Moving is never easy but downsizing from a family house can be especially challenging. At The Canterbury, a community for independent senior living in Los Angeles, team members are experienced in making the process as seamless as possible.

Patricia Blue, Director of Sales and Marketing has decades of experience supporting people in their move. “We advise potential residents that using a professional downsizer is a great way to go,” she says. There’s so much to consider, from planning the move to moving in, being settled, then distributing the objects you aren’t keeping. We are all attached to items we’ve collected over the years, so using a professional can ease decision making, helping you identify what you truly need, and, critically, what you won’t need. It can also take pressure off your family, who may not have enough time available to support all that goes into a big move. An impartial outside voice can also provide a measured perspective.”

One of the professionals working with The Canterbury is Jodi Davidson from Dedicated to Downsizing. For 11 years, she has worked with residents to make moving from their long-term houses seamless. Jodi shares some of her extensive perspective on how to plan for and execute a successful move. “I feel like a lot of people continue to age in place because they just don’t want to deal with their stuff,” Jodi says. “But moving into a community is really life simplified.”

Resident, Joan experienced life simplified when she moved into The Canterbury two years ago. She had lived in the Palos Verdes area until her husband passed away. “We had lived in our house since 1968. Once he was gone, I felt isolated,” so she knew it was time to consider a move.

She reflects on her perspective during this transition. “I was moving for a reason,” she says. “It’s a new phase of my life.”

Timing

The timing varies for everyone. Some people call a professional a year in advance, however Jodi says that the ideal timing is about two months before the anticipated move. It’s enough time to plan, but not so much time to overthink every decision. However, no matter when people call, Jodi says, “the road map is the same, but the puzzle is different.” If you are concerned you won’t be ready, Jodi says, “We will make sure you are, we have that experience.”

Phases

There are three main phases to move from your house to a community. “Once it’s broken into phases, it becomes much more manageable,” Jodi says.

Phase one

The first step is to know which items you wish to keep. Efficiency comes from having critical discussions up front, because that is when the big decisions are made. Your goal is to take what you need and take what you love, but not too much.

An important tip is to consider dual-purpose furnishings. For example, if you have a favorite credenza, consider it for your television stand. It will double as storage. Your space will look best with important pieces in it. Whether it’s furniture, artwork or other collectibles, these items make a statement and tell a story, inspiring conversation when people visit.

The speed of this phase often surprises people. Many think the process will take months; however, a professional can complete it with you very quickly, often in just three days.

Day one: Having decided what you’re bringing with you, it’s now time to get packing. A professional can have everything ready for the movers in one or two days.

Day two: Once the items are packed, it’s time for the movers. As everything is ready to go, this step is often easier than anticipated. The truck is loaded up, then the items are placed in your new residence.

Day three: A professional like Jodi then spends day three unpacking, placing all your items, and removing the boxes. She uses pictures to help her place your items exactly as you had them or to your preference in the new space, based on prior meetings with you. With her specialized assistance, you can sleep in your new home on the third night.

Phase two

Spend at least a week in your new home. Get comfortable, settle in, live with the items you’ve chosen and identify whether you feel anything is missing. Rest assured that Dedicated to Downsizing has your full house contents available to you should you wish to reassess a previous decision.

By accommodating this phase, we create peace of mind, allowing you the time to bring something in, swap something out, and make adjustments after you get acquainted with your new surroundings. Residents say they greatly value this extra time, knowing items remain available for retrieval if necessary.

Once you are sure what you want to keep in your new residence, it’s time to address the remaining items. Determine which pieces are going to family and friends, which can be sold at auction or an estate sale, and which items need to be donated.
At the end of phase two, you are living in your new residence, and your prior location is empty.

Phase three

Now it’s time to say goodbye to your previous residence. Jodi recommends walking through the space once it’s empty. Tell stories, share memories, and record the moments. This process brings great closure, and it’s an effective way to turn what can be an emotional transition into an exciting new adventure with positive memories.

In the new community

Terese Campbell, Co-Director of Sales and Marketing, has worked with residents in community living for nearly 20 years. She describes how she gets to know each new resident personally. By the time you move in, “we have introduced you to the community, your new neighbors and team members who will make up your new neighborhood of friends,” she says.

At the age of 89, resident Joan is taking advantage of all that’s available to her at The Canterbury. “I love all the activities. I can work out, which is new to me. I also enjoy being outside and walking the premises. There are movies and music. The food here is delicious and I’ve met lots of new friends.”

When recalling her move to The Canterbury, Joan says, “they made the move easy. It was a new home that immediately felt like home.”

Terese notes that a highlight for her is when a new resident wants to show off their new home. “They often invite me over to see a special clock that is in their kitchen, or a painting that is meaningful to them. These touches tell a story,” Terese says.

Jodi reflects, “People often exclaim, ‘why did I wait so long to move?!’

About Us

The Canterbury is the only Life Plan Community in LA’s South Bay, offering sophisticated independent living to residents from all backgrounds, cultures and faiths since 1983. The Canterbury is part of the ECS family of communities. ECS has been providing exceptional communities and services for seniors in Southern California for more than 100 years. Proudly nonprofit.