Downsizing in London, Ontario
Maybe the stairs are getting harder. Maybe the kids have moved out and the house feels too big, or the yard has become a chore rather than a pleasure. Maybe you'd simply like to free up some money and spend less time maintaining a home. Whatever the reason, you're not alone. Many London households reach this point, and there's no single right answer.
This guide is here to help you think it through, at your own pace.
Start wherever you are
- Is it time to downsize?Signs it might be the right moment, and good reasons to wait.
- Single-level living in LondonBungalows, bungalow condos and main-floor living, and where to find them.
- Condos, adult communities and retirement residencesThe differences, explained plainly.
- Selling the family home and buying the next oneHow to time it so you're never stuck between homes.
- Decluttering decades of memoriesA gentle, practical approach.
- Money, tax and estate basicsPrincipal residence, land transfer tax, probate and more.
- Staying put vs movingWhen renovating makes more sense than moving.
Downsizing doesn't have to mean "smaller"
Some people prefer the word rightsizing. For some households, the right next home is a smaller condo. For others, it's a bungalow of similar size with everything on one floor. For others still, it's a home closer to grandchildren, or a townhouse where someone else shovels the snow. The goal is a home that fits the life you want for the next chapter.
What London offers people who are rightsizing
- Bungalows in many established neighbourhoods, including mid-century areas across the city, as well as newer bungalow and bungalow-townhouse communities, some designed for adults.
- Condos from downtown high-rises with river views to quieter low-rise buildings in the north and west.
- Healthcare close by. London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care London are regional referral centres. Many people choose to stay in London, or move here, partly for that reason.
- Walkable pockets such as Wortley Village and Byron's village area, where shops and cafés are a short stroll away.
- Parks and paths: the Thames Valley Parkway and Springbank Park offer flat, accessible walks.
Downsizing decisions are usually easier when they're made a little before they're necessary, not after a fall or a health scare forces the issue. Thinking it through now gives you choices.
A simple way to begin
- Write down what you want more of, and less of. Less maintenance? Fewer stairs? More time to travel? Closer to family? Your list will point you toward the right type of home.
- Find out what your current home might be worth. A local agent can prepare a market evaluation at no cost. It's the starting point for every other decision.
- Talk to family. Not for permission, but because they may have opinions about the family home, and it's better to hear them early.
- Visit a few options. Walk through a bungalow, a condo and an adult community. It's often surprising which one feels right.
- Get financial and legal advice before you commit, especially about your estate plan and any money you'll free up.
Common worries, and what usually happens
"I'll never find anything I like as much." It's natural to compare every home with the one you've loved for decades. Once you've chosen a home that suits the next chapter, a new routine can start to feel like home sooner than you might expect.
"The market might go up after I sell." If you're selling and buying in the same market around the same time, a rising or falling market affects both sides. What matters more is the gap between the two homes.
"I don't know where to start with all our things." Start with one closet. Our decluttering guide breaks it into small steps.
When family is involved
Adult children often want to help, and sometimes they have strong feelings about the house they grew up in. It can help to have one family conversation early, explaining what you're considering and why, and to agree on who will help with what: sorting, viewing homes, or the move itself. The decision remains yours.
Your local agent
A patient guide for a big decision
Selling a home you've lived in for decades and choosing the next one is as much an emotional decision as a financial one. It helps to work with someone who will take the time to explain your options without rushing you. We recommend Rayna Elabed, a Sales Representative with CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp., Brokerage in London. She works with sellers on pricing and marketing, and with buyers on finding the right next home.
You can browse current London listings, including bungalows and condos, and contact Rayna directly through her CENTURY 21 page.
Last reviewed October 30, 2026