They enjoy a sense of freedom when running a smaller home, less cleaning, fewer repairs, possibly no garden maintenance, lower running costs and particularly where the property is in a secure block of flats, perhaps a lift and no internal stairs. Other benefits can include porters who can assist with deliveries, watering of plants, providing access for workmen, general repairs or even a helping hand with shopping bags or parcels. Also, let’s not forget when moving to a flat, usually the  building repairs, general facilities and gardening is handled by managing agents or a tenants association, which in turn creates extra spare time and possibly a release of funds, permitting a more carefree approach to travelling or pursuing other activities,

Although it is often considered one the most difficult moves: condensing a large home full of contents into a much smaller unit,  once completed, most people  if not all, are delighted to have made the transition and wonder why they waited so long to do so.

Published in Fabric Magazine April 2017