In November 2020 we published a post called “What’s It Like To Downsize” after six months in our smaller home. That piece covered the immediate upsides—owning less, saving money—and the early challenges like sorting belongings and finding storage. We still agree with everything in that post, but now, more than 4.5 years later, there’s more to add from the long-term perspective. Here’s what we’ve learned.
We won’t repeat the full backstory (you can read the full explanation here), but the highlights are straightforward:
- We moved from a 3,150 sq. ft. suburban Richmond home to a 1,400 sq. ft. house a few blocks from the Gulf of Mexico.
- The new house has six rooms total and a single bathroom.
- Our lot is about one-tenth the size of our previous yard, and we no longer have a garage, attic, or basement—though we do have a pool, hot tub, and firepit.
- We chose a walkable location so we can walk to shops, restaurants, and the beach.
- Our family motto has been to “live with less & be outside more.”
After 4.5 years we remain convinced we made the right move. Downsizing dramatically reduced the time, money, and energy we spend on homeownership—less maintenance, fewer renovations, fewer furnishings to manage, and simpler cleaning routines. That shift freed us to focus on family, hobbies, and the outdoors, and it improved our work-life balance. The financial benefits are real too; even in a warmer climate, heating and cooling a smaller house is easier and cheaper. We covered those savings in detail in our original recap.
We’ve now lived here longer than we lived in our first house, our second house, our beach house, or our duplex. This lifestyle isn’t a brief experiment—it’s become our normal.
After nearly five years of downsized living, two observations stand out that might seem contradictory but are both true:
- It’s easy to forget you downsized.
- It’s equally easy to be reminded you downsized.
Both reflect the mental side of downsizing. Many people who move from larger homes to smaller ones notice the same things.
Forgetting You Downsized
Most days we don’t even think about living in a larger house. After years of routines and practical adjustments, 1,400 square feet feels entirely normal. What once seemed unusual now feels ordinary, which makes describing the experience a little tricky—we’ve become a bit blind to what’s notable about it.
That forgetfulness is important for two reasons.
1. Transitions Are Temporary
Transition periods are the hardest part, but they don’t last forever. Downsizing, like starting college or having a child, has an adjustment phase. For us, paring down was energizing, but it took two to three years to settle furniture layouts and install the storage we needed—closets and cabinets we added later solved many early headaches. Once those systems were in place, everyday life became autopilot.
Now, recalling what was hard at first requires effort—proof that the hard parts passed.
2. It Was The Right Move For Us
The fact that downsizing feels normal confirms we made the right choice. We still host guests—our pool and beach proximity are big draws—and we spend far more time outdoors. Cleaning the house is a quick family Saturday chore. There are trade-offs, of course: storage limitations mean we can’t keep every seasonal decoration or oversized prop. But those constraints force creative solutions and often reduce needless spending and decision fatigue. For example, instead of storing giant Halloween skeletons in a crawl space, we bought smaller folding ones that fit in a basket and bring the same joy without the storage headache.
There’s a comforting clarity in being able to say “no, that won’t fit” and move on. The longer we live here, the less our space limitations distract from the benefits we’ve gained.
Being Reminded You Downsized
Even though downsizing feels normal most days, small moments still remind us that our choices are different from many people’s. Visiting friends with multiple closets or a huge laundry room, or walking through an expansive open house, highlights how much room others have. Those moments aren’t painful; they’re simply reminders that there are many different lifestyles and priorities.
Comparison is a common part of homeownership, regardless of house size. If seeing larger homes provokes a passing wish for more space, that doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision. Track how those feelings persist over time: fleeting curiosity is different from a deep yearning. For many people, moments of envy are short-lived and ultimately reinforce their values when they remember why they chose less maintenance and more time outside.
Our neighborhood shows an extreme range of homes, from modest cottages to multi-million-dollar waterfront houses. That diversity can be eye-opening, but it doesn’t make us doubt our choice—partly because we genuinely prefer the trade-offs of our lifestyle: less upkeep, fewer expenses, and more time for family and nature.
One final note: choose a neighborhood that fits your temperament. If you’re likely to compare your home to larger ones and feel unsettled, a community with similarly sized homes may be easier. We enjoy that our cottage stands out and starts conversations, but some people might prefer to blend in.
Would We Still Choose Downsizing?
Absolutely yes. After nearly five years, we’re more confident in our decision than ever. Early posts focused on logistics and finances; with time we can also speak to the mental and emotional benefits. Downsizing has become a stable, sustainable lifestyle for us. We value the clarity it provides: living with less means needing less money, working less, and having more time for the people and activities we love.
More Posts About Downsizing
If you want more detail on our downsizing journey, here are related posts:
- 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