[Dave@TV]

Originally Posted by tektron297

Anybody have some downsizing tips they would like to pass along? We are wondering that when we move to the Villages, there won't be much space for "stuff". Where do you put your things that need to be stored such as Christmas decorations? It appears that there has to be some serious downsizing to move into the Villages.

We had storage racks hung from the ceiling in our garage. Other than that we store some stuff in the spare bedroom closets and anywhere else we can find a niche. Still had to get rid of a lot of stuff.

[Darield]

I agree. It is refreshing to get rid of all the junk. 70% of our furniture we bought new.. Lighter and better for a Florida home (We moved from Colorado). We store our Xmas ornaments in the space above the garage, but fair warning-NO Candles. The first Christmas, our candles had melted.

We went for furniture with lots of drawers. We have 4 drawers under our bed. Our TV stand has drawers, etc. We have room for storage units in the garage for tools and gardening things.

[GreySkies]

Step #1
Make a list of what core furniture items and other personal belongings you simply must keep, then sell everything that is not on the list via Garage Sale, Craigslist or give away to family / friends. Whatever is left donate to Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Step #2
Repeat Step #1 with items from first attempt, most cases you still will have WAY too much stuff!

Step #3
Calculate the value of the remaining property and the cost of shipping what is remaining to your new, smaller home. If the shipping cost is greater than the value of the remaining property, then go back to Step #1 one more time, only keep the small, sentimental items you plan on moving YOURSELF.

When buying new is cheaper than moving the old, go new every time.

[JohnN]

Major Downsizing:
1) Give stuff to kids and friends.
2) Give stuff to charity
3) Throw out junk
4) Floor your attic for Christmas stuff
5) Get rid of more stuff
6) Put remaining stuff under the beds or in the unused shower!

[Kenswing]

If it won't fit in a 26' moving truck it ain't coming - lol..

[Stu from NYC]

And in moving here just about everyone takes much too much stuff

[chrisinva]

Get rid of any brown furniture - sofa, chairs, lamps, desks, end tables. It just doesn't look right down here.

[SusanKD]

It will be tough . We haven’t move to TV permanently, but have our house and anticipating storage will be a problem. In talking to people who have moved here most have regretting have their stuff packed up and shipped here. It’s expensive and it doesn’t fix. So bring very little with you

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Sell the furniture, your starting new , buy new. I have had 14 new homes , 5 in villages sold the furniture as a package deal , you be surprised how you can juice a sale with right furniture package The only thing I have to move are my clothes , shoes and sneakers and that’s a lot lol