dent in annual transportation spending.
Taken together—utilities, lawn care, and reduced driving—the annual savings have been significant. That said, downsizing didn’t lower every single cost: food and some local taxes are higher here than in our previous location, so it’s important to evaluate all categories when considering a move.
So, What Are The Challenges Of Downsizing?
Two ongoing challenges have stood out. They’re not deal-breakers, but they do require adjustment and a bit of extra effort.
#1 Bulk Storage Space Is Limited
We no longer have a large garage, attic, or shed to stash project leftovers, extra furniture, or donations. That lack of a “dumping ground” forces us to make quicker decisions about items: sell, donate, reuse, or discard. It’s a good discipline but can be inconvenient for big projects or seasonal overflow.
We do use a small shed for essential tools and materials, and we’re learning creative solutions for temporary storage during renovations. The trade-off is that we’re more deliberate about purchases and less likely to accumulate “maybe someday” items.
#2 It Requires Ongoing Upkeep
Downsizing isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing practice. Without extra space to set things aside, new items must be processed immediately—file the mail, put donations in the car, decide where a purchase will live. That daily attention keeps clutter from accumulating but does require a habit of immediate processing.
That discipline also curbs unnecessary spending because you must have a clear place for anything you bring home. We’ve adjusted how we handle donations and purchases to fit this new reality, and the result has been less clutter and less waste.
We’re planning to add a small detached guest studio that could double as a quiet work space and include extra storage when needed. For now, though, the house functions very well for daily life; no room goes unused and every square foot is appreciated.
In summary, downsizing has been overwhelmingly positive for our family. It demanded a lot of work up front and daily attention afterward, but it delivered more time outside, simpler upkeep, better organization, and meaningful financial savings. A year ago we thought 1,400 square feet might be too small; now it feels just about perfect for this stage of our life—even in one of the most unexpected years we’ve lived through.