When I retired, I was living by myself in a spacious two-bedroom flat. So many pensioners in our block were in the same situation, rattling around in homes much larger than they needed. When the children are small and a family is living together, a big flat is a necessity, but when everyones moved out and gone their own way, all that empty space only serves as a reminder of loneliness and absence. Its hardly idealand to be honest, running such a big place is an unnecessary hassle. The flat desperately needed some refurbishing, but a pensioner neither has the energy nor the money for such things.
Paying the utility bills alone took up nearly half my pensionand that was with me barely ever using half the space. Keeping the place tidy was becoming increasingly overwhelmingjust washing the windows, mopping the floors, and cleaning all three rooms was exhausting.
While I knew I should move somewhere smaller, I put it off for ages. Over the years Id grown attached to my flat and the area, so endless doubts nagged at me. All my friends, nearly my whole life, were centred here, and I was loath to leave. What tipped the balance in the end was realising I simply couldnt maintain such a large flat financially or physicallyage had crept up on me, and my strength wasnt what it once was.
My family rallied to help organise the movetheres no way I could have managed it alone. My daughter and son-in-law found me a new place and oversaw the redecorating. Even though my new flat was considerably smaller, Ive never once regretted my decision.
For someone retired and living alone, a one-bedroom flat is by far the most sensible option. The savings on bills alone are considerable, and I can now give everything a thorough clean in an hourafter that, its only ten minutes a day to keep things shipshape.
I dont feel squeezed for space at alleverything I need, from my furniture to kitchen appliances, fits just fine and theres still room to spare.
The previous owners had left a large corner wardrobe, which now serves as my pantry, and Ive even put a few odds and ends out on the balcony. In the living area, Ive only kept the essentialsa comfortable sofa, a wall unit, and a coffee table.
All those old bits of furniture, crockery, and random possessions Id held on to for years in the big flat went straight outthere simply wasnt space, and I found I didnt miss them at all; theyd just accumulated over time.
A lot of people think there isnt enough room in a one-bedroom flat to live comfortably. Admittedly, if guests stay the night, theres nowhere to put them up. But I never have overnight guests anyway, and I wouldnt really want a separate sleeping area set aside on the off-chance. Ive reached an age where I like my routines and habits, and having someone else in my space overnight would only unsettle me. Besides, no ones ever asked to stay the night.
My daughter and her family live nearby, so when they visit, they head off home after a couple of hours. My friends often come around for a chat, but go home before evening. They might occasionally want to stay, but I dont encourage itsharing a room isnt convenient at my age.
Everyone has their own view about where theyd like to spend their retirementsome prefer staying in the family home with all its memories, even if its far too roomy now, while others are content to downsize to something cosier. I, for one, have no desire for a large flat at my age, though if I had the health and means, I suppose I could manage a three-bedroom place alone.
But really, when deciding whether to stay or to move, pensioners ought to consider more than just the floorspace:
Ideally, you want a good locationa chemist, a shop, and the doctors surgery all close at hand; not far from the childrens place, so visits arent a chore; and a lovely park or market nearby for daily strolls.
