A couple people have read between the lines of my recent posts and wondered what is going on with my life. Short answer: we are selling our house of 17 16 years in northwest Austin and renting a place closer into town. Downsizing is hard. Feels like the right time for a major change. 🏡

Eric Gregorich

that’s awesome. That may be me in a couple years when the kids move out.

John Chandler

That's a big change! What neighborhood will land in?

Randy Botti

We did it 12 years ago. From a large 3 bedroom house in the north part of the island (Waimea) to a small 2 bedroom condo in Kona town. It wasn't easy, but no regrets looking back. We have way less stuff and way more $$$ in the bank.

Barry Hess

Man, we’re just behind you on life’s train and I’m thinking of upsizing. How challenging was it for you to manage the “stuff” part of downsizing?

Manton Reece

@johnchandler Mueller. I think it's going to be a good fit for us. Shorter commute for Traci and more walkable for me.

Manton Reece

@hawaiiboy Nice!

Manton Reece

@bjhess We have so much stuff it's ridiculous. My weakness is that I don't get rid of any books, so we have probably thousands. Also a bunch of junk. We've donated away a lot.

Pratik

Meuller is nice. Hope it's too noisy and raucous on the weekends or late at night.

Pratik

@pratik Sorry, I confused it with Domain 🤦🏽‍♂️

Manton Reece

@pratik Yeah, some parts of the Domain, like Rock Rose Avenue, have a bit more of a late-night bars vibe.

Chris O'Donnell

We did that in late 2017 - sold the DC suburban McMansion and rented a smaller place 60 miles south in Richmond. We are finally just now buying again, but about 1/3 of the square footage of the last home we owned. Have never regretted it.

Mike Shields

@manton I did the same a couple of years ago and am going even further this year. It’s a weird feeling letting go of the stuff you’ve carried around for years. But it’s just stuff and you can keep the really important things with you.

Marie Kondo the crap out of it!

Barry Hess

That does sound challenging! I imagine it will feel lighter in the end, but it sounds very hard. 😬

David Sinclair

17 years, impressive. The longest I've ever lived in one place was 10 years, average around 7 years.

David Sinclair

but downsizing can be very liberating and satisfying. (My 5 acres to a motorhome may be extreme, but any amount is great.)

Colin Devroe

@manton I hope the process goes well and you’re able to love the new place even more than the old place!

David Sinclair

@Ddanielson that's impressive; I can't imagine being in one place that long. Buy a motorhome and go everywhere!

Pratik

But why rental and not buying a condo?

Manton Reece

@pratik Answering that is complicated. 🙂 Long story short, not totally sure where we're going to be in a couple years.

Pratik

Totally understand. We're in a similar boat. Not sure about Texas for long-term.

Manton Reece @manton
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