Right now I live in a 2700 sq ft home and by NSBH standards I guess that is a NSBH. Anyhow we are downsizing to a 1000 sq ft house. It is really all we need since there is just the 2 of us and we wanted to get started on our senior years alittle early. (We want to travel and not be stuck with a big house and maintance) Anyhow, I can't wait to simplify but I am worried that maybe now it is too small. It is going to be such an adjustment but then I am ready for one. I guess I am just flip flopping with emotion. Has anyone else had this experience? The house should be ready next month. And we will have ammenities we do not have here in the development like a swimming pool, clubhouse (which can be rented for 10 bucks a day that seats 75 with a full kitchen and bar if we REALLY need to entertain alot of people) and tennis courts. The house is maintence free. Am I doing the right thing?? Just feel so ambivelent right now!

Sounds like you are already committed to the small, NSB house. I have looked at some "tumbleweed" houses that are only 400 sqft. While I find the concept of living that small intriguing, I am not yet ready to get rid of all my worldly possessions in order to fit in the philosophy/lifestyle that is THAT tiny. 1000 sqft is pretty small, but you sound like you have done your research. If you don't have much "baggage" like antique furniture that takes up a lot of space, you should be able to enjoy your smaller house!

Good luck, you might as well ttry out your new lifestyle and if you can't stand it, you can always try again (I hope you don't have to, though).

DJM

I think you will do fine if you have had fantasies of your house burning down and all your problems with it!
All kidding aside, there are some real advantages: 1. it forces you to evaluate why you pack stuff around. 2. when you shop at walmart and you peer into other's cart's you start wondering why people buy the junk they do. 3. it will save you money because you wont be able to think of a place to put it.
As I have gotten older, I have slowly shifted my priorities from material belongings to ones that provide meaning. I kept a few of the belongings that mean the most ( half of the books- I gave the other half to the libray) and I kept my piano.
Sometimes though I feel like ripping my hair out- the amount of junkmail we get is astounding and constantly builds up on our desk. And if you don't keep the house tidy it will drive you crazy if your a neat freak like me. Goodluck. I would like to hear how it goes for you: it is definitely a spirtual journey of sorts.