Moving to a smaller home is one of the biggest decisions people make after 50. It can free up money, cut down on upkeep and bring you closer to family, but the process itself, from selling the house to packing decades of belongings, can feel overwhelming. The right help makes a real difference, and moving services for seniors offered through a membership take money off the professionals who handle the heavy lifting, the paperwork and even the car.
A Downsizing Timeline
Spreading the work over several months is the easiest way to approach downsizing after 50.
Three to six months ahead. Decide what kind of home you want next and talk to a real estate agent about selling your current one. This is also the time to start sorting rooms you rarely use, such as the attic, garage and spare bedrooms.
Two months ahead. Get quotes from movers and book your date, especially if you plan to move in spring or summer when demand peaks. If you are moving far away, arrange shipping for any car you will not drive yourself.
One month ahead. Measure the rooms in your new home and decide which furniture will fit. Order any new appliances you need so they arrive soon after you do, and look into protection for the systems in your new home.
Moving week. Pack an essentials box with medications, documents, chargers and a change of clothes, and keep it with you on the day.
Services That Help Members Save
Here is what each senior moving discount and home service offers.
Moving Services by All My Sons Moving & Storage
Members can save 10% on moving services, covering the packing, loading and transport most people dread. From April to September, book at least seven days ahead for local moves and ten days ahead for interstate moves. The discount is not available for intrastate and local moves in Alabama, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, so check before you book.
Montway Auto Transport
Moving across the country does not mean driving across it. Members save $100 on car shipping over 500 miles and $50 on shipments up to 500 miles, with door-to-door service, guaranteed pickup dates and a price locked in for 30 days. Book online with the member promo code or by phone.
Coldwell Banker
When you buy or sell a home through a program-introduced agent, members can receive between $300 and $7,200 in benefits, based on the sale or purchase price. There is no fee to sign up, and depending on where you live, the benefit comes as cash, a gift card or a commission reduction. The program is not available in Iowa, and the cash-back bonus is not offered in Alaska or Oklahoma.
American Home Shield
A home warranty helps cover repairs to covered systems and appliances, which can bring peace of mind in a home you do not know well yet. First-time annual plan holders save up to $225: $175 off ShieldSilver, or $225 off ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum. If a completed repair has an issue within 30 days, a technician returns at no extra cost.
GE Appliances Store
Members save 10% or more on the full line of appliances at the online GE Appliances Store, including major appliances from several brands in the group, with in-home delivery, installation and haul-away services available. A smaller home is often the perfect moment to replace an old refrigerator or washer with a model that fits the new space.
A Downsizing Checklist
- Sort belongings into keep, give to family, donate and sell.
- Photograph sentimental items you cannot take, so the memories stay with you.
- Book movers early and confirm the date in writing.
- Update your address with banks, doctors and the post office.
- Label boxes by room so unpacking goes quickly.
Start Your Next Chapter
AARP is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to people aged 50 and over, offering resources and savings for every stage of later life. Its home and moving benefits bring real estate, movers, car shipping, home warranties and appliances together, so members can plan a move with fewer surprises and more money left over.
Downsizing is a fresh start, and the right support turns a stressful project into a manageable one. Used together, these home warranty savings for retirees and moving discounts can save hundreds of dollars or more across a single move.
Become a member before moving day and let the savings start with your first booking.
When the next big life change comes along, look for a short guide on 2MinuteRead.