73-year-old Malcolm was daunted by the thought of downsizing from a large house to a one bedroom apartment at Harington Lodge in Chichester, but now he’s done it he couldn’t be happier and wants to encourage others to do the same.
“After 36 years in a 3 bedroom detached house with a garage and two sheds, I dreaded the thought of moving,” he explains. “It felt like a mountain to climb, but the light at the end of the tunnel was Churchill. Their expert downsizing service gave me lots of help and advice on what to bring and what to leave behind, including what furniture would fit into my new apartment. I filled two eight metre skips with all my old stuff. It wasn’t easy but what a relief to have done it!
“There’s plenty of room in my apartment for the things I really wanted to bring with me, like my camera and photography equipment. Now I can spend my time playing a spot of golf, enjoying my photography or doing a bit of fly fishing by the sea. It’s been great getting to know all the other apartment Owners too. We all do our own thing, but there are regular opportunities to meet up for coffee, or birthday celebrations in the Owners’ Lounge. And the communal gardens here are beautiful, the best in the county!
“Another great thing about living here is that it’s so close to town, so I can easily walk to the shops and have everything I need nearby. My daughter only lives half a mile away too so I can walk over to see her whenever I like.
“I’m living proof that it’s possible to move from a large detached house to a one bedroom apartment, and to anyone else who is considering doing the same I would say go for it, you won’t regret it!”