"Empty nesters", i.e. people whose children have already moved out, represent the largest group with the potential to downsize their living space. However, a study by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) shows that this potential often remains untapped. Although 26% of empty nesters feel their home is too big and 38% have an excess of more than two rooms, many are reluctant to actually downsize.
Although the willingness to downsize increases with age and the willingness to move, it remains low overall. For 70 percent of respondents, downsizing is out of the question. This attitude is often influenced by the financial aspects of moving, as the new rent for a smaller apartment is often higher than the existing rent for a larger apartment that has been occupied for some time.
The study points out that although empty nesters have great potential to downsize their living space, there is little pressure to actually move and downsize. This is not only due to financial considerations, but also because there is limited social pressure to free up living space for younger families. "It turns out that the combination of moving and downsizing - i.e. two drastic changes at the same time - is particularly challenging," says Selina Lehner, co-head of the study.
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