Top five tips when considering a move in later life

All too often people leave it until a crisis hits - a fall, a health change, or the loss of a partner - to decide it is time to move. This is completely understandable, but it can add significant stress at what is already a challenging time, and it can mean compromises are made that would not have been necessary with more time.

The more proactive you are, the more in control you stay. Ask yourself: is your home still suitable if you become less mobile? Are maintenance costs starting to feel like a burden? Are you beginning to rely on others more than you would like? If so, it could be time to think about a move that frees you up - emotionally, financially, and practically - to enjoy your next chapter.

Think about what you love about your current home and what is starting to niggle. Create a list of Must Haves, Nice to Haves, and Must Not Haves for your new home. Consider what a great future would look like - and what you really want to avoid. What might change if you became less mobile or your circumstances shifted?

Your home is also likely your biggest financial asset. Think about whether you want to release equity, reduce running costs, or simply have a home that is easier to manage. Our Future Planning service can work through all of this with you.

The majority of people moving in later life do not move to a retirement home or other age-specific accommodation. They may move from a large house to a smaller, more energy-efficient house or perhaps to an apartment in a more suitable location - it can often be a right-size as much as a downsize, with a desire for well-proportioned rooms that are more suitably laid out than the current home.

There are also a vast array of age-specific options available that are a far cry from what you may perceive a retirement community to look and feel like. It is useful to set aside any preconceptions and go and visit some - you may be pleasantly surprised. There are a growing number of rental options as well as purchase options, each with their own payment schedules, so it is important to look into these in detail and be aware of service charges, exit fees and re-sale issues.

Feeling emotional about leaving a home filled with memories and identity is completely normal. It does not mean you are making the wrong decision - it means you have lived well there. Give yourself time and permission to feel it.

Focus on what you are bringing with you: your comforting possessions, your relationships, your memories. Photobooks, videos, and keepsakes can help preserve what matters most. And give yourself plenty of time to sort through belongings - the sales process takes time so you don't need to rush.

Moving is challenging at the best of times, and when you have not done it for many years, seeking support makes perfect sense. Whether that is family, friends, professionals, or a combination of all three - you will be surprised how many people are keen to help when asked. Make clear requests of family and friends, whether that is practical or emotional support, and enlist help from professionals who understand the uniqueness of making a move in later life.

At Turners Oak our service has been described by a client as their Moving CEO - providing information, advice and support throughout the process, and introducing a carefully selected network of trusted professionals that we are happy to recommend.