Downsizing, Right-Sizing, or Van-Life Dreaming? How to Choose Your Next Move

Should you sell? Stay?

You’ve raised kids, built a career, collected stuff (So. Much. Stuff.), and now you’re staring down the second act of life wondering:

Is this how I want to keep living?

Maybe your house feels too big—or too small. Maybe your soul is itching for adventure, or just less noise. Maybe you’re ready to simplify, shift, or shake things up entirely.

If you're in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, it's the perfect time to ask:

Should I downsize? Right-size? Or sell it all and hit the road in a van or RV?

Let’s explore your options—and help you decide what kind of life truly fits you now.

What Does “Downsizing” Actually Mean?

The Basics:  

Downsizing usually means moving into a smaller home than the one you’re in now—often for financial, lifestyle, or maintenance reasons.

Why People Downsize:

- The kids have moved out.

- You’re tired of cleaning or maintaining a large space.

- You want to reduce costs and free up money for travel or retirement.

- You crave simplicity and less stuff.

Pros of Downsizing:

- Lower utility and maintenance bills

- Potential cash-in from home equity

- Less physical upkeep and emotional clutter

- Freedom to spend more time living, not cleaning

Potential Downsides:

- Less space for guests, hobbies, or storage

- Emotional attachment to your current home

- Moving logistics (especially after decades in one place)

Best For:

People who feel burdened by their current home and are ready to let go of space for the sake of freedom.

What Is “Right-Sizing”?

The Basics:

Right-sizing means choosing a home or lifestyle that’s not necessarily smaller—but is a better fit for how you live now.

It’s about alignment, not just square footage.

Why People Right-Size:

- You need different features (e.g., fewer stairs, a home office, a walkable neighborhood).

- You want a home that reflects your current (not past) values.

- You want to be closer to family, community, or nature.

Pros of Right-Sizing:

- You still get the space or comforts you want—just smarter

- Your home supports your lifestyle instead of dictating it

- You get a fresh start without completely starting over

Potential Downsides:

- It still involves moving (and all the emotional/financial logistics)

- Can cost just as much—or more—than your current setup

- Might require compromises in location or amenities

Best For:

People who still want comfort or space, but want it to be on their terms, not out of habit or obligation.

The Van-Life (or RV or Tiny Home) Dream

The Basics:

Van-life isn’t just for 20-something influencers with solar panels and surfboards.

More and more midlifers are selling their homes and hitting the road full-time—or at least part-time—in converted vans, RVs, or tiny homes.

Why People Choose It:

- Craving freedom, adventure, and minimalism

- Tired of “traditional” life structures

- Looking for community in nomadic or alternative living circles

- Wanting to see the world before their knees give out

Pros of Van or Tiny Home Life:

- Lower cost of living (potentially)

- Ultimate freedom of movement

- Minimalist living = fewer distractions

- Wild, inspiring, Instagram-worthy experiences

Potential Downsides:

- Isolation or lack of long-term community

- Logistical headaches (repairs, water, mail, etc.)

- Space limitations (tiny living is romantic... until it rains)

- No “home base” for family or emergencies

Best For:

Adventurous souls who value freedom over predictability and are okay with giving up some comforts for the sake of wild experiences.

How Do I Know What’s Right for Me?

Let’s be real: there’s no perfect answer. But the right answer for you is the one that aligns with your current values, lifestyle needs, and emotional bandwidth.

Here’s a quick quiz to help you sort out what kind of second-act space might serve you best:

QUIZ:

Should You Downsize, Right-Size, or Hit the Road?

Grab a pen and jot down your answers!

1. What’s your biggest motivation right now?

A. I want to simplify my life and let go of clutter.

B. I want a home that suits how I live now—not how I used to.

C. I want to see the world and live with more freedom.

2. How do you feel about your current space?

A. Overwhelmed. It’s too much house for too little life.

B. It’s okay, but not aligned with who I am now.

C. I want to sell it all and live light.

3. What’s your financial situation?

A. I want to reduce costs and free up cash.

B. I can afford a move but want it to be meaningful.

C. I want to minimize expenses and invest in experiences.

4. What do you crave most right now?

A. Simplicity

B. Comfort + clarity

C. Adventure

5. What’s your comfort level with risk and uncertainty?

A. I like predictability.

B. I’m open to change, but I like stability too.

C. I thrive on change—even when it’s messy.

Your Results:

Mostly A’s:

You’re ready to downsize.

Your soul is craving simplicity, peace, and space to *just breathe.* A smaller home can give you more freedom and fewer responsibilities. You're ready to clear the clutter and make room for what actually matters.

Mostly B’s:

Right-sizing is your path.

You’re not running from your home—you’re reaching for one that fits you better now. You want intentional space, thoughtful features, and a lifestyle that honors who you’ve become.

Mostly C’s:

It’s van-life dreaming time.

You’re wired for freedom and stories. Whether it’s a full-time road life or a seasonal escape, your soul lights up when you think about sunsets, highways, and the open road. Lean in.

Questions to Ask Before You Decide

Regardless of your quiz result, here are a few deeper questions to journal on before making a move:

- What does freedom mean to me right now?

- What does home feel like—not just look like?

- Where do I want to spend my time, energy, and resources?

- What am I afraid of in making this change—and what excites me most?

Final Thoughts: Home Isn’t a Place—It’s a Fit

In your second act, you don’t need to prove anything.

You don’t need to keep a house for guests who don’t come.

You don’t need to stay put out of guilt or fear.

And you definitely don’t need to follow someone else’s blueprint.

This is your time to live somewhere that supports your joy, your peace, and your possibility.

Downsize, right-size, or drive into the sunset.

Whatever you choose—make sure it fits the **you** you are now.

What’s Next?

Leave a comment and tell me:

- Have you downsized, right-sized, or hit the road?

- What scares you about making a lifestyle move?

- What part of your space no longer serves you?

And if you loved this quiz, share it with a friend who’s also feeling “over it” with their current space. They just might need a nudge.