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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n
Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead more<\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nOlder adults across the UK are encountering substantial obstacles when considering a move to a more manageable home, according to a new report from Age UK. <\/p>\n
The charity’s ‘Late Movers’ research, based on an Opinium survey of 2,500 individuals aged 66 and over conducted in January 2025, reveals widespread concerns.<\/p>\n
A significant 42 per cent of respondents cited accessibility issues as a major worry, while 36 per cent were troubled by affordability, and 35 per cent expressed concerns about their home’s condition. <\/p>\n
Furthermore, the findings indicate that a striking 72 per cent of those aged 66 to 74 anticipate difficulties with moving home once they reach 75. Age UK warns that unsuitable housing in later life can place considerable strain on health and social care services, underscoring the critical importance of early planning.<\/p>\n
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open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>If considering a downsize, it might be worth looking at areas that keep you close to your friends and family (PA)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nIf you\u2019re starting to think about your last big move, here are seven key things to consider when downsizing or relocating later in life\u2026<\/p>\n
1. Proximity to friends and family<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\u201cI often see couples moving down to Cornwall and becoming very isolated because they don\u2019t really consider how far they are going to be from everyone,\u201d says Cornwall-based estate agent Michael Kleinman. \u201cThey are often used to seeing their grandchildren every weekend and when they move to Cornwall, they only see them for a couple of weeks in the school holidays.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, it tends to be a much easier move if you stay local and have that familiarity and social network around you.\u201dHowever, if you are still keen to relocate, the estate agent highly recommends looking into the transport links of your potential new area.\u00a0\u201cThink about transport links to and from where your family and your network are,\u201d advises Kleinman. \u201cIf you move to a rural area, you might be 20 miles from a railway station and driving might be no longer an option.\u201d<\/p>\n
2. Emotional impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nPaperwork might seem like the hardest part about relocating, but many people underestimate the emotional toll downsizing can have.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think a lot of people don\u2019t really consider the emotional side of moving from the family home where they have brought up all the kids,\u201d says Kleinman. \u201cGoing from a four\/five bedroom house down to a bungalow means all those years of accumulating stuff has to be condensed down and a lot of people don\u2019t really think about the ramifications of the emotional side and the logistical difficulties of what goes and what stays.<\/p>\n
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open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>It can be very difficult to move on from a home you have lived in for a long time (PA)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\u201cYou have to be very brutal and ruthless about it and that\u2019s often easier said than done. A lot of downsizers start the process and then give up and stay where they are for another year or two because they didn\u2019t realise how hard it was going to be mentally and emotionally.\u201d<\/p>\n
3. Logistics<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\u201cAnother thing that many people don\u2019t consider is how different moving house is now, compared to 40\/50 years ago with things like EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) and online ID checks,\u201d says Kleinman. \u201cThe process can be very overwhelming if you aren\u2019t overly tech savvy. People often start the process and get a few weeks or months into it and then find it overwhelming, so take their house off the market and have a rethink.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finding a good real estate agent who has the time to sit, listen and guide you through this can help make it less daunting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWork with an independent local estate agent and someone who can actually come around to your house and go through it with you,\u201d advises Kleinman.<\/p>\n
4. Location<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nMake sure you do your research before making a commitment to a new location.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are thinking about moving to a different area, talk to local people in person or on social media groups to really get an understanding of that area,\u201d recommends Kleinman. \u201cI am often dealing with clients who are moving to an area where they don\u2019t know anyone, have never been there before or have only been there once or twice on holiday.<\/p>\n
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open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>It is important to consider where the new property is and if it will be appropriate as you get older (PA\/Alamy)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\u201cCornwall, for example, is very different in the winter compared to the summer. If you have been on holiday there in July or August, you will get a very different experience in January. So, it\u2019s important to do your research to see what it\u2019s actually like to live there all-year round.\u201d<\/p>\n
5. Convenience of health services and local amenities<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nThink carefully about what type of amenities and local services are going to be crucial to you as you grow older.<\/p>\n
\u201cThink realistically about how far away the nearest inpatient hospital facilities are, how near the local GP and NHS dentists are and find out if they are taking on any new patients,\u201d advises Kleinman. \u201cAlso, think about how easy or difficult it is to get to those services, as well as the normal town-centre facilities that you might need.\u201d<\/p>\n
6. Accessibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nMake sure your new home is going to be adaptable and functional for future you.<\/p>\n
\u201cBungalows and apartments are the normal go-to and I think it\u2019s particularly good to look for very new bungalows,\u201d says Kleinman. \u201cThe reason being is that building regulations now have to follow rules set out by the Disability Discrimination Act, so many new bungalows have to have things like wheelchair access, wider doorways and plug sockets higher up the wall \u2013 features you won\u2019t get in most Seventies bungalows.\u201d<\/p>\n
7. Maintenance<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\u201cNone of us knows what\u2019s around the corner and how long we\u2019re going to be mobile for, so you really need to think about practical living,\u201d says Kleinman. \u201cDo you want a large garden? Is it going to be practical and manageable? When does the boiler need replacing? Will the house need frequent external painting?<\/p>\n
\u201cI would always guide clients towards a more modern property that is low maintenance. Lots of people think about how they are today, rather than what it is going to be like for them in 10\/20 years\u2019 time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Older adults across the UK are encountering substantial obstacles when considering a move to a more manageable home, according to a new report from Age UK. The charity’s ‘Late Movers’ research, based on an Opinium survey of 2,500 individuals aged 66 and over conducted in January 2025, reveals widespread concerns. A significant 42 per cent of respondents cited accessibility issues as a major worry, while 36 per cent were troubled by affordability, and 35 per cent expressed concerns about their home’s condition. Furthermore, the findings indicate that a striking 72 per cent of those aged 66 to 74 anticipate difficulties with moving home once they reach 75. Age UK warns that unsuitable housing in later life can place considerable strain on health and social care services, underscoring the critical importance of early planning. open image in gallery If considering a downsize, it might be worth looking at areas that keep you close to your friends and family (PA) If you\u2019re starting to think about yo…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7367,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7366"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}