In November 2020 we published a post titled “What’s It Like To Downsize” after six months in our smaller home. That piece covered the highs and lows of moving to less square footage—owning fewer things, saving money, and the early challenges of paring down and organizing storage. We still stand by that post, but now that we’ve lived in our downsized home for over 4½ years, we have more observations about what downsizing is like over the long haul.
I won’t rehash every detail of why we moved, but the highlights are:
- We moved from a 3,150 sq. ft. home in suburban Richmond, Virginia.
- We now live in a 1,400 sq. ft. house a few blocks from the Gulf of Mexico.
- The house has six rooms in total and only one bathroom.
- The lot is about one-tenth the size of our previous yard.
- There’s no garage, attic, or basement, but we do have a pool, hot tub, and fire pit.
- We wanted a walkable location, and now we can walk to shops, restaurants, and the beach.
- Our family motto has been to “live with less and be outside more.”
After 4½ years, downsizing remains the right choice for us. We spend far less time, money, and energy on home maintenance, renovation, furnishing, and cleaning, which frees us to focus on family, hobbies, and being outdoors. Financially it’s been beneficial as well; heating and cooling a smaller home is easier and less expensive. For the earlier financial breakdown and the initial experience, see our original downsizing recap.
We’ve also now lived in this home longer than any of our previous houses, so this lifestyle has not been a passing phase. If it wasn’t working long-term, we would have adjusted by now.
After nearly five years of living small, two overarching lessons stand out—seemingly at odds with each other but both true:
- It’s easy to forget you downsized.
- It’s easy to be reminded you downsized.
Both observations are mostly mental. Many people who downsize experience the same mix of adjustment and occasional reminders when they see larger homes or different ways of living.
Forgetting You Downsized
Most days we simply forget that we once thought we needed more room. After years of living comfortably in 1,400 square feet, that size feels normal and unremarkable. The transition becomes the new baseline, which can make it hard to explain what’s notable about downsizing because it no longer feels unusual to us.
There are two reasons this forgetting matters.
1. Transitions Are Temporary
First, remembering that the hard part is temporary can be comforting to anyone facing a similar change. Like starting college, having a baby, or beginning a new job, the adjustment phase is often the most difficult. Eventually you adapt.
For us, the first few years involved figuring out furniture layouts in tricky spots and adding storage solutions like closets and cabinetry. Those challenges took time—two to three years in some cases—but eventually everything found a place. Once the storage and layout solutions were in place, daily life became much more automatic.
2. It Was The Right Move For Us
Second, the fact that downsizing has become ordinary for us is proof it was the right decision. We still host friends and family—the pool and close beach access are major draws—and we spend more time outdoors together. Cleaning is quicker, and the whole family pitches in for a short weekly cleaning session. The trade-offs of fewer rooms and a single bathroom are outweighed by the benefits we enjoy daily.
Small limitations occasionally crop up—like when we wanted oversized Halloween decorations that wouldn’t fit in our storage. We found a solution: smaller, foldable skeletons that are easy to store and fun for the kids. That’s a good example of how downsizing encourages creative compromises rather than lasting sacrifice.
There’s a simple peace in being able to say, “That won’t fit,” and move on without agonizing about it. Over time we find we care less about the things we can’t have and more about the freedom and experiences the smaller home enables.
Being Reminded You Downsized
Even though downsizing feels normal to us, we’re reminded sometimes that it isn’t everyone’s preference. These reminders are small—visiting a friend’s large home, seeing many closets, or hearing someone say they could never give up a guest room or double garage.
Comparison is a universal part of homeownership. Sometimes you’ll see a feature you admire and feel a brief pang of desire. Those moments don’t necessarily mean you dislike your home; they’re often fleeting. If the feeling persists and feels more like a deep yearning, it’s worth reflecting more before making a big change.
For us, touring large showhomes is enjoyable and also clarifies our priorities. We can admire the design and then happily return to our cozy place, content with the trade-offs we made. Living with less means needing less money, working less, and spending more time on people and activities we value. That “why” makes it easy to pass on bigger houses that would demand more upkeep and cost.
Living in a neighborhood with a wide range of house sizes can amplify these reminders. We see everything from small cottages to multi-million-dollar waterfront homes. That variety could make downsizing harder for someone who struggles with comparison, but for us it mostly reaffirms our choice. Our home stands out as one of the neighborhood’s original cottages, and we enjoy that identity—it sparks conversations and suits our personality.
If you’re considering downsizing, take time to notice whether big-house envy is a fleeting reaction or a persistent desire. Being honest about how you handle comparison will help you choose a neighborhood and home that match your temperament and goals.
For us, the answer remains clear: living with less gives us more time, energy, and financial flexibility. That clarity keeps us focused and content when we see larger homes around us.
Would We Still Choose Downsizing?
Yes—absolutely. After nearly five years, we remain confident this was the right move. Our earlier posts focused more on logistics and finances; with more time we can speak to the mental and practical long-term benefits. The initial honeymoon is over, and we’re still happily settled in this smaller home.
Simplifying has become a habit—paring down and choosing intentionally is rewarding. Occasional desires for bigger items pop up, but they rarely outweigh the benefits we experience every day.
More Posts About Downsizing
If you want to read more about our downsizing journey, we have several posts that dive into decision-making, storage tips, layouts that work for smaller homes, and how we handle living with one bathroom as a family.
- Making The Decision To Downsize
- We Did It! The Realities of Downsizing
- The Rooms We Don’t Miss After Downsizing
- 4 People + 1 Bathroom: How We Make It Work
- 6 Smart Layout Features For A Smaller Home
- Tips for What To Get Rid Of When Downsizing