Harvard professor and happiness expert Arthur Brooks, Ph.D. recommends refreshing your life roughly every decade. For some people, that might mean a new career or hobby. For older adults approaching or in retirement, one of the most impactful ways to follow this “10-year rule” is to reassess where you live — and consider moving.
If you have lived in the same house for 20, 30, or more years, the idea of moving can feel daunting. Still, research and the experiences of many older adults show that periodically relocating or downsizing — about every ten years — can renew freedom, enhance security, and increase enjoyment in later life.
Resistance to change is natural, and it can be stronger as we age. Moving into an assisted living community or a 55+ community is sometimes perceived as giving up independence, so many hesitate. Yet adopting the habit of re-evaluating your housing situation each decade and letting go of accumulated clutter can make any eventual senior living transition less overwhelming and more deliberate.
A 10-year move’s practical benefits
Moving every ten years may sound unnecessary or disruptive, but there is practical logic behind the idea. Staying in one place for too long allows physical and emotional clutter to accumulate. A periodic move creates natural opportunities to reassess belongings, simplify your environment, and keep only what truly matters.
For many older adults, this reassessment leads to downsizing, which brings concrete advantages. Selling a larger home can free up equity, lower living expenses, and remove the burden of maintaining a property that no longer fits your needs. According to Kiplinger, downsizing often reduces or eliminates a mortgage while lowering property taxes, utilities, insurance, and maintenance costs.
Beyond finances, a smaller home simplifies daily life by reducing upkeep and chores, saving time and energy. It can also be safer: a single-level residence or housing designed for accessibility (wide doorways, walk-in showers, single-floor layouts) supports long-term independence and reduces fall risk.
When I first visited a continuing care retirement community while starting myLifeSite, a newly moved-in resident described the experience as “liberating” — relieved to be free of excess belongings and the upkeep of a large home. That sense of liberation is a common reaction among older adults who downsize thoughtfully.
>> Related: Memories, Meaning, and Moving On: A Compassionate Guide to Senior Downsizing
The emotional side of an every-decade move
Leaving a long-time home can stir nostalgia, grief, and worry. Moving is widely recognized as one of life’s most stressful events, ranking alongside major life transitions such as the loss of a loved one or serious illness. Older adults may be particularly vulnerable to relocation stress syndrome (RSS), sometimes called transfer trauma, which can include mood, behavioral, and physical symptoms.
RSS can affect people of any age but is especially harmful to older adults’ physical and psychological well-being, and it can worsen when moves are involuntary — for example, an unplanned move into long-term care. Fortunately, there are strategies to reduce RSS and make transitions smoother. That’s another reason a planned, every-decade move is beneficial: proactive relocation reduces the likelihood of crisis-driven decisions and can make the process easier to manage mentally and physically.
Choosing to move on your own timetable lets you sort belongings gradually, downsize intentionally, and select housing that fits both your current needs and future plans. Rather than waiting for a health crisis or other emergency to force a move, periodic reassessment helps you remain in control.
>> Related: Grappling With The Finality of “The Last Move” to a Retirement Community
Trends that support the 10-year move strategy
Several trends support adopting a 10-year housing review. Research shows older adults who move are more likely than younger adults to downsize or select homes that better match aging needs, such as first-floor living. Many retirees also relocate to more desirable neighborhoods or coastal areas.
Although many Baby Boomers express a desire to age in place, AARP surveys indicate about one in three ultimately chooses to move. Those who move proactively often seek affordability, proximity to family, or lifestyle amenities — choices that can improve financial, physical, and emotional well-being.
Gen X appears likely to follow this pattern, with downsizing becoming a common way to fund and simplify retirement. However, while selling a larger home can free up equity, market conditions and the cost of necessary updates can greatly affect sale proceeds, so it’s important not to assume automatic windfalls.
>> Related: Pre-Crisis vs. Post-Crisis Planning: Confronting Life’s Unknowns
A proactive move ensures you maintain control over your home
Over a decade, circumstances change: children move away, health needs shift, social connections evolve. What felt right at 55 may feel burdensome at 65, and what worked at 65 may be impractical at 75. A ten-year housing review offers a structured opportunity to adjust your living situation to match changing needs.
This approach also keeps you aligned with the five financial phases of retirement:
- Accumulation
- Pre-retirement
- Early retirement
- Mid-retirement
- Late retirement
Moving every decade is not about constant upheaval but intentional renewal. For older adults, it might mean selling a family home and choosing a smaller, safer, more affordable residence, or moving into a retirement community that offers social engagement and support when needed.
Regularly reassessing your housing ensures your home serves you rather than the reverse. Instead of viewing a move as starting over, consider it right-sizing your life for the coming decade. By following the 10-year rule, you can reduce burdens, increase financial flexibility, and create a living environment that supports security, independence, and enjoyment for years to come.
Originally posted July 15, 2015; updated Aug. 25, 2025