ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the issues involved in moving house when people get older. It focuses on two other aspects of living arrangements – first, living alone and second, moving to a care home. Some estate agents remember the ‘4 Ds’ as common reasons for prospective vendors wanting to move – divorce, death, debt and downsizing. With families having grown up and left home, some couples wonder why they are still living in a family-sized house that requires maintenance, heating, cleaning, and so on. If they have children who are really struggling with their living costs, some orchestrate a downsizing and gift the difference to their children to either help them get a leg up on that elusive ladder or just give them a chunk of money to contribute towards their living and rental costs. Another reason for moving is that the location does not suit people's needs anymore.
