Boomer Sells Florida Home, Embraces Travel Lifestyle in Downsizing Move

Barbara White, a seasoned real estate agent, made a significant life transition by selling her four-bedroom house in North Florida. Her decision to downsize was motivated by a desire to embrace a travel lifestyle while staying closer to her family. After selling her property on Amelia Island in July 2024 for nearly $500,000, White moved into a rental for six months during her search for a more suitable home.

Boomer Sells Florida Home: A New Beginning

White’s journey led her to a newly constructed, two-bedroom home in a 55+ community located in Brevard County, about 200 miles south of her previous residence. She finalized the purchase in February, leveraging cash from her home sale to negotiate a price below the asking amount of $250,000. This strategy enabled her to secure a place that offered a significantly lower cost than her previous home.

The Growing Trend of Downsizing Among Seniors

White, now 72 years old, is part of a broader trend with older Americans increasingly relocating to retirement communities. In the past decade, the demand for age-restricted “active adult” living has surged, particularly in regions like the Sunbelt. Florida’s renowned retirement community, The Villages, has become one of the state’s fastest-growing metro areas.

• Demand Growth: Significant increase in interest for active adult communities.
• Healthcare Focus: New communities emphasize lifestyle activities over healthcare provisions.
• Market Influences: Pandemic-related population increases have driven home prices higher across Florida.

According to Bob Kramer, founder of the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC), older adults are searching for lifestyle alternatives that prioritize hobbies and community engagement. He notes that as people live longer, they desire a fulfilling life in retirement.

Life After Downsizing

In her new community in Palm Bay, White reports finding it much easier to connect with peers. She has embraced available amenities such as water aerobics and has significantly reduced her living space, moving into a home with half the square footage of her former house. After selling her previous home for $481,000, which she purchased for $243,000, she made a substantial profit. The property value more than doubled, largely due to increased demand during the pandemic.

Now semi-retired, White sells a few homes each year but prefers to take referrals rather than seek new clients actively. Her financial security comes from a combination of Social Security and savings. This financial freedom allows her to indulge in her passion for travel. Last summer, she visited Norway and has previously enjoyed trips to Prague, Budapest, and Vienna.

Future Aspirations

While sometimes dreaming of selling all her belongings for full-time travel, White enjoys her new, slower-paced lifestyle. “I keep busy doing nothing,” she humorously notes, appreciating the peacefulness that her new home provides.